News Phil Whittaker
Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group Annual General Meeting Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich 7.30pm 27th February 2014 Apologies Council: Steve Piotrowski, Robin Harvey, Edward Jackson. Apologies Members: Morris Charlton, Nigel Banham, Gary Plank, Paul Gowen. Number of members present (including Council): 35 Minutes of the meeting 1. In the absence of the president the chairman opened the meeting, offered apologies and welcomed those present to the AGM of the SOG. 2. Minutes of the 2012 AGM Minutes of the last AGM had been previously published in The Harrier and had appeared on the SOG website. No comments have been received and the meeting approved these without any amendments. 3. Presentation of Accounts The treasurer presented the accounts for the financial year ending 31/12/13. He emphasised the importance of the specific items of income that had raised additional funds, including: CSD Day (£300) L&G donations (£950) Viridor Survey not yet included (£800) The Cut event (£700) with Gift Aid (£1000 approx.) still being assessed. From a total income of £8635 the present balance is £609.22, with some items still to be added, resulting in a healthy balance. Expenditure included: fees for speakers, meeting room hire, insurance, IT equipment, Harrier publication and distribution and website costs. The chairman added that the £700 from The Cut
event would be allocated to farmland birds, swift boxes, bursaries and other suitable projects. The meeting unanimously approved the accounts. The meeting thanked Matthew for adopting this important role and doing such a “brilliant job” despite it being a difficult task to pick up; especially when considering the many crossover issues with SNS. The chair also thanked Phil Brown for his efforts in saving approx. £1500 in Harrier production costs by finding a cheaper print firm. He also added that funds from L&G may not be as significant in the future, but Viridor income will increase. 4. Election of Council Members Sadly Jean Garrod has stepped down and the AGM offered thanks for her many years of hard work, commitment and support of SOG. Edward Jackson, who could not attend the meeting, was proposed as a Council member. Edward has strong links to SWT and as already made a significant impact supporting the SOG education project work and offering sound planning advice in a number of areas. Edward passed on his apologies for not being present as he had a prior commitment arranged before he was asked to join Council. He hopes to further strengthen SOG links with SWT. Robin Harvey (RSPB) was happy to be coopted back onto the Council and to continue his important role as an effective RSPB link. The following were then proposed and seconded and duly elected to Council unopposed: Edward Jackson Robin Harvey Philip Murphy and Mike Marsh were proposed, seconded and elected as Honorary Vice Presidents. Phil Brown is in the process of taking on the role of website co-ordinator. While Gi Grieco, now that Mick Wright has left Council, has adopted the role of Project Officer. 5. Officers’ Reports Gi Grieco Projects: A Rook survey has been proposed for 2015, as a comparative study for the one that took place in Suffolk 40 years ago. The
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