1. Welcome

Gordon Farquharson (President) welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially to Sharon Farley – president of the US association. The chief welcomed everyone and gave congratulations to Jeanette and Douglas on their marriage, and to Geoffrey for all his hard work on his very informative book. He also welcomed Alan Caig and thanked him for his interest having restarted the association a few years ago.

2. Apologies

Kevin and Erika (Woking), Hannah (Guildford), David Coates (Oxford), Andrew (the web) Ian and Stella (Belfast), Roy and Joyce (Bristol) and Maureen and Gordon

3. Minutes of previous AGM held on 14h August 2004

Minutes of last years AGM were summarised in a handout. Acceptance of the minutes: Proposed: Val Farquharson Seconded: Norah Farquharson Unanimously accepted.

4. Matters arising

The following matters were noted for discussion during the AGM. - Adjustment of the constitution to adapt to the evolution of the association. - Regional activities. - How to increase membership.

5. President’s report - Gordon Farquharson

Gordon reviewed the last 12 months high lighting what he saw as the key issues,

a) interest in the association is growing

b) The committee have tried to accommodate the desires of as many as possible.

c) He thanked Geoffrey for the Francis Farquharson tour that he organised and ran on the previous day, and also for all his help in organising the ceilidh.

d) We all enjoyed and appreciated our involvement in the Ballater games. e) He thanked the committee for all their hard work in organising the gathering.

f) He informed everyone that Alan Caig is stepping down from editor of the newsletter.

g) He thanked Val for all her efforts in sorting letters, e-mails and phone calls. She has been a great ambassador.

h) Val has also been very active organising the southern group, who gathered in Worthing in May 05 and will do so again in October 05.

i) We have a table at the Braemar games this year and everyone is welcome to join him.

j) DNA profiling has been taken up by some members. Andrew (the farmer) is co-ordinating this.

k) Looking forward, we need to develop the association to make it sustainable, which might include changes in the constitution to keep it up to date.

l) We need to strengthen membership.

m) The news letter has entered a new era with his daughter Hannah Farquharson (Guildford) taking it on. Hannah is a journalist on a local paper.

There were no questions.

6. Committee & Officers 04/05

The following proposals were made for block voting:

• President – Gordon Farquharson - prepared to continue.
• Vice president –vacant. ?? Membership Secretary – Val Farquharson - prepared to continue.
• Treasurer – Andrew Farquharson (of Worthing) prepared to continue.
• Newsletter Editor – Hannah Farquharson happy to continue.
• Website & IT Officer – Andrew Farquharson of Edinburgh is happy to continue.

Officer – vacant
Officer – Margaret Finlay (Biggin Hill) (Garments) looking after regalia. Officer – Geoffrey Farquharson (History) - Happy to continue.

There are therefore 2 offices to fill. The meeting was asked for further nominations to any of the offices.

There were no proposals from the floor during the meeting.

It was proposed that the committee for 2005/6 will be as listed with the Vice President post left vacant. Proposed Douglas Farquharson Seconded Stuart Farquharson This proposal was Passed unanimously by the meeting. After the meeting Jeanette Farquharson agreed to join the committee and was formally co-opted by the committee.

7. Proposals for changes to Committee and Association structure.

a. It was considered that the election process should be altered to relate to the end of tenure or resignation and avoid the annual election of those continuing in office. This would also be advantageous if for any reason there is not a face to face AGM in a particular year. This may involve a ballot between times. It may be necessary to adjust the length of tenure – president is now 3 years, could be two or four to fit in with AGMs.

b. Should we create honorary positions to recognise those who have made a significant contribution and have now retired? How would we name the position? Suggestions of Convenor (a Scottish term) for chair person which would cover male or female, Alan Caig suggested that if the honorary position was Hon Vice President it might stop a small group such as ours becoming top heavy. Most people agreed with this. Norah pointed out that people live longer so we could get “stuck” with Hon. Presidents for 30 years! Sharon said that the US has life members.

c. The meeting was asked if they were happy for the committee to sort it out taking into account the majority feeling that elevated terms should not be used, but we should have the Hon position as vice president or life member or similar to enhance the existing structure. The majority were in favour of this action.

The committee also asked to be enabled to sort out the constitution and submit proposals to members for ratification. Proposed – Gordon Farquharson Seconded – Norah Farquharson Carried unanimously

8. Treasurer’s report – Andrew Farquharson

Andrew presented a balance sheet.
Douglas Farquharson suggested that a raffle at the ceilidh would augment the balance.
Proposed – Jeanette Farquharson
Seconded – Desmond Quaite
Carried unanimously.