OxVeg AGM 15^th October 2009, 7.30-9.30pm

Place: Panel Room, Oxford Town Hall

Agenda:

Welcome

Secretary’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Election of Committee members

Proposals for resolution:

Next events

AOB

Next meeting

 

 

Attendees: – Denise Watt (DW), John Sharpley (JS), Paul Freestone (PF), Paul Appleby (PA), Heather Shepherd (HS), Pam Hopcraft (PH), David Huish (DH)

Apologies:– Rachel Foster (campaigns co-ordinator), Sue Tibbles (Liaison Officer)

 

Welcome

HS welcomed all to the annual AGM. PA was presented with a bottle of wine and cake as thanks for his 26 years serving on the OxVeg committee, including 25 as secretary. He was also made a life member (as was his wife, Galina).

 

Secretary’s Report

HS read report summarising OxVeg events over the past year. A transcript is available here, alongside reports from all committee members.

 

Treasurer’s Report

DH presented the accounts for the year, which can be found OxVeg Accounts 08/09. He advised that the bank account had moved from Alliance and Leicester to HSBC. It was noted that the previous year was a period of 18 months. Membership income has increased significantly, which is partially due to 3 year memberships. The line in income relating to Paul is an individual sale, not taken place at any event.

 

Election of Committee members

There were 6 full members eligible to vote. Vote took place by closed ballot, with JS counting the votes as an impartial supporter member (since he was ineligible to vote). Voters also had the option to vote to re-open negotiations (i.e. reject all candidates).

 

The following persons were elected unopposed to the committee posts:

• Secretary – HS (nominated by PA, seconded by PH)
• Membership secretary – Andrew Shepherd (nominated HS, seconded DH)
• Treasurer – DH (nominated by PH, seconded by HS)
• Media Representative – PF (nominated PA, seconded HS)
• Campaigns Co-ordinator – RF (nominated HS, seconded PH)
• Stalls Co-ordinator – PH (nominated HS, seconded DH)
• Non-specific Committee Member – DW (nominated HS, seconded DH)

The following posts were unfilled – Assistant secretary, Social Secretary, Website Manager, Chairperson.

 

It was proposed to have a rotating chairperson (nominated HS, seconded PA), and this proposal was passed unanimously.

 

HS will continue managing website in lieu of specific post.

 

Proposals for resolution:

 

·         that the committee draft a constitution, to be available in six months in draft form, and to be presented for approval at the 2010 AGM (proposed by HS, seconded by PH).

Proposal passed unanimously

 

·         that all reimbursement requests for expenses relating to OxVeg activities should be submitted to the treasurer via a committee member, and will be paid for upon production of a receipt. Items above £10 will require pre-approval at committee meetings. Travel expenses to be limited to £20 per person per year. (Proposed by HS)

After much discussion it was decided to revisit this when drafting the constitution, and refer to similar clauses in similar constitutions.

An amended proposal, “that travel expenses for committee members is to be limited to £20 per person per year†was passed unanimously.

 

Next events

World Vegan Day 1^st November & Vegan Month (November)

It was suggested that RF may be doing a free food stall.

PF will contact the media to raise awareness.

 

Headington Buffet Meal

This was suggested by PA to involve our older members who are often unable to make Dining Out Club meals. As we have a busy diary until the end of the year, we will revisit in the spring.

 

Green Fair (12 Dec) & One World Fair (21 Nov)

These have been booked by PH< and stock ordered. HS will supply OxVeg Christmas mugs to sell on the stall. It was suggested to take advantage of companies offering free food samples, but decided that this would reduce sales of edible goods on the stall.

 

AOB

PH has had a questionnaire reply suggesting sports events as an activity for OxVeg to organise. It was suggested we broaden this to a walk with possible picnic. To gauge interest, we will mention this in the next newsletter (HS to advise PA to put in Nov OVNews).

 

PF advises that there is a student (Ellie Hale) trying to set up a student veggie group at Oxford University. It was felt that it would be more beneficial for students to run this themselves (rather than amalgamate the groups), but that we would offer support where needed. PF to get details of the group for us to publicise on stalls.

 

Next meeting

Next committee meeting will be 19^th November. All welcome - non-committee members are requested to RSVP to ensure sufficient room space.