MINUTES OF RED ROPE NC ON 26.11.05 IN LEICESTER
Present:
Janet Saunders, Pat Durrant (joint secs.), Andy Bateman (Chair), Rebecca Linton, Jenny Patient (National Treasurer), Humphrey Southall (National Trips Treasurer), Andrew Worsley (Alpine Trips Coordinator), Gill Cox, Gill Platt (Membership Secretary), Adrian O’Connor, Uta Praekelt (Contact Sec), Dave Jeffries (IT Officer), Arthur Howarth (National Trips Sec,), John Dervan, Charlie Fisher.
Apologies:
Jan Lancaster (but sent publicity report), Mark Wallis, Anna Buehring, Ian Muir.
Agenda:
The balance of incoming and outgoing monies is now going into deficit; as reported to the AGM, the balance of our current account in 2004/5 has reduced by £2500.
This was due to various factors i.e. £1000 less in subscriptions (because of the change in the banding structure), the re-instatement of Regional Support payments totalling £900, an increase in affiliation costs to the BMC (soon to be £8.50 per person), an increase in expenditure on publications (£700), increase expenditure on NC meetings (£200) and one-off costs for software, repairs etc. (£350).
There was a general discussion on addressing this deficit and the following suggestions:
a) Strengthening the links between Regions and the centre so that the flow of cash can be mutual. The National Treasurer sends out the Allocation as appropriate but does not necessarily get all Regional Treasurers’ reports; there may be Regions with generous profits who could contribute back to the central fund.
b) Using an Internet account.
THIS WAS VOTED DOWN AS NOT BEING SECURE ENOUGH.
c) Raising the subscription:
It was suggested by the Treasurer that the subs be raised (Band A paying £10 and other bands raised accordingly with Band H paying £37.50). Several people thought this too much and we would lose members. It was pointed out that other clubs (Ramblers, BMC) all offer concessionary rates either similar or above this. Some felt cost-cutting should be tried first but the Treasurer felt there was little room for this. However, these suggestions were made:
i) Participants on walks and trips should be checked for membership and strongly encouraged to join..
ii)Membership reminders (3 at present) should be reviewed (but this would only save a minimal amount). Could we have one universal renewal of membership date a year (and eliminate reminders altogether?)?
iii)Can we cut back on the Regional Allocation?
iv)Charge full 2-night accommodation costs at the AGM
v) Reduce MIS mailings (see next item),
IT WAS AGREED TO RAISE THE SUBSCRIPTIONS TO £10 FOR A BAND AND THE OTHER BANDS ACCORDINGLY.
This would start 1.1.06 and the Treasurer will inform the membership in the next MIS.
ACTION BY: Jenny Patient
2) Sending the MIS electronically:
It would save considerable money if we sent the newsletter (not the Belletin) by e-mail. Probably most of the membership now have this
Facility and we can accommodate those who do not. It was agreed that the system should be introduced over the next 6 months –
AGREED: E-MAIL MIS TO BE SENT MONTHLY AND PAPER MIS (TO THOSE WITHOUT E-MAIL) TO SENT OUT BI- MONTHLY.
Dave Jeffries will alert the membership. ACTION BY: D. J.
3) Lessons from the Alpine Trip 2005:
The Coordinator, Andrew Worsley reported that the trip had been very successful on many fronts – socially, activity-wise and it had encouraged members who had never been to the Alps before. However, the re-allocation of some of the profits to the trip members had significantly reduced the monies paid into the central Red Rope funds and made the trip considerably less successful financially than it should have been. There was a high percentage of high banded members on the trip but if this was reversed, it was estimated that there would have been an unacceptable deficit.
IT WAS AGREED TO WRITE AN ARTICLE IN THE BULLETIN AND GET
FEEDBACK FROM THE MEMBERSHIP ON THE VIABILITY OF SUCH TRIPS.
ACTION BY: Jenny Patient & Jeremy Abrahams
3) Transport costs on trips:
IT WAS AGREED TO CHANGE THE TRANSPORT CHARGES AND BRING THE BAND E COST IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT COMPENSATION TO DRIVERS (6p A MILE PER PERSON CARRIED).
Charlie will send adjustments to the scale to Humphrey.
ACTION BY: Charlie Fisher & Humphrey Southall
4) Overnight charges:
Humhrey had worked out how much it cost per person to go on a trip and how much income they brought in. For example, Coventry over 2004 made a profit of £1.72 per person whereas Bristol made a loss of £2.29.
Reasons for this were explored but it was generally felt there was no strong reason for raising the cost of accommodation generally, but there may be an argument for a two-tier system of accommodation charges e.g more expensive accommodation (such as Youth Hostels which may be more convenient for some regions) would be “2 star” and charged at a higher rate.
AGREED WE WILL LOOK AT COSTS OF YH AND THE VIABILITY OF THIS SYSTEM IN LONDON (an experimental trip?)
ACTION BY: Humphrey
5) Changing the Booking Form:
It was agreed to leave off reference to child care on the Booking Form and also make the questions about driving qualifications more relevant.
6) IT WAS AGREED THAT THE GENERAL CHILD CARE POLICY
BE REVIEWED.
ACTION BY: John Dervan, Andy Bateman, Gill Cox
6) Future Trips:
2006-
18.02.06 Alex Mcintyre Hut
14th to 21st April Feshiebridge
May Day – climbing in Anglesey
27th May to 2nd June – Naismith Hut, Elphin
July/August – another Alpine trip?
September – Roaches National Training Trip
2007 –
Easter – Ling Hut
June – Glen Brittle
September – Climbing in the Roaches
7) AOB:
a)Jan Lancaster wanted to know if we should renew our website listing in the Morning Star and this was agreed.
b) A researcher in Aberdeen has asked for access to our archives for an oral history project. Andy Bateman (Archivist) will liaise and request a letter from his supervisor initially.
ACTION BY: Andy Bateman
Meeting ended: 4.30
Next NC meeting: Saturday March 4th in Sheffield