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Friday 21st April 2017 at 9:30 am at Grace Joel 3rd floor Recreation room.

 

  1. Wallace Bottomley (presiding), John McDermott, Hugh Hickman, Don Shaw, Tim Donaldson, and Owen Diggelmann (co-opted to the Committee for this meeting) – a quorum.
  2. Apology from Brian Matthews and proxy to vote for “Winding up” given to WB.
  3. Elevate Brian Matthews to Honorary Life Member.         Approved unanimously WB / J McD
  4. Minutes of previous meeting 24th March – circulated.                              Accepted WB  / JMcD

 

5.   Evaluation of general meeting on 7th April 2017:

  • Noise from amplifier was irritating.
  • Main speaker – Ms Kai Quan – “Age concern” described elder abuse using POA.
  • Discussion of “The future of the Club”.  The points made were:
    • A question was asked about amalgamation possibilities (Bob Clements).
    • Three more Committee Members are needed as a minimum, four is preferable:
    • Stewards Manager - Graham Wallace (already 2 i/c) offered to assume this role.
    • Secretary – Wallace B will continue this role meantime; Brian M will record minutes.
    • Speakers Officer – This appointment remains vacant and is important after July.
    • Visits Officer – One trip is planned, subject to funding – so is a minor appointment.
    • Reduce (from 6) quorum of Committee so that its meetings are not invalidated.
    • “Unless we stage good speakers and trips, why are we here?” (Bruce Robinson).
    • Wind up the Club at the end of the year; meanwhile muddle on (Graham Wallace).
    • Make club attractive to ladies (John Hickman, a visitor and intending new Member).
    • Notice of motion: Hold Special General Meeting (Brian Matthews/ Bruce Robinson).

 

  1. Report of meetings with neighbouring Probus Clubs
  •  Auckland East Combined:
    • Membership = 120; attendance is 65%; woman represent 85% of those attending.
    • Off road parking at Kohi Bowling Club in Melanesia Road; ground-level clubroom.
    • Morning tea is served at a counter.  Most members stand.
    • Sub $30.00 p.a.; Joining fee $35.00. Trips $35 irrespective of destination.
    • They have succession problems of their own, that is, no President and no Vice President.
  • St Heliers Men:
    • Membership = 87; attendance is 75%.
    • The Club is not entirely men-centric; ladies have their own badges, and attend functions / trips.
    • Roadside parking is in The Parade and Goldie Street; the clubroom is at ground level.
    • Morning tea is served upstairs where tables seat six.
    • Already 60% of our Members live closer to St Heliers Bowling Club than GBC.
    • Amalgamation is not an option.  Instead, applications to join / transfer are formal and require approval and processing by their Committee.
    • Sub $40.00 p.a. Their normal joining fee will be waived for our Members wishing to transfer.
    • This offer has been put in writing. Their rep. seeks an opportunity to pitch to our Members.

 

  1. Strategies:
  • Ask Rotary District Probus Chairman (RDPC) to assist.  PSPL advised that no Rep. is appointed for District 9920.
  • Club Health Check.  Committee’s answers were reviewed / considered to be inconclusive.    
  • Begin Special General Meeting by asking: Is there a motion to reopen Nominations?
    • Wind up Club. This may be amended to add “In June”.  Recommended WB / JMcD
    • Donate remaining funds to neighbouring Probus Clubs.  Recommended WB / JMcD
  • Invite reps of St Heliers Mens Probus to pitch. 
  • Provide Application forms for Members to pick up.
  • Celebrate with Mid-year luncheon
    • Charge $20 / head.  Subsidise balance of cover charge and bar tab.
    • Make awards and presentations where deserving.
    • Provide prizes to be drawn by raffles.
  • Motions to be put at the Special General Meeting:

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Correspondence:  
  • Exchange of newsletters with Auckland East Combined and St Heliers Men.
  • Murray Homes – resignation acknowledgement.
  • GBC – amplifier noise caused by amplifier having been switched to “Radio” instead of “PC”.
  • PSPL – Return of membership and AGM; there is no Rotary Probus Rep. for District 9920
  • Bill Avery – Resignation
  • Receipt from Age Concern.

 

  1. Secretarial: Web page now includes latest Newsletter and Minutes.

 

10.  Treasurer’s report:

  • Expenses:
    •   W Bottomley – Speaker’s gift on 7th April was reimbursed with Petrol voucher ($50.00)
    • Debts not approved pending outcome of the Motion to wind up the Club:
      •   PSPL affiliation due 30 April (47 x $6.50 =)          $305.50
      •   Probus Auckland Association                               $20.00
      • Pub Charity audit.   Bank statement shows our cheque was presented 23 April 2017.
      • Letter to Pub Charity giving thanks.
      • Subscriptions – return to those that have already paid.        Approved TD / WB

 

  1. Membership officer’s report:
  • Resignations: Alex Kirk, Bill Avery. 
  • Total number of Members is 47.

 

  1. Visits officer’s report:
  • Scenic drive via Kauri Grove to Hallertau Brewery at Riverhead – interest is unlikely.
  • Mid-winter luncheon at Waipuna Lodge.
  • WB is to provide bar tab voucher and raffle tickets.

 

  1. Speakers report:
  • May         Maurice Mihotich – “This is my life”                     No mini speaker needed
  • June        Peter Maxwell – “Cornwall Park”                          Mini speaker: Bob Clements
  • July         Andrew Adams – “From Pharaohs, Kings, …”      This may have to be cancelled.

 

  1. House Manager’s /Steward Officer’s Report:
  • Morning tea required for May and June.
  • Graham Wallace will open up.  Stewards to ask Ray Sutton about supplies needed.

 

  1. Almoner’s report: Colin Laing’s funeral is tomorrow 11 am.  DS will e-mail Members.

 

  1. Newsletter:  WB to abridge “President says ...” column to half a page.

 

  1. Other Business: WB will be away for 19th May Committee meeting; JMcD will be away in June.

 

Meeting concluded at 11:10 am.

 

 

 

 

Approved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                     Wallace Bottomley - President