AGM
All current and previous AGM posts about calling notices, minutes, summaries, etc.
Our 2008 AGM was another success, although the numbers who could actually make it to the Queen Inn at Dummer were less than last year. Our Association is still growing but we really do need more volunteers to help us.
The Rally season has now started, and we had another very successful Nimbus Power/Maxi Sail joint event in Bembridge. It was somewhat ironic that the date of this event was the same date when Maxi Yachts was formally sold by the Nimbus Group to Najad, forming a new Group to be known as Linnea.
We are pleased to be able to report that SD Marine will continue their long association with Maxi Yachts. At present, details are fairly sketchy but SD Marine say
“Further to the announcement that Najad have acquired Maxi Yachts AB, and a new company has been formed Linnea Yacht Group bringing together Najad Yachts, Maxi Yachts and Aphrodite giving a broad range of models available. We at S. D. Marine Ltd will continue to be the Maxi Yachts contact in the UK, business as usual.”
Chris
2009 AGM & Social Evening
Held on Thursday 23rd April 2009, Queen Inn, Dummer (Near Basingstoke, just off J7 on M3)
Headlines from a very successful evening!
1. Excellent & enjoyable evening, 10 boats and 17 people (29 proxies – thanks!)
2. 2008 Rallies well attended in spite of weather!
3. New Committee members elected :-
Andy & Sara Horwood = Membership
Peter Sands = Secretary
Helena Douglas = Newsletter Editor
Existing Committee Members re-elected for further year
4. Membership Up – 134 Boats mean healthy finances & subs unchanged
5. Rallies – Peter Sands building on successful 2008 with 6 (or more) Rallies in Solent
6. Newsletter – Change of format likely & Rod hopes will be used for the one in current preparation
7. Website – Chris hopes to migrate to Joomla! (=Web 2.0) for extra features and member interactivity during next winter, whilst maintaining the current archive of valuable technical information
8. Possible Meeting at London Boat Show next winter
5 May 2009
CONSTITUTION
Revision 1 14th April 2005 (AGM Approval of addition of Clauses 7.6 and 7.7)
First Issued March 2000
Section 1 – Name and Objects
Section 2 – Officers
Section 3 – Membership
Section 4 – Subscription Fees
Section 5 – Committee
Section 6 – Meetings of the Association
Section 7 – Regional Sections of the Association
Appendix A – Organisation of Rallies and Events
- Appendix A is essential reading for Rally & Event organisers!!!
Section 1. Name and Objects
1.1. The name of the Association shall be the “MAXI OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION”(hereinafter referred to in this document as the Association). The initials of the Association may be used only in the form of “M-O-A” for internal documentation and where abbreviation is required.
1.2. The objects for which the Association is formed are:
a). To provide, social, sailing and other activities as may from time to time be determined, for its members.
b). To promote the image and benefits of the Association and to encourage new members to join the Association.
c). To promote and provide for the exchange of ideas between the Owners and between the Association and the Suppliers of MAXI yachts.
d). To promote the formation of Regional Sections of the Association.
Section 2. Officers
2.1. The Executive Officers of the Association shall be full members of the Association and shall consist of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and any other Officer so proposed by the Chairman. Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in each year and shall hold office for one year, retiring at the termination of the AGM in each year. All Officers of the Association shall be eligible for re election, up to a maximum of THREE years in office, at which time upon retiring, shall stand down for a minimum period of ONE year before seeking re election unless the position cannot be filled.
Section 3. Membership
3.1. Categories and Votes of Membership
There shall be the following categories of membership with power to vote at all meetings of the Association as indicated hereunder.
a). Member. Being a person who is the OWNER or PART OWNER of a MAXI yacht. Where there are two or more owners of a MAXI yacht only one named PART OWNER shall be entitled to vote.
(For voting purposes, the term “Member” shall include the spouse / partner of the member and immediate children under the age of eighteen years. The family unit shall have one vote exercisable by either the Member or his / her spouse / partner).
b). Associate Member. The grade of Associate Member shall be open to such persons as are invited to join the Association by the Officers / Committee in recognition of their contribution toward the furtherance of the objects of the Association or any member who has sold their MAXI yacht and who wishes to remain a member of the Association, but with no voting rights.
c). Honorary Member. Being a person who has been duly nominated by theOfficers and elected by the Membership and shall have one vote.
3.2. Application for Membership
a). Every application for membership shall be in the form as from time to time prescribed by the Officers / Committee and shall include the details as requested and show such sums as may be payable to the Association in respect of subscriptions.
b). Upon receipt of an application for membership accompanied by the appropriate fee and acceptance by the Officers / Commmittee, the Secretary shall furnish the member with a copy of the Rules of the Association and other details appropriate at that time as issued to the membership.
c). A member desirous of resigning his / her membership shall give notice to that effect in writing to the Secretary. Subscriptions shall be non returnable.
d). Membership will automatically lapse for any member whose annual subscription is more than three months in arrears. No member whose annual subscription is in arrears may enter / participate in any Association event nor vote at any meeting.
e). Every member shall be obliged to furnish the Secretary with an up to date address and any notice sent to such an address shall be deemed to have been delivered.
Section 4. Subscription Fees
4.1.
a). The rate of annual subscription shall be proposed by the Officers / Committee to the members at the Annual General Meeting in each year.
b). All members shall pay to the account of the Association their first annual subscription upon joining and thereafter on the first day of April in each year.
c). New members joining on or after the first day of January will be regarded as paid up members for the successive year.
Section 5. Committee
5.1. The Committee shall consist of the Executive Officers, Regional representatives and up to four members of the Association elected at the Annual General Meeting in each year to hold office until the termination of the next AGM following.
5.2. Candidates elected to the Committee shall be those members nominated by the Officers / Committee / Membership. Only one representative of a MAXI yacht shall be eligible to serve as an Officer of the Association at any one time.
5.3. If the number of candidates duly proposed and seconded shall exceed the number of vacancies to be filled, the election shall be by ballot.
5.4. Voting at Committee shall be by show of hands or in writing. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman or, in his / her absence, Vice Chairman shall have a Second or casting vote.
5.5. Fifty percent of Committee members personally present shall form a quorum at Committee meetings.
Section 6. Meetings of the Association
6.1. An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held each year on a date to be fixed by the Committee. The Secretary shall, at least twenty eight days and not more than sixty days prior to the date of such a meeting, or any General or Special Meeting, post or deliver to each member notice of such meeting.
6.2. The business to be completed at the AGM shall be the Chairman’s Report, acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report and audited Accounts, the election of the Honorary Auditor, Officers, Committee members and Any Other Business (AOB).
6.3. Upon completion of such business under 6.2, any member having a point to raise in the interests of the Association shall be free to make known it for discussion. The depth and extent of any discussion shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the Meeting.
6.4. At every meeting of the Association the Chairman, or in his / her absence the Vice Chairman shall preside. In the absence of the Vice Chairman, a Chairman shall be elected by those Members present and such person shall preside.
6.5. Six Members or Honorary Members, entitled to vote, and personally present shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Association.
6.6. In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote on any matter other than the election of the members of the Committee.
6.7. If upon winding up or dissolution of the Association there remains, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to, or distributed amongst members of the Association, but upon agreement, shall be given to or transferred to the funds of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
6.8. It is agreed that no Officer of the Association shall be held responsible for any debts outstanding at such winding up or dissolution.
Section 7. Regional Sections of the Association
7.1. A Regional Section of the Association may be formed with the approval of the Officers of the Association in a geographical area where there are sufficient members to form a Regional Committee. The Committee may be made up of: Regional Secretary or Joint Secretaries, Treasurer and members as required.
7.2. The Section shall be formed from members who over a period of six consecutive months or more, berth or locate or sail in the geographical area as defined by the Association.
7.3. The Section Secretary, or one nominated Joint Secretary, shall automatically become a Committee Member of the Association during his or her year of office.
7.4. The Regional Section shall uphold the Constitution of the MAXI OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION and shall publish its activities through the medium of the Association communications.
7.5. No member of any Section shall have the authority to incur liability on behalf of the Association.
7.6. In the absence of any Regional Section, Regional Co-ordinators may be nominated and appointed by the AGM. The role of a Co-ordinator is entirely flexible: the principal objective is to provide a contact point and co-ordination role to facilitate development of M-O-A membership interests, activities and recruitment at the regional level.
7.7. A Regional Co-ordinator shall be a Committee member.
Appendix A Organisation of Association Rallies and Events
1. For all Association rallies / events, when organisers are confirming details to member participants, the following disclaimer must be included for exclusion /limitation liability purposes. A separate disclaimer must be signed by the owner / skipper of the MAXI yacht participating in each and every rally / event. In any instance without a signed disclaimer the particular yacht and crew will be classified as a non participant. This will apply both afloat and ashore.
2. It is equally important that the owner holds a current third party insurance and in some instances harbours / marinas make it a precondition that third party insurance is not less than £1,000,000
3. The disclaimer statement:-
“I, ___________________________ (name), being the owner/skipper of
____________________________ (boat name), indemnify the MAXI OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION and its officers against any claim arising out of participation by myself, my crew and vessel in this event, and I agree, as a condition of participation, to hold fill party liability insurance.”
4. In all Association rallies / events, where a charge will be incurred for anchoring, mooring, berthing of yachts and when pre booked by a representative of the Association; a booking fee, to be determined by the organiser, will be required from participants. Equally so, where a meal or any other activity incurs a charge, the fill cost will be submitted with the rally / event booking form. If the event is oversubscribed, booking fees will be refunded.
5. Organisers are required to endeavour to obtain discounted costs from providers and suppliers and also to try to negotiate reduced rates for children.
6. All monies received will be paid into the Association account with the NatWest Bank plc to: ‘MAXI OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION” account No:79119514 sort code 60 20 40.
7. Under no circumstances are passage navigational details to be issued in the name of the Association except verbal advice for any non apparent hazard. It is the decision / responsibility of the owner / skipper to act on or to disregard the advice and no liability will be incurred by the Association.
8. Sailing rallies / cruises; the lead boat or organiser will designate an approved VHF “talk” channel and, at intervals to be determined and within VHF range, will contact all participating boats.
9. A passage incurring poor visibility should be avoided, especially in or near shipping lanes. When this is unavoidable, participant yachts with radar should, if requested, offer assistance but without liability.
2008 AGM & Social
The Maxi Owners Association AGM & Social was held on Friday 4th April 2008 at The Queen Inn, Dummer, Near Basingstoke at 1900. A small (but perfectly formed) group gathered for the AGM in the Queen Inn, Dummer. [Peter has attendees list]
Chairman’s report: John Skipper thanked the committee for their work during the year, particularly Chris Wildey for maintaining the excellent web site, Peter Stonestreet for his sterling efforts in organising the programme and encouraging event organisers and Rod Minkey for editing and produciing the very professional newsletter. John talked through the Association’s activities in 2007; despite a number of disappointments due to the weather, record numbers of boats had atended the remaining South Coast events, and all had been really enjoyable. Highlights were the Autumn events in Lymington and Folly Inn (joint with the Nimbus owners), when we took advantage of fabulous Indian summer conditions and convivial company, including dancing on the tables into the small hours at the Folly!
Treasurers report: The accounts remain solid, with a comfortable operating surplus in 2007/8. It was agreed that the level of subsidy for events was about right, and there is no need to raise membership fees at this stage. Membership is up slightly on the year at 144 boats, although some long term members did not renew subscriptions in 2007: we hope they just forgot and will renew this year.
Elections: John Haskins was elected unanimously as Technical Officer, Mick Nelmes as Honorary Member for 2008/9 and the SD Marine team as Associate Members for 2008/9. No nominations were received for the vacant committee positions, but Andy Horwood kindly volunteered to help with getting Newsletter input and Sarah Phillips to help with Membership and Admin. We hope they will enjoy this so much, they will offer to stand for committee posts in the future!
Rally report: Peter Stonestreet, Peter Sands and Rod Minkey talked through a full and exciting programme of planned events for 2008: details of these were shown at the meeting and are on the web site. There was some discussion about a joint South and East Coast meet at Ramsgate: it was agreed to sound out members by e-mail to see if any are interested, as this makes a very long trip for most South Coast members. Members would also like to see an area of the web site where those undertaking longer cruises could post their intentions: this would allow others to plan to meet up with them less formally than a rally.
Newsletter: Rod shows rushes of the almost complete Spring 2008 Newsletter. All were impressed and are looking forward to receiving their copies. Some members would prefer an A4 format, to make it easier to read. This would also allow a small saving in postage. But most felt that the current, distinctive A3 format should be kept, as it allows for large, high quality pictures. Advertising was also discussed: the current level of advertising in the newsletter was felt to be ideal. Members would prefer the web site not to become too commercial: some felt that the current Hyde Sails advert was rather too prominant, and risked giving the eroneous impression that they were a major sponsor of the Association.
Close: The evening finished with dinner and drinks. John and Rod were wished luck for the morning’s McGuigan Cup two-handed race, which they were entering in Magewind. (They went on to take line honours in their class, but luck deserted them half-way through the race, when they first got the spinnaker in the water and then a silly error led to a penalty which dropped them to fifth in the final results).
John Skipper
Magewind in clear water before their luck changed…