Minutes of Scribblers Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 15 November
2016
Present: Dave,
Mairead, Liliane, Jim, Beryl, Anne, Jane, Gerry, Di, Cathy
Apologies:Steve
(he had an appointment with a publisher – good reason for absence!), Jane,
Carolyn
Business:
Dave greeted
everyone present, and thanked them for making the effort to attend.
Secretary’s report:see below. This was brief, as it covers similar ground to the Chairman’s
report.
Secretary’s
report 2016
Another year nearly
over – where does the time go? And not one of us has published those novels
that we still have on the back burner!
It’s been an
interesting year. We’ve seen new members come along, some of whom have remained
with us, and others who have not. Some of our longstanding members have left to
enjoy pastures new, and we of course wish them all the best.
Attendance at
meetings has fluctuated between six and fourteen, with a rough average of nine
members at each meeting – a track record to be proud of.
Those Scribblers who
managed to attend the FBF in June will, I’m sure, remember it as a hectic but
enjoyable time – and one where we Scribblers acquitted ourselves very well in
our two sessions – one being ‘Start the day with a story’, and the other the
flash fiction event. I have to say that I found it daunting to lead these
sessions in the absence of our great leader, aka Dave Feakes, but with the
support of those of you who came along, it all went swimmingly. I do hope that
in 2017 someone else, however, will be in charge!
Minutes of meetings –
these used to contain synopses of the stories that had been read out, but in
recent months there has been a decrease in the number of members sending in their
synopses for inclusion. Perhaps this is something we need to review for next
year?
And what of next
year? Well, I’d like to think that our group will continue to grow and
flourish. We offer something special in the world of creative writing – a
supportive, inclusive and friendly environment where all writers, whatever
their ability or experience, can be assured of a warm welcome. Long may it
continue.
Treasurer’s
report:this showed that the group has made a small profit during the
last year – copies of report available from the Chairman on request.
Chairman’s report:Dave thanked the secretary and treasurer for their work during the year.
Also Liliane for collecting the library key before each meeting, Mairead for
always providing cakes etc, and Barry for maintaining the group’s Facebook
page. He went on to present the following report, and circulated copies of the
weblog report for us to peruse.
Chairman’s Report by Dave Feakes.
Another year has
slipped by. It has been a time of ‘ups and downs’. The upside being the
standard of writing that you, our valued members, have continuously delivered.
But before I go further, I would like to pass my sincerest thanks to Cathy who
has done a sterling job as secretary for the Scribblers as well as organising
her own group the Orwell Writers’ League. It is a testament to her dedication
towards our special art form.
I’d like to thank
Beryl as Treasurer and keeper of the funds such as they are. My very special
thanks to Liliane for always collecting the library key come rain or shine. To
Mairead who, despite our pleas, still manages to play the role of confectioner
extraordinaire. To Barry for continuing to update the Facebook page. Thanks as
well to everyone who has helped with setting up the room, clearing up and washing
up! It’s good to be part of a happy and helpful team of writers.
Of course we miss
those writers who have come along, stayed a while then left for a variety of
reasons. At this point I must mention both Barry and Richard who have always
been excellent contributors to our gatherings. Both are now doing university
courses whilst Mel has pulled back from her writing because of copious amounts
of studying for her work related qualifications. Good luck to them all. I’m
sure the dedication they showed at Scribblers will help them see them through
to success.
Then there’s Caz, a
long time stalwart at Scribblers and a past secretary. With her help we
received funding towards our last anthology and purchase of display boards.
Sadly, although on the committee, she has been absent for most of the year,
even missing the last stagings of her son Jack’s memorial meetings.
Jeanette came along
like a breath of fresh air, but, with two books already under her belt, she
produced her latest, ‘Exclusion Zone’ and is now concentrating on her writing
career. Like Ruth, a terrific writer.
The programme of
meetings during the year was altered at times but I believe these were in the
interests of improving creativity. Having said that I am aware that meetings
calling for a little research have not always been well attended. Part of being
a writer does include research as an important part of fact finding and
hopefully when we talk about meeting structures and homework later in the
meeting we can discuss this point.
It is interesting to
note that in the last 21 meetings we have averaged just over nine in
attendance, our highest being 14 at the Ghost meeting and our lowest just 5
back in April for the historical meeting.
Unfortunately I had
to miss a couple of meetings last year and was a little upset not to have been
at the Felixstowe Book Festival. Both Cathy and Mairead gave positive feedback
on both Scribblers events. The ‘Start the day with a story’ was fun with
readers Beryl, Mairead, Liliane and Cathy. The flash fiction event in the
afternoon went extremely well – lots of strong writing. By that point in the
festival (4.30 on Sunday), everyone was a bit weary – had the flash fiction
been held in the morning, there would probably have been more attendees, and
livelier discussion. That said, those who did participate thoroughly enjoyed
it, leaving very favourable comments for us. Thanks to everyone who helped.
Now the next twelve
months will be discussed and planned as the meeting flows but here’s food for
thought. Could there be another anthology, maybe a ‘team’ project (who can
forget The Lost Sock?), alterations to our format, seeking radio and local TV
coverage, possible ‘advertising’ for new members and making Scribblers really
grow once again. Could we appoint a well known personality to become president
perhaps?
So, just summing up,
thanks for your support and remember to: keep scribbling!
Ratification of committee members, and/or election of new officers and
signatories:Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer – positions remain unchanged. As Caz
didn’t stand for re-election, Beryl proposed that Mairead be elected, both as
committee member and signatory. Cathy seconded the proposal. Unanimous decision
that Mairead take the position.
President
for Scribblers:Dave proposed (and Cathy seconded) that it would raise
the group’s profile to have a president, and suggested that Ruth Dugdall would
be a perfect choice if she were prepared to accept the position. After some
discussion about the need for a president, the motion was passed (eight votes
for, two abstentions), and Dave agreed to approach Ruth. The possibility of
appointing a Vice President was also discussed, with Jeanette Hewitt perhaps
being approached. Agreed in principle, perhaps as a future option, depending on
Dave’s initial discussions with Ruth.
Membership
details: Last year, members were asked to provide their addresses
and phone number to the secretary – these details to remain confidential and
totally unshared. There was a poor response to the request. However, all
present agreed that telephone numbers are essential, in case of emergency, e.g.
last minute cancellation of meeting. Cathy to request these via email.
Structure of meetings:
Alterations to
the frequency of Bill Budner and Jack Wilkinson trophy competitions. Agreed to
reduce frequency to one competition every thirteen meetings – two for each
trophy. The first to be on 21 February, for the Jack Wilkinson trophy. There was
discussion about the way competitions are run, with suggestions that each
writer could read their own work out, instead of following the current
anonymous format, in which two readers present all the competition entries for
members to listen to. Decision made to retain current format.
- Flash fiction sessions – agreement to retain
these. Also, when meetings are short due to low attendance, take the
opportunity to do quick flash fiction exercise before meeting ends.
- Selection of themes for the 1000 word homework
–members to bring along three themes on separate slips of paper and these
will be retained at our meetings. When a homework theme is required then
all we need to do is draw one out. The theme could be a single word or a phrase.
As new members come along they will be asked to add to our stock of
subjects.
- Geographical and historical themes – these
sessions were poorly attended last year, but in each case this was due to
holiday and personal commitments on the part of the many members who
couldn’t attend, but did send apologies. Agreed to retain these elements
for 2017.It was suggested to change the names of these particular sessions
and this will be reflected in the new programme of meetings
- Broad genre themed homework, eg romance,
horror, crime etc. This possibility was discussed, but no firm decision
was reached.
Planning for the future:
- Felixstowe Book Festival 2017, weekend of 1
and 2 July
Dave, Cathy and
Mairead had all had contact with Meg Reid, the organiser. Meg suggests that all
three local groups, i.e. Scribblers, OWL, and Felixstowe Café Poets, have
exclusive use of the Furneaux Suite at the Orwell Hotel on Sunday 2 July. Ruth
Dugdall will be organising this day with Meg, so Dave will contact Ruth and
arrange a meeting with her, Cathy, and a representative of the Café Poets, to
determine the possibilities on offer.
Publicity – agreed
that Scribblers must be pro-active with this. Must also ensure with Meg that
the Sunday event is included in theonlineFBF programme – apparently last
year’s writing groups were omitted.
Have an
anthology to sell at the FBF – Dave to investigate costings etc.
- Publicity to boost attendance at Scribblers:
Possibly via Radio
Suffolk Felixstowe Radio, Felixstowe TV. Maybe hold an Open Night? Put a
publicity display in the library?
Social events:
- Agreed that a ‘post Christmas’ meal, again at
the Orwell Hotel, would be popular – Mairead to find out menus, costings
etc.
Meeting closed at
9.20, after which there was a short flash fiction exercise. Our next meeting
will be onTuesday 6 December, when the 1000 word homework is ‘How
to make a profit’.
