Page 9 - Simply Veg Issue 2 2016

The following reports from branch chairs were also noted.
Ian Stocks reported the Scottish Branch seminar in November was again a big success.
Sandra Hall reported the Midlands Branch were once again organizing The Edible Garden Show and BBC Gardeners World events and would much appreciate help from other Branches please. Sandra also informed Trustees that the oldest DA in the Midlands Branch. North Midlands DA had folded.
Hannah started to ag up the strengths and weakness of our society with thoughts on how some of these may be overcome
Sandra Hall had circulated some new items of merchandise, NVS brand key rings, pens, and note pads etc. each branch would consider quantities required. (See article on page 42 for more details)
After lunch we welcomed Hannah Lloyd from Pinstone communications along with members of the Strategic working group, Owain Roberts, David Elkins, Raymond Higgins, and Sherrie and Fred Plumb, representing their daughter Emily. The Trustees normal business meeting was suspended, for most of the afternoon.
News from the Trustees
Mark Hall BEM, FNVS National Assistant Secretary
David Allison opened the meeting at 10.30am and welcomed everyone. This meeting
had largely been set aside to develop our strategic plan as highlighted by trustees at the October meeting. He then went on to explain the format for the day’s meeting.
Trustees went on to unanimously agree that the minutes from the October 2015 be accepted as a true record.
Trustees noted that we are still having dif culties in obtaining quotations for hosting our web site and that
there are concerns that this is holding up the implementation of direct debit. Action points where noted and put in place to try and overcome these problems.
had no concerns over these accounts.
Trustees’ agreed that Sandra Hall should continue to work with fellow colleagues within the society to produce the next getting started book, which will be a vegetable related cookbook.
Neil Hope reported that there were no major changes to the membership at present and that it remains relatively stable. Annual ‘churn’ is between 15% - 20%
John Branham had tabled three options for the society’s shallot ring, continue with steel ring, move to an aluminum ring or go with a new gauge capable of measuring more than just shallots. Trustees agreed to proceed with the new measuring gauge which should be available soon. (See article on page 42 of this magazine).
David Metcalfe reported the Northern Branch is going to do a judging seminar on the 18th June. He also reported on DA activities and displays.
Gordon Francis reported the Southern Branch AGM was being held on the 12th March in conjunction with the Hants DA seminar. They have moved their Committee meetings to RHS Wisely. It was also noted that RHS Trials Gardens would like NVS involvement.
Arwyn Edwards reported that things were starting to look up for the Welsh, in the November meeting two members came forward for the position of secretary and Jim Thompson is carrying on as treasurer. The National schedule has now been printed and is available.
Robert Miller had circulated copies of the 2015 accounts, all in line with the budget except sales. A couple of bills still to be paid. Trustees
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Hannah led the meeting on possible strategic developments for the society, seeking views from everyone present at the meeting. It was good to see and hear the comments from all around the meeting, as the afternoon progressed Hannah started to ag up the strengths and weakness of our society with thoughts on how some of these may be overcome. There was a lot of information here to take in and trustees would have to revisit and analyse this further at a future meeting. After Hannah and members of the strategic working group had left, the trustees summed up the afternoons meeting as being very positive, and looking forward to reviewing Hannah’s feedback report in the
near future which would then be debated in more depth at the next trustees meeting in April.
Mark Hall, Assistant Secretary.
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