1. Welcome

The President, Mr Brian Smyth welcomed members to 8th Carrickfergus church halls and asked the Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Colin McClure to conduct our Opening Devotions. The Executive continued in prayer.

2. Attendance and Apologies

Present were B. Smyth, G. Armstrong, A. McDowell, C. McClure, K. Hogg, S. Lindsay, D. Buchanan, C. Bell and F. Picton. Apologies were received from M.McAdoo and D. Hoy.

3. Minute

The Minute of the previous meeting had been circulated with the agenda and was taken as read on the proposal of C. Bell, seconded by S. Lindsay.

4. Matters Arising

President reported that he had received a letter of thanks from Mrs. Evelyn McKinley regarding the tribute about Adam and the visit from himself, Ken Hogg and the secretary. He also commented on the articles in the current edition of the Gazette regarding 8th Carrickfergus Company.

5. Section Matters

( a ) Company Section Nothing to report

( b ) Junior Section Swimming Gala in Larne on 28th February, need 10 volunteers to act as helpers. The Quiz Kids has been moved to March with the Battalion heat on 6th/7th March.

( c ) Anchor Section Nothing to report.

6. Training Committee Nov/Dec Stage 3 Leadership course full with 14 enrolled for the January course. The Holiday Leadership course will be held on 26th November in 1st Ballyclare, with 9 having expressed interest in attending. There are 2 Captains needing the Captain's Element with another possible from Greenisland. Secretary undertook to arrange. Convenor asked members of Executive if they had any young Officers who would be willing to assist with the Stage 3 Leadership course.

7. Battalion Dinner It was felt that we should continue to try to encourage Officers to participate in a Battalion Dinner. It was agreed that a Chinese meal at the AGM with desserts supplied by the Executive was the right way to go for the AGM rather than trying to incorporate the AGM into a Battalion Dinner.

8. Finances. NID dues have been paid and the Dedication Service collection is to go to The Children's Hospice. The Battalion Handbook was now on the website and Officers are being encouraged to sign up for the Ezine which would allow us to keep in contact with people.

9. Visitations

The following visitations were arranged

1st Kilbride - S. Lindsay & K. Hogg

1st Ballynure - M. McAdoo & D. Buchanan

3rd Larne - F. Picton & C. Bell

1st Ballylinney - A. McDowell & G. Armstrong

1st Cairncastle - B. Smyth & D. Buchanan

2nd Larne - D. Hoy & B. Smyth

10. Captain's Survey

Points raised were as follows:- It was felt that at the feedback meeting the Officers wanted to work in their own Company and want the Battalion to organise events from which they would pick those they felt able to enter. Discussed if the company visitation could be used to discuss the findings of the survey.

Regarding Christian development for Officers S. Lindsay showed a leaflet from the Buchan Battalion which could be passed to Rathmore.

Can the Battalion website be used as a means to allow Companies to put ideas, programme plans, nights out ideas forward for others to use in their programmes.

We need to pray about how we can go forward.

11. The Presidency of the Battalion

The President indicated his intention to retire at the end of the session. He outlined why Presidents had been selected previously. It will need a proposal from the Executive to the Battalion AGM. Members asked to email the Secretary with nominations.

12. Any Other Business ( a ) The President to see if he had an electronic copy of the Battalion Constitution (b) The next meeting would be in 1st Kilbride church hall on Tuesday 3rd March at 8 pm

13 Benediction There being no other business the Executive stood and said the Grace together.

Signed _________________________________ Date _________________