FinalAnnReport 2004 _artwork - Hugha.co.uk

BSES EXPEDITIONS | ANNUAL REPORT 2004
The Hon Treasurer, Mr Michael Reeve, explained the accounts which had been
passed by the auditors. There had been a small surplus at the end of the
financial year 2003/2004. The large deficit of the previous year had been due to
a change in the financial year, meaning that there had been no income during
the measured period. He thanked Spofforths for their continued help and
support. All 2004 expeditions had come in under budget.
Acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Tony Whiting and seconded by
Joyce Pearce.
Spofforths were appointed as auditors for the next financial year.
Peter Harvey, Sarah Mayer, Owen Mountford and Richard Williams were
elected to Council.
The AGM received the names of those Leaders and YEs who had successfully
completed the 2004 expeditions (Iceland, Svalbard and Tanzania). They had
already been elected to membership of the Society at the Council meeting on 9th
December 2004. Their names had been posted prior to the AGM. The Chairman
welcomed them to the Society.
The AGM received the names of the Chief Leaders of 2005 expeditions to Natal
(Chris Blessington), Norway (Stephen Saddler), Peru (Malcolm Bell), Svalbard
(Trevor Clarke) and Svalbard Spring 2006 (Dave Thompson).
There were no other resolutions for the AGM.
In open discussion, various subjects were raised; they will be considered by
Council and Committees as appropriate.
Geoff Billington asked whether the increase in numbers was a result of an
increase in Young Leader applications or Young Explorer applications. The answer
was "Both".
20
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,
AND ANNUAL BUFFET DINNER,
Sarah Mayer was concerned that the withdrawal rates would affect the high
application rate reported.
The President expressed concern about whether we had the scope to actively
reach out to more schools. Teddy Watson emphasised that the fundraising effort
should result in lowering the YE contribution, which will naturally expand the
reach into a wider variety of schools.
David Martin asked whether the Society would regain financial viability if it
achieved the level of YE numbers which existed in the 1990s. The Chairman
replied that this was the case.
Sarah Dunne described a successful alumnus fundraising example from
Birmingham University, involving telephone calls followed up by personal letters.
It was suggested that we ask YEs to help in the alumni effort. Teddy Watson
explained that the current order of priority for the fundraising campaign is trusts
and companies and targeting alumni will follow once the new membership
database has been established.
Geoff Billington emphasised the importance of the Society acting as a business
and increasing its marketing skills. Duncan Mackay highlighted the importance
of doing school presentations in as many schools as possible.
Brian Needham asked if the Society would be able to keep administrative and
management costs the same and continue to run four expeditions if the YE
numbers increased to 250.
Ian Ashwell said that the reserves reflected the stock market trend. Brian
Needham said that maintenance of the reserves relied upon raising £100,000 -
£150,000 per year from fundraising. He believed that it was unrealistic to rely on
this level of funding, which had not previously been achieved. The Chairman said
that the reduction in our reserves in 2003 was due to the change in financial year
and lower YE numbers in that year. He stressed that the reserves were no longer
falling and were now stable.
The Chairman reported on the operating deficit. He explained that, if fundraising
was unsuccessful, expedition costs may have to be increased. However, he
believed that the fundraising targets were realistic and showed an illustration of
the amount raised by fundraising in previous years to demonstrate this.