SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
Reports by Joe Murphy
I attended the annual general meeting of the above club in Caldervale High School, Airdrie on Saturday 27th January at 1pm. There was a good turnout of members. President Tom Davidson opened the meeting by welcoming everyone present and asked them to be upstanding for a minute's silence for past members of the club.
Agenda
The minutes were previously sent out to all members and were adopted as a correct minute with no items for discussion on the same. The annual report and balance sheet was then discussed with the auditor going over the balance sheet with the members. Only two questions were raised regarding the car nomination and the software program. The last thing on the agenda regarding 2006 buiness was the convoyer’s report which the president read out prior to evacuating the chair. He thanked his other officials and committee members for their support and stepped down for a few minutes as he was elected back into the top job. Malcolm Lawson was also re-elected as senior vice president with a new junior vice president in Scott Gibson in place of Dale Newcombe whom the president thanked for his efforts during his time in office. The new management committee was elected. More on this at a later date after the first committee meeting. The club press officer was again Joe Murphy who was happy to be re-elected to this great club and I thank the president for his kind words regarding my efforts. The race control team was Scott Gibson, Richard Combe and Jim Hannah who gave us great racing last year and they all received a warm response from the members. The president thanked the convoyers for their hard work during 2006. Colin Cray and Matthew Boyle did a first-class job looking after the pigeons. The auditor was elected unanimously and this was the election of the officials finished.
Next were the resolutions for the annual general meeting:
As there were one or two proposals for other race points against the management committee recommendations the president firstly asked the members if they wanted 2 inland national races or not. This vote was 69 for and 24 against.
The proposal by W. M’Culloch (1116) seconded by W.Smith (1180)
That the SNFC arrange an additional race from Skibbereen in Southern Ireland was beaten by a large majority.
There other proposal again by W’Culloch (1116) seconded by W. Smith (1180)
That the SNFC contact the Irish National Flying Club to discuss the possibility of both clubs racing from France together from the longest race on the programme each season was also beaten by a large majority.
Some debate took place regarding the date of the Newbury race and this was changed after a vote to the 9th of June. An alternative of Portsmouth was put up against Maidstone, however this lost and we are racing from Maidstone. The date of the young bird national was debated and a motion was moved to change the date again. After a vote this was defeated and the date proposed by the management committee stands.
The Race Programme for 2007 is as follows:
Inland Race Newbury – 9th June – Race Marking on Thursday 31st May
Inland Race Maidstone - 23rd June - Race Marking on Thursday 21st June
Gold Cup Alencon - 29th June - Race Marking on Wednesday 27th June
Longest Race Tours - 7th July - Race Marking on Thursday 5th July
Falaise - 20th July - Race Marking on Wednesday 18th July
Y/Bird National Leicester - 8th Sept. - Race Marking on Thursday 6th September
Federations are allowed to duplicate in the Newbury, Maidstone and Falaise races PASSED
A discussion then took place as to if we stay as status quo or move the management committee recommendation that the birds be race marked a day later. Scott Gibson highlighted how the transport system worked and as we are now transporting the birds by ourselves without a haulage company it was now possible to take 24 hours off the time the birds were in the basket. A vote was taken with 77 members for the management proposal and 11 against.
Subscriptions and Entrance Fees:- As there was a motion from J.Hannah (5164) seconded by G.Rankin (5302) a discussion took place and they changed it to the following prior to a vote against the management recommendation. Page 5, Rule 4, Line 10, Delete from – Applications by --------------- members of the club. Insert- Non members can compete in any Old Bird Inland Race and Y/B race for a fee of £7.00. Payment to be made 2 weeks prior to race date. PASSED. The club subscriptions for 2007 are the same £20 to members with a £6 late penalty. Non members now have the choice to join the SNFC for the inland races plus the young bird national at £7.00 a race or join the club for the 6 race programme for £20. The choice is up the individual.
Birdage:- Status Quo for all races, i.e. Inland Nationals £1.50, Gold Cup £5.00, Tours £5.00, Falaise £2.50 & Y/Bird National £1.50. The members agreed to convoy federations to the inland national races Newbury and Maidstone at cost price. PASSED. This is a courteous gesture by the club to help federations who are going with them to these races and I can foresee Maidstone being the biggest entry in our race programme during 2007 as some of the larger federations have taken up this offer already. The motion for the Prize Money was accepted en bloc:- Old Bird Inland Nationals, Newbury and Maidstone £1,500:00 plus an extra £100 added to the winners 10% making £250:00. Falaise, £2,000:00. Plus an extra £300 added to the winners 10% making £500:00. The Young Bird National £1,000:00. Pools to remain at Status Quo, as season 2006.
Constitution & Rules
(1) New Rule:- Duplication/Convoying: All organisations wishing to duplicate and convoy with the SNFC must notify the secretary in writing before the 1st April and to give an estimate of the number of birds 2 weeks prior to each race. PASSED
(2) Rule Change:- Page 13. Rule 10a, line 3. After “five or more channel races---- Insert – or alternatively a bird that flys a minimum of 2500 PRIZE WINNING miles. PASSED
Mr W. Smith (1180) and Mr W.M’Culloch (1116) had a proposals in regarding same and agreed with the outcome in rule 2 changes.
(3) Rule Change: - Page 15, Rule 21, line2, Delete “great circle “Insert CPS. This was withdrawn by president.
(4) Rule Change: - Page 14 Rule 15 Line 5, Delete “non Federation members---------pools only” Insert – “Individual members do not compete in Federation pools. Compete in Section and Open pools only. PASSED.
(5) Rule Change: - Page 13, Rule 12, Line 8; Delete 1 in 15, Insert 1 in 10. PASSED.
(6) Rule Change:- Page 13, Rule 12, Line 4, After 8% , Insert – Minimum 1st Section Prize will be £25 PASSED.
(7) Rule Change: - Page 18, Rule 8b, Line 7, Delete 4pm – Insert 6 to 7pm. PASSED
(8) Rule Change:- Page 17, Rule 1, Add the following ETS systems for use in S.N.F.C Races: Unikon, Taurus, Bricon, Tipes Victory and Benzine. PASSED
Rules and Procedures for Electronic Timing Systems:
It was moved to adopt the rules as per SHU rules and constitution. This was PASSED. With the added rule: 1. All birds entered must carry at least one rubber ring for duplication. 2. That the use of ETS systems should place no cost on SNFC. All equipment used should be supplied by Manufacturers/members. SNFC convenors/clock setters should not be held responsible for mistakes/damage.
Motions for Annual General Meeting from the Members
(1). Proposed by Dr.P. Lynch (4338) Seconded by J. Urquhart (4295):
That the SNFC set up a subcommittee to arrange a drug testing policy and procedures to start in the SNFC races in 2007 with the mandates. a) To arrange test on some pigeons in each of the national races by independent suitably qualified scientific experts for recognised performance enhancing drugs and stimulants (there is a scientifically agreed list of these) plus any substance which may be used in an attempt to mask or hide the above. b) To decide on the penalties a member will incur if found guilty of such a practice such as disqualification of all the pigeons the guilty member has entered in the race and suspension of the member. c) To decide that if the owner of the pigeon or his nominee refuses or impedes the collection of samples they will be automatically disqualified and incur the penalties as though they had been found guilty of using such substances. d) To decide that any member who is found to have aided and abetted any other person directly or indirectly in the administration of these recognised performance enhancing drugs or attempts to disguise their administration shall be deem equally as guilty and will face the same penalties of disqualification and suspension. e) To decide on any other matters or conditions that are relevant to the setting up of the aforementioned drug testing policy and procedures such as a statement on entry sheets for races that every competing member must sign.
Dr Lynch spoke in great detail about this proposal and he is to chair the subcommittee and he asked for volunteers to assist him in this venture. His motion was PASSED and this will be discussed at the next committee meeting.
(5) Proposed by J. Jamieson (5164) seconded by J.M.Young (4107)
That the Marking Station at Bo’Ness be closed - lost by a large vote.
With this being all the business the president closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending.
