2016 Annual General Meeting Friends of NERAM Inc Held in the Foyer, NERAM Sunday 13 March 2016 after General Meeting at 4.00pm.

Transcription

1 Meeting opened: 4.41 pm 2016 Annual General Meeting Friends of NERAM Inc Held in the Foyer, NERAM Sunday 13 March 2016 after General Meeting at 4.00pm. MINUTES Chairman s Welcome: The Chairman welcomed all those attending and declared the meeting open. Thank you to all those who have attended the AGM, it has been a massive year of involvement from the volunteers and members of FoN, as well as the Armidale community in general. Apologies: Ady and David Hallam, Peter Morse, June and Malcolm Ross, John and Caroline Mitchell, Bob Lemcke, Alison Wright, Andrew Murray. Proxies: None Present: Angus Nivison, Caroline Nivson, Kim Taylor, Carol Mackerras, Richard Bird, Phillip Bookallil, Rosemary Randall, Campbell Bastow, Lynne Walker, Lucinda Wright, Martha Saw, Barbara Giblin, Pat Elkin, Graham McKay, Jane Gow, Steve Gow, Jennifer Johnstone, Rebecca Livings, Sally Hardaker, Moira Lloyd, Peter Lloyd, Lou Conway, Phillip Wright, Johann Croukamp, Sarah Johnstone, Susan Dunn, Pam Koebel, Liz Spring, Tony Spring, Maria Hitchcock, Robert Heather Minutes of Last Meeting: No amendments were proposed. Motion: That the minutes of the 2015 AGM be accepted Helen Templeton Seconded Rosemary Randall ACCEPTED Business Arising: There was no business arising from the minutes. Chairman s Report: Martha Saw The Chairman presented her report and acknowledged the support and assistance of NERAM staff and welcomed the new Director Robert Heather. She thanked the Friends who had participated in the year s activities. She highlighted the re-opening of the Café as Studio 52 which had been a big boost for NERAM. Friends were very grateful for the use of its kitchen for catering purposes.

2 The Chairman thanked Brian Abbott and Robbie Proudford for the use of the grounds at Tintagel, for NERAMble which, despite the rain on the Saturday, had made an impressive profit of almost $7,000 of which $5,000 has been donated to the Adopt an Artwork Campaign for the adoption of Rose of Persia by Tom Roberts for its conservation. Once again, all those involved in this fundraiser have been incredibly supportive of Friends of NERAM. Friends had catered for 11 openings during the year as well as other external events including the talk by Helen Garner arranged by UNE, an ANZ corporate event and an event for Ascent Group as well as providing the bar at the Black Gully Festival which raised over $1,200. The 2015 Christmas Party had been a festive event and well attended. The committee was one member down and members were invited to nominate a person to fill it. The resignation of Lynne Walker was noted with regret but she would continue her activities with the fundraising committee. Brett (Ned) McDowell also stood down from the Committee having done considerable work on the concept of a Friends cookbook which unfortunately had to be set aside for the time being. Rebecca Livings was standing down as Treasurer and her efforts on top of an already very busy life were much appreciated. She welcomed Kim Taylor who had joined the Committee and taken the role of Treasurer. Considerable work was done with Greg Moin, Lucinda Wright and Martha Saw in updating the Association s Constitution. The passing away of several long standing members was noted, including Win Fayle, Helen Dangar and Sally Croft and to those members who have lost a parent during the past year. The Chairman registered her thanks to the Committee Members and to all the members of the Association for their support and she urged their participation in Friends activities. The Chairman invited comments or question on her report but none were offered. Motion: That the Chairman s report be accepted Martha Saw Seconded Pam Koebel Accepted Treasurer s Report: Rebecca Livings presented the report for the Association s financial year to 31 December A copy of this statement has been available on the website and at the front table. The Treasurer noted that 2015 was a busy and successful fund raising year with gallery openings, including the Archibald, the Art of Wool and a very successful NERAMble. Although expenditure appeared high, this was because the proceeds of the sculpture sales going through Friends account prior to being paid to the artists. A payment for the Black Gully restoration project was also made. Donations made by Friends to NERAM also appeared to be less but this was a matter of timing as donations were paid quite late in Page 2

3 All the activities resulted in a small surplus of $ and final retained earnings for the Association being $16,126. The Treasurer registered her appreciation of the assistance from Roberts & Morrow for their pro bono review of the accounts. The Treasurer invited questions, however none were received Motion: That the 2015 Financial Statements be accepted Moved - Rebecca Livings, Seconded: Pam Koebel Accepted 2016 ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS: Lynne Walker declared all committee positions vacant and the 2015 committee stood down. There being no more nominations than positions vacant, all nominations were accepted and the new committee was announced without vote. Fewer nominations were received for the number of positions available resulting in one position being unfilled. Results are as follows. Chairman: Deputy Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Martha Saw Nominated by Carol Mackerras Seconded by Kim Taylor Carol Mackerras Nominated by Kim Taylor Seconded by Lucinda Wright Adrian Hallam Nominated by Martha Saw Seconded by Rosemary Randall Kim Taylor Nominated by Martha Saw Seconded by Rosemary Randall Committee Members: Lucinda Wright Nominated by Rebecca Livings Seconded by Kim Taylor Page 3 Rosemary Randall Nominated by Lucinda Wright Seconded by Rebecca Livings

4 David Hallam Nominated by Martha Saw Seconded by Carol Mackerras Helen Templeton Nominated by Kim Taylor Seconded by Carol Mackerras Nominations were called from the floor for the vacant Committee position but none were received. Honorary positions for 2016 were announced as follows: Angus Nivison agreed to continue as Patron of Friends. Greg Moin agreed to be the Honorary Solicitor. Michelle Paul agreed to continue as Honorary Accountant. General Business: The Chairman, Martha Saw, addressed the meeting and reminded Members that in 2014 the Committee had decided to establish a Service Award for Friends in recognition of the recipients' valuable support to friends. Rosemary Randall had again been commissioned to produce a silver pin in the form of the Oars incorporated in the Friends logo. The four recipients chosen for 2015 were: 1. Liz Spring 2. Tony Spring 3. Bill Dangar 4. Bob Lemcke (who, as an apology for the meeting, will receive this award at a later date) The Chairman read citations out for each of the recipients when presenting the pins. These citations are attached to these minutes. There being no further business, Martha Saw declared the 2016 AGM closed at 5.05pm Martha Saw, Chairman Accepted with / without amendment on 26 March 2017 Page 4

5 Liz & Tony Spring have been closely involved with NERAM for many years, commencing with fundraising for Stage Two of the building of NERAM. Since then they have contributed on so many levels, both financially and as volunteers, with innovative ideas and huge enthusiasm. Liz is a dynamic member of the NERAM Foundation. Her understanding of NERAM and how it should function coupled with many fantastic ideas has resulted in some of NERAM s most successful fundraising functions including the Foundation Dinner and the High Tea, now both annual events. Both Liz & Tony have been very generous in their support of everything we do at NERAM, including donating raffle prizes, providing food and beverages for NERAM functions, encouraging other donors, opening their beautiful house for an At Home and hosting several other events on their beautiful verandah. Liz & Tony lead by example, providing a great inspiration to us all. Bill Dangar, for over thirty years, has been involved as a volunteer at NERAM in so many different ways. When Stage One was being built and his mother Anne was very involved, Bill was busy coordinating and participating in working bees. He would drive his tractor in from Palmerston, as did many other volunteers coming from all over the district. In the early 1990s he became a volunteer hanger at the gallery with Peter Morse, John Appleton, Richard Bird and Dick Passey among others. After he retired Bill became involved at the gallery once again. In 2005 the new Friends of NERAM Incorporated was formed with a committee comprising fifteen members and Bill took the role of Chairman. He steered the committee through times of great controversy including the sharing of Mosmans Bay - which split the town. In March 2008, he stepped down as Chairman and become a member of the NERAM Board Ltd, a position he held for five years. During all those years, he and his wife Helen were fantastic supporters of the gallery encouraging donors and volunteering at working bees, on the entrance gate, organising and serving at functions, opening their home for an At Home, sharing their garden for a NERAMble, and at one stage Bill himself was even a raffle prize! Bill marketed openings by walking around the city leaving posters and flyers and has contributed to Armidale as an artist in his own right. Page 5

6 2016 General Meeting Friends of NERAM Inc Held in the Foyer, NERAM Sunday 13 March 2016 at 4.00pm. MINUTES Meeting opened: 4.10 pm Chair s Welcome: The Chair, Martha Saw welcomed all those attending and declared the meeting open. She advised that the main business of the General Meeting was to present a revised Constitution for consideration and approval. Apologies: Ady and David Hallam, Peter Morse, June and Malcolm Ross, John and Caroline Mitchell, Bob Lemcke, Alison Wright, Andrew Murray. Proxies: None Present: Angus Nivison, Caroline Nivson, Kim Taylor, Carol Mackerras, Richard Bird, Phillip Bookallil, Rosemary Randall, Campbell Bastow, Lynne Walker, Lucinda Wright, Martha Saw, Barbara Giblin, Pat Elkin, Graham McKay, Jane Gow, Steve Gow, Jennifer Johnstone, Rebecca Livings, Sally Hardaker, Moira Lloyd, Peter Lloyd, Lou Conway, Phillip Wright, Johann Croukamp, Sarah Johnstone, Susan Dunn, Pam Koebel, Liz Spring, Tony Spring, Maria Hitchock, Robert Heather Constitution of Friends of NERAM The Chairman, Martha Saw, presented the text of the draft Constitution to the Meeting together with a written summary of the principal changes. She advised that the Constitution was last revised in 2010 and that it does not contain the changes made to the Model Constitution drafted by the Department of Fair Trading. The draft had been updated to reflect those changes and new items had been included, all of which had been available on the Friends webpage prior to the meeting. Some of the main changes were the removal of the second Deputy Chair position, permitting a Committee member to hold more than one Executive position except those of Chair and Deputy Chair, attaching the Nomination form to the Constitution and the separation of Powers from Objects integrating several Objects to make them more succinct. Another change was the inclusion of the Director of NERAM as an Associate Member, as well as the inclusion of an Accountant as an Associate Member as Friends do not have their accounts audited. A minimum of six Committee meetings per year has been included. After some minutes of consideration of the proposed draft by the meeting the Chair invited questions and comments from the floor. There being none offered she proposed that the Meeting accept the Constitution as amended. Moved that the Draft Constitution be accepted: Martha Saw Seconded Sarah Johnstone Accepted

7 Report by Chairman of the Board of NERAM Pty Ltd, Andrew Murray. Mr Murray was an unexpected apology, sending good wishes but unable to present his report. Report by the Director of NERAM, Robert Heather. Mr Heather addressed the meeting using a power point presentation. He advised that he was not presenting a report of past activities or a Strategic Plan but more an outline of his philosophy for a sustainable NERAM. These include: The effective use of the Collections with longer lasting exhibitions and more activities around them. Using the Collections to form touring exhibitions, including to local regional galleries. Obtaining new works through acquisitions and donations. A major and significant gift would be announced shortly under the Cultural Gifts umbrella. Conservation and preservation of the Collections. Adopt an Artwork campaign had been very successful and would be ongoing. The importance of enhancing community connections by seeking new audiences and growing visitor numbers, volunteers and Friends. Encouraging Artists in Residence, and educational activities (including schools and teachers) and taking them out to the community as well as bringing people in. Supporting the team, including staff, by offering them professional development, conference attendances and providing facilities and resources to volunteers and for Friends. Planning for the future of NERAM. The Foundation was the key to financial sustainability. Adopt an Artwork had raised $160,000 and would be maintained. Building relationships, especially with the Armidale Dumaresq Council which was the main source of funding for NERAM. Other partners to be fostered included UNE, schools, and businesses. Government and philanthropic bodies could be approached for grants and funding. Protecting NERAM s Artistic Legacy through a range of high quality exhibitions, increasing audiences through the promotion of tourism to the region and boosting income from enterprises such as the shop. Building improvements by increasing energy efficiency through the installation of LED lighting. Funds of over $53,000 have been raised from various sources to match the $60,000 provided in a grant from Arts NSW. Upgrading facilities such as the loading dock and general building maintenance are priorities. Energy efficiency had been improved with the upgrading of the air-conditioning which was a major project. The installation of awnings, double glazing, window tinting and geothermal energy will be explored. Mr Heather invited questions from members but none were put to him. He thanked the Friends for their work and catering for functions as well as fundraising efforts throughout the year. He said that he was inspired by the level of support provided. There being no further business, Martha Saw declared the GM closed at 4.40pm Martha Saw, Chairman Accepted with / without amendment on 26 March 2017 Page 2