ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2002


CHAIRMAN'S REPORT TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

19 January 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen: Good afternoon and welcome to this my second report as your Chairman. I would like to start by thanking all committee members be they from branch, Executive or the projects committees for all their work on our behalf throughout the last year

Membership Mary Greene (New members Jack Jackson)
Again our membership increased and at the end of last year we had 3891 with 386 being overseas members and at present the total stands at 3674 with 334 being overseas members & 309 are new members.

We still have a problem with people not renewing on time despite my reminder last year. At the cut off point for C A 92 we had some 756 people listed as having not renewed, at the cut off for C A 93, 99 of those have nots have become have's how many of the remaining 657 will renew who knows

So I must reiterate my point from last year if you do not renew your membership on time we cannot guarantee to supply the back issues of Cockney Ancestor, this is due to the cost of storage for ones we have not yet used or those that do not get used or the high cost of reprints, (it costs about 4 times as much to do a few hundred extra copies) and by the way some people still want to renew in July and August after the 4th C A of the year has been printed.

Members Interests Eileen Pullin
Eileen informs me that things are running smoothly at the moment.
We had hoped to produce the next edition of the members interests fiche but felt costs were a bit to much and we are reviewing the situation, keep watching C A for further news

I would also like to mention Terry Roberts who compiles the new members interest booklet that accompanies C A

Projects Colleen Mitchell
This year we have only published 2 projects
Romford 1841 & Romford 1871
But this does not mean we have been slacking work has been on going with Westham & Hackney 1891 both these are still a long way from completion but it has been decided to publish these in stages probably 3rds

Crow lane can now be produced and will be on CD as soon as facilities become available

St Mary & Josephs R. C. Church Poplar is almost checked.

NBI Pauline Earrey
Pauline has taken on with the help of Jackie Crompton the National burial Index for our area Pauline has some 34 helpers and they are working very quickly
Volunteers are always needed and if you would like to offer you services Colleen or Pauline would be only too glad to hear from you.

Branches
Bishopsgate now hold their meetings on the last Friday of the month and now run a help desk during the afternoon preceding their meeting, so if you have got a problem go along.

Barking & Dagenham attendances here are down on last year a George Smith the Chairman would like to know why, so if you used to attend and don't now please tell George why, he won't bite!

The branch held a Family History Fair at Valence House which was attended by about 1000 people and it is hoped to run another one this time in the Town Hall in Barking.

Newham & Redbridge I would like to start by thanking and congratulating Wendy and her team for organising today, again attendances are down so as for barking & Dagenham please help Wendy with any advice.

Havering Mick Pullin & his teamwork hard to entertain attendances in excess of 100, well done Mick

Computer Group Jack Jackson
The Computer group goes from strength to strength, meetings now last for 2hrs the 1st one being a Q & A session where members ask and hopefully get answers to computer problems or bring to attention items of interest and the 2nd hour is usually a talk.

Jack asked me to firstly thank his team of Derrick, Maureen & Carol for all there help and secondly to all the members who attend and take part,

Bookstall - David Filby
Say one and the other automatically springs to mind. Trying to write something about this area of the society is nigh on impossible, I t has all been said before as it is the largest and best of any society.

As you are no doubt aware David has decided that after more than 20 years it is time to take a rest so he is giving up at the end of March. He has already passed over the mail order side to Richard Chapman, who has asked me to thank you all for your patience during the change over.

So at this time it just remains for me to say thank you and that is a big thank you to David for all his hard work over the last 20 odd years. Thank you David.

Filby Project, which was started by John Reynolds our last Chairman,
Unfortunately our dreams of having our own rooms in Valentine's Mansions were dashed when the council put the block on us because of health & safety grounds, it is not a complete no no but will not be for at least 2 - 3 years. Malcolm Commander my Vice-Chairman and I have looked at other places but none have been suitable.

Cockney Ancestor
Joan Renton (sends her apologies she has not been well Flu)
After six years of being the Editor Joan has passed the reins over and is looking for her dinning room which became her office for the duration of her publishing career
The C A under Joan has again received a Highly Commended from the Elizabeth Simpson Award Scheme which means that the C A under her wing received recognition including a 2nd place every year she was editor Sum achievement well done Joan. She is not leaving us totally as after she has had a rest she is going to offer her services to do some project work.

Our new editor is Geoff Laytham please give him the same support that you gave Joan and keep the articles coming in.

Internet
Jan Hart (she's not been feeling well so she remains the "Mystery Webmaster" for another year. Jan took over from Dave Jordon who had set up and run the website since the beginning in 1996, Dave's words when he put Jan forward were that she was " A volunteer beyond our expectations" well his confidence in Jan's ability has been proved well founded, with the Eolfhs web site getting 3rd place in the new competion organised by the Federation of FHS and Family Tree Magazine who stated the site well organised and easy to navigate despite it's size, and the content was very good.

Jan would like me to thank on her behalf all those who actively help her with the website and her wish is that the branches become more involved??

Jan has given each branch and the computer group its own page where they can keep members informed about future meetings and events. So branches note its there use it

During Dave's 4 ½ years as webmaster 84000 hits were made on the site Jan has now been at the helm for about 1½ years and the total hits now stands at 138753, that's about 54000 since Jan took over, I think Jan deserves our thanks and appreciation, well done Jan.

Wesley's Chapel
This is our 3rd visit on the trot to Wesley's Chapel in the past as each branch has hosted the AGM they have arranged a venue usually within there own area, now because of the growing membership and thereby the possible numbers in attendance branches have been unable to find suitable venues within there own areas, and although it has not been formally proposed it has been suggested that we make this a permanent venue so could I please have a show of hands firstly how many of you have been here before

Secondly should we make this a permanent venue?

In favour Against

This show of hands was in favour of returning to Wesley's Chapel each year.

Ian Whaley
Chairman ELFHS
January 2002