April 2016 Issue 119

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1 April 2016 Issue 119 It s goodnight from me Standing down at this year s AGM after a number of years raises a mixture of emotions some members will remember that I took on the role at an AGM because no one else would, but I m glad that I did it. I have put in a lot of effort but I have seen the rewards both personally and for the club. It s been a team effort from all of the committee but I m pleased to be standing down with the club far more secure financially than it was when I took over Jim Garside s final Chairman s report gave dire warnings about the club s future because of a lack of funds. We now have more/better raffle prizes, we re secure against major equipment failures and there are funds available if a case can be brought for spending on equipment and demonstrators. It s been great to have stands at various events, safe in the knowledge that whatever you do on the lathe, it probably looks like magic to the public! At the same time we ve often been an added attraction at events that helped good causes to raise money. Hopefully what I ve done has been appreciated by the club, and so my biggest regret is that no one has so far shown any interest in becoming the new Chairman. I gave plenty of notice that I m standing down, mainly because I wanted to ensure as smooth an entry as possible for my successor. Jim threatened for years that this year is my last year as Chairman so nobody took any notice until he actually moved house to Devon. I m not going to do the same thing tonight is my last meeting as Chairman for several reasons I will be moving away this year and I have exceeded the term of office stated in our club Constitution. A third reason is that I think I need a break from it, and I think the club needs a break from me. Over the years I ve picked up other little jobs and roles and it s all perhaps become a bit much - none of these jobs on their own is all that onerous, but it all adds up. I briefly acquired the DVD library recently but I m pleased to say that John Sharp has offered to take this over, in addition to looking after the club table. After the death of John Shiner a few years ago I took over booking demonstrators for our meetings, but Grahame Tompkins has now offered to do it for 2017, in addition to organising the All Day Demo, helping with the tea and cleaning up after demos. Can you spot a trend here? Most of the members of the committee are already multi-tasking roles within the club; what we need is more of the rank-and-file members to step up and do their bit. I understand that people have commitments outside the club (I do too!), but the more we can spread the workload the easier it becomes. My successor doesn t have to do things exactly the way I do them, but a candidate has to be prepared to attend most, if not all, club meetings, deliver any news or notices, introduce and thank the guest demonstrator, and generally make sure that the meetings go smoothly. He (or she) also has to be a point of contact for any enquiries, without necessarily having to be able to provide all the answers. Beyond that it s a question of what other aspects of club life you want to get involved with, but believe me, there are lots of smaller jobs that will have to be re-distributed! Moan over; please consider what contribution you can make to ensure the continuing success of the club. Martin

2 And it s goodnight from him Our Hon Secretary Mike Sheaf is standing down after only 27 years in the job. Mike is a founder member and has been secretary since day 1. That means 27 AGMs, 27 sets of minutes, and much communication with the outside world. No one else comes anywhere near matching that. So we owe him a great vote of thanks for serving the club for so long. April Competition Reminder A toy or puzzle 2016 programme April 12 AGM 10 May Gregory Moreton 14 June Club Night, Q&A 12 July Richard Findley 9 August Mike Fitz 13 September Club Night 11 October Colin Smith 8 November Stuart King 13 December Club Social 2016 monthly competition subjects April May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A toy or puzzle A decorated piece A lace bobbin A piece in oak A functional item Open competition A square-edged object An artistic non-functional piece A Christmas decoration

3 Living Crafts at Hatfield House Peter Hoare and Martin Gomme will be manning the AWGB stand for a day in May. AWGB Andy Coates has resigned as AWGB Chairman, Vice-Chairman Dave Atkinson has taken over for the time being. AGM You shuld have received by minutes from last year s AGM, the agenda, and details of the finances for consideration at this year s AGM. March Turners of the Month Previous winner Mike Fitz English Walnut Bowl Non-previous winner Tim Pettigrew Mike Fitz Holm Oak Bowl Tim Pettigrew

4 March Demonstrator Paul Howard Paul Howard Paul demonstrated his offset turning showing how he chucked the work, and the order in which the shapes were made. Finished Piece Paul at work including a view of the chucking Forthcoming Events 2016 April 8th & 9th 2016 Yandles Woodworking Show Martock, Somerset May 5 th 8th Living Crafts Hatfield House October 7-9 D&M Tool Show Kempton Park Racecourse October Wizardry in Wood Carpenters Hall Events in red are those where we are represented If you would like to publicise an event please details to the editor.

5 April 2016 Revised Constitution RULES AND CONSTITUTION THE AIMS: 1. To promote the art of woodturning amongst both woodturners and the general public. 2. To provide a forum for an exchange of views amongst all woodturners at all levels and experience 3. To provide regular communication between members and others via newsletters and the website 4. To arrange meetings, exhibitions and participate at local events that encourages all to produce and aim for high quality turnery 5. To promote membership of and support the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB). MEMBERSHIP: 6. Membership shall be open to anyone and include automatic membership of the AWGB following payment of the appropriate fee. 7. Members shall not be entitled to use the Herts and Beds Woodturners name for trade promotion except at the written discretion of the committee. 8. Membership shall be limited to the practical limit of current meeting facilities. 9. In support of the AWGB in encouraging interest amongst young people, the club will sponsor membership of juniors at the discretion of the Committee. Such membership being within capacity of the current number specified in paragraph 8 above. 10. The Committee may at their discretion grant free membership to any person regarded by them to be in special need, or who has made a significant contribution or given continuous support over many years. CONSTITUTION: 11. The rules for an Affiliated Branch as laid down in the AWGB Articles of Association shall apply in full. The AWGB Articles of Association are available from their website at All paid up members shall have the opportunity of entering the meeting, events and activities arranged, to attend Annual General Meetings, to vote upon constitutional matters and to serve on the committee. 13. The affairs shall be managed by a Committee elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). 14. The Committee shall consist of: a Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, (the officers) plus up to eight ordinary members. 15. The Chairman shall be elected by the members at the AGM for a one year term and shall be eligible for reelection for additional terms, but shall not serve for more than five consecutive years. 16. The Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer shall be elected by the members at the AGM for a one year term of office and shall be eligible for re-election for additional terms. 17. The ordinary members of the Committee shall be elected by the members at the AGM for a one year term of office and shall be eligible for re-election for additional terms. 18. The Committee shall also have the power to co-opt other members to undertake specific tasks or duties for a period deemed necessary or to co-opt other members to fill vacancies which may arise. 19. The Committee shall meet at regular intervals and not less than three times a year. Meetings shall be convened by the Hon. Secretary acting in consultation with the Chairman, although a meeting can be convened at any time on the demand of three or more Committee members.

6 20. The Chairman of the meeting shall exercise a second casting vote if any voting at a committee meeting would otherwise be equal. HERTS & BEDS WOODTURNERS Affiliated Branch of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain 21. If the Chairman is not present at the meetings, the Committee shall elect a Chairman from among those present. 22. A quorum of the Committee shall be four members to include two officers. 23. Committee members who do not attend committee meetings on three consecutive occasions shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be deemed to have retired from the Committee. 24. Cheques for expenses and outgoings shall only be drawn on the signatures of any two of the Chairman, Hon. Secretary, or Hon. Treasurer. 25. Visitors may attend a maximum of 4 monthly meetings in a calendar year. The first visit will be free of charge but a fee of 3 will be payable for each subsequent visit such payments being offset against future Membership fees. 26. With effect from 1st January 2010 a fee of 2.00 will be payable by each member attending the regular monthly meetings when there is a paid demonstrator. MEETINGS. 27. An AGM shall be called as soon as possible after the close of the financial year on the last day of December. 28. The ordinary business to be conducted at each AGM shall be: i. To receive and adopt the Chairman s report on the activities of the previous year ii. To receive and adopt the Hon. Treasurer s report on the financial affairs of the previous year iii. To elect Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and ordinary members of the Committee for the applicable term (see rules 15, 16 and 17). iv. To elect an inspector of accounts to audit and verify the financial accounts. v. Motions properly submitted in accordance with the rules vi. Any other business put forward by the Committee or members. 29. Notice of the place, time and date of the AGM shall be circulated to all paid up members at least six weeks but not less than thirty days before the time of the meeting. 30. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by a resolution of the Committee or on the receipt of a written request of at least five members of the Association. 31. The AGM shall fix an Annual Subscription for the following year following the submission of recommendations from the Committee. 32. Motions for the AGM must be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary two weeks before the date of the meeting. 33. Nominations for all the officer positions and for replacements for retiring ordinary members of the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary two weeks before the time of the AGM. 34. All nominations, proposals or motions for the AGM must be signed by both Proposer and Seconder, both of whom must be paid up members of the Association. 35. Amendments to the Rules and Constitution shall be by notice of motion, in writing, to the Honorary Secretary two weeks prior to the AGM. WINDING UP: 36. If the Committee should decide on dissolution, then the Committee shall issue a notice to all paid up members and arrange for all debts, liabilities, taxes and other dues to be paid in full. The assets shall be sold and any remaining funds shall be paid in equal shares to all paid up members at that time.