17th AGM, April 2014 minutes

17^th IC of Ireland AGM

26 April 2014, Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club

In attendance

Noel Lennon, Helen Johnstone, Patricia D’arcy, Catherine Holohan, Tony Kearney, Jimmy McDonogh, Richard Blake, Michelle Bennett, Barry King, Tom Shelley, Declan Heavey, Margaret Ann Broderick, John Goggin, Roddy Feely, Niall O’Riordan, June Ann Byrne, Pat Guiry, Brian Lawlor, John O’Rourke, Jane Conan, John Sheridan, Conor McCullough, Niall Murphy

Regrets

Garbhan O’Nuallain, Dearbhla Kelly, Tony Davison, Lisa O’Shea, Catherine O’Neill, Aoife O’Neill, Peter Ledbetter, William Guiry, Robin Gibney, Peter Minnis, Eimear Sloan, Bryan Smyth, Martin Daly, Peter McQuibban, Peter Lowther, Mary O’Neill, Ben Cranwell,  Colm Og Molloy

1.       President’s opening comments

The President welcomed members to the AGM.  He thanked the committee for their work throughout the year.  There was a moment’s silence for past members of the Club who are no longer with us. 

2.       Approval of the minutes of 16^th IC AGM

The Honorary Secretary referenced the minutes from the last AGM which are posted on the website and asked whether they could be taken as read.  This was unanimously agreed and the minutes were approved.

3.       Honorary Secretary’s report

The Honorary Secretary commented that it’s been a very busy 12 months with plenty of activity and referenced the 2 letters sent to members during the year.  The intention is to continue with this type of communication going forward.  She noted that 6 committee meetings were held during the year.  The club welcomed 2 new members since the last AGM which brings total membership to 130 people.  In relation to the International IC Council, President John O’Rourke attended the IC Council AGM in London in June last year and that the Hon Sec will attend this year’s AGM, again in London.

Particular mention was made to the members’ booklet which was last printed in 2007.  The Committee are planning to reproduce this booklet and all members are being encouraged to check their details which are available on the IC website.  Any changes should be made known to the Committee.

Lastly, all members were encouraged to attend the Summer BBQ which will take place on August 9.  This coincides with the weekend when the IC of Ireland will host the IC of Belgium.

4.       Honorary Treasurer’s report

The Honorary Treasurer commented on the accounts (circulated at the meeting) as follows:

·         Healthy year end cash balance totalling €14,723

·         €6,795 cash received in respect of member subscriptions which includes 121 member subscriptions for 2013, 4 subscriptions in advance for 2014, 19 subscriptions in respect of 2012

·         IC fixtures of €1,463 analysed as €1,103 spent on the home fixture v IC GB, and a net annual cost of subsidising the Potter cup by €450

·         Affiliation fee for council of IC was unusually low at €124 being the annual fee of $660 less a $500 credit from previous years.

·         Affiliation fee for Tennis Ireland represented the payment of the annual €65 for both 2012 and 2013

·         IC of Ireland giftware of €498 represented the cost of 30 pennants

·         Summer BBQ net cost of €711 being a gross cost of €1,236 less members contributions of €525

The Honorary Treasurer noted that he expects expenses for 2014 to be higher on account of the hosting of more home fixtures.  Additionally, there will be the expense of printing the member’s booklet.

The accounts as presented were approved.

5.       Captain’s report

Refer to the hand-out circulated at the meeting which contained:

a.       the captains’ reports for the various 2013 fixtures

b.      a number of photos from various matches

c.       the 2014 fixture list

The Captain read a number of extracts from the various reports.  He highlighted just how well the Irish teams are received when travelling abroad.  In relation to the busy fixture list for 2014, there are some teams which have not been selected and he encouraged members to put their names forward for selection. 

6.       Election of Club Officers & Committee Members

The President noted that our rules state that at least one third of the Committee retire every 2 years by rotation, such retiring members, however, being eligible for re-election.  This is important in terms of keeping the Committee revitalised.  Accordingly, John O’Rourke retired as President, Conor McCullough retired as Captain and Niall Murphy retired as Ordinary Committee Member. The Committee unanimously proposed and seconded Declan Heavey as President, Noel Sheridan as Captain and Barry King as Ordinary Member.

The outgoing Committee members were thanked for their hard work and commitment. Declan Heavey (newly elected) recalled that he was asked by the late Tommy Burke to be President and this action reflected Tommy’s foresight and commitment to the Club.

7.       Member’s open forum

The following items were raised and discussed:

·         Reference was made to the loss of members and in particular older members on account of little fixture activity to cater for them.  It was suggested that when a fixture is arranged that part of the process should be to request the inclusion of 2 men and 2 women in the 60+/70+ age bracket. It was also noted that this point should be raised at the forthcoming International IC Council AGM

·         The Honorary Secretary agreed to circulate details about how members can go about purchasing general IC merchandise

·         The idea of all IC members having a membership card was raised.  It was generally agreed that this was a good idea and would be explored further by the Committee.