2024 Annual General Meeting Summary Report
On 7th May the Chairman, Roy Sammons, welcomed everyone to the Annual General Meeting. He began by reporting ten test passes for 2023, which was disappointing to say the least, particularly having seen an improvement to 23 in 2022. That was from 10 in 2021, a number which was in itself a significant improvement over the two passes achieved during the Covid year of 2020. For comparison in 2019 we had 27 passes, which was 50% more than 2018 at 18. Our history continues with 35 passes in 2017, then 31 in 2016, 47 in 2015, and 43 in 2014. Looking further backwards, in 2013 we had 41 passes, 51 in 2012, 38 in 2011, 35 in 2010, 52 in 2009 and 70 in 2008, all short of our best ever year, 2006, when we reached 76 test passes. Since Covid things have changed and we don’t know what the new ‘norm’ will be in the coming years. Although the current rate of inflation has steadied, the price increase to £200 imposed by IAM RoadSmart on 1st April 2024 does not help. Will it deter people from joining a course to improve their driving? We enrolled only four new Associates in February and just seven in May. So it is becoming even more important that we all remember that personal contact and recommendation remains our best form of recruitment. We ask you to help us recruit, your Group still needs you.
We began the year with 16 Observers, ten National and six Local. During the year Stuart Wilson resigned having joined the Group in 2007, and Dougie Phillips returned. The Chairman thanked Stuart for the support and assistance he had given us during his 17 years with the Group. By April 2025 all Observers must be Nationally qualified. There are some Local Observers who do not wish to take this path and we will understand if they decide to stand down.
The Chairman then thanked all our volunteers and members, without whom the Group would not exist. From the Committee who give their time unstintingly, attending meetings and planning all our courses and events, to our dedicated Observers who support our courses, training needs and Diploma. To the members who attend the Group meetings and join us for our Ride and Rambles, trips and other visits. Your support is greatly appreciated.
One of the Committee members, Lynn Jordan, was thanked on standing down from her position as Group Contact. Lynn has held this position since November 2015 dealing with anyone wishing to enrol on a course, or having a general chat about what was involved. The role is being taken over by Katherine Whittle.
Dougie Phillips returned to Observing during this year and to assisting with our Training Team. He passed the Masters retest with Distinction, and also the National Observer retest. David Wilkinson passed his National Observer retest.
Observer training courses continued to be organised, but not everyone completed them. These courses are essential to bring new blood into our Observer team. The course content has had to be modified to reflect the fact that new trainees must complete the National Observer qualification within 12 months of starting their course.
We continued to have excellent records kept by Lynn Jordan, Vince Dover and Steve Peary, which contributes significantly to the effectiveness and planning of our Sunday mornings. This also includes drives for trainee Observers, and those training for National Observer.
The 2023 Diploma Course was completed during the year, culminating in six successful candidates. We again awarded the Hugh German Memorial Trophy in recognition of Hugh’s 50 year unstinting contribution to the Bolton Group, and for his 40 year dedication to the Diploma course itself. We were very pleased that Lois German, accompanied by daughter Janet, came to the September Group meeting to make the presentation to Katie Dunkerley from the Bolton Group.
Barry Sloan, our Publicity Officer, continued to maintain the group’s presence with vigour on all forms of social media, with our own public Facebook page and our presence on Twitter. We thank Barry for his enthusiasm in maintaining and co-ordinating these, and equally to Steve Peary for keeping our website up to date.
In July 2023 we were given permission to reuse the classroom (not available to us since Covid Lockdown) at Bolton University and we thank them for their ongoing support. The classroom certainly makes a big difference when the weather is poor.
The Chairman reminded members that he had now completed his 27th year in office, and they were aware that in previous years he had quoted the IAM guidelines recorded in the IAM Group Handbook. These state; “It is very strongly recommended that the post of Chairman be held for no more than three years and that there be a break of at least one year before being nominated again”. He did not wish to prevent anyone who would like to take the role from doing so. His workload was easier since activities regarding Observers and Associates had been taken over by Vince Dover, Lynn Jordan or Steve Peary. As long as these continued, he was happy and honoured to be Chairman of such a strong, active and enthusiastic IAM RoadSmart Group. He was very conscious that playing an active part in the Group was a hobby to us all – and for a hobby to be rewarding we needed to feel a sense of personal achievement. He closed, as usual, with the biggest possible ‘Thank You’ to everyone.
The Secretary thanked the Chairman for his work during the year. As always, he had worked harder than any other committee member and his enthusiasm, devotion, dedication and leadership skills inspire us all ensuring that we remain one of the top IAM RoadSmart groups.
The Advanced Driver course, which cost £175 between 1st April 2022 and 1st April 2024, was now priced at £200.
We recruited 15 associates during the year compared with 19 last year and 24 in 2021-22. Twenty-nine members didn’t renew their subscriptions, so our membership at the beginning of May 2024 consisted of 142 full members, 17 associates and four friends. These add up to a total of 163 compared with 168 at this time last year.
We were currently sending out 31 monthly Newsletters to members by post compared with 158 by email. Those who received them by post were asked to think about transferring. They would get access to the Newsletter’s web links and save the Group printing and postage costs. Special thanks were due to those who sent postage stamps. The Group subscription remained at £10.
The Secretary closed by repeating what the Chairman had said many times, that personal contact and recommendation continued to be very important in recruiting new associates – so sincere thanks were given to those who had encouraged friends or relatives to enrol this year.
The Treasurer reported that the year had been relatively straightforward in the running of the accounts with the continuation of the management by on line banking ensuring that all invoices and payments out were made promptly. Although numbers were increasing we were still a fair way off getting all members to pay subscriptions on line. We continued to suffer through the current economic climate, meaning despite extensive advertising, new Associate numbers continue to be low.
The Charity Account showed a slight drop in members renewing, partially offset by the increase in fees from Head Office for new Associates, but the Gift Aid showed a reduction in line with the loss of overall members. On the expenditure side we had an increase in Dobbie’s room hire and additional expenses for Observer training in preparation for the change from Local to National Observers. This gave an overall reduction of the bank balance by £595 on the year partially offset from the increase in clothing stock held.
Social Account income was stable, steady from Ride & Ramble and slightly down from Raffles, which been made up from a surplus on Quiz supper and a good surplus from the Tram Day due to Vince’s diligence and numbers being higher than budgeted. On the expenditure side speakers costs were up on last year and the Xmas dinner loss was higher. Overall we slightly increased the Social account by £42.
The overall cash in both accounts remains healthy at £7846, down £540 on last year with still further gift aid claims to be submitted and an increased clothing stock.
Thanks went to Roy for producing the balance sheet and liaising with Warran Bolton for the audit of the accounts. Thanks as well to Margaret Middleton and her band of helpers in organising the raffles and special thanks to Chris Knowles for the difficult task of organising the speakers and looking after the clothing account. Also to Vince Dover for his management and accounting of the social events.
All office-holders and committee members, who stood, were re-elected. Contact details can be found on the inside front cover of the Newsletter.