Here are the minutes from this years AGM

Minutes of the AGM of Strathearn Mountain Biking Club

16/2/11

Attending :

Pete Mayne, Digby Sym, Iain Findlay, Ewan Tavendale, Kevin Howett, Adam Christie, Derek Dobbins, Hamish Mackinnon, Noel Paterson, Colin Mcphail

Apologies:

Andrew Donaldson, Andi Tooth, Michael Aldridge

1. The acting secretary Colin Mcphail gave his annual report. The report covered the following

What we have achieved

• Website Set Up – www.strathearnmbc.org.uk, by Adam Christie, administrated by members of the committee
• The website has a Blog section which has seen some limited use, it was noted that it would be good to have as many items on the blog as possible, regardless of how small, all blog items to be sent to Kevin
• The website also has a Forum, which has been used a bit, and to be begin with was the only way to arrange meets. The Emailing round robin it is generally felt will be more successful than the forum, although general discussion will still be on the Forum
• An Emailing List has been set up, which sends an email to all club members, it seems to work well, there just haven’t been many rides due to weather, darkness etc
• Colin set up a Facebook page – it has been little used but will continue to run in the background
• Pete Mayne has been responsible for creating a regular calendar of rides, although he feels that it is not very successful, Pete suggested that as he lives in Glendevon, it may be better to get someone local to Crieff/Comrie to suggest the calendar of rides
• The club has 34 Members
• Membership fees will remain the same, and membership will be renewed to cover membership costs for the current year. An email will go to all club members to request the membership fees, and if response is low, a letter will be sent out as a follow up

1. The treasurer Noel Paterson then gave his annual report.

The report gave the following information

1. The members of the executive committee were voted in for 2011. The only amendment for 2011 was the resignation of Andrew Donaldson as club secretary, and the election of Colin Mcphail. This amendment was accepted. The executive committee is as follows

President: Kevin Howett

Secretary: Colin Mcphail

Treasurer: Noel Paterson

As there were no changes to the constitution the following matters were discussed

1. Adoption of the logo. The logo, which was designed by Adam Christie, was officially adopted by a unanimous vote. It was described as dynamic, unique and of a practical colour
2. The design of the club jerseys was debated. There was a design, which was suggested by Colin Mcphail, which was of an Orange and Grey top. Digby Sym suggested that there be some tartan in the top, using the recently designed Drovers Tryst tartan. There will be 2 templates drawn up, one with orange and grey, and one with orange and tartan. These will be available for a vote by members, and the winning design will be adopted.
3. When the design is chosen, club members will be given the chance to purchase a top. The tops will be produced by The Cycle Jersey in Falkirk. The costs vary as per the number of tops. Club members will be required to pay for the tops at the time of ordering. The cost of tops will be as follows: 

15 jerseys @ £32 each -  (for adults VAT included makes this £38.40 each)

20 jerseys @ £28.80 each

40 jerseys @ £27.20 each

Prices exclusive of VAT.

1. The design will also be sent to Endura in Livingston in order to get a competitive price.
2. The club sponsorship was discussed. Comrie Croft Bikes currently offer a 10% discount to club members, and the use of the van and Comrie Crofts facilities for meetings, and as such is a club sponsor. Colin has spoken to Scottish Cycling regarding the need to pay the £75 as a sponsors fee, and SC have advised that at present this is not necessary. Should this change once the tops are produced, CCB will be happy to cover the cost.
3. Derek Dobbins has approached the Famous Grouse distillery with a view to them sponsoring the club. It was debated as to whether this would be appropriate given the nature of the bike club as a healthy activity, the junior members having alcohol promotion of their sports shirts, and it was felt that it may be best not to go down this road
4. The SXC race will definitely be going ahead at Comrie Croft and there was some discussion regarding the responsibilities of the club for the event. SMBC will supply the Marshals for the event, and Comrie Croft will set out the course. Derek Dobbins will design a Kids course for the event. The course was discussed but it was decided this should be discussed at a later date.
5.  The issue of increasing participation was discussed; the club could do with more activity and more members. The following suggestions were made in order to increase the levels of club activity:
   • The club should encourage people to come and try stuff, perhaps with an event. It was noted that we should have strong presence at the Comrie Croft round of the SXC series, which will be held in May
   • Pete Mayne suggested the possibility of Trail quest
   • Colin Mcphail suggested that he prepare some posters in order to entice in more members
   • It was suggested that the opinion of the club might be that we are seen as too serious and this may put folk off. We should therefore make it obvious this is not the case and that all are welcome, and that folk who want to come along will not be put off by making folk go on rides that are too demanding.
   • Adam Christie noted that club should work on the social aspect of the club, there should be a ride, which begins or ends with a café/bar and that there should also be some non-biking socialising organised. There shall also be a summer Barbeque arranged.
   • The notion of a regular weekly ride was suggested, and it was agreed that the best night for all members in attendance was Tuesday. The meting place has been arranged at the Famous Grouse car park, at 7.30pm every Tuesday

The meeting was then adjourned