Page 7 - Simply Veg Issue 3 2019

News from the Trustees April 2019
Mark Hall BEM, FNVS, National Assistant Secretary
Sandra Hall (Chair) welcomed four new trustees to the April Trustees meeting Norman Dickinson, (Southern) Adrian Read, (Northern) Nick Anderson, (Midlands) and Rob
Holmes (Welsh).
It was agreed that the assistant secretary
would post any key Information from Trustees meetings on Facebook, soon after the meeting to improve, clarify and speed up the flow of information.
Clarification on the society’s insurance policy cover was reviewed, confirmed and agreed by trustees, it was noted that in light of recent food allergy incidents highlighted
in the news, it would be good practice to display details regarding ingredients on any food items provided (e.g. food at meetings and/or sample food items advertising our recipe book). Some Branches already
do this, and best practice examples were shared and discussed. More information and details on the society’s insurance can be obtained from the National secretary.
Sandra updated new Trustees as to where we are with formulating the society’s Strategic Development plan. Geoff Wilson had prepared a power point presentation to look in more detail as to how we move forward with this Business plan which was followed by much interesting and creative debate amongst Trustees.
Fiona Shenfield reported that there was an interest in the Bristol area to help form or assist an existing DA, the Midlands branch would assist and help out where possible.
Denis Barry had circulated his financial report prior to the meeting of which he went through explaining figures. He pointed out
that three branches have made a loss this last trading year, after some discussion the accounts where proposed and seconded and agreed unanimously by trustees. The accounts will be published in the July SV magazine, this copy.
Trustees noted that David Allison and Robert Miller had stepped down from
their positions within the Northern branch, Trustees were grateful for the work they have done. The Gift aid submission has been completed and has since been paid to branches.
Trustees agreed to put an article in SV magazine requesting someone to assist in claiming gift aid from HMRC.
A small team has been put together to review the membership process and its requirements. We hope to have more details on this following the next Trustees meeting. In the meantime, Trustees agreed that we should look to discontinue membership payments with standing orders as this is time consuming and costly to administrate. It is envisaged that those members currently with Standing orders, be encouraged to switch to use Direct Debit.
Trustees also discussed the potential of centralising some membership registers functions and agreed that this could simplify matters as the software packages would
be more freely available as opposed to packages that would need to be bespoke to cover all branches. This will be explored as part of the process review
Noted that the membership application form has been updated and is now available for use with all branches & their DA’s.
Plastic reduction. We are awaiting costing from Crest to explore the cost of paper envelopes for SV magazine distribution instead of polythene.
National trophies. It was noted that some
of the trophies are in poor condition and need updating and repairing. It was agreed that after the 2019 presentation at the
New Forest show that the condition of all trophies be assessed and an action plan for updating them be put in place. John Currie (Scottish Branch) had offered to pay for the upgrading/repairing of the Maydon Shield which is for large onions, which is most appreciated.
2020 Is the Diamond anniversary of the society. Discussion on how we celebrate this followed, with ideas to be followed up and confirmed.
Standardisation of information within the society has been ongoing for some time now and the following are examples of information that is now available.
Stock level sheets of what items the society holds and where it is held along with costings have been produced and will soon be available to view on the society’s web site.
A new Membership hand book which will be available to all new members will soon be ready.
The A-Z guide lines for organising and running the society’s National shows along with certificates for special classes. This is continually being updated as a live working document.
A new map that shows the location of all DAs has been produced and is now on the web site. (http://nvsuk.org.uk/district_ associations.html)
Note that some items originally within the ‘Members’ section on the website have been moved to the ‘About’ section on the web site.
The next Trustees Meeting will be held on July 6th in Crewe, prior to the AGM on the 30th July at the New Forest.
“If you are growing vegetables this season, given the choice, would you grow your vegetables with chemichals or would you use the natural power of pure biology? The choice is yours.”
Find out more at www.rootgrow.co.uk | 01795 411527 | orders@plantworksuk.co.uk |
volcanicrockdust
100% UK, natural & organic Contains all recognised minerals &
trace elements
Boosts soils ‘wee critters’ that release
the goodness
See REMIN website for WHERE TO BUY
bags, pallets & bulk loads
T: 01330 820914 E: jennifer@reminscotland.com REMIN_rockdust
SOIL AND COMPOST REMINERALISER
volcanic rock dust
www.reminscotland.com
simplyvegetables 7