REPORT OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NORTH WEST OF THE NATIONAL OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE DE VERE HOTEL, BLACKPOOL ON SUNDAY 1st MAY, 2005 at 14.30hrs

PRESENT:

Mr K Webb, Councillor for the North West, Chairman;
Mr W Matthews, President of NODA;
Mr M Pemberton, NODA CEO;
Mr G Neary, Secretary of the North West;
Mr T Mills, Treasurer of the North West
9 Regional Representatives, 57 Delegates, 3 Traders.

Before the meeting commenced the Chairman asked the delegates to stand as a mark of respect to those members of the Association who had passed away during the last 12 months.

1. APOLOGIES: Mr & Mrs D Carter (Romiley AOS)
   
   
2. REPORT OF THE LAST AGM HELD ON 2nd May 2004:
   
   The report having been circulated was approved by the meeting and signed by the Chairman as a true record. Proposed: Mr P Prosser (Knutsford AOS), Seconded: Mrs B Herd (SCAMPS Youth CP)
   
   
3. MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising
   
   
4. COUNCILLOR'S REPORT:
   
   The Councillor welcomed the National President, Mr. Bill Mathews and his wife, Iris and on behalf of the North West wished them continued good health and success throughout their presidential year. He also welcomed the CEO, Mr. Mark Pemberton, and hoped they would all have a very enjoyable weekend with us. He continued by congratulating The Three Towns OS who won the National Programme Award in the Basic Class at the 2004 National Conference in Hereford.
   
   The Councillor expressed his concerns that only 3 applications were made for the Summer School this year saying that the bursaries were available to all members and a wonderful opportunity to learn from the professionals. for those attending see the addendum to these minutes.
   
   It was noted that a number of societies are changing their titles and the Councillor stressed that the words 'an Amateur Production' must be displayed on any advertising material. He was pleased that delegates had remarked favourably about the Awards Weekend, the biggest complaint being that some nominees could not attend because they 'had only just heard about it'! The Councillor stressed that all society secretaries were informed in the second week of January so if the information is not filtering down to you — make yourself an Individual Member. For the princely sum of £21 you will receive 3 NW magazines, 4 National magazines and an Awards Evening booking form.
   
   NODA is embarking on a youth training programme in each area which the CEO would explain in more detail later.
   In closing the Councillor thanked the committee members for their continued support: Prosceneium (Staging), Tube UK Ltd (Sound & Lighting), Ray Cowdell (Awards Programme & Booking Forms), Just Tickets (Printing) and Josef Weinburgers for the coffee at the workshops.
   
   He concluded by thanking the societies he and Eileen visited for the warm welcome and looked forward to meeting you at your next production.
   
   
5. SECRETARY'S REPORT:
   
   The secretary reported that to the Councillor, Treasurer and the Regional Representatives that the Awards Evening seems to come round all too quickly. No sooner has one been put to bed than we have to start once again with debriefing meetings, confirming hotels, deciding on suitable workshops, finding someone for the cabaret, contacting suppliers and traders, etc., etc. Alongside covering some 362 productions in the previous 12 months this takes a great deal of time and commitment from those involved. The secretary suggested that a vote of thanks should go to the partners of those concerned for their support, time and patience.
   
   Amongst the many problems faced in running such an event is the setting up of the stage area in the banqueting hall. The North West area is extremely grateful to Prosceneium and Tube UK Ltd for the supply of equipment. However, if anyone can spare a couple of hours at the next Awards Evening I am sure Mr John Flay (No 1 Reg. Rep.) would be pleased to hear from you. Further to that if anyone has any suggestions for the type of workshops or volunteers for the cabaret the Councillor would, no doubt, be equally pleased.
   
   Despite the time pressure on everyone it was decided at a NW area meeting on 12 December, 2004 to see if there was any interest in running a Drama Festival in the North West. After writing to some 76 drama groups, or musical societies with a drama wing, we have received 10 replies to date. The proposal will be further discussed at the next NW area meeting on 24 July, 2005.
   
   Headquarters has introduced a new youth award in the form of a badge which is featured in the May 2005 NW magazine. A sample was made available at the AGM.
   
   The decline in Individual and Joint members now appears to have ceased whilst the number of societies has increased again to 306. At the last report from H.Q (end March 2005) some 28 societies and 12 Individual or Joint members have still to renew their memberships.
   
   

   BADGES	MEDALS	BARS
   10 yrs 54	25 yrs 41	30 yrs 37
   15 yrs 34	50 yrs 23	35 yrs 29
   20 yrs 44		40 yrs 18
   		45 yrs 24
   		60 yrs 3

   STUDS
   
   55 yrs 4
   
   Junior Certificates 49
   
   
6. TREASURER'S REPORT:
   
   The Treasurer, Mr Trevor Mills, presented for members acceptance the accounts for the year ending 31 December 2004. The treasurer explained the incomes and expenditure accounts, pointing out the salient points and commenting on the healthy financial position of the North West.
   
   Mr K Roach (Morecambe AODS) questioned the bad debt provisions which the treasurer explained had been partially dealt with to date. The increase in the telephone bill was raised. A substantial part of the increase was due to the innumerable calls made to members about the Awards Evening arrangements. As there were no further questions the meeting accepted the accounts as presented.
   
   Proposed: Mr D Parkes (No 8 Regional Representative)
   Seconded: Mr M Castle (Blackpool & Fylde LOC)
   
   The Councillor thanked the Treasurer for his dedication over the last 12 months.
   
   
7. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS:
   
   The President thanked the North West for their invitation to the Awards weekend and the warm welcome extended to himself and his wife, Iris.
   
   He was pleased to see that the AGM was well attended and commented on the need to increase Individual Membership which he considered vital as a means of communication to society members. To emphasise the point he quoted his problems with society members who were unaware of the Summer School bursaries that were on offer — it would appear we are not alone with the perceived 'secretary block' problem. He also commented on the National WEB site and in particular the 'members area' where there is a great deal of information about NODA.
   The President concluded by wishing the North West well for the future.
   
   
8. CEO'S ADDRESS
   
   The CEO reported that this had been a good year for NODA with a steadily increasing number of societies taking up membership. He commented on the retirement, after many years, of Brian Bell (Panto Manager) and the promotion of Lindsay Bliss who now takes over this responsibility.
   
   He encouraged members to attend the National conference which will be held at Huntingdon on 23/25 September, 2005. The Summer School was well attended with 2005 exceeding the previous year and is now almost full.
   Whilst still at the proposal stage it is intended to run a Youth Training scheme during June/Sept 2006 and 2007. The courses will be free and hopefully in operation around the NODA areas during the above periods.
   The next Amateur Theatre week will take place on 22/29 October 2005 which helps to promote NODA nationally. The CEO concluded by commenting on the sales facilities which are now available on the web site.
   
   
9. ELECTION OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
   
   Since there were no other nominations received by the due date the Secretary introduced Mr K Webb who was duly elected as Councillor.
   
   The Councillor then introduced the current Regional Representatives. There being no other nominations the following were elected as Regional Representatives.
   
   

   1 Mr John Flay	2 Mr Keith Painter	3 Ms Catherine Allan
   4 Mr Gordon Hall	5 Mr Glyn Neary	6 Mr Colin Magenty
   7 Mr Tony Adler	8 Mr David Parkes	9 Mrs Sheryl Haydock-Howorth
   10 Mr Peter Hendren	11 Mrs Edith Yates	12 Vacant.

   
   It may be appropriate to point out that anyone who wishes to apply for the position of Councillor or Regional Representative is free to put their names forward to the secretary by the due date.
   
   
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
    
    Mr C Magenty (No 6 Regional Representative) questioned why cheaper tickets were available in London via the NODA Theatre Club but not elsewhere in the country. The CEO replied by saying that despite the best efforts of NODA theatre managers elsewhere were uncooperative to the idea.
    
    Mrs K Carradus (Kendal AOS) asked for clarification as to what constituted 'service' to a society with regard to long service medals. Mr J Heaton (Rochdale AOS) thought that such 'service' ought to be a week by week involvement with the society. Mr I Johnston (Workington AOS) commented on the lack of consistency with regard to this matter between the two societies in the town. The secretary thought that it was reasonable to set aside the 'week by week' rule for those people who had already given a lifetime of service but, perhaps due to some infirmity, could now only act in an advisory capacity to a society.
    
    Mrs M Taylor (Crewe AOS) asked for clarification on the service required for the new junior medal. The secretary replied that such information was in the May 2005 NODA North West magazine.
    
    Miss N Deane (Dukinfield AODS) wondered whether a workshop on the subject of insurance might prove useful since there were questions about exclusions on the policy.
    
    Mrs E Allwright (Southport AOS) suggested that a larger venue for the Awards Evening should be found because of the number of members who could not be accommodated in the banqueting Hall.
    
    There being no other business the meeting closed at 15.50 Hrs.