Executive Meeting

In 2nd Carrickfergus Church Halls 28th April, 2011

The following is a Minute of the Battalion Executive meeting on 28th April, 2011.

1. Welcome and Opening Devotions. The President, Mr. Drew Buchanan, MBE, welcomed everyone to the meeting and conducted our opening devotions.

2. Attendance and Apologies. The following were present, D. Buchanan, M. McAdoo, A. McDowell, S. Lindsay, D. Hoy, J. Brown, G. Armstrong , K. Hogg and F. Picton. An apology was received from Rev. C. McClure.

3. Minute. The Minute of the previous meeting which had been circulated by email prior to the meeting was confirmed and signed.

4. Section Matters. Anchor Boys -Nothing to report. Junior Section- 1st Larne won both Figure Marching and Uni-Hoc however the number of companies competing was small. Company Section- We still have not been able to find someone to replace Neil McAllister as Sports Convenor.

5. Finance. The Treasurer reported that our finances are now healthy and if the P.M.S. situation is resolved we will get back a large proportion of our money although it is to be remembered that much of this is actually earmarked or is in the form of a bequest..

6. Training. Only 18 Boys enrolled for the second Skills course in Carrickfergus although 2 companies contacted the Training Officer after the course had started.

7. Visitations. D. Hoy and M.McAdoo had visited 1st Ballyeaston company.

8. Executive Report The Secretary read the report of the Executive for the session 2010/11 and with a couple of alterations was approved by Executive.

9. Nominations for NID Committee posts. The following nominations for NID Committees were agreed

NID Executive - Drew Buchanan

Company Section Committee - Jim Brown

Anchor Boy Committee - Andrea McDowell

Training Committee - Walter Lambe.

Other NID office-bearers still had another period of service to complete before their term of office expires.

It was also agreed that D. Buchanan, D. Hoy G. Armstrong would attend the Area meeting to present these nominations.

10. Battalion AGM To be held in 2nd Carrickfergus on Wednesday 11th April. Regarding the Battalion Constitution it was agreed that the secretary prepare the necessary changes to the constitution to allow for (1) an U30 position on the Executive the person being from any section (2) bringing the election of the chair of each section into a 2 year cycle and (3) election of Executive office-bearers to be for a 3 year period with the option to be re-elected for a further 3 years which would allow for an alternative type of AGM in the intervening years.. The secretary would advise the president when proposals had been drafted.. Proposals for Battalion posts were discussed and the following suggestions were approved. Battalion Training Officer - President to approach John Cathcart. Sports Convenor - M. McAdoo to approach an officer in her company. The President advised that Gillian Armstrong was willing to undertake the post of Battalion Secretary if there are no other nominations put forward at the AGM. The post of C.S. Secretary is still outstanding. Arrangements were made for catering. Pizzas would be ordered in and several people undertook to provide sweets.

11. Team India There are 5 officers and boys going on a B.B. Team India project this summer and in accordance with our previous decision from their last trip it was unanimously agreed that we would support those members of the team from our Battalion with a gift of £100 each.

12. Dates for next session The following dates and venues were agreed for next session as follows, Thursday 27th October, 2011 in 1st Kilbride, Wednesday 1st February, 2012 in 6th Carrickfergus and Tuesday 17th April, 2012 in 1st Ballylinney.

13. Any other business President passed round a prayer card regarding the children of one of the officers in 7th Carrickfergus. His children Noah and Gracie suffer from a very rare illness called Vanishing White Matter Disease and asked for our prayers. 8th Carrickfergus are competing in the Belfast Marathon and money raised will go towards the charity they have setup. It was agreed that the money from the Quiz Night also be presented to the charity. It was agreed that prayer cards should be distributed to all who attend the AGM and that companies be asked to consider fund raising for this charity

14. Close. There being no further business the President gave thanks for the supper to be provided and the meeting closed with us all saying The Grace together.

Signed ______________________________________________date __________________