AGM 2004

West Midlands Regional Centre of the European String Teachers Association

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 26th September 2004 at Harborough Bank, Shelsley Beauchamp

As agreed and signed at the 2006 AGM

Present: Angela Richey, Rachel Greenwood, Susan Gregory, Pat Hibbs, Bob Thomas, Janet Thomas

Apologies: Sarah Allen, Hazel Davis

Minutes: The minutes of the 2003 AGM were read, agreed and signed as a true record.

Matters Arising: None.

Chairperson's Report:

Angela reported on events and activities since the last AGM.

Bob Thomas had been appointed as Secretary in succession to Rachel Greenwood. During the year two newletters had been produced and a website created.

It had been a good year for enjoyable and informative events involving West Midlands members. She mentioned in particular the Regional events - the Baroque Workshop and the Teaching Videos meeting, with reference also to the other ESTA events of the season.

• The National Forum Day in March with Dona Lee Croft and Judy Tarling
• ESTAWM's Baroque Workshop with Catherine Mackintosh in April, jointly with Volante Strings
• ESTAWM's meeting about teaching videos in June
• ESTA International Conference in Rotterdam in August
• The British ESTA Summer School at the Purcell School also in August

Events still to look forward to included

• ESTA British Branch AGM and National Forum Day on 7th November on "Getting Pupils Through The First Year Of String Teaching"
• ESTAWM's Violin Examination Repertoire event with Louis Carus at the Elgar Birthplace on 14th November
• ESTA International Conference in Malta in March
• ESTAWM's Cello Day with Corinne and Dawn on 1st May

Treasurer's Report:

• Janet Thomas tabled the accounts, which showed an opening balance of £105.00 and a closing balance of £260.72
• There were very few transactions. The generosity of Angela and Hazel in allowing the use of their homes for events had kept outgoings minimal.
• The apparent profit of £155.72 will offset the remaining £150 expected costs of the forthcoming Louis Carus event. For our accounts this falls in the next financial year; but for national ESTA accounts it falls in the present year, so in effect we will have done little more than break even.
• [note: though not mentioned at this meeting, there is still an outstanding debt of £140 owed to Janet Thomas, as noted in the 2002/3 accounts]

Election of Officers:

The following were nominated by Sue Gregory, seconded by Pat Hibbs and elected unopposed

• Chairperson: Angela Richey
• Secretary: Bob Thomas.
• Treasurer: Janet Thomas
• Committee members: Hazel Davis and Rachel Greenwood

Other Business:

• Special thanks were offered to Bob for creating the website, which had been appreciated by many members and was beginning to attract contributions.
• Angela especially urged members to promote the Louis Carus event on 14th November with posters and by word of mouth among teaching colleagues.

Date of Next AGM: Sunday 25th September 2005 was mooted, again at 3.00pm at Harborough Bank. The date will be confirmed in the new year.

The meeting closed at 4.25pm.

END