Home | Fixtures | Results | Tables | Pictures | President's Shield | PoY | Pairs
Cheltenham Civil Service Skittles Club
Minutes of EGM
2008     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003

CHELTENHAM CIVIL SERVICE SKITTLES CLUB

REPORT of EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
26th February 2008
at the CACSSA Clubhouse, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham

Prologue:
This meeting was called by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5 in the Skittles Club’s Rules. A quorum would consist of 6 members, one-third of a total of 16 entitled to vote (6 Committee + 10 team representatives.)

Attendance:
Committee: Reg Rowley (Chairman & Hangovers); Patrick Phair (Scorer & Odds & Ends), Mike Gange (co-Publicity & Fiends), Brian Wood (Fixtures & Hangovers)
Members: John Downey (S.O.S.), Bob Wilks (S.O.S.), Neil Coleman (Pensioners),  Pett Wilsdon (Odds & Ends), Stuart Jellyman (XII), Tony Clay (XII), Gerry Chivers (A-Bombs).
Apologies: Gary Lusty (Strongbows)

Report of Meeting:
1. After confirmation of a Quorum and acceptance of Apologies the Chairman opened the meeting, at approximately 7.35 pm, by noting the continuing decrease in teams which was reaching a stage where it might soon be necessary to consider discontinuing the League competition. He remarked that this was a matter of concern for ALL members which needed to be addressed now even though the league may yet function for a couple or more years.

2. As it has been the case in recent years that the number of teams who will actually play in the Winter League has not been established until very near the date of the first match, the Committee considered that there should be provision for it to terminate the competition if the number of teams fell below an agreed number. The Committee’s suggestion was that this number should be 8. The following motion was discussed.

MOTION 1. That the Rules are to be amended to include provision for terminating the Winter League should the number of teams entered fall below a number to be agreed.

3. A wide-ranging discussion then developed, acknowledging the issue which the Committee could face, and exploring the various factors which are affecting the decrease in popularity of the game. The prime element was recognised as that of the increasingly aged membership and a desire to attract more young people. It was decided that, although the figure of 8 seemed appropriate, more time was needed to contemplate the situation, particularly to consider what might replace a League competition. The Motion was REMITTED to the A.G.M. to be held in early July.

4. The Chairman then described Rule 5 which limits the number of members who are entitled to vote at A.G.Ms and E.G.Ms and proposed that, in order to help stimulate more involvement by members that the entitlement to vote should be extended to ALL members. The following motion was discussed.

MOTION 2. That the last sentence in Rule 5, i.e. “The power to vote is limited to one member from each team in the Winter League, and Officers of the Club.”, should be deleted and replaced by “All Registered Members of the Club are entitled to vote.”

5. In the discussion that followed it arose that a major concern was the possibility of one team “packing” a General meeting in order to bias a vote unduly. This was countered by the comment that such team members had at least taken the trouble to attend and the guard against this would be for all members to attend. After further discussion on the question of a quorum and possible proxy voting the Motion was amended thus:

MOTION 2 (amended). That the last sentence in Rule 5, i.e. “The power to vote is limited to one member from each team in the Winter League, and Officers of the Club.”, should be deleted and replaced by:
“All Registered Members of the Club are entitled to vote so long as they are present in person at any General Meeting. Any decisions taken at such meetings will be made by the persons attending, regardless of number.”
CARRIED unanimously.

6. The Chairman then informed the meeting that the dates for the various non-league competitions were confirmed as published. These were provided to the attendees in Issue 2 of “The Flattener” and can be accessed at the Skittles Club website, www.cacssa.co.uk/skittles. He regretted that he was unable to give a precise date for the A.G.M. although he expected this to take place in the second week of July, in keeping with the requirement in Rule 5.

7. The Chairman then referred to a paper handed to each attendee in which the responsibilities of the various Committee posts were listed. He specifically highlighted the vacant Secretary post and also invited anyone with skills which might be used to promote the Club to make themselves available for co-option. Someone with graphical skills would be very useful in assisting the Publicity officers.

8. The Chairman then informed the meeting that he would not be standing for the Chairman’s post at the next A.G.M., for personal and family reasons, and invited members to consider volunteering.

9. A further point which emerged during discussions was on the issue of postponements in the early weeks of the Winter season. The meeting agreed that deferring the start by about a month would be advisable. This would have to take into account timing of holidays, deferment of alleys to the Cheltenham League and, perhaps, the willingness of players to accept a shorter Christmas/New year’s break. A final decision on this would lie with the Fixtures Secretary , largely depending upon the number of teams committed to playing.

10. There being no other business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at approximately 8.55pm.

Reg.E.Rowley, Chairman, CCSSC