Clan Farquharson

AGM 2006 Minutes

Held on Saturday 12th August 2006, @ 10.30 hrs At the Glen Lui Hotel, Ballater, Aberdeenshire

	Action
Welcome Gordon Farquharson (President) welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially to Sharon Farley – president of the US association. The Chief welcomed everyone, including those from overseas, who give us their support. He said how good it was to see so many at the gathering and this enabled the committee to vary the programme and keep the momentum going.
Apologies Apologies have been received from: Kevin and Erika Farquharson (Woking), Hannah Farquharson (Guildford), Andrew Farquharson (the web), Geoffrey Farquharson(Aberdeen), Margaret Finlay, and Ian Farquharson(Glasgow).
3. Minutes of previous AGM held on 13h August 2005 Minutes of last years AGM were summarised in a handout. Acceptance of the minutes: Proposed: Stewart Farquharson Seconded: Sharon Farley Unanimously accepted.
4. Matters arising The following matters were noted for discussion during the AGM. - Change to the constitution to be put to the meeting later.
5. President’s report - Gordon Farquharson Gordon reviewed the last 12 months high lighting what he saw as the key issues, a) He said that it was wonderful to see so many people. b) He will be retiring as his 3 year post comes to an end during the AGM. c) He thanked everyone for their kind thoughts during his illness at the end of last year (2005). d) The Lion’s Face needs more contributions in order to put out the two issues per year. e) Geoffrey’s book is selling well and continues to be popular with members at home and abroad. f) Our international relationships are very important with Sharon Farley from US, Beryl Hardy Nesbitt from Australia, who has been very ill and has heart surgery. Our best wishes were passed to her via the Chief. Also with Nova Scotia, whose pipe band hopes to attend the Ballater games in 2008. g) He thanked the committee for all their hard work in organising the gathering and said how muchour input is appreciated by the Ballater games organisers. h) The Ceilidh this year was a village Ceilidh and was attended by 110 people, including local people and children. It was very successful. i) Last year’s gathering was very memorable, particularly the association having the honour of being able to carry the Chief’s flag. Gordon thanked him for his support. j) He thanked Val Faruqhrson for all her efforts in sorting letters, e-mails and phone calls. She has been a great ambassador. k) Val has also been very active organising the southern group, who gathered in Worthing twice this year. Val is happy to help others to organise such events locally to them, so do speak to her. l) We have a table at the Braemar games on 2nd September 2006 and would like some one to man it. m) In the future Gordon said that he would like to develop links and our network world-wide. To achieve this we need more people on the committee or seconded to share the tasks. Gordon said that he had enjoyed his time in office and was honoured to follow on from Alan Caig. He thanked every one for their support in whatever way they have contributed. There were no questions.
6. Committee & Officers 04/05 The following proposals were made for block voting: President – Andrew Farquharson – no other nominations. Vice president –vacant. (Alan Caig proposed from the floor) Membership Secretary – Val Farquharson - prepared to continue. Treasurer – Gordon Farquharson (prepared to stand). 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 is to be asked to help Val with membership tasks. Officer – Geoffrey Farquharson (History) - Happy to continue. Dr Alistair Farquharson put himself forward and was accepted. The Hon Vice President positions are to be decided by the committee. Proposed Douglas Farquharson Seconded Norah Farquharson Passed unanimously
7. Proposals for changes to constitution. The proposal is to change to introduce an Honorary position. The committee would invite people to take up that position to recognise their contribution to the clan association. section 3 membership (V) Honorary Vice President to be introduced – nominated and invited by the committee. This means that some of the numbering needs altering to accommodate that change. Term “Junior membership” to be deleted as we do not have this in operation. 4 and 4b co-opting members 4f vice presidents, same voting rights as members. 4k deleted restrictions. Only restriction president can only stand for 3 years. Proposed – Alistair Farquharson Seconded – Maureen Farquharson Carried unanimously The committee will act on these amendments and advise the membership of anyone asked to take up the new honorary post.	Committee to prepare & publish the revised constitution.
8. Treasurer’s report – Andrew Farquharson Andrew Farquharson presented a balance sheet, shown as profit and loss. We have a net profit, after the expenses of the games, tent etc and AGM. Andrew has tried to bring the financial year in line with the calendar year. He explained the work that went into finding a venue for the dinner. We contributed £100.00 to the local school’s 50th anniversary for curtains, etc. Subscription £10.00 single and £15.00 family to continue for this year (2006/07). Proposed – Roy Farquharson Seconded – Alistair Farquharson Carried unanimously.	Accounts were adopted.
9. Membership and Recruitment Val Farquharson reported that we have 95 members to date – down on last year. 5 people had joined this week. Val replies to enquiries on the web and encourages them to join. Val was thanked for her hard work. Alistair Farquharson suggested that subs should be collected by direct debit. Andrew Farquharson (treasurer) explained that when last investigated we were too small an organisation, as far as the bank was concerned, and all the Farquharsons would come up as Farquharson, may be standing order would be better. The committee will review it.
10. Newsletter - Lions Face – Hannah Farquharson There are 2 editions a year currently. In her absence, Hannah Farquharson hoped the latest edition was interesting and people liked the format. People were generally happy. She also sent a plea for more contributions. She is happy to edit notes that are sent. Pictures are welcome too. Are we ready for electronic dispatch? Hannah was thanked in her absence for her hard work.
11. The Website Many people look at the site regularly. Only a small number of members do not have access to the internet. Andrew Farquharson (the web) has updated the site at no charge to us, we are indebted and grateful to him for that. The visitor’s book is looked at all over the world, and there are lots of comments. Our gratitude to Andrew was recorded.
12. Any other business a) The question of whether we should have a Clan Association flag or formal corporate coat of arms was generally agreed last year. Alan has agreed to look at costs etc. as he has recently done one for Caig. Once Alan has come back with costs, the committee will decide whether we have sufficient funds to a coat of arms and a flag, or if extra money will be needed.	Alan Caig & committee.
b) Culloden visitors centre (National Trust for Scotland) are asking people to buy paving stones and put their names on, for the new visitor centre. It was generally felt that a stone was worth doing and were happy to leave the committee to decide the size etc, depending on funds available. It was suggested that members world-wide might like to contribute.	Gordon Farquharson
c) It was also suggested that world-wide members might like to contribute to the castle. Bruce, who ran it, had a stroke last year and is unable to continue. Braemar Community Ltd is possible planning to take over the castle in a trust. It needs millions of pounds spent on it, they have already had one large donation. Thoughts are that it may be used to exhibit artefacts with Farquharson connections, as well as things loaned from museums. d) Clan Hatton have asked if we would form an association with them – complimentary, as we are members of the Clan by virtue of being Farquharsons. It was agreed that we would send members information on Clan Hatton with an explanation of what it means. e) Future gatherings. Next year will be focussed around the games again. 2008 could be more exciting with the Nova Scotia pipe band attending. Everyone agreed that they are happy with the content of the gathering.	Andrew Farquharson
We had an invitation to the Braemar games on 2nd September 2006, with complementary admission and car parking. We would like a presence there. ( Dr Alistair Farquharson subsequently agreed to attend). Gordon Farquharson (Glasgow) suggested that the president should wear a badge so people coming to the tent at the games know who is president.	Alistair Farquharson
13. Close Alan Caig thanked Gordon Farquharson for his work as president and asked the Chief to make a presentation. The Chief thanked Gordon for his work over the last three years and presented him with a bottle of Lochnagar Whisky. Andrew Farquharson thanked Gordon and looked forward to his future involvement on the committee. Andrew asked for people’s views on the format of the gatherings. He wants to forge further links abroad and expand the web site. At the Ballater Games do we want a bigger tent, more chairs, more food? It would be good if local people could take on various bits of organisation for the gathering, so a plea was put out. Andrew Farquharson (new President) closed the meeting and thanked all for coming.

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