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Annual Report of the Trustees for 2019/20
National championships
In 2019, the National Championships were held at Brockenhurst and were very successful despite our initial concern for such an early show. We are grateful to the Southern Branch Team for their support.
Due to Covid -19 Pandemic, the AGM and National Champs for 2020 were sadly cancelled.
Governance
Since the previous AGM in 2019, The Trustees and Branch representatives of the Society have held meetings on 5 occasions, initially at Crewe, however from March onwards, have utilised conference calls and more recently held Zoom meetings. The Team has remained stable with only two recent changes; in March 2020 with Arwyn Edwards, The Welsh Branch Chairman standing down and July 2020 with Nick Anderson, Midlands Branch Chairman standing down. We have welcomed our two new Branch Chairs; Jim Thompson, Welsh Branch and Bob Bleasedale, Midlands Branch.
Regarding the role of Web Master, Emily Plumb planned to stand down at the AGM, Sept. 2020. Which will now be ratified at the 2021 AGM. On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to thank Emily for her work as Webmaster.
Going forward, with news of our new systems and web site, the requirements for this role going forward, is to be defined.
The various current roles that fall under the National Membership Registrar position are still currently being covered, however this role will be required to be re-defined with the introduction of the new forthcoming membership software system.
The Trustee Team have worked hard on continuing to work on the NVS development plan with progress as panned. Some of these areas are detailed below. Obviously with the impact that the Coronavirus has had on 2020, the Trustees have agreed that certain areas are required to be re-prioritised with a focus on a communication strategy and risk assessment(s).
Standardisation
Following standardisation of the NVS logo, work has continued to update various NVS items that contain the log, eg medals, plaques, certificates and documentation. This work will continue based on the Development action plan.
Management
As reported in the Jan 2020 edition of the SV Magazine, we have commenced with the introduction of a new Membership Engagement Software and web site using the company White Fuse. This is major positive change which will help streamline the management of our membership data and provide an improved service for our members. The new web site will provide an easier to use portal to the NVS.
The Current membership stood at 1795 in June 2020, this is a further drop of just under 10%, which, of course will be compounded by Covid-19 through lack of our presence due to cancelled shows & events and recruitment opportunities. To this end, the focus on our Communication strategy, focus on benefits and new web site will be vitally important to both obtain new members and retain our existing Members.
Communication
Our new look quarterly Simply Vegetables magazine (edited by Kelvin Mason)
has continued to be one of our key communication and information sources for our members.
External partners
Under the guidance of Gareth Cameron,
the NVS has continued to strengthen the relationships we have with our existing partners whilst nurturing potential new ones. This is a two-way process and we must remember to be mindful of our sponsors from social media to providing feedback,
for example our growing experiences, information and results for the Marshall’s Mimi Tomato and DT Brown’s Falco Turnip seed that we so kindly received.
Financial Planning
Our Gift Aid Claim for 2019 was processed and this resulted in an overall claim of £15081 with £3770.25 being received, all of which was transferred back to the relevant Branches earlier in the year. F. Shenfield processed the Gift Aid submission, following on from Robert Miller
Thanks also go to our members who sign the relevant Gift Aid form and allow us to continue to make this Gift Aid claim from HMRC.
Society Awards 2020
In 2019, we have awarded x12 Fellowship awards, 2 Silver medals and 1 Gold medal. (15 awards in total)
Congratulations to all of the recipients
of these NVS awards, they are all well deserved. Due to Covid-19 and the lack of an AGM in Sept 2020, we are arranging various ways of presenting these awards as agreed with each recipient.
NVS Fellowships
Silver Medallist
Gold Medallists NVS Judges
The NVS Judges exam (originally scheduled for oct 3rd 2020) has been cancelled this year owing to Covid-19
We anticipate (2021 will be on Sat. October 2nd) and will comprise of both a practical and theory exam.
Publications & Documentation
Throughout 2019/2020 we have continued with the production and quarterly upkeep of the NVS Directory which is available via the NVS web site. The Directory provides contact details across the UK for officers, at all levels along with lecturers and judges. Going forward, this will be available via a search engine on the new Website once it goes live.
The Trustees, under Sandra Hall’s leadership, are continuing working
together as a cohesive team and are actively focussed on the development and improvement of our members experience
to help grow the society during this now difficult period with the continued difficulties that the Coronavirus brings. Meanwhile, we hope that all our members and their friends & family stay safe.
This concludes the Trustee report for 2019/2020
Fiona Shenfield FNVS
National Secretary, September 2020.
Scottish
Bill Duff
Scottish
Peter Fitch
Welsh
Owain Roberts
Southern
Daphne Hope
Southern
Sherie Plumb
Midlands
Roy Binfield
Midlands
Graham Brickstock
Southern
Ali Clarke
Southern
Barbara Gould
Southern
Nigel Gould
Southern
Jan Lovell
Southern
John Mead
Northern
Tony Booth
Northern
Peter Ridsdale
Scottish
Rhona Begg
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