Successful Virtual AGM

We held our first ever on-line/virtual AGM on the 22^nd February. It went very well and thanks to all involved. Legally we have to hold an AGM and having delayed we got to the stage where we needed to hold it. A number of us have limited experience of virtual meetings and there was some anxiety leading up to the event.

All members were informed beforehand and the required papers sent out but we didn’t heavily promote it- mainly due to concern of how to handle the meeting and voting if everyone joined in. As it happened 23 members joined in, there were some individual moments with technology but all behaved well and the meeting was good natured. After the business was done, all members were called upon to say a few words- ‘boredom’ was a common theme. Time- about half an hour for the formal meeting and half an hour for chat: over in an hour.

Chairman- David Hinchcliffe
Vice chairman- Colin Williams
General and membership secretary - Mark Tucker
Treasurer- Malcolm Farrar
Training Support Group Chair- Tim Collins
Social committee chair- Julie Calow
New post- Ride Co-ordinator- Stefan Pitcher

Other posts continue as before.

Also present was Shaun Cronin, (Regional Service Delivery Team Manager- Southern), who spoke at the end. Shaun gave an interesting presentation to the meeting highlighting the trials, tribulations and frustrations of the past year and the impact of Covid 19 across the organisation. Much work has been achieved behind the scenes and in preparation for the easing of lockdown a new Group Rides Handbook is due for publication. Shaun sits on the Group that will determine how we come out of Lockdown and will inform all Groups as soon as any decision is made in line with Government advice which IAMRS will strictly adhere to. 

Summing up the individual inputs at the end- David asked each member attending to contribute in turn with key themes emerging 

• We are Bored
• Keyworkers have been hectic busy
• We want to be out on our bikes 
• Some managed to take bike for MOT’s!
• Teams and Zoom meeting are a new feature of life 
• We are all concerned about “Skills Fade”

The committee and TSG share the concerns raised and there are plans in hand for: Refresher Buddy Rides, the Relaunch of Training and Publicity, along with a Training Weekend for ALL members and Associates at a point when large indoor group meetings are allowed.