The Committee has amended the constitution to reflect changes that have had to be made in the running of the Association. Issue 5 was approved by the Members at the AGM, and therefore replaces 2015 Issue 4. The constitution can be viewed on the website.
During the 9 years since Issue 4 the Committee has had to respond to new ways of doing things, for example the introduction of hybrid Zoom from the YMCA Hawker Centre for Association talks, a private YouTube Video channel for those members unable to attend the talks ‘live’, a wider use of digital communications for routine messages, an electronic version of the newsletter, and payment of subscriptions by bank transfer. Some routine administration processes have been streamlined and the number of membership grades have been reduced. General Data Protection Requirements have been added to conform to legal requirements. The Membership grades have been simplified to make all Associate Members full Members and to make it more straightforward for family members to become or remain Members of the Association.
The Committee has always benefitted from long serving Members and the new constitution provisions to recognise long service by making Committee Members who have served for 10 years or more lifetime Honorary Members. There is little else that the Association can do to recognise such support and dedication but sadly some Committee Members who served for a lengthy period have passed away.
The following have therefore been made lifetime Honorary Members with immediate effect:
Present Members: Ambrose Barber, Richard Cannon, Ken Batstone, Frank Rainsborough, and David Hassard,