Wednesday AGM.
The following observation were made of the Bloke Shed AGM.
Meeting started at 9.30am and followed a set structure. 16 members of the shed were present for the length of the meeting
Minutes from the last AGM were reviewed (read aloud) and passed by the membership. No matter arose from the minutes.
The yearly financial statement was presented by the treasurer D. D explained points of significance to the membership this included the return of funding to Aged Concern which was incorrectly diverted from the Kings shed.
B addressed the membership as the outgoing president. He praised the efforts of the group over the last 12 months noting the positive developments in the sheds growth both physically in the development of the container and woodshed as well as in membership and recognition of community projects. B noted he was standing down from the position of President due to poor health. He noted he would still be willing to stay on in the position of vice president to help mentor the new president in his role.
B nominated I for the position of President this was moved by M and uniformly agreed upon by the membership. B was nominate as vice president and this was also passed.
B reminded the membership of the steering committee which still meet as required to assist the organization of this and other shed. B is one of my intended interviewees and I intend to question him further on the roles of the steering committee. B noted the potential shed developments which have sprung up in the past 12 months including Oamaru, Alexandra, Port Chalmers and Nth East Valley. He again mention the need for sheds to develop independently and was not supportive of national associations.
I nominated MO as the new secretary of the club. This was passed and M spoke briefly about being a new members and wanting to follow the established processes of the group. He referred to himself as the new note taker.
D was reelected as treasurer. A number of members made good humored comments about his efficiency in the role. D is a member who I’ve observed to be well liked by the rest of the membership.
Executive committee retained with active membership from the Areo Club.
Subs moved and kept at $10 per year. The membership is conscious that this be an affordable level.
Name badge and keg charges (detailed discussion)
• D suggested that the shed formalize the criteria for members receiving name badges.
• Name badge costs would be charged to the members at a cost of $8 and would be supplied after a minimum of 10 visits from the paid up member (self monitored).
• Name badges would be handed in on departure as members of the shed are eligible for a 10% discount at Bunnings by showing their badge and this should not be granted to non members.
• These new criteria would save the BS money as badges would not be paid for out of subs and it would be a way of rewarding those who attend regularly.
• D will supply a membership list to Bunnings as to who is eligible for discounts
• Currently there are 20 keys that have been issued to members (numbers allocated to individual). D suggested these cost be charged to members upon application and refundable on departure.
• A number of members queried the need for more keys as there seemed to be enough in circulation to allow all access at set times.
This discussion raised wider points about monitoring the membership. Who is on the list of membership and how many regularly attend. D noted that on the list there are about 6 members who have only attended once or twice in the past 12 months but when contacted still want to be involved and pay subs. Themes around how to judge active membership of the community.
General Matters
• Publicity Officers. Jim and I happy to continue in these roles
• Workshop Section Heads. This had been raised at a previous meeting. I asked that a decision be discussed at another meeting. M is keen to follow this up.
Areo club membership requirements
• The Areo Club charter needs to be made available to all new members
• Only paid up members are allowed in the shed area to work on machinery. Don will remind none paid members about this. Visitors to the shed are still permitted but they are not allowed to operate any machinery.
AGM Closed. I reiterated that it had been another good year with the shed going from strength to strength.
General Monthly Meeting
Minutes skipped
D presented accounts
• Order book system to track expenditure on projects. Members reminded about this and the need to keep track of expenses. There were 2 discrepancies that D asked the members to explain. Present t members were able to link these to project work.
• Payments made for repairs and monthly rentals
I advertised AGM in ODT not a requirement anymore and will not repeat next year.
General Issues
• M wheelie Bins: M had research the availability of wheelie bins through the council and justified the monthly payments based on the limited waste disposal the shed had. Accepted by the group and contract to be entered into.
• Upcoming projects noted. Roadside planter boxes were noted as a possible future job.
• Christmas meal. I presented the possibility of a trip to the Mcrays mine, with partners, stopping at Ranfurly for a meal on return. The membership was generally positive about this idea especially the trip to the mine site. I will investigate costs further and report back.
Saturday Auction planning
I reported the following points
• Over 70 items for sale
• Members are asked to invite others. ‘the more the merrier’
• Areo club will provide space in hanger, requirements come with this. We need to stick to the provided area.
• Registration details. M volunteered to print auction numbers and D will register participants and collect payments.
• Morning tea provided by the wives and members. Participants will be asked for a gold coin donation to cover costs.
• Up to 60 attendants expected. Numbers difficult to gauge.
I explained the progress of my study and timeframes for finishing
Feedback about woodshed from Areo Club Members
I noted that the feedback he had from the Areoclub was not what the membership would want to hear. Having worked to the shed and container with the members I become aware that they believe they have done a very good job to make the space presentable and that it is a significant improvement on its previous condition. The following comments had been passed on by the representative of the areo club during his last visit.
• Covering up concrete foundations on the woodshed. They had been warn that concreted posts could constitute a permanent structure which would need consent. There were a number of comments pasted by members about the lack of sense in this given the stability required and the ease with which the structure could be removed in the future, regardless of the posts being concreted in. J suggested covering the concrete with dirt to conceal it. No one was in favor of removing the concreted pots. Themes here about perceived common sense of the lack of it in applied regulations without specific knowledge or context.
• Complaint about parking on and around the tarmac area but the shed. Members were adamant that no one had ever parked on the tarmac as this was a known obligation of sharing the space. This was an anonyms complaint made by a areo club member. M offered possible solutions including mapping agreed parking areas. I informed/reminded the group of the historic issues around parking and the solutions they had sort with little agreement or response from the areo club.
• Various niggles and issues continue to surface with the sharing of space. I and other suggested this may have originated from the fire in the tearooms others thought there were a group of areo club members who have never wanted them to share the space. Because the complaints from the areo club have never been presented to the shed directly or owned by the complainant it has been difficult to find a resolution.
• Theme of place, control and ownership (shared interests)
• Possibilities of looking for a new base was raised by one member. Many though that, although a possibility, this would be a great shame given the work and development put into the shed by members.
• General agreement that a meeting is required with the areoclub to work through issues. I and M willing to be representatives. I will contact the areo club to try and make this happen.
J wanted to apply to the group to purchase trees as a correct shelter for the container. Previous plantings had not taken and he had received advice from one of the gardeners in the group and the correct trees to plant. Further costing investigations to be carried out.
Photos circulated from presentation of pet enclosure to the local kindy. I talked to I about using these in my study. This will be discussed with the membership at a further date.
Meeting closed and morning tea served at 11pm. I departed at 11.30.
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