Annual General Meeting: Minutes s1

Annual General Meeting: Minutes

The Banbury Museum, Banbury, Oxfordshire

22 November 2008

There were 23 members and guests present. The meeting opened at 10.30am. The President welcomed members and the Chairman opened the meeting and confirmed domestic arrangements and that some members present were to attend a Presidential dinner that evening at the Cromwell Hotel.

Apologies were received from three members: Michael Faul, Tam Fowler & Ian Sumner.

The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting, held on 24 November 2007 at the same location were read and accepted. The Chairman signed the minutes. The Officers then presented their reports, copies of which were available to members.

President’s Report

Malcolm Farrow, in a very busy year, had been in contact with nearly eveybody of “who’s in charge” officially regarding the flying of flags. As part of these activities, he had recently met the Serjeant-at-Arms. On Malcolm’s list is the lobbying for a Policy Directorate at 10 Downing Street.

Chairman’s Report

John Hall, in reviewing the past year in which the Institute’s profile has been raised more and more, challenged the meeting to define the purpose of the FI: which direction is it going?

Treasurer’s Report

A statement of accounts was circulated and John Hall, in his Treasurer’s role, explained this. Total balance at 1 April 2008 was £20,159.55; corresponding figure at 11 November 2008 was £20,812.17. The accounts were accepted. Discussion then ensued about how best to utilise the £20,000+ surplus. Publication of a pamphlet on flag usage was suggested.

Membership Secretary/Administrator’s Report

Lyn Fisher reported that, as of 26 October 2008, membership stood at 488. This marks an increase of 29 since May, including an increase in ordinary, group, trade and life membership with increase in UK membership but slight decrease in overseas representation. There are 47 life members. Lyn reminded the meeting that renewals can be done online.

Librarian’s Report

Ian Sumner was unable to be present, but the list of library acquisitions for 2007/8 as well as details of enquiries to the library (2 visitors, 82 phone calls/emails) was circulated.

Editor of Flagmaster’s Report

Michael Faul was also not able to attend but had advised that the next issue of Flagmaster was to appear in January.

Webmaster’s Report

Colin Dobson described the work he had done on the FI website including the Members’ area with more “meaty” information, accessible by password. There is a wide range of articles on the site. Malcolm Farrow expressed appreciation of the marvellous job Colin was carrying out.

Chief Vexillologist’s Report

Graham Bartram underwent major surgery in January, keeping him out of action for the first half of the year. However from July onwards he was involved in design work on a wide variety of flags including Lancashire, Dorset, RFA, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Huntingdonshire, Isle of Wight and Cheshire. Amidst all this Graham was able to attend the NAVA annual meeting in Austin,Texas in October and deliver the Perrin Lecture on county flags in November, at the Palace of Westminster.

General Secretary’s Report

In presenting his report, Mike Kearsley asked the meeting to consider whether the FI has sufficient capability and manpower to function as a professional body. What, he asked, is the FI meant to be doing? What do members want? Is it simply a vehicle for a hobby – or is it a proper “Institute”? Mike suggested this debate could be continued in the pages of the FM.

Election of Officers for 2008/9

The following were elected to office without opposition and unanimously:

President : Malcolm Farrow Chairman : John Hall

Treasurer : John Hall

General Secretary : Mike Kearsley

Council Secretary : John Ford

Chief Vexillologist : Graham Bartram

Editor Flagmaster : Michael Faul

Librarian : Ian Sumner

Webmaster : Colin Dobson

Two Council members without portfolio were elected :

Geoff Parsons, Nick Weekes.

It was agreed that Tam Fowler, who had previously been elected as a Without Portfolio Council member, be approached by the Chairman about being co-opted as a Trade Representative.

Any Other Business

John Hall continued on the theme of the future of the FI. It has moved from being a gathering of people interested in flags to the beginnings of a professional Institute. However, the draft letter to local authorities, drawing attention to the FI’s existence and the services it provides, overstates the case giving the impression of a grandiose Mayfair based body. Bruce Nicholls reminded the meeting that the FI’s roots, of enthusiasts discussing flags, should never be forgotten even if the FI had advanced. David Lister called for more emphasis on flag research imparting authoritative knowledge. Nick Weekes looked to a more “British” FI. Generally there was thought to be a need to reach out to the flag community employing the (revised) flag leaflet as one way of doing this. It was anticipated that the debate could continue in Flagmaster.

Dates and locations of future meetings

Spring 2009 15/16 May, London

Winter 2009 20/21 November, Banbury

John Hall declared the meeting closed at 12.00 noon. Presentations and activities continued after lunch as detailed on the agenda for the day.