COSTA BLANCA WINE SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 13 JANUARY 2011
AT RESTAURANT CASA DEL MAR MORAIRA
60 Members attended the meeting which commenced at 1845.
APOLOGIES
Barry and Pam Burnett, Kathy Johnson, Tony and Cherry Cabban, Jeanne and John Middleton, Alan and Rosemary Murdoch, Tim and Sandy Fawle, Gaby and Margaret Ferenczy.
1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 21 JANUARY 2010
Approval was proposed by Andrew Johnson, seconded by Elizabeth Collins and accepted by the meeting.
2. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 21 JANUARY 2010
There were no matters arising.
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Rod Anderton said the past year as President had been a very happy one for him. The programme had proceeded as predicted with one change in sequence of speakers switching Laura Jewell and Tim Fawle. The February venue at El Andaluz was not to be repeated as what was promised did not materialse. After this meeting we wrote the guide for restaurants indicating our requirements for all prospective restaurants. A new venue recommended by members ‘La Cumbre’ had been successful and we have visited three times in 2010 including the Christmas meeting. There were two meetings in Calpe, Puerto Blanco and Marisol, in Moraira Ca La Iaia and in Denia the Marriott.
The in house presentations from members Steve, Caryl and Gordon, Tim Fawle and Rod Anderton had been well received. Our guest presenters included Matthew Kaine of Casa Vino, Sandra from Capcanes and Ana Meler at Catarlo Todo.
The membership is healthy with 114 members 3 more than the previous year and there were no disappointments due to overbooking. He was pleased to see some new ‘international’ members. The average attendance per tasting was 65.The Tandem table seating has proved popular and has eliminated cliquiness and provided a much more relaxed and friendly atmosphere which is more welcoming to new members.
The trips are very popular. The May 2010 trip took 40 members and the October 38. The May 2011 Trip was oversubscribed the day booking opened. Don’t despair if you are a reserve as 8 had to cancel Almansa last October.
We have continued with the scoring system for wines tasted in 2010. The Champion Taster was Renate Pluis with 90%. Runners up were Tim Ladd and Ana.
Regarding finance we made a profit of 460.93€ against a predicted loss of 690€ and the Society has Assets of 3724.89€. Careful management enabled subsidies on monthly tastings in the latter part of the year. Travel costs independent of other budgets were marginally in profit overall.
Rod thanked the committee for their hard work. Steve as Vice President was always supportive and helpful. He agreed to the Presidency in the expectancy Steve would take over after one year. Toby and Chris were new in post but proved marvellous, diligent, concerned, correct and totally reliable and aware. Penny who keeps the scores took on extra work with a smile when Caryl became ill accepting additional responsibilities seamlessly. Ana and Fausto have by no means an easy job with menus and venues but have succeeded in choosing good venues and an interesting variety of food. Gaby has looked after publicity as well as organising and planning the wine trips. An excellent all rounder. Thanks are due to Paul and Carolyn, now retired, who operated the sound system for meetings and trips. And last but by no means least Mary for her support.
4. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2009
The Society returned a total profit over the year of €460.93 as opposed to a budgeted loss of €690.
Expenditure was higher than budget due to cost of the Web Page and the maintenance of speaker system, both very necessary. Also, during the year some of the tastings were subsidised.
The average attendance at the tastings was 65, a little down on 2009 but still a very good number. Membership of the Society for the year was a total of 114.
The Society has a total asset value of €3,724.89 as at 31st December 2010.
The budget for this year shows, that as we believe the liquidity of €3,724.89 to be sufficient, we intend to repay members subscriptions by subsidising the tastings and simply recover the costs of running the Society over the year.
May I again mention the problems with moving money direct into the Society’s account. There appears to be limit to the amount of text that these transfers can carry. One made last week the member wrote may trip and their full name, only ‘may trip’ came out on the bank document I received. We will know that if it is 200 then it is trip or 20 that would be subs, so all that is necessary is your name.
I am indebted to our auditor, Alan Smith for his advice and help over the year.
Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report was proposed by James Blackwell and seconded by Mary Anderton and agreed by the members.
5. CHANGE OF REGISTERED ADDRESS OF THE SOCIETY
It was proposed by Rod Anderton and Seconded by Chris Felton that the registered address of the Society should be Apartado 331, Javea. This was approved by the meeting. This change must be advised to the authorities in Alicante.
6. ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT
Rod Anderton proposed that Steve Collins be President, this was seconded by Norman Easter and accepted with acclamation by the meeting. Steve took over the meeting.
7. ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE
Vice President
Keith Pacey
Proposed by Elizabeth Collins
seconded by Mary Anderton
and accepted by the members
Treasurer
Toby Carpenter
Already serving member
Secretary
Chris Felton
Already serving member
Menus and Venues
Ana and Fausto Vicente
Already serving member
Bookings and scores
Penny Floodgate
Already serving member
Web site
Gaby Ferenczy
Already serving member
The members ratified those in post with a show of hands.
7. DRAFT PROGRAMME FOR 2010
Steve had circulated his proposed programme and explained that at this stage this was provisional and he would like to include new venues which he would be sourcing with Ana and Fausto. He forecast a membership of around 110 for the coming year.
8. BUDGET FOR 2010
As the Society was in good financial standing the committee intended to pass back members subscriptions by the subsidising of some of the tastings. We would look into bank charges and see where more interest could be obtained. We forecast a low administration cost of around 870€.
9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Andrew Johnson had advised the following item for inclusion.
“The introduction of seating by lot at monthly meetings has encouraged a far wider contact amongst members and is to be welcomed. However, a number of members only meet some of their friends at the Wine Society. I therefore propose that at the June and December meetings and the AGM members should be allowed to choose their own places.”
There was no objection from the members so Steve advised that the committee would consider this.
Steve thanked Rod for his excellent work as President.
The date of the next A.G.M. is 16 February 2012.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.20pm.