Annual General Meeting

Minutes of the meeting held at Gloucester City Football Club,
Friday 9th June 2006.

Present: *Jayl Gunner (Chairman)
Niki Gunner (Treasurer)
*Steve Helps (Home match tickets Officer)
Dave Goodyear (Away tickets Officer)
*Geoff Goring (General Secretary)

Plus 19 full members and 1 guest.

*Act jointly as publicity officers.

The meeting opened at 19:30

Introduction
Jayl welcomed everyone to the meeting and took the opportunity to declare the Gloucester City Social Club as our new social club and meeting place; it was to be a new and exciting venture for both parties.

Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from:
The Brunsdon family
John Bradridge
Mandy Millar
Dave Goring
Paul Goring
Bronwen Goring
George Goring
Chris Marvin

Matters Arising
There were no immediate concerns or matters arising from last years' minutes or the opening address.

Officers' Reports'

Chairman:

Jayl started by reporting that there is lots of great news to tell but that there was one little piece of unfortunate news - that being the fact that we had to expel someone from the club under clause 4 of the constitution (threatening behaviour and selling tickets to persons outside AGSC). Jayl further reported that we had 'lost' the HQ at the Bristol Hotel but this had not affected too many as most were making their own arrangements to meet and watch games. The new meeting place at Gloucester City would be ideal for social events and larger meetings. He also reported that the committee had to be realigned as Tim Lovesey had 'disappeared' and Paul Speller-Cain had resigned. This, however, had allowed the introduction of Dave (Butcher) Goodyear who was already proving a super asset to the committee. With giving many 2 years membership after the initial struggle of getting going we were slightly short of funds. There still remained an operating profit of £100 nevertheless. Jayl thanked his fellow committee members for all their hard work and unpaid dedication.

The good news summary:
" 36 brand new members have been recruited during 2005-2006 season
" We got 88% of the membership to Highbury in its last season - including our Dutch member
" 100% of all those expressing a desire to go went to Highbury
" Ran successful coach trips to: WBA (a), Chelsea (h) and Real Madrid (h)
" People have been abroad and all over the country to more games than ever
" Formed 'Dial Square' 5-a-side team (and let them keep the kit when they broke away)
" Formed 'North Bank' 5-a-side team
" The Highbury Tournament
" Sponsorship deal with Gloucester Sports
" Presentation of player of the year cup to Matt Ely
" New friendships formed
" Greatest ever Arsenal Team

The Future:
" Update the website more regularly (Nigel Newnham to be elected in this role to the committee)
" Run more coach trips
" Do more with accrued funds (perhaps offer 2 year memberships in time at £15 - TBA)?
" More social events
" Tighten the ticket system (learning from lessons).

" Jayl concluded by saying that the committee were all unpaid and put in hours of tireless work with no real perks except the occasional 1st refusal on late unwanted tickets. Jayl pointed out that although both he and Niki are Silver members, they only went to 10 games between them. This meant that the membership had benefited from attending a total of 82 games on their membership of AFC.

Home ticket facilitator:

Steve Helps encouraged everyone to get their ticket requests in early. He stressed that if you ask you stand a very good chance of getting. He confirmed that many more coaches would be run next season and to home games too.

Treasurer:

Jayl reported for Niki that we had £100 in the pot. We hoped to get 100-plus members this coming season which means we will be much better off. The situation was very good at the moment considering we had given free memberships to soften the impact of the initial start-up fiasco.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Current Officers proposed, seconded & elected according to accepted procedures & the AGSC constitution.

AOB

Strict instruction had been given to raise any other business in writing before the meeting.

Pete Kinsella requested clarification of use of season tickets. This could not be cleared up at this stage as the new electronic entry system at Arsenal had not been confirmed.

Pete Kinsella asked for more internet postings and announcements. This was fixed earlier by the election of Nigel Newnham to the position of webmaster. (Jayl would train him up).

Steve Helps wanted clarification of purchasing and allocating tickets. Again, we could not decide this just yet as the Arsenal Club stance was unsure at this time.

With that the meeting closed at 20:40 for a great quiz, raffle and superb evening.

Post meeting note from our Chairman on the website forum:

I would just like to personally thank everyone who attended last night's AGM - Quiz Night @ Gloucester City Football Club.
What an excellent, productive and most importantly - fun night! It was tremendous to have a group of Gunners so positive, friendly and happy - a great atmosphere! No moaners and gripers!
Enjoy the World Cup and your summer breaks and I look forward to seeing you all at Ashburton Grove.

All the best
Jayl Gunner

Minutes courtesy of Geoff Goring ... geoffgoring@arsenalgloucester.com