Annual Report 2010 BMG Management Committee 2010 1 Directors (elected by membership) President (3 years plus 1 year as elect non-renewable) Roger Payne Dec 2008 -Dec 2011 Training Officer (4 years plus 1 year as elect, renewable to max 9, plus one year as retiring TO on TC) Terry Ralphs Dec 2008 – Dec 2011 Treasurer (4 years, renewable to max 9) Steve Monks Aug/Dec 2009 – Dec 2012 Secretary (3 years renewable to max 9) Libby Peter Nov 2007 – Nov 2010 2 Area Representatives (2 allowed per area, 3 year renewable to max 9, elected by area groups) Alpine Areas John Bracey Dec 2008 –2011 Paul Farmer Dec 2008 – 2011 Lakes Phil Poole 2010 - 2013 North Wales Tim Neill 2009 – 2012 Stuart McAleese 2010 -2013 Other Areas Dave Hollinger Dec 2008 -2011 Scotland Steve Mitchell Nov 2007 -2010 Mark Diggins 3 Co-opted members (non-voting, 3 years renewable to max 9) Chair PSC Pete Cliff Nov 2007 – 2010 Publicity Officer Martin Chester Dec 2008 – 2011 Equipment Officer Stuart Macdonald Dec 2008- 2011 Website Coord Bruce Goodlad 4 Observers (non-voting) MLTUK Other BMG interests and links BMG links with Mountain Leader Training BMG has maintained links with Mountain Leader Training (MLT). The following BMG members attend the meetings as a BMG representative of the MLT Boards who meet 3- 4 times a year: Mark Diggins MLT(UK) Phill George (MLTW - Wales) Robin Andrews (MLTE - England) (MLTS - Scotland) BMG Annual Report 2010 2 President’s Report 2009 ended in the worst possible way with the tragic death of Rupert Rosedale in an avalanche on Ben Nevis. A shocking loss for Rupert’s family and friends; a sobering reminder about the hazardous environment in which our sport and work takes place. At the spring IFMGA meeting (5-6 May), following a discussion about the number of fatal accidents to IFMGA guides and clients, I was asked how many fatal accidents there had been involving BMG members. I was not able to offer an answer at the time, and the office had no official record. Subsequently I sought information within the Association, and as far as I have been able to establish, since 1980 the following fatalities have occurred: • Four BMG members while personal climbing. • Five BMG members while leading others. • Nineteen clients of BMG members. • Four fatalities due to pre-existing medical conditions (2 BMG members, 2 clients). Of the fatal accidents, thirteen occurred during the past 10 years. Having now seen almost 2 years of BMG Accident Reports, and reflected for some time on potential ways to help avoid accidents, the following were put forward for consideration by Areas and the Management Committee: • Improve understanding of the role of non-technical skills to achieve success and avoid accidents. • Develop an internal information exchange system for recent unusual hazards and accident reports in the media (such systems are used by the Canadian Mountain Guides and the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education). • Consider a system for members to report ‘Unusual Occurrences’ (evidence shows that where ‘UNO’ reports are made accident rates go down). So far the response to these suggestions has been positive and, if members wish, can be further explained and discussed at the Discussion Forum following the AGM in Scotland. As an immediate development, on the Sunday following the AGM, Mark Diggins has organized a CPD day that will focus on risk perception and analysis, the role of non-technical skills to achieve success and avoid accidents, and learning from unusual occurrences. Management Committee Since the 2009 AGM at Plas y Brenin, the Committee has met on two occasions (May and September) and a third meeting is planned for 26 November just prior to the 2010 AGM in Scotland. Reports from the Committee meetings have been circulated to members via News from the Mountains and discussed at Area meetings. The Management Committee meetings have had very good attendance, which has led to a valuable and productive exchange of views and discussion of key issues. The 2009 Discussion Forum at Plas y Brenin took the view that the quorum for Management Meetings should be changed, and that each Area should have one vote and could be represented by two members. Hence, a resolution to amend the Articles of Association is on the agenda for the 2010 AGM. IFMGA BMG Annual Report 2010 3 Terry Ralphs and I have represented BMG at the IFMGA meetings hosted in Austria (5-6 May) and the USA (12-15 Nov). IFMGA is making very good progress and has discussed its future strategy. This includes a possible international framework for professional mountain leadership and instructor qualifications and specialist national guides. This is a very important issue, which if followed through carefully, could result in significant opportunities for national mountain guide associations. Hence, this will be on the agenda for the Discussion Forum that will follow the BMG’s AGM in Scotland. The summary report of the IFMGA meeting in May is at the end of this report, and a report from the November meeting will be presented at the BMG AGM in Scotland. Now that the BMG invitation to host the IFMGA meeting in autumn 2012 has been accepted and confirmed, Steve Mitchell, Mark Diggins and Mac Mackay have each indicated a willingness to make the necessary arrangements. This will now be a regular agenda item for the Management Committee, and an important responsibility for the next BMG President. Accident Reports and Professional Standards As President I have a role in PSC matters. These are reported in this Annual Report by the Chair of PSC. Professional Recognition by UK authorities As reported at the last AGM, the Management Committee decided last December that new action should be initiated by the Directors towards obtaining some form of professional recognition similar to our colleagues in the alpine countries and many other professions in the UK. Hence, during the year the Honorary Secretary and I have made contact with Skills Active, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Sport England. Progress towards this important goal is likely to be slow, and will certainly require persistence and persuasive diplomacy on BMG’s part. Trust Funds Last December an update was requested on the situation with the Trust Funds that generously support the BMG. The Ceinwen Faulkner Trust has released its funds to the BMG, and is essentially wound down. After discussion with the Cartwright Trust, changes to the application procedure have been agreed to make this more personalized. The Fred Harper Trust is happy with the current arrangements. In addition, The Chris Walker Memorial Trust has kindly offered to make an annual donation to the BMG’s avalanche training. Chris Walker was a young climber and instructor based in the Lake District who was aiming to apply to BMG. Tragically, he was killed in an avalanche in Scotland, and his friends and family have created a Memorial Trust. The kind offer has been accepted, and the question of how best to use the donation is with the Training Officer and avalanche course convener. AMI, BAIML, MLT Through our representative (Mark Diggins) on MLT, BMG has continued to develop good relations with the other mountain leader training organizations, while also sharing information on professional recognition in the UK and overseas, and finding areas for mutually beneficial cooperation. Website Member Search Facility This subject re-emerged and caused comment in February, as it seemed that the decision of the Management Committee that had been announced at the 2009 AGM had not been implemented. The Committee decided that there had been a breakdown in the normal process of decision-making, communication and implementation, and an apology was published in News from the Mountains. Members were also reminded about the agreed objectives for the website, and invited to reconsider the concern that had been raised (i.e. that any selective search system can provide some members with a competitive advantage, BMG Annual Report 2010 4 which some view as an undesirable discrimination and not appropriate for a professional association). The Alpine Club Following last year’s Annual Dinner at Plas y Brenin, the Alpine Club kindly made a special membership offer to BMG members and reduced cost AC guidebooks. AC Vice President Simon Yates attended the BMG Open Day so that potential applicants are aware of these offers. Post-Holders and Succession Planning During the year the BMG’s reliable Office, Area Representatives, Committees, Post-Holders, and other members contributing through the Area structure have worked to ensure the smooth and effective running of the Association. Hence, I would like to express our collective appreciation and thanks to all those who have contributed to the running of BMG during 2010. As announced at the last AGM and subsequently in NFTM, at the 2010 AGM the terms of office for BMG Secretary and Chair of PSC end and are open for renewal, and there will be an election for President Elect for the period from the AGM 2011 to 2014 (my term in office will end at the 2011 AGM). Libby Peter and Peter Cliff have both kindly indicated that if no other candidates wish to take on the responsibilities, they are willing to stand for a 2nd term, and Tim Walker has kindly indicated that he is available to stand for President Elect (proposed and seconded by Mark Diggins and Steve Mitchell). Also, the post of Website Coordinator will become vacant at the AGM as Bruce Goodlad is stepping down. Bruce initiated the review of the website in 2007, led the process through selection to launch in January 2009, and has coordinated the content since launch.