I attended the National AGM in March and I logged the following points of interest from the meeting. Obviously, a very brief summary of interesting topics.
Chair - Gail Elrick
Draw up business plan for the future of the LDWA
Set up a forum for communicating with local groups - suggested a focal point for each group
Membership – Steph Carter
Up from last year by 3.2% - now stands at 7973
>5600 members now pay by Direct Debit
Local Groups Secretary – John Batham
Standing down having completed his 5 year term
Group Secretary weekend a success
Julie Cribb taking over as Local Group Secretary
Internet – Simon Leck
Standing down having completed his 5 year term
Adam Dawson (London group) taking over
‘100’ Co-ordinator – David Morgan
2019 event will be hosted by Northumbria, taking in some of the Pennine Way, Hadrian’s Wall and Teesdale
Long Distance Paths – Paul Lawrence
Need additional support to realise project
Pilot scheme in place to train four volunteers
No current plans to issue a revised handbook
Key priority is to get succession of members to continue updating LD paths, currently standing at ~ 1500
Data Protection – Chris Hedley
On-going activity
Updating forms for Challenge Events
Use National Membership Database wherever possible – safest option
Publicity – David Holland (absent)
Working on a Publicity Strategy
DH will be contacting event organisers to offer support 2/3 weeks prior to event
Elections
All principle committee officers re-elected
Ballot for executive officers - six selected from seven candidates
Membership
No change to Annual Membership - £13
AOB
Sad announcement of two deaths of LDWA members – Ernie Bishop and Barbara Williams
UK Search and Rescue Survey
2018 AGM – Need a volunteer to manage the event
Proposal from Cornwall and Devon to extent closing times of the earlier CP’s
Request to increase number of Strider issues to 4 per year