Watford Joggers
Minutes of the 38th Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 4th February 2015 at 9.00pm
Present : Colin Taylor, Tim Woolridge, Alison Broome, Andrew Cummings, Andrew Lord, Ann Farrell, Carl
Graham, David O’Sullivan, Dennis Watling, Douglas McQuaid, Frances Chater, Huw Hamer, James Gamble,
Jane Welch, Jeff Peters, Joanne Duggan, John Gray, John O’Connor, Karam Malik, Kate Pickard, Keith
Taylor, Linda McQuaid, Malcolm Salmons, Marcia Quinn, Nana Agyei, Natalie Smith, Nick Slade, Paul Biswell,
Peter Edwards, Richard Bird, Robert Gaddie, Rod Hewson, Roxanne Beckles, Roz Fullylove, Sarah Coltman,
Scott Mitchell, Steve Hewitt, Sue Defoe, Tom Lacey
1. Apologies for Absence: were received from Andy Willerton, Janet Willerton, Angela Edwards, Marcus
Edwards, John Henke, Tara Greenhalgh, Chris Roberts
2. The Minutes of the AGM held on Wednesday 5th February 2014: were accepted as a true record
3. Matters Arising: There were no matters arising
4. Proposed changes to the Constitution: The Chairman outlined the reason for removing the possibility of
membership for under-18’s, namely that the Committee had decided to apply for EA Clubmark
accreditation, with all the advantages to the club that implied. However to attain and keep Clubmark
accreditation as a club with members aged under 18 would be hugely more onerous, and could not be
justified as there were currently only 2 members under 18 years of age. Douglas McQuaid proposed that
the Constitution changes be accepted, Paul Biswell seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously
5. Officers reports :
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Chairman : The Chairman said that he had been in post for 23 years in total, and continuously since
1996. He stated that the Club was in good shape, and felt therefore that the time was right to step
aside and make way for someone else. He paid tribute to all the work the Committee had done, with
particular mention of the hard work put in to organise kit sales, to completely update and revise the
club standards, and to compile the evidence required to apply for EA Clubmark accreditation. Douglas
McQuaid proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his outstanding service to the club, seconded
by Sue Defoe, and the motion was carried unanimously
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Membership Secretary : In 2014 there were 77 female and 101 male members, 118 of whom paid for
EA affiliation. Of the 178 members, (5 more than the previous year), 136 were single members, 21
family members, and 21 life members. So far in 2015 we already had 49 members who had paid their
subscriptions.
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Treasurer : The treasurer stated that the club’s finances were healthy. Expenditure had slightly
exceeded income over the year, but expenditure had included a significant amount for redevelopment
of the website. Club reserves had been maintained at the same level as 2013. Kit sales had been
good, although stocks had also increased. Charity income was significantly down as there had been
no specific fundraiser. Social events had broken even, and the club did not try to make a profit on
them.
Membership fees : It was proposed to hold the club fees at the same rate as last year, £30, but the
EA affiliation fee was increasing from £10 to £12. The Chairman stated that EA affiliates get a
personal profile on Power of Ten, reduced race entry fees, £15 off a pair of running shoes and the
opportunity to participate in coaching courses run by EA for coaches and runners. He also mentioned
that some of the affiliation fee goes to support UK athletes participating in major championships such
as the Commonwealth Games. EA membership also provided club insurance for all affiliated
members. Finally, because of the club affiliation, the club received three EA places in the London
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Marathon. A motion to approve the level of fees for 2015/6 was proposed by Steve Hewitt, seconded
by Roz Fullylove, and carried unanimously
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Social Secretaries : The VMLM pasta party at the Blue Check had been attended by more than 50
Joggers. Other events organised over the year included the track night, the BBQ, a yoga evening, a
visit from a nutritionist, the Milton Keynes pasta party, the treasure hunt, an afternoon tea and a
swimathon. The Christmas party had received mixed feedback, the food having been disappointing.
The Social Secretaries had a different idea for Christmas 2015, which would be announced at a later
date. They also emphasised that others should feel free to organise events, and appealed in particular
for someone to organise the treasure hunt in 2015. A charity event would be organised, but perhaps
not in the form of a quiz night
6. Charity of the Year : The two charities supported in 2014 were Watford Mencap, working with people
living with cerebral palsy and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) set up to combat the high suicide
rate amongst young men. As there had not been a social event to raise money for them, it was proposed
by Steve Hewitt, seconded by Keith Taylor, that the same two charities should be supported in 2015. The
motion was carried unanimously
7. Election of officers for 2015/6 :
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Chairman : Steve Hewitt, proposed by Colin Taylor, seconded by Marcia Quinn
Vice Chairman : Tim Woolridge, proposed by Douglas McQuaid, seconded by Paul Biswell
Membership Secretary : Angela Edwards, proposed by Colin Taylor, seconded by Jane Welch
Social Secretaries : Roz Fullylove and Marcia Quinn, proposed by Colin Taylor, seconded by Jane
Welch
Treasurer : Douglas McQuaid, proposed by Steve Hewitt, seconded by Roz Fullylove
Secretary : Roz Fullylove, proposed by Frances Chater, seconded by Nick Slade
Other committee members : John O’Connor, Nick Slade and Marcus Edwards were willing to continue
in their roles, and Sue Defoe had expressed a willingness to stand. Their election was proposed by
Colin Taylor, seconded by Roz Fullylove.
A single vote was taken on the six motions, which were carried unanimously
Steve Hewitt then proposed that the vacant position of President should be taken by Colin Taylor. This
was seconded by Frances Chater and the motion was carried unanimously
8. Any Other Business :
a. Tim Woolridge stated that runners were needed for the Cassiobury Park parkrun on Saturday 7 th
February at 2pm, to test the organisation and systems. The course would be 2.5 laps of the
diamond. Interval training would continue at its normal time, near the bridges
b. Frances Chater appealed for help inputting the data for the club standards, and Marcia Quinn and
John O’Connor offered to help
c. Linda McQuaid read out an e-mail she had previously sent to the Treasurer and Secretary,
expressing her concern that the club was trying to push members towards using Facebook rather
than the club’s own website. The new Chairman replied that the club had spent a lot of money on
the new website and was absolutely committed to maintaining it. It was essential for payments and
whereas Facebook was a closed, member-only group, the website was the much needed public
face of the club. Brian James had agreed to help us move it forward , and the developer would
help with our snag list. Social media are people driven and immediate in a way the website cannot
be, and there was a role for both formats. Douglas McQuaid said that members needed to put
content into the Forum to keep it relevant and interesting, and it was stated that content would
always be added to the Forum and the website by the committee. Brian James made the point
that the new website was better than the old one in that it was now possible to access the Forum
on a mobile. It was also stated that all entries to the Autumn Challenge in 2014 were via the
website, which had significantly reduced the burden on the organisers.
The meeting closed at 10.15pm
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