West of Scotland Table Tennis League

Minute of Annual General Meeting 2011/2012
Held at Drumchapel Sports Centre, 20 May 2012

1	Apologies:	P Connolly (E Kilbride); C Brown, T McLernon Jnr (Drumchapel); 	      J Melone (Garnethill); T McGrotty, T Beach, A McIntyre (Maccabi); 	     R Claxton (S. Ayrshire); J Wilson (Holy Cross); M Oestmann (Knightswood).
			Attendees are listed on the attached schedule.

2	Acceptance of  Minutes of the 2010/11 AGM proposed by P Gordon, seconded by 	    M Gaya.

3	Matters arising.  Para 4 (c) of the 2010/11 AGM had remitted the EC to consider three suggestions relating to the conduct of Cup competitions.  It was reported that the EC had done so and decided as follows:
	(i)	Use of reserves in Cup matches - to be allowed from next season (subject to conditions detailed in the Rules).
	(ii)	Reinstatement of a defeated team if the winning team subsequently concedes will not be implement due to its impracticality.
	(iii)	Arrangements will be made for presentation of Cups at the end of Cup Finals.

4	(a)	The Chairman reported on a successful season but expressed the sorrow of all League members at the deaths during it of Liam McKeating and Joe Wilson.  He noted particularly, the success of West of Scotland players at national and international level, the growing number of  internationally qualified umpires, and that three League members would be officiating at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.  He also commented on the continuing success of Junior Development albeit no development grant had been received during the season from Table Tennis Scotland which had an adverse effect on the programme.
	(b)	The General Secretary made a verbal report, informing members that the EC had met seven times during the season averaging 80% attendance and all meetings quorate.
	(c)	The Match Secretary presented a written report detailing the outcomes of the League Divisions and Cups.  He described the past season as a successful one with no significant problems in its operation.
	(d)	The Tournament Secretary reported on the success of the West of Scotland Open and expressed his thanks to top table officials, volunteers from within the League, and to Glasgow Life which provide vital financial support to cover the cost of hall hire..  The event took place for the first time at Scotstoun Leisure Centre which proved an excellent venue both for participants and spectators.  In closing, he expressed regret that, due to other commitments, he now required to relinquish the position of Tournament secretary.
	(e)	T McLernon Jnr, the League’s Development Officer, submitted a written report on Junior Development, describing a season in which young players from the West of Scotland had won Scottish titles and been selected to represent Scotland in a variety of international events.  The Junior League and a new Minor Assessment programme had also run well and thanks were expressed to Iain Rhind and Alex Hardie for their major input to these projects.  The Chairman then advised the meeting that I Rhind had volunteered to take on the role of Development Coordinator and that T McLernon Jnr would step down to enable this.  	     N Doherty enquired whether this would allow introduction of new training initiatives.  The Chairman replied that this may be possible, subject to the new Development Coordinator’s proposed programme and its acceptance by the EC.

5	The Treasurer’s report (copy attached)  was presented by P McCallum (Acting Treasurer).  This indicates a deficit of £283.00 and a current Balance of £5,449.77.  The accounts were accepted.  The slight loss compared to the previous year’s profit  arose due to the absence of  grant from Table Tennis Scotland.  It is hoped that this will be reinstated next season.

6	No amendments to the Constitution had been proposed.

7	The meeting considered a Proposal from Glasgow South, supported by the EC, that the Top Player awards should revert to system in use prior to the previous AGM ie based on the percentage of matches won, with the following provisos:
	(1)	in a season where the leagues split, results after the split would not be considered in deciding the Top Player award; and
	(2)	A player must play in a minimum of 65% of matches.  This applies only to matches prior to any split.
	The motion was carried, unopposed.

8	There were no nominations for Honorary Life Membership.

9	The following Executive Committee appointments were agreed without a vote:
	President			Vacant			No proposals
	Chairman	   		T McLernon		Proposed by EC
	Vice-chairman	 		P McCallum		Proposed by EC	
	Treasurer        						See Para 12 below
	General Secretary		L Hughes		Proposed by EC
	Match Secretary		C Brown		Proposed by EC
	Tournament Sec					
	EC Member (Development)	I Rhind			Proposed by T McLernon
	EC Member			M Schoenhofen		Proposed by EC
	EC Member			C Hyslop		Proposed by EC
	EC Member			P Gordon		Proposed by EC
	EC Member			A Hart			Proposed by L Hughes
	EC Member			T McGrotty		Proposed by P Gordon.
		
10	The Chairman proposed that P Gordon should again act as Honorary Auditor for the coming season and this was approved.

11	 Fees.  As the League's finances are reasonably healthy, L Hughes proposed that the League's fees should be increased only by any amount decided by the TTS AGM.  This was agreed.  (Subsequently, TTS increased its fees by £2 (Senior) and £1 (Junior). West of Scotland League fees therefore become £37 (Senior) and £18.50 (Junior)).

12	Honoraria.  The meeting approved status quo for the Officers' Honoraria of the General Secretary and the Webmaster, and an increase to £150 for the Match Secretary and Treasurer.  These are now: Match Secretary (£150), General Secretary (£100), Treasurer (£150), Webmaster (£50).  The General Secretary waived his Honorarium.  The Chairman then proposed that, in the absence of any volunteer to fill the Treasurer’s position, P McCallum be asked to undertake this in addition to his other duties.  This was agreed.

13	AOCB
	13.1	A discussion took place on the desirability or otherwise of  a mid-season split of the leagues to increase the number of matches in the season.  On a straw poll, a majority of 8-3 supported a mid-season split.  Another alternative suggested by T Thomson was that each team might play every other team three times rather than two.  This was noted although no vote was taken on it.
	13.2	The meeting was advised of the application from the West Dunbartonshire League to join the West of Scotland and enter two teams based in Renton.  The EC supported this application which was agreed by the meeting.
	13.3	L Hughes informed the meeting of three Rules changes which it was intended to introduce for the next season:-
	(1)	To clarify that the EC has the power to overrule an unreasonable refusal to agree a postponement;
	(2)	To reintroduce Recreational Players with a limit of two matches per Recreational Player and only for the club’s lowest ranked team;
	(3)	Measures to reduce walkovers in Cup competitions:-  amend Rules to enable a team to utilise a reserve player from a lower team, even if the player is already cup-tied; also, if a team still concedes a Cup match, exclude that team from that Cup competition in the following season.
	Following discussion, the EC agreed some minor adjustments which would be embodied in the final amendments and published on the League’s website.
	13.4	In response to a question, T McLernon stated that the conditions still appear unfavourable for reintroduction of a Premier Division.  However, he invited anyone who wished to pursue the matter to contact the Match Secretary.

14	All League and Cup trophies for the season were then presented.

Members Attending:
J Anderson (Coatbridge)
D McCavitt, T Thomson, D Steele (Nomads)
T McLernon (Snr), P McCallum, C O'Neill, S McCallum, G Robertson, A McFadyen, S Grimes, 		L Elliott (Drumchapel)
P Gordon, M Gaya (Maccabi)
L Hughes, A Hart, J Laurie, R McIntosh (Brunswick)
N Doherty, H Samaraweera (Knightswood)
M Schoenhofen (Holy Cross)
A Wilson, I Rhind, A Grant  (Glasgow South)
I Macpherson, A Macpherson, C Barclay, J Skelton, J Kennedy (N Ayrshire)
M Mackenzie (Mearns)