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AGM of RedBat Cricket Collective

Date: 6 November 1992

Venue: The Crown Tavern, Clerkenwell Green

Present: John Anzani, Peter Biggs, Matt Gummer, Steve Hewlett (flying in late), Stuart Hunt, Bruce Kennedy, Andy Lee, Chris Lewis (flying in early), Richard MacMillan (secretary), Keith Miller, Dave Muir, Paul O'Connor, Giles Pott, Tony Rose, Phil Solomon

1  Election of chair

Pretty straightforward start, this.  Exhaustive ballot thus:

Keith was thereby elected Chair.

2.  Apologies for absence

Apologies were delivered on behalf of Mike Redfern, Steve Hewlett (at first), Tim Harry, Jon Harry, Joe O'Halloran, Geoff Gummer, David Lloyd and Phil Jones.  The remainder of the membership (including 3 London members - shabby) hadn't troubled to inform their Committee Members of their intentions.  It was suggested and generally agreed that Lloyd Peters didn't know where he was.

The meeting urges every member to give notice of attendance or non-attendance.  10 London and 3 or 4 Country members sitting around waiting in hope and/or expectation for one more member to turn up to form a quorum is not the way to run an AGM, and just isn't fair on them.

3.  Matters arising from the minutes of the EGM

None

4.  Statement from the Treasurer

Hon. Treas. provided a full and fair Statement of Account, showing the books balancing to within £3.  The A/c currently shows a balance of £369.01 in the black, including £210 in Tour deposits not reclaimed (except by Pete Biggs, who owned up).  It was suggested, but never discussed, that the quids involved should be deducted from their next season's Subs payment.  Should the deposit be urgently required by individual members, however, the Treas. will surely oblige.

A fascinating debate threatened to ensue on the merits and demerits of double-entry bookkeeping among the smart-arse nit-picking accountant types who foolishly thought they could see a flaw in the Accounts as presented, but in a neat metaphorical inversion, the Chair sat on the smart-arses.  PO'C was surprised at only one ball having been purchased with club funds.  Cue rumblings from around the table (step forward G Pott) about shelling out for the difference between £1 per player and the coast of the ball.   Rumblers were referred back to the decision of an earlier meeting that any discrepancy may be made up from Collective funds.

JA declared a further £14 on its way from sales of tour T-shirts.  PS was exercised by what to do with the balance.  PO'C questioned the blanks in the subs column.  How much is still outstanding ?  Chair said that owings should be highlit in the Minutes to the meeting.  And so it is.  CL cruelly asked whether the Chair had its/his cheque book with him, as he owes £11.  This was considered by many a pertinent intervention.

PS remained exercised as to the destiny of the surplus.  GP proposed acceptance of the Accounts, with discussion later.  Responding to PS, CL pointed out that the lack of home fixtures in the 92 season explained the healthy budget, but that next year we may well need this surplus to pay for more home pitches.  Chair wondered whether this discussion need continue and suggested the concept of slack money, estimated by Treas. at about £200.  GP then proposed an interesting concept - slack money.  There is general agreement that the surplus beyond the tour deposits should be slack money, and remain swilling about in the Collective Bank Account until such time as we can squander it on something.

5.  Subscriptions for the 1993 Season

Giles Pott proposed that the current level of £30 p.a. for London/Full Members and £11 for Country Members should be maintained.  It represented, quoth he, "Exceptional Value For Money".  The ecstatic laughter and floods of mirthful tears around the table indicated that the meeting was fully in agreement with Our Captain.

But No! Suddenly there came a spectacular blast of what, to an ear more jaundiced than your Secretary's, might have appeared to be Special Pleading.  Andy Lee proposed a special level for Students.  Giles Pott (for it was he) proposed a special level for the unemployed, and John Anzani proposed a special level for the unemployable.  This prompted a genuinely useful discussion.  Suggestions included pay-per-game for those financially strapped (from PB), opposed by GP as funds are needed before the match and by BK as the last thing we need is a disincentive for prospective players to turn up;   DM agreed that there should be reduced subs for the unemployed and students;   Tony Rose asked if this could be retrospective;  PO'C said special cases and means testing were against the ethos of the Collective, why should the system be changed now ?  CL objected that UB40 and Student status was hardly means-testing; PS weighed in behind PO'C - any such system would be too complicated: e.g how about unemployment for part of a season; PB agreed with PS; GP, reiterating his first point, felt that leniency has always been shown to members unable to stump up the cash at a given time;  AL then suggested a nominal reduction, say 50p, as recognition of job-challenged members.   Keith, a wistful nostalgia creeping into his voice, recalled the days when he remembered agreements to waive subs until the member was able to pay.  PS confirmed that this facility existed.  Stuart Hunt chose this moment to observe that Mike Redfern was "a scumbag" and "was on 25k".

Andy Lee, having listened with interest to the discussion, declared himself content that the matter had had a full airing, and withdrew the proposal before a vote.  It was further agreed that members shown in the Accounts as owing subs from times past and present should not be referred to as The List Of Shame in the Minutes or anywhere else.

6.  Membership Matters

No-one knew of anyone expressing a wish to be considered for membership to RedBat Cricket Collective.  Furthermore, it was agreed that this was a task for the pre-season EGM.  Moving on...

David Muir read his proposal firmly and fairly.  For the record, it goes like this:
"That a new category of membership known as 'Sleeping Member' be conferred by a simple majority vote of those present at an AGM or EGM.  Eligibility to be those ordinary or country members who have moved out of the London area and/or who are unlikely to be able to play any games.  No subscription need be paid while 'Sleeping Member' status is held, and no minutes or other correspondence will be sent until a 'Sleeping Member' re-activates by payment of that year's subscription.  The 'Sleeping Member' will of course be eligible to play as an invitee or 'ringer' during the tour or at any other time at the discretion of the Committee."

It was seconded by Phil Solomon.  JA proposed an amendment as follows:
Delete all, stating instead "The Committee has the power to not send stuff to those members whose vital life functions are not obvious."  He objected to any notion of playing without paying.

GP proposed replacing the term 'sleeping' with 'honorary'.  This was heartily opposed by many who saw no honour in not being prepared to play, respond to requests, or come to meetings.  This amendment, seconded by Keith, was voted upon, and fell by 0 votes to 12 (1 abstention).

CL asked if Sleeping Membership was required merely to make the Committee's life easier.  PS spells out the need - to avoid having to dis-member (?) those who haven't paid or played for ages.  PO'C felt that this was already covered by Country membership.  JA withdrew his amendment.

The vote on the motion was as follows:

The motion was carried.  Thanks were expressed to David Muir for his effort of proposal.

There was brief talk of assigning the new status to certain members there and then, to much opposition.  Winding up the discussion, GP proposed that the Committee should select a list of possible candidates.  Minutes should include notice for all members to indicate to their Committee member their possible candidacy.  Discussion, selection etc will take place at the AGM in Spring 1993.

7.  Fixtures

AL wanted more matches next season than this.  TR proposed the same size fixture list for 1993 as 1992, seconded by GP.  (Enter Steve Hewlett hotfoot from a broad.)   PS pointed out that 10 ringers were used during the season, and used this as a basis for calling for fewer matches, for which he anticipated a greater number of Members would be available.  This belief was doubted by many.  DM and others said it didn't matter how many or few matches (within reason) were played, there would always be a problem filling every position.  Stuart Hunt liked ringers - they bolster the batting side (presumably confusing Red Bat with Red Bat North).  PB and CL expressed concern that fewer matches would lessen interest overall throughout the Collective.  TR's proposal was voted upon, and passed by 15 votes (inc 3 proxies) to 2, with 5 abstentions (including 1 proxy!!).

Time was pressing by now.  Only the more contentious of the 1992 fixtures were voted upon, with the following results.
We will be playing (fixture lists permitting) Richgas (although Keith tells us that they may have all fucked off to Cuba by now), the London Sports Club for the Blind, Old Xaverians, and Histon and Stretham (Cambridge tour).  We will not be seen dead on the same pitch as Pineapple.  Matt Gummer proposed that home games be booked at the YMCA ground in Grove Park, on the basis that it's a stonker of a wicket for bat and ball.   Seconded by PO'C. GP praised its cheaper fees, better facilities, better cricket, and "Exceptional Value For Money".

PS observed that Lewisham is not convenient for Streatham, resulting in a chorus of North London disapproval.  Voting went thus:

Lack of time prevented any discussion on 8. Nets and 9. Kit.  Both were left to the discretion of the Committee to act upon.  Remaining agenda was reshuffled so that next came:

11.  Election of the 1993 Committee

Giles Pott, proposed by PO'C, 2nded by DM, was re-elected unanimously and unopposed for a second great year as Captain on the back of 328 unbeaten matches as skippy.  Hearty congratulations.
Paul O'Connor, prop GP, 2nded DM, was elected unanimously and unopposed (apart from Biggsy, who wanted the Beard again) as Hon. Secretary.
Chris Lewis, prop GP, 2nded DM, was elected unanimously and unopposed for a third great year as Fixtures Secretary.  He was warmly thanked for being prepared to stand again for such a difficult, demanding, and memory-taxing position.
Bruce Kennedy, prop GP, 2nded RM, was elected unanimously and unopposed for a second great term, as Hon. Treas.

There was a tussle for the much-coveted post of Minister Without Portfolio, (which it was established in a brief discussion should be responsible for organisation of the 1993 tour).  Unexpectedly standing again was the incumbent, Tony Rose.  Steve Hewlett bid for the crown.  Voting went:

The new Minister Without Portfolio, with Responsibility for the 1993 Tour, is therefore Steve Hewlett.  Guaranteed to make a documentary out of a crisis.

Dave Muir's hard work in organising the highly successful and enjoyable tour in Cambridge this year was soundly applauded.  Its success can be measured by the desire of two of the teams to play us again.

10.  Tour

Suggestions for the 1993 tour came thick and fast: Rutland/Lincs/Melton Mowbray (JA) for no specific reason; Dorset (AL) gives discounts for students; Oxford (GP) because Dave Muir will sort it; Suffolk (TR) because lots of his mates live in Beccles; Lune Valley (Stuart Hunt) because it's near his house; S. Devon (AL) for the reasons rehearsed last year (see mins).  Voting was frantic and exhaustive as the publican stood by:

So, RedBat shall in Summer 1993, tour Melton Mowbray.

12.  Any Other Business

In emotional scenes, the Kit Kat Strike Rate Award 1992 went to Andy Lee.

The Most Improved Player or the Year Award, described as intangible & meaningless, was awarded to Chris Lewis.

The meeting closed at 11.25, the bar having been shut for over half an hour.

That concludes my last minutes as Hon. Sec.  My thanks to everyone at the meeting and elsewhere who have said kind things about my outpourings over the past three seasons.   We may now look forward to the velvet pen and wicked wrist action of PO'C.

The Beard