Present Geoff Boyling, Gill Platt, Ian Muir, Liz Pickles, Arthur Howarth,
Humphrey Southall, Jan Lancaster, Andy Bateman, Angela Benham, Dave Jeffries,
Charlie Fisher
Apologies
Linda Goss, Barrie Dobson, Colin Knowles,
Chris Smart, Adrian O’Connor
An
issue was raised about National Committee business. Andy, speaking on behalf of the National Secretaries, said that
the National Secretaries felt undermined by Humphrey’s behaviour. A number of issues were raised, the core of
which was Humphrey appearing to go to the membership through the National
Discussion List, before consulting the National Secretaries. The National Secretaries felt this was a
serious threat to teamwork.
Humphrey
responded by explaining a number of specific incidents that the National
Secretaries had raised.
Humphrey
was very concerned that the absence of a designated treasurer was a threat to
the good governance of Red Rope. A
number of points were raised in discussion, involving all members of the
Committee, about the importance of maintaining non-personalised debate.
Humphrey
affirmed his confidence in the good will and integrity of the National
Secretaries. Andy suggested that
circumstances demanded a public affirmation of that attitude because of
previous misunderstandings. Humphrey
acknowledged this and it was agreed that the minutes of the meeting would be a
suitable occasion.
The
National Committee reminds all of the importance of care with e-mail addressing.
A
number of technical changes will be made.
Minutes
of Last Meeting Approved Geoff/Jan
NC
Internal Issues These were discussed &
Humphrey, Andy & Angela agreed the above for publication in the minutes.
E-Mail
Addressing National Secretaries (NSs)/Dave Jeffries to ask Lucy to make
technical changes to computer system set-up so that individuals have to
consciously select redrope national e-mail address when replying.
ACTION: Contact Lucy
The
NC agreed the new Bulletin editor could spend up to £200 on new computer
equipment required & refer back for more if necessary.
ACTION: Inform Jake/new Bulletin
editor
Jan
said, “Where 2 people meet, there is a region.” Regions need ratification.
ACTION: Liz will write to NW
members asking if anyone willing to be contact & copy letter to Chris Cant
who made the initial query.
Titch
Kavanagh & Andrew Phillips running climbing training this weekend on behalf
of the Tirsuli North Wall 2001 Expedition team in thanks for a Red Rope grant
of £175.
The
Training Weekend was very successful and both Titch and Andrew were thanked by
Angela
on behalf of the NC.
Following
website discussion about what forms of transport should be used on Red Rope
trips it was agreed that the September National Trip to Aran, Scotland could be
used to pilot the use of air transport – cost no more than maximum coach fare.
ACTION: Humphrey, Arthur, Charlie
to compile a report and bring motion to AGM.
Lack
of time & foot & mouth was mentioned as a reason for non-renewal.
ACTION: Jan will write an article
on the above for the bulletin.
Follow-up
calls if membership not renewed after 2 months
Action: Jan/Gill proposed Ian
funded to make such follow-up calls and send MIS.
A
Red Rope member is planning to go to Palestine as an International
Observer. Would the club give a
donation to the cause?
Charlie
and others expressed the view that Red Rope was predominantly a walking &
climbing club and should concentrate on issues associated with outdoor
activities.
ACTION: Andy to ask Dermot to paraphrase the leaflet (3 sentences) &
what it is about (4 sentences) & send details of website to Bulletin Editor
who will publish if space available.
ACTION: Andy to ask member going to be International Observer to write
article for Bulletin & include bank account details for subscriptions from
interested members.
These
questions raised the query – “Is there a Red Rope political fund?” as of the
older tradition.
ACTION: NSs will seek
clarification of the Action/Access/Conservation fund with the help of others
eg. the Club’s archivists.
Liz
explained we required a snappy hand over of the database. 2 people had
expressed interest in the post. She was writing a mini manual to assist &
Dave Jeffries was happy to provide technical support within specific boundaries
so the new person would not feel overwhelmed.
There
had been less than 18 people attending National Trips over the last year -
except for the May National Climbers Camping weekend to Gogarth, which
attracted 24 people. Arthur opened a
discussion , which sought to explore why the climbers’ weekend was so much
better attended than other national trips.
Was
it because other national trips took place at:- Wrong time? Wrong place? Too
far? Lack of information/marketing?
Lack of experienced organisers? Need for a variety of trips/venues
ACTION: Short, informative articles
advertise National Trips.
Arthur to work on the
suggestion the Easter or Sept. 2003 venue is changed to the Lakes.
Charlie
gave several reasons why he was against Access funds being spent on Ben Track
repair:
Following
on from Access Legislation work he & Chris Cant felt good use of trip/funds
could be October/November trip to area where mapping disputed – could include
education/updating on current English/Scottish legislation.
Need
to encourage people to report lack of access.
Would
like Red Rope contribution recognised – could fund provision of a particular
stile perhaps.
There
are radical roots to questions of access in the Mass Trespass.
ACTION: Charlie/Chris organise Oct/Nov Access trip
Bulletin article to be
written about ‘How to complain about footpaths’ by Dave or Charlie
No
access to club’s records at previous meeting. Due to work done by John Gilman,
Adrian & Angela we have a clearer idea of club assets but as yet have been
unable to go through paperwork and allocate it to specific ‘pots’.
The
NSs want the new treasurer to have a computer software programme to assist them
with the finances & give members access to the accounting process. A clear transparent way of working is the
aim. Dave pointed out that members should
not expect interim accounts to be accurate.
The
total assets of the club total£15,000 approx (The previous figure of £20,000 is
likely to have resulted from counting the Hut & Access & Conservation
funds twice by mistake).
ACTION: Hut &
Action/Access& Conservation fund plus a percentage of the Admin account to
be placed in High Interest Account.
About
£3000 to be kept in Admin current account for e.g. printing costs, travel
expenses etc
ACTION: Advertise for a new
Treasurer
ACTION: Seek to establish size of
Hut/ActionAccess & Conservation Funds by examining past paperwork by AGM
ACTION: To assist Trip treasurer
ask trip organisers to return their filled in finance forms & paperwork
within a month. Arthur would like info on numbers/bands.
ACTION: Discuss subscription rates
– Humphrey feels they are too high
Written
report on YHA valuation of hut not arrived making it hard to set date for SGM.
After
discussion agreed a day trip SGM at Leicester/Sheffield would encourage the
greatest attendance of members.
Agreed
needed to set up clear protocols as to how we proceed e.g. need X amount of
money – Dave suggested £20,000, beforehand to avoid division. £1000 available so far.
Membership
won’t deny opportunity if structured fund-raising initiative exists- if process
had impressive result could pave way to positive result.
ACTION: Dave said how interest
free loans affect commercial loans needs investigation.
ACTION: Ask Colin Knowles for
information/advice on sources of money, grants
ACTION: Issue of using lottery
money would need to be asked at AGM.
Dave
felt information about what the hut is for, how does this one particularly fit,
how do we keep up the enthusiasm is not coming across.
Aspects
of work/research required:
FUND-RAISING/GRANT SEEKING
COMPANY FORMATION -
Hut – protocols
Warden –permanent/temporary
Extended hut usage
Revenues
Financial safety
Legality/Procedures
Short-lived hut could affect mortgage
Replacement/Sustainability
Need
to spend time on implications of becoming e.g. a limited company on members
Will
not necessarily get right answers from experts, need someone who understand Red
Rope.
ACTION: NSs to look through this –
request volunteers to research these topics via e-mail/Bulletin.
ACTION: Jan will contact lawyer –
former Red Rope person and lecturer in company law who might be able to assist.
Dave
thanked NSs for work done.
A
short discussion followed about whether the hut would be used as a bunkhouse
prompted by Gill Platt’s information that present Lake huts had been owned for
20 years or leased. Leased ones not
making profit. Ones owned not let in summer.
Effective
boundaries as to when used as bunkhouse, used solely for Red Rope, room set
aside etc would be required – not done it before but possible to develop a hut
that reflects our values as in the Karabiner Hut where the meeting was being
held.
Careful development of hut protocols should answer
problems such as care of property by
non-club individuals.
London
Survey of Views on Hut
Gill
Platt succeeded in getting 69 responses out of 117 to various question
including do you go on weekend trips, are you interested in trips to the Lakes,
would you vote on a hut.
10
respondents were interested in a hut, 8 interested but not in Thirlmere,24 not
bothered, 27 said no. 3 people said they’d leave if Red Rope bought a hut.
Some
offered contributions and to work on the hut..
Big
thanks were given to Gill for her work.
NC
approved up to £300 could be spent on the production of a suitable Red Rope
organised by Barrie Dobson.
Monthly/Annual
income figures
Housing
costs higher in London – Dave queried if needed to be taken into account in
calculations.
The
National AGM will be held the weekend of 27-29 September at Dalesbridge,
Yorkshire.
ACTION: The NSs will organise the
business.
Gill is the organiser. Regional contacts will arrange transport.
Jan needs Dalesbridge
number. Will run bar if possible at
Dalesbridge.
ACTION: Geoff Boyling catering.
Pasta available.
Bulletin article required to
advertise/e-mail for more helpers. Need
to investigate
facilities available.
May be better to pre-cook some food.
INFORMATION - Contact Dave if want to
get out urgent/personalised e-mails –
has access to member database.
The
meeting closed with the feeling that it had been spent positively and
productively.
Thank
you to all members for attending.