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NANDA AGM Minutes


Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 15th January 2012 at the West Bridgford Dramatic Society's Studio, Stamford Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham.

PRESENT:-- Joan Wildgust (Chairman), Christine Davison (Secretary), Neil Mackintosh (Treasurer), Roy Ainscough (President), Tony Vokes(WBDS), Mike Stewart (Vice President),Madeline Lord(ELAPS), Mel Reynolds(Burton Joyce Players),Liz Hagan, Zoe Rose ((Prospect Players), Linda Whitehurst, Howard Whitehurst (Bonington Players), Bob Wildgust (Lacemarket, People's Theatre Company).

APOLOGIES were received from Jon Jones, Christine Harbidge (Radcliffe-on-Trent Drama Group), Jean Allton (Keyworth Dramatic Society), Jack Barrett (Lacemarket), Amanda Hall (Spotlight Theatre School)

MINUTES The minutes of the AGM held on 30th January 2011 had been circulated and were signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2010/11 had been circulated with the AGM notices.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed members to the AGM and thanked West Bridgford Dramatic Society for their hospitality in hosting the meeting and providing refreshments.
She then commented on various points in the Chairman's Report.
She said that it was encouraging that member groups had been keen to lend their support when difficulties arose eg the threatened closure of Bonington Theatre.
Play of the Year Competition The current season is progressing well. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find adjudicators for the Competition. The cost of paying a professional adjudicator is expensive and would probably decrease the number of entries considerably and reduce the viability of the competition. She urged members to suggest names of possible adjudicators (eg an experienced director from a group which is not entering a play)
Youth Festival This year's festival had produced some excellent plays; a lot can be learned from watching these enthusiastic young actors. Particular praise was given to Dean Hole Primary School Drama Club for their excellent and unusual entry.
One Act Play Festival.
This had been another successful competition with an excellent and entertaining adjudication by Max Bromley. The Chairman reminded members of the change to AETF rules. This will be the last year when NANDA is eligible for a "fast track" into the quarter final stage.
Celebrity Luncheons
The Chairman thanked Jack Barratt for organising two successful celebrity lunches and noted that it was good that members could meet each other in a pleasant social environment.. Jack is currently organising another luncheon
Newsletter and Website
The chairman praised Howard Whitehurst for his work on the newsletter, and appealed for more articles and photographs from groups.
Mike Stewart was thanked for his work on the website.
Communication
There is an ongoing improvement thanks to email and the internet. Mike Stewart, Chris Davison and Joan Wildgust are receiving more information and requests from outside bodies. For example, Waterstones requested actors to recite poetry on Valentine's Day, and Great Central Railway requested some actors to entertain passengers on a Halloween Special; on both occasions NANDA members were able to oblige. Groups have also sent out requests and been successful in borrowing an actor/props/costumes etc from other groups.
Workshops and Forums
Neither had been held during the past year. The Chairman urged groups to contact the Council if they were interested.

HON TREASURER'S REPORT had been circulated with the AGM papers. The treasurer, Neil Mackintosh, presented his report to the meeting.
He said that he was pleased to announce that every single category had made a profit, for the first time in NANDA's history. The profit for the year was £1396.70. Savings were made because most information was now distributed by email, cutting down on printing and postage costs. The Chairman pointed out that no loss making activities, such as workshops, had been run during the year. Roy Ainscough noted that the interest rate on savings was very low. NM said that the interest on the Gurd Award money, which in the past had been as high as £45, was £1 this year.
The Chairman thanked Neil for his hard work throughout the year.

APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY OFFICERS

There being no new names submitted, the existing officers were re-elected:-
Hon Secretary - Christine Davison
proposed Tony Vokes seconded Madeline Lord
Hon Treasurer - Neil Mackintosh
proposed Mel Reynolds seconded Linda Whitehurst
Hon Auditor - Jean Anthony
proposed Mike Stewart seconded Mel Reynolds
The Chairman proposed that Madeline Lord be added to the list of Council members again. This was approved unanimously. All existing Council members expressed their wish to continue and were re-elected.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Stanford Hall
This has been recently purchased by the Duke of Westminster and a rehabilitation centre for wounded military personnel was planned. No news was yet available on the future of the theatre but SHUG was noting developments.
Bonington Theatre
Linda and Howard Whitehurst gave an update on the latest developments. The theatre was staying open after a political change in the Council last May. Staff with specific resposibility for the theatre were to be appointed. Plans were afoot to extend the buildings to include a fitness suite, offices, cafe and dressing rooms.
Roy Ainscough welcomed the re-opening of the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton.
One Act Festival
Bob Wildgust said that 3 or 4 groups would be represented at this year's festival (closing date 31st January). He said that next year NANDA would need to go through the quarter final stage. With the change in rules and area groups, NANDA would be hosting the semi-final in 2015.

The Chairman concluded by thanking the following: Neil Mackintosh for his work as treasurer, Christine Davison for her work as secretary, Roy Ainscough, as President, for his support and all the executive committee for their support and ideas throughout the year.

There being no other business, the meeting ended at 7.05pm