Welcome

The Chief welcomed everyone to the meeting, with a special welcome for those from abroad. He thanked everyone for his birthday present and said that the clock was ticking.

Apologies were received from Angus and Alison Farquharson, Hannah Jones, Geoffrey Farquharson and Margaret Farquharson.

Acceptance of the minutes of the last AGM that had been posted on the web site - Proposed Stewart Farquharson. Seconded Val Farquharson. Approved unanimously.

4. Matters Arising

All the matters arising will be addressed during this meeting.

5. President’s report - Andrew Farquharson.

Andrew said that there had been two committee meetings over the year, one after last years AGM and one by email as that was much easier than trying to physically meet, and all the committee were then involved, not just those who could get to the meeting.

Andrew – AGM report notes required please

Edinburgh – Andrew had accompanied the Chief to the Chief’s meeting and will write up the notes to go on the web site.

Andrew – Edinburgh summary required.

6. Treasurer’s report – Gordon Farquharson

Accounts; Copies were circulated. Gordon said that the association maintained solvency and a small margin had been made on events last year. The £1,016 surplus from 2008 is to be kept to make sure a positive balance is maintained and there is always a small amount to cover bookings etc for the gathering.

Gordon thanked clan members from the UK and abroad for contributing to the Culloden stone fund. It was a remarkable effort to raise the money so quickly.

Braemar Castle fund. Gordon said that the Braemar Community Trust have good fund raising mechanisms in place so the Clan will not do anything separate but will promote and support the trust and they, in return will try to identify income from Clan members, for information.

The biggest cost is the infrastructure of the castle needing over £1million to render the outside. If UK members wish to contribute the trust can reclaim tax provided gift aid donations are made.

There were no questions concerning the accounts.

Acceptance of the accounts - Proposed Maureen Farquharson. Seconded Kevin Farquharson. Approved unanimously.

Subscriptions; proposed to remain unaltered. This means that standing orders will not need to be changed as we tend to loose people when this happens. Proposed Ian Farquharson. Seconded Desmond Quaite. Approved unanimously.

From the floor, Erika farquharson suggested that PayPal is looked at as a way of collecting the subscriptions and overseas payments in the future.

Gordon Farquharson

Gordon Farquharson

7. Membership and Recruitment

Val Farquharson reported that membership is about 100.
There have been problems with obtaining money from people who are not resident in the UK. Ways of paying will be discussed by the committee (see section 6, where reference is made to investigating PayPal.

8. Newsletter - Lions Face – report on behalf of Hannah Jones (nee Farquharson)

Lions’ Face. We continue to publish 2 Lions Face a year. A plea for contributions to the Lion’s Face, with photographs, was put out on Hannah Jones’ (editor) behalf. Family and interesting articles can be sent in draft form and Hannah will edit it. Aim is to send it by email in the future when enough people can receive it. If anyone is not receiving a copy please let Val know.

9. The Website

The web site is much more up to date and has a message board from which there is good feed back. The Australian news letter is on the our web site. The Australians do not have a web site. There are links to the web sites in America, Canada and Nova Scotia. Photographs from the gathering will be available on the website to be downloaded and then printed. Jessops do a good service.