• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

BRITISH MENSA LIMITED NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of British Mensa Limited will be held on Sunday 15th September 2019 at 9:30am at The Penta Hotel, Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7RH. Herein follows: 20192019 AGM AGENDA MINUTESMINUTES OF 2018 AGMAGM REPORTREPORT OF OFTHE THE NA TIOBOARDNAL REPRESENOF DIRECTORSTITIVES REPORTTO THE OFINTERNA THE NATIONALTIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES OF DIRECTORS TO THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes Although the business of the AGM is confined to the items in this notice, members will have the opportunity to raise other matters of interest to members at “Mensa – the Future” an informal discussion to be held with the Board immediately following the AGM. The Treasurer requests that questions concerning the Financial Statements should be submitted at least ten days before the AGM, to allow answers to be adequately researched. Questions should be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to ‘Questions to the Treasurer’, British Mensa Limited, St. John’s House, St. John’s Square, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AH. Members are reminded that they have the right to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf, and are encouraged to complete the proxy voting form that is enclosed with this Notice. Please complete the forms carefully, as incorrectly completed proxy forms are invalid. 106262_MENSA_AGM 2019.indd 1 7/8/19 5:04 PM AGENDA FOR 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BRITISH MENSA LTD 1. To approve the minutes of 2018 AGM (see page 6). 2. To receive the report of the Board of Directors (see page 13). 3. To receive the report of the Treasurer. 4. To receive the report of the Directors and the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018. 5. MOTION 1 – ORDINARY RESOLUTION (BOARD MOTION) That the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2018 be adopted. Board voting on Motion: All in favour. 6. MOTION 2 – ORDINARY RESOLUTION (BOARD MOTION) That Daw White Murrall Chartered Accountants be reappointed as auditors at remuneration to be agreed by the Board. Board voting on Motion: In favour – JG, JS, AR, BC, CL, CC, EH, KL. Abstained – AP. 7. To receive the report of the National Representatives to the International Board of Directors (see page 15 for written report). 8. To receive the report of the Mediation Officers. There were no cases for mediation and therefore no report submitted. – John Stevenage, Chief Executive. 9. To receive the report of the Procedures Body. 10. To receive the report of the Junior Advisory Group. 11. MOTION 3 – SPECIAL RESOLUTION (BOARD MOTION) That the second sentence of Article 25 be deleted. That the first paragraph of Article 41 be amended to read: “The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form.” That Article 42 be amended to read: “Every notice convening a General Meeting shall be accompanied by instructions for appointing a proxy, which shall be completed by the member and lodged at least 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, in accordance with the instructions.” That in the second sentence of Article 37, the phrase “duly deposited in accordance with these Articles” be amended to read “duly lodged in accordance with these Articles”. Board voting on motion: All in favour. 2 106262_MENSA_AGM 2019.indd 2 7/8/19 2:43 PM STATEMENT IN SUPPORT Articles 25, 37, 41 and 42 specify the process for members to appoint proxies to represent them at AGMs and other general meetings. At present the Articles specify a paper process. These amendments are designed to enable other methods of submission if the company decided to offer them. The paper process will still be available to those who wish to use it. The motion does not change the wording used on the proxy appointment form. Board voting on Statement in Support: All in favour. Procedures Body Comment: This resolution was submitted to the Procedures Body, advised upon and amended, and found to be competent with the proviso that the instructions will need to specify the address to which printed forms should be returned. 12. MOTION 4 – ORDINARY RESOLUTION That this meeting: a) regrets the intervention by the Mensa office, upheld by the Board, in how the budget for the 2019 Mensa At Portmeirion Weekend was spent; b) calls upon the Board to endorse and support a less heavy-handed approach to long- established Mensa events run by experienced volunteers; c) requests the Board to instruct the Wolverhampton office to ensure their efforts are supportive, positive and necessary. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT I’ve been organising Mensa At Portmeirion Weekends for 25 years, and was SIGs Officer for 10 years. I passionately believe that what makes Mensa special are member-led activities: regular monthly pub meetings, Special Interest Groups, weekend events, and a host of others. Mensa members who lead activities should be appreciated for their skills, developed over years of creating events for members. The office should provide essential administrative support. Yet, my recent experience is that the tail is wagging the dog. I wanted to do something special for the 25th anniversary so I built extra funds into my budget for that purpose. However, my first-hand knowledge and judgement of an event I had been leading for decades was ignored, my plans were blocked, and spurious reasons were given. Such a heavy-handed approach can have a chilling effect on the willingness of members to come forward and lead. I certainly feel disinclined to lead any further MAP Weekends. Are we here to support the office, or is the office meant to support us? Please vote in favour of this Motion, to send a clear message: The office is there to support us. PROPOSER: Mark Griffin, Didcot 3 106262_MENSA_AGM 2019.indd 3 04/07/2019 09:12 SUPPORTERS: Helen Wake, Dunmow Joyce Margaret Evans, Helston Patrick O’Donohoe, Cambridge Mark Rudkin, St. Albans Steve Roche, Ipswich Susan Martin, Liverpool Pauline Spenceley, Ledbury Annabel McLeod, Cambridge Peter Bethell, Birmingham John Paines, Bristol BOARD RESPONSE We appreciate Mark’s contribution as Mensa at Portmeirion organiser. Because of his experience the office has never before intervened in his plans, and did not request a fully detailed budget for this year’s celebrations. Medals and a champagne reception were mentioned as options, which would have been acceptable. However, having increased the booking fee to fund a celebration for attendees, Mark decided, a week beforehand and without consulting attendees, to spend £1325 on a gratuity for Portmeirion staff. Mensa has a duty of care to its members and the office was concerned about Mark’s unilateral decision to give away their money. The Chief Executive, after consulting Board members, declined the request and discussed alternatives with Mark. Mark agreed that some money could instead be spent on commemorative medals, which attendees have received. The Board has no argument that the office’s efforts should be positive, supportive and necessary. On this occasion the Board believes that the office’s intervention was necessary to protect members’ interests and avoid their money being spent in this way without consultation. Some attendees have contacted the office to express their support, citing it as “appropriate oversight” and “not interference”. Board voting on Board Response: In favour – JG, JS, AR, BC, CL, CC, EH, KL. Abstained – AP. Procedures Body Comment: This resolution was submitted to the Procedures Body, reviewed and found to be competent. 13. MOTION 5 – ORDINARY RESOLUTION That the Society refund (within 14 days) £25 to each attendee of the 2019 Mensa At Portmeirion Weekend who had booked the residential package through the Mensa office. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT Mensa At Portmeirion is an annual member-led weekend event which is budgeted to break even, including a small contingency amount. The organiser's budget for the 2019 weekend exceptionally included an amount of 25 POUNDS per head to be spent on a 25th Anniversary celebratory project. This money was included in the attendance cost payable by members booking accommodation through the Mensa office. However, this project did not proceed as planned because the Mensa office refused to release the funds that had been collected from the members. The attendees expected this sum to be spent in accordance with the organiser's plan, but as this did not happen, it is entirely appropriate that the monies be returned to these attendees. It would be entirely inappropriate however if Mensa were unjustly enriched by hanging onto money raised from members and not spent as intended. 4 106262_MENSA_AGM 2019.indd 4 04/07/2019 09:12 Please vote in favour of this Motion to: a) ensure this money is not simply absorbed into Mensa’s general funds; b) ensure the members are reimbursed for a benefit not delivered; c) recognise that members decide how members’ money is spent. PROPOSER: Mark Griffin, Didcot SUPPORTERS: John Paines, Bristol Peter Bethell, Birmingham Hazel Bethell, Birmingham Annabel McLeod, Cambridge Pauline Spenceley, Ledbury Susan Martin, Liverpool Steve Roche, Ipswich Mark Rudkin, St. Albans Joyce Margaret Evans, Helston Helen Wake, Dunmow BOARD RESPONSE The £1325 that Mark requested was for a £5 drink for each of 265 staff. It is coincidental that this also translates to £25 for 53 people. Unlike most other Mensa weekends where events are priced individually, Mensa at Portmeirion is priced for the entire weekend, and the activities can vary. However, extra meals were provided for delegates compared to previous years, and it was understood that these were an exceptional addition as part of the anniversary celebrations. When the staff gratuity request was declined, Mark also agreed to expenditure on commemorative medals instead.

Load more

  52

Copy Link