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Report on the National AGM and Executive Meetings
EPORT ON THE ATIONAL AND XECUTIVE EETINGS
GLYN CLEMENTS BRANCH DELEGATE
I attended as Branch Delegate at this year’s meeting back in August. With 1800 members living within the greater Auckland area, it was hoped that many would take the opportunity to attend. Alas, this was not the case and there were no more than a couple of dozen general members at the AGM. The Branch Delegates outnumbered them and not all branches sent a representative. It appears apathy is alive and well. However there was work to be done and here are some of the more poignant topics.
MEMBERSHIP - RETENTION OF EXISTING MEMBERS AND RECRUITMENT OF NEW
With an ageing membership (80% of us are over 60 years old), numbers are likely to drop significantly over the next few years. The new online system has seen 166 new members join via this method since the introduction earlier this year. Publicity to keep the “clubs” profile up in the public’s eye was discussed and the Annual Daffodil Day is seen as key to this. The National Office is to supply each Branch with a roll up banner and flag for promo purposes when we are out and about, and there is a new flyer for distribution. Nationally we stand at 8540 members with Manawatu sitting at 156 (8 up on the same time last year). That puts us 21st out of 36 branches in membership numbers.
VIC AND THE FUTURE
There are 14,608 VICs in our database. There has been much background work done with LTSA to get 12 month Warrants of Fitness for our vehicles. The matter is now before the Minister of Transport and it is apparent that having a VIC will be mandatory for this - So get your vehicles done now. There are new laws coming into effect regarding exhaust emissions and rear licence plate illumination, and if you don't have a VIC your vehicle will have to meet the new regulations.
There is concern over the growing costs for 25/35/50 year Membership Awards and a Discussion Paper has gone to every branch with a decision deferred until the March Executive Meeting.
Our Branch Committee was happy with the status quo but will revisit it. If you, as a Member, have a particular interest in the topic please talk to me.
The VERO Rally came out with a $62,000 profit, mainly due to some budgeted contingencies not being required.
The Club is now asking for Expressions of Interest from any Branch who would like the event similar in their region in about 5 or 6 years. Also nationally, we are looking for a branch to take on a North Island Easter Rally. Similarly, the National
Report on the National AGM and Executive Meetings : Continued
Motorcycle Rally for 2025 needed a host branch so I put my hand up for Manawatu (pending ratification from the Branch Committee).
Our SWAP Meet for next year will have to be on Saturday 30th September as the way the calendar has fallen, Canterbury will hold their SWAP Meet on the first weekend of October.
Rod Brayshaw was a member of our branch for many years, and has been the Club’s Registrar for the last 27 years. Highly regarded, both in New Zealand and Overseas as our Representative on the F.I.V.A. It was with much sadness that he has had to step down from the post due to ill health (a debilitating stroke). A suitable presentation was made to him with a standing ovation and many a damp eye in the room. We, as members, owe a huge gratitude to Rod, especially for his work in getting the VIC system implemented and recognised by the Government.
There are new laws being implemented for incorporated societies. The National Office will forward a paper on this for all branches to action with regard to complying with the new Act and its implications to our operation.
I hadn’t been to an AGM since I organised the 1998 event in Hastings while a member of the Hawkes Bay Branch. Still a lot of familiar faces nearly 25 years on. The Club appears to be in good heart and financially sound with some dedicated and talented people at the helm.
