The Boys' Brigade - East Antrim Battalion Joint Councils November Meeting Held 9th November2009 in 1st Larne Church Halls

The following is a Minute of the November Joint Council meeting.

1. Opening The President, Mr. Drew Buchanan M.B.E., welcomed everyone to the meeting and conducted our Opening Devotions.

2. Attendance and Apologies Attendance and apologies were recorded in the attendance book.

3. Fitzell trophy Result The Secretary reported on the competition and announced the result as follows

3rd place 1st Kilbride with 38 pts

2nd place 2nd Carrickfergus with 45 pts

Winners 8th Carrickfergus with 46 pts

The President presented the trophy to Mrs Gillian Armstrong of 8th Carrickfergus Company

4. Roy McCune Cup Results This competition resulted in a tie between 8th Carrickfergus and 2nd Carrickfergus both with 71 pts.

The President presented the cup to Mr Ken Hogg to hold for the first 6 months.

The meeting then broke up for the individual Sections meeting and then reconvened.

5. Personal Evangelism The President welcomed the Rev. Alistair Beattie, chairman of the Christian Education and Church Relations Committee who spoke to the meeting about Personal Evangelism. There was an opportunity for questions after the presentation.

6. Any other business The Secretary reminded everyone about several points (1) the Company Designation forms which need to be returned to Rathmore a.s.a.p. (2) the need to get all officers who had submitted registration forms with the Child Protection clearance still to be completed to ensure that the approval from the authorities is transmitted to Rathmore (3) There is to be an NID Camp to Dunkirk from 1-9th July 2010 cost approx £350.

7. Close The President invited the Rev Beattie to close the meeting by giving a Benediction and also thanks for the supper kindly provided by the ladies of 1st Larne Company.

Signed ______________________________________ date ___________________

The Boys' Brigade - East Antrim Battalion Company Section Council November Meeting Held 9th November2009 in 1st Larne Church Halls

1. Welcome The vice chair, Mr Colin Bell, occupied the chair and opened in prayer.

2. Training The training Convenor, Mr Stephen Lindsay, reported on the Skills course which had been recently completed. He was still looking for a venue for the next course to be held in Carrickfergus in February and would appreciate some younger Officers to come along and assist with the staffing of this course. There are changes in the Queen's Badge regulations and a Battalion breakfast has been organised for this Saturday.

3. Recreation Jogo Bonito competition had 8 teams and was a very successful and competitive event. Which was won by 5th Carrickfergus. 1st Raloo won the Volleyball. All results can be found on the Battalion web-site.

4. C.E.Exam Secretary reported that the numbers taking the Exam had almost halved over the last 5 years and wondered if there was still value in having such an exam. Various views were expressed regarding the difficulty of recent courses and exams and many companies are now doing their own thing as they seek to educate and challenge the Boys in their company in a much more appropriate way. It was agreed that the Secretary should email to all company Captains that along with their Chaplains they discuss the usefulness of a Battalion C.E. Exam in the 21st Century. Returns before end of January to allow compilation of a report to the next Council meeting.

5. Any other business (a) Mr A. McGrugan, D of E convenor reported that all Expeditions now have to be assessed by a properly qualified assessor. (b) Secretary reminded those present about the Queen's Badge breakfast on Saturday 14th.

6. The chairman closed the meeting and the C.S. Council moved back to the Joint Council meeting.

Signed __________________________________________date _______________________