Page 20 - Out Birding Issue 109 Winter 2022

might seek to use, the club’s programmes, so that we can keep pace with their needs; and also, to encourage newer, and younger, members to join the club, and hopefully to join the commi􏰀ee as well. The vacancies for two separate roles covering Publicity and Communica􏰁ons were also flagged, as different skill sets applied, and volunteers for either would be welcome, and be of great value to the club in the future.
11 GGT 14 and GBC 30th Anniversary
We had a wide-ranging discussion on poten􏰁al op􏰁ons for a ‘special’ next GGT to rec- ognise GBC’s 30th Anniversary. Pat outlined the basic criteria for a loca􏰁on – inter- es􏰁ng birding combined with a suitable-sized hotel at reasonable costs for members, and travel accessibility (and cost) for par􏰁cipants is also important. Andy made the sugges􏰁on of hos􏰁ng in Scotland (perhaps Speyside) and poten􏰁ally running for long- er than two nights, to make the travel worthwhile. Considera􏰁on would need to be given to the higher costs of travel and accommoda􏰁on for this op􏰁on. Given that we alternate between Spring and Autumn (on an 18-month cycle) GGT 14 will likely be April 2025. Members are invited to suggest poten􏰁al loca􏰁ons directly to Pat; Eva also suggested a possible direct approach to the Facebook group for sugges􏰁ons. Once a short-list has been established, perhaps in early 2023, a commi􏰀ee sub-group will take the planning further.
12 IT Systems Upgrade
Caroline updated the mee􏰁ng on the IT systems review. A small group of club mem- bers has started working on an improved system for the club. The aim is to improve facili􏰁es for members and poten􏰁al new members as well as combining the member- ship database with the email system making the admin process more efficient and less 􏰁me consuming. This might involve an off-the-shelf system or a more expensive tai- lored approach. Caroline felt that some members might have experience with other clubs or socie􏰁es’ systems for rela􏰁vely low membership popula􏰁ons.
13 Dona􏰁ons from Conserva􏰁on Fund
Liz advised that the club donated a total of £1,320 to 7 chari􏰁es during the year: Spurn Bird Observatory £500, Wader Quest £20, Bumblebee Conserva􏰁on Trust £50, Curlew Ac􏰁on £200, LIPU (Italy-UK) £200, BTO Urban Fund £250 and RSPB Dungeness Makepeace Hide £100.
14 Date and Loca􏰁on of 2023 AGM
Following a discussion on the merits of different op􏰁ons it was agreed that a weekday evening would be the best op􏰁on to encourage broader member par􏰁cipa􏰁on. Therefore the 2023 AGM will be held over Zoom on Thursday 28th September 2023, at 7.30 pm.
15 Any Other Business (AOB)
There then being no other business, the Chair closed the mee􏰁ng at 11:20 am 20