Annual General Meeting 2012 To be held at: Lawrence Graham Solicitors 4 More London Riverside London SE1 2AU Thursday 22nd November 2012 2012 Notice of Annual General Meeting NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 46th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (“AGM”) of THE DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION will be held at 12.00 midday, on Thursday 22nd November 2012 at the offices of LG (Lawrence Graham) Solicitors, 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU for the following purposes:- Vision Statement Agenda “To create a meaningful image of our Association, credibility and 1. To receive the Chairman’s report. delivery in support of all our members and external opinion formers.” 2. To receive and adopt the Report and Accounts for the year ended 30th June 2012. 3. To elect Council Members. 4. To re-appoint auditors to the company and authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration. 5. To consider any other business. Dated 31st October 2012 By Order of the Council Contents PAUL SOUTHWORTH Director General 3 2012 Notice of Annual General Meeting 4 Governance and Membership Election to Council 5 Chairman’s Report 1. Under the DSA Constitution, one third of Council retires annually by rotation. This year Lorna Hunt and Helen van Wengen resigned and do not wish to stand. Ric Hobby offers himself for re-election, which 6 Director’s Report Council recommends. 8 Code Administrator’s Report Also this year the Council decided to fill not only the two resignation posts as above but also two vacancies. Following several nominations received, the Council recommends the appointment of Penny Farish, Mike 10 Financial Statement Roberts, Simon Burke and Tony Chaplin. 14 History of the DSA 2. Under the DSA Constitution, the Chairman shall be elected each year. This year Jamie Stewart will stand down and we thank him for his contribution as Chair over the last two years. Council recommends 15 List of Members the appointment of Andy Smith as Chair for the coming year. 2 3 2012 Direct Selling Association 2012 Direct Selling Association Governance and Membership 2012 Chairman’s Report Governance The Council is elected annually by members to control and manage the business and affairs of the Association. It is comprised of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and not more than 15 members. The Board is assisted in its role through the appointment and delegation of authority to the Director General and the contribution of member advisory committees. The Board adopts modern governance standards in its contribution to Association business. As this year, my last year as Chairman, comes to an end I wanted to express my thanks for your continued support of our Association. Today, more than ever, it is important we stay strong and stick together to combat the many challenges we face. Council Members and Advisors During this long and tough recession here in the UK we all have the same demands and issues to solve, be it Jamie Stewart Kleeneze Limited Chairman recruitment, retention or average order we have to find answers and new ways in which to grow our sales. Bob Parker Forever Living Products (UK) Limited Vice Chairman The more we can work together, sharing experiences and ensuring best practices then the more we can rely Chris Fenna The Pampered Chef (UK) Limited on strengthening our industry overall, which ultimately benefits every company. Ric Hobby Herbalife Europe Limited Mimi Marchant Captain Tortue Group In spite of all these challenges however, our Association has gone from strength to strength over the last year. Andy Smith Amway (UK) Limited New faces on the Council have brought added vigour and drive to our strategies and I thank all the Council Lorna Hunt Usborne Books at Home Members for the contribution they have given. Shaun Charity Neways Scott Schlackman Avon Paul and his great team at the DSA office continue to lift our profile as an industry and have provided real Clive Norton Cambridge Weight Plan added value to membership of the DSA. Their efforts and support are most appreciated along with those of our Eric McClenaghan Oriflame Code Administrator, Paul Dobson and Treasurer, Joanne Stevens. Helen van Wengen Mary Kay Cosmetics Paul Southworth Director General, DSA Finally I must say how much I have enjoyed and benefited from my term as your Chairman and I look forward to remaining and serving on the Council. I leave you in good hands as I hand the baton over to Andy Smith and Allan Bell Allan Bell Consulting Supplier Chairman (non-voting) wish him well during his term as Chairman. I wish you all every success in the coming year. Advisors Jamie Stewart DSA Chairman Joanne Stevens Treasurer Paul Dobson Independent Code Administrator Legal Affairs Committee Paul Dobson Chairman Claudine Olney Secretary Forever Living Products 4 5 2012 Direct Selling Association Director’s Report Tempus Fugit Website/Social Media They say time flies when you are having fun and last year really has been a helter skelter, roller coaster kind of Our website continues to develop and become a stronger communication and information tool than ever year, but we have also had a lot of fun and success along the way. before. Now attracting on average over 350 visits per day it is essential we always ensure it is current and delivers the needs of our visitors, both members and non-members. I have been blessed with an outstanding support team here at the DSA office and cannot thank them enough for their contribution. Kathy, Lynda, Chris and Wendy have a passion for this great industry of ours and it shows Added to this has been our ever increasing use of Social Media through Linked In, Facebook and Twitter and in the work they produce. Unfortunately though we have lost Kathy to retirement recently and we wish her our followers increase weekly. every happiness. Covering Kathy’s website and social media role will be our new team member, Ashley Riley, Consultant, of Ashley Riley Communication. Our internet communication has come a long way and we will continue to develop this crucially important channel. Highlights of the year Lobbying Education We continued to get our message across to Government that our industry is the one that is delivering their We have been strengthening our relationships with Universities and deliver Direct Selling presentations and agenda of getting people back into employment, skills training, entrepreneurship and micro businesses and that attend their Job Fairs. Interest is growing and if we have the resources we plan to continue to develop this we do this on a daily basis. This culminated in the DSA hosting a reception at the House of Commons, attended activity. by Ministers and MPs. Conference/Seminars Through Seldia (previously FEDSA) we continue to lobby against legislation that may adversely affect our Our Annual Conference and Awards, with an Olympic theme, proved to be a major success this year with over industry such as the Consumer Rights Directive. It is important we maintain pressure at European level in 200 attendees. The new format was appreciated by Members and content and keynote speakers received Brussels as we are here in the UK Parliament. high marks in the evaluation feedback. PR Next year’s conference will be held on 9th May at the Hinckley Island Hotel and will be entitled ‘We are the Our PR agency, Cuban Eight, have continued their excellent work on our behalf and we continue to achieve Future’, when we shall focus on the needs and challenges ahead along with exciting new technology advances a high profile across all media channels. Over 150 positive articles have appeared, many featuring Member and how we can attract more ‘Gen Y’ into our industry. Make a date to be there. companies, and we have now established strong relationships with many key journalists. Positive PR is an essential strand in our efforts with Government, the OFT, Trading Standards and HMRC. Through the year we also ran training seminars on Social Media, Sales Support and the launch of the DSA OFT / TSI Rewards Programme. Also, our first ever ‘Round Table Discussions’ Seminar was held in October and, given its The Office of Fair Trading have officially given notice that they will cease to be involved in Consumer Code initial success, will certainly be repeated next year. approvals from 31st March 2013. All Members need to review literature quantities and reprints as the OFT logo must not be displayed after that date. The Coming Year Another challenging year ahead but one we face with optimism and renewed endeavour to continue to deliver It is envisaged that the Trading Standards Institute will take over this role from that date and we are currently value of membership, protection and support to all members and continue to position our industry in a positive in negotiations with them regarding future involvement in the scheme. light to all our target audiences. HMRC May I again offer my thanks to the DSA team I have the honour of leading, for the support of the Council and Recently the Revenue and Customs announced they were going to target Direct Sellers and several of our most of all for your continued support and involvement in the Direct Selling Association. Members have already been contacted requesting information. My best wishes for your continued success. Here at the DSA we are working closely with both HMRC and Members to ensure cooperation and hopefully mitigate the impact. A working group has been formed and we will keep members fully in the Paul Southworth picture as we progress. Director General 6 7 2012 Direct Selling Association Code Administrator’s Report The Role The year ahead A large part of my role is compliance related.