Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the B.M.F.A. North West Area held on 12/09/2000 at the Millstone Public House Golborne.
Persons Present;
Chris Bromley FSMAE /Area Chairman
Steve Ogden Area Secretary/ North Staffs M.A.C.
Roy Allam Area V/Chairman / Ach Sheme Co-Ord / Flyde Coast MFA.
Tom Anyon Blackpool MHC/A.C.E.
Brian Tindle Fylde Coast MFA/Area Ed. Co-Ord
Derek Gilbert Area Treasurer / Sale MAC
Wayne Pendleton Cheshire Large Model Group
Keith Barker Rochdale MAC.
Chris Simpson N.S.M.A.C.
Sue Reeves N.S.M.A.C.
10 Persons Present 6 Eligible to vote. Meeting opened at 8.00pm.
1)APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mike Colling FSMAE (Area Delegate) was away in Aberdeen and could not attend.
DLJ (Area Pro), Ken Griffiths and Peter Wilson also sent their apologies.
2)CORRESPONDENCE
S Ogden Area Sec outlined a letter received from Roy Allam Area Ach-Scheme Co-ord.which
concerned a complaint from DLJ Area Pro, over the allocation of "Examiner
Tests". Roy offered to resign if the Ace's were not happy with his performance.
The meeting disagreed and stated that the Area was very happy with the way that
Roy did things. Everyone was sure when the full facts were made clear to DLJ
the matter would resolve itself amicably.
Roy Allam said that a Mr Phill Hubbard the Secretary or NSMAC had telephoned
him about additional club examiners. Steve Ogden Area Sec told Roy that this
was his own club and that in fact Mr Hubbard was not the Secretary and had not
been so since Jan 2000. Roy said that he was listed as Sec on his paperwork,
which was obviously in error. He would contact the office for an updated list.
Steve Ogden added that his club already had 2 examiners and only 25 or so members.
Roy added that he had passed the request on to DLJ who would need written confirmation
from the clubs committee before he would proceed any further.
Steve Ogden Area Sec read out a complaint from a Mr Christopher Simpson NSMAC
that one of his club examiners a Mr P Hubbard had refused to take him and another
person for a "B" test when requested to do so. Mr Simpson felt that
the refusal was not appropriate and was letting down the spirit of the scheme.
Roy Allam replied that although outside of his remit he would write to those
concerned, and that if Mr Simpson was still aggrieved he should take it up with
the clubs committee who's ultimate sanction could be not to ratify the examiner
concerned next year.
3)MINUTES OF THE MEETING 13/6/2000
Some corrections were noted and the minutes amended.
Proposed BMHC Seconded CLMG
For 6 Against 0 Abstentions 0
4) MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETING
There were no matters arising.
5)OFFICERS REPORTS
Chris Bromley Area Chairman stated that the membership was now 29,392 with 636
affiliated clubs. Chris added that the Nat's day gate took more on the Sunday
than the whole of last year's event.
Steve Ogden Area Sec reported that he and Sue Reeves had been very busy throughout
the summer taking the trade stand to lots of events and shows. He added that
they had tried to reach the people who did not normally go to "flying shows"
by attending swapmeet type events. This had shown mixed results but was worth
persevering with.
Derek Gilbert Area Treasurer said that we had received £138 (Area grant
balance). And that we had spent £180 on the Eddie Riding event and that
the Area Fly-In had cost £200.
Roy Allam Area vice Chairman said that we need to appoint a new CD for the Eddie
Riding Trophy as Eric Clarke had now stood down. He added that he knew of someone
who would consider the job but he was outside of our area. Chris Bromley said
that we should agenda this for the next meeting. Roy also said that has this
year we had borrowed most of the trestle tables used we would need to buy some
for next year. Steve Ogden Area Sec said it may be better to hire them and that
he would do this when booking the stand space.
Brian Tindle Area Ed Co-Ord informed the meeting that everything was going well
with 20 entries for the area final at Salmesbury on 14 October. He added that
the only fly in the ointment was that Bea.Systems were reluctant to supply the
packed lunches. Steve Ogden Area Sec stated that he knew someone who may be
able to help and that he would find out. Brian asked that as the problem was
a financial one could the area fund or part fund the lunches. This was not eagerly
received. Brian finally stated that he needed helpers for the Area final and
possibly the national final at Cosford on the 9th December.
6) COUNCIL AGENDA
Chris Bromley Area Chairman read out a few items of interest, he stated that
during the first half of 2000. The following tests had been taken:-
"A" Certs 335
"B" Certs 106
"A Heli" 32
"B Heli" 11
Club Examiner 21
Area Chief Examiner 5
Chris added that if this was a school report he would have made the comment
"Could do better!"
7) A.C.E 's
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) sad that the definition of a Area Chief Examiners
role needed to be redefined and that was job for the Council. He added that
this might mean the Area would need additional Ace's to cover the area effectively.
Roy Allan Ach Scheme Co-Ord asked if it was possible to make the annual reports
from ACE's a requirement and not a request. Chris Bromley said that he thought
this was already the case but added that it would be better to clarify this
by checking the minutes of the Area's meetings. It was possible that this occurred
at an AGM around 4-5 years ago. This task was passed to the Area Sec.
Roy also asked whom was supposed to supply him with any relevant information
which he then could pass on to ACE's. Chris Bromley said that he would bring
the matter to the attention of the Ach Scheme Review Committee. Chris also said
that he would get Roy an updated Club Examiners list.
8) NW AREA FLY-IN
The general consensus was that it had been a great success. It was suggested
that we could make it into a 2 day event for 2001 this was thought a very good
idea. Chris Bromley Area Chairman suggested that we should appoint a R/C Comp
Sec at the AGM to oversee the event. Chris added that Wayne Pendleton would
be the ideal candidate. This would have to be an AGM decision so this should
be added to the agenda for that meeting.
9) ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A, Derek Gilbert Area Treasurer thought that the present system of credit notes
and discount on BMFA membership was awkward. He suggested that a better system
would be to charge the full fees and then issue a voucher against the next year's
fees. Chris Bromley Area Chairman said that he would discuss the matter with
Graham Lynne.
B, Chris Bromley of the dangers of not using the correct Xtals. He said that
there would be an addition to the handbook that will state that only the manufacturers
own specific Xtals for any particular TX should be used not "clones"
which can produce reduced performance or spurious signals.
The Meeting ended at 10.00pm.
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting 10/10/2000.
S.F.Ogden North West Area Secretary