2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2007 Annual General Meeting - AGENDA

6.30 p.m. Thursday 1st November 2007 at Chantry Sports Centre, Classroom

Apologies for Absence

Adopt Minutes of AGM 2006

Receive and adopt Management Committee report (Click here for report)

Receive and adopt a financial statement and independently examined accounts

Vote on 2007/8 level of subscription

Amend the Constitution

Amend Item 8a. Officers of the Club

● Child Protection Officer x 2

To read: ● Child Protection Officer x 2, (one male and one female)

Amend Item 8c.

All officers of the club will retire each year, but will be

eligible for re-election, not to exceed three consecutive years.

To read: All officers of the club will retire each year, but will be

eligible for re-election.

Amend Item 9a. Committee

The club will be managed ………………, Membership Secretary

Child Protection Officer, Deputy Child Protection Officer,

Publicity Officer,……….

To read: The club will be managed ………………, Membership Secretary

Two Child Protection Officers, Publicity Officer,……….

Elect Officers and committee members for the forthcoming year.

Committee Nominations

· President (ex-officio) Tony Cheatham

· Chairperson Mike Oakley

· Vice Chairperson Danny Thorrington

· Honorary Secretary Margaret Nichols

· Treasurer Tony Cheatham

· Membership Secretary Colin Hindle

· Child Protection Officer (male) Paul Davis
Child Protection Officer (female) Pat Palmer

· Coaching Secretary Alison Cable

· Publicity Officer Ann Negus

· Minutes Secretary (ex-officio)

· Six Committee members Amanda Sherman

Mitzi Read

Lis Henderson

Celia Foulger

Sue Hindle

Appointment of Club Captain and Vice-Captain
Presentation of Awards

AWARDS 2007

Negus Cup for Athlete of the Year – for the most improved athlete Ryan Storey

Negus Cup for Club Member of the Year – for services to the club Sue and Colin Hindle

N & P Cross Country Cup

– for the best male performance/s in the Cross Country League Stephen Foulger

N & P Cross Country Cup

– for the best female performance/s in the Cross Country League Emma Jessup

The Combe Challenge Cup – for achievement and progression Oliver Minns

The Panther Shield – for outstanding endeavour Jessica Lake

Sportshall 2007 Awards Edward Boggis

Matthew Foulger

Sarah Handscombe

Captain’s Medal – for retiring Club Captain Andrew Brooks

Orwell Panthers Management Committee Report 2007

The progress of Orwell Panthers A. C. is positively breathtaking. Our membership now stands at 110 of which 48 are athletes. This represents a 64% increase in our overall membership and 54% increase in athletes in just one year. Success of this sort is not easy to cope with and yet our coaches and helpers have been amazing. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels, though, so we will continue to develop the skills of our existing team whilst always looking for more people to become coaches and helpers. Please be assured that the benefits to the athletes and their families of what we do at Orwell Panthers, are amazing. If ever you catch yourself saying, “If only I could make a difference?” I am here to tell you that now you can!!! Come on board and see for yourself.

Competition:

The year began with our participation in the new Suffolk Sportshall League as a result of which we had Emma, Latisha, Sean, Ryan and Luke all representing the County in the Regional Finals at Norwich . Next Generation was the scene of yet another successful Easter Festival of Sportshall Athletics. Continuing our drive for “Inclusivity” saw the club entering teams in the Suffolk Winter Cross-Country League. The Boys were a fantastic 6^th of 11 teams and the girls 11^th of 12 teams. The results were amazing and mention must also be made of Celia as Manager and of the good folk who “buddied” the athletes in the five league matches. Mention also of the three boys who covered the very difficult County Championship Course. Well done to Stephen, Ryan and Daniel A.

In Track and Field the year was really hectic again. It all began at Bury with The Suffolk County Championships. Panthers contested 28 events and achieved nine County Champions including one Championship Best. The following week brought the Eastern Region Championships for Athletes with Disability to Ipswich again. Panthers contested 96 events gaining 35 first places.

In June we had lovely weather for our Panther Challenge. Despite their being fewer athletes competing than had been hoped, the day was really good and enjoyed by all taking part. July took four of our athletes to the Nationals at Blackpool who brought home a bag full of medals. Congratulations to Emma, Kieron, John and Olly. We will look for you in 2012 in London . On the same weekend more Panthers returned to Bury to contest the Suffolk Youth Games. Ipswich won the athletics for those with disabilities and Team Ipswich shared the Fair Play award with Suffolk Coastal. It was a great honour that Jamie was selected to Captain the Ipswich team and receive the trophy from Javelin star Goldie Sayers. Our first “Indoor Challenge” was held at the end of our year and was, as usual, a roaring success.

Social:

Socially the year has been stunning. Christmas Party, Valentine’s Disco. And the fabulous Autumn Ball. Mix those with the various demonstrations we give to LOADS, Cats Protection, Optua etc., etc. the fund raising, Panther Pennies, the amazingly successful Slimathon and the Body Shop Party. Life at Orwell Panthers is busy, busy, busy. Everyone gets involved and the atmosphere is great. Thanks to each and every member, parent, carer and associate. Special thanks to all the ladies who helped with catering at our home fixtures and social events. We have some very talented people working for us.

Awards:

During the Eastern Championships we were greatly honoured to receive the Governing Body’s ClubMark Certificate from Paralympian Daniel West and former Olympic Star, Bill Tancred.

England Athletics – East Region has again recognized our work and Lis and Margaret went to Cambridge to collect the award for Inclusivity – Club of the Year 2007.

Ann was Runner up in Suffolk Sports Awards Unsung Hero, and Amanda was Highly Commended in Suffolk Sports Coach of the Year.

Barclays “Spaces for Sports” kindly elected Mike as ‘Unsung Hero’ and made a £1,000 donation to funds.

Across the Border in Norfolk , Kieron was becoming Waveney’s youngest recipient of an award for ‘Most Valuable Contribution to Disabled Sport’.

Athlete of the Year - Luke Hindle. Member of the Year – Andrew Brooks.

Development:

Coaches and Officials have been working hard to develop their skills and improve their grading. We believe that the club is moving towards being the best qualified athletics club in the area.

Profile:

The club is becoming known across the world through word of mouth and through access to our web site: www.orwellpanthers.co.uk

Records show that we have had people from all over America , Australia , Europe, Africa and Asia . Sorry but no record of a viewer in Antarctica , yet. We have had more than 1000 different people logging on to our site.

We issue “The Panther” as frequently as Mike can, which has received favourable comment from around the community.

We also get regular coverage in Grass Roots and Your Sport in the local press.

Sponsorship:

Another stunning year. Major sponsorship and grants have been received from Jonathan Waters, Suffolk Acre, Suffolk Foundation, Vistorm, Barnes Construction and many others. The staff at Willis had a dress down day and donated £638.67 to funds. Lots of people have worked hard to encourage sponsorship but special thanks to Ann for her amazing work in this area.

I am so proud to have been your Chairman over the past year and am eternally grateful to everyone who is involved in any way with Orwell Panthers A. C. Thank you one and all.

As we end one year it is with great excitement that I look forward to seeing what amazing achievements the athletes and the Club can amass in the next year. We must beware complacency but even though the work can be quite hard, it is usually enjoyable and always rewarding. Please get involved, it is the place to be and you should be on board.

Mike Oakley

Chairman, 9/10/2007

2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Preliminary Notice of Annual General Meeting

The AGM of Orwell Panthers Athletic Club will be held at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday 1st November 2007 at Chantry Sports Centre, Classroom.

· Nominations for Officers or Committee must be received in writing by the Honorary Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM.

· Items for general discussion must be notified in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 28 days prior to the AGM