Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Downhill Only Club
Held by Zoom
On Saturday 19th November 2022 at 11:00am
Present:
Nigel Ley – Chairman and President
Sarah Hoyle – Vice-President
Edward Perrott – Company Secretary
Marguerite Nice – Treasurer
Max Davies – Non-Executive Director
Sarah Hirst-Malin – Committee Representative.
In attendance:
Deborah Flindall – Hon. Secretary
Members Present:
Norman Freund, Sarah Robinson, Marguerite Nice, Michael Oliver, Victoria Marshall, Olivia Gordon, Sarah Hirst-Malin, Bob Eastwood, Rachel Eastwood, Tessa Lawrance, Trevor Campbell-Davis, Brian Bollen, Margaret Bollen, Robert Baguley, Stephen Davies, Mark Keatley, Vivien Stern, Michael Woodhall, Robin James, Alan Norris, John Pailthorpe, Michael Wheeler, Carol West, Katie Wells, Christian Wells, Chris Petrie-Hoyle, Edward Perrott, Ian Perkins, Cynthia Perkins, David Orf, Margaret Gerber, Mike Fox, Susie Davies, Richard Berry, Maureen Berry.
These names were taken from the list of attendees displayed on Zoom.
1. Apologies for Absence:
Mike Oldham, Leo Flindall, Kathleen Bruno, Hugh Alban-Davies, Jenny Alban Davies, Roger Hoyle, Earl of Bessborough, Roger Scoones, Marc Osborne, Andrew Robinson, Hilary Robinson, Ingrid Christophersen, Clare Regez-Robinson, Beat Walpoth, Hugh A. V. Wainwright, Adrian Pepper, Liz Moore, Maureen Fanshawe, Mark Hughes, Richard Lawrance, Zara Crocket, Geoffrey Gay, Sarah Hirst-Malin.
The President welcomed everyone to the Zoom meeting.
Votes will be cast using Zoom software which enables members to choose Yes, No or Abstain.
2. To Receive the minutes of the DHO AGM held on 20th November 2021:
The President proposed that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 20th November 2021 be received and asked the Members to vote on the proposal on a show of hands.
The resolution was carried nem con. There were no abstentions.
3. To receive the President’s Report
There have been many positives in the last year in spite of the continuing restrictions due to the pandemic.
During the five years since becoming President all areas of racing have thrived. The Inferno team has gone from strength to strength, initially with Alison Hinde and now with Tessa Lawrance. Last season the AICC had a hugely successful races held in Wengen thanks to Liz Moore.
Despite great difficulties DHO Racing continues and hopes to revive numbers in the coming season.
The Macmillan has kept the mass start and continues to attract many racers each year.
The Downhill Only Club is the only club which managed to continue leading every day throughout the pandemic. Leading continues to offer fantastic value for the membership as one day of hiring a ski guide is more than the annual subscription.
The new Wengen Manager Mark Hughes completed his first year and has now settled into the role with the addition of some new assistant leaders as well as some longer standing leaders.
The Club continues to offer a race every week and has purchased race equipment enabling races to take place on more runs.
Coggins and Eagles continue to offer a fabulous and unique service with Bob and Rachel Eastwood at the helm.
Summer activities continue to be popular with summer visitors, particularly the crazy golf tournament.
The beautifully furnished clubroom is an important part of the Club as a base for both summer and winter activities and a venue for year round events including the national Day BBQ.
In 2025 the 100th Anniversary will be celebrated in Wengen and the UK with an assortment of events already being planned.
During the past five years subscriptions have remained the same in spite of higher costs and a difficult exchange rate.
Finally all of this happens because of the goodwill and effort of members, in particular Deborah Flindall the Club Secretary, Sarah Hoyle who has been a constant source of wise advice and who now takes over as President and finally Rebekah Ley who provided support in the background.
4. To receive the annual accounts for the year to 30th June 2022, together with the report of the Directors and independent accountants.
Marguerite Nice reported that the figures for June 2022 show:
Increased subscriptions, up from £48,000 to £52,000. More are anticipated in the coming year.
The new credit card reader in the clubroom is facilitating all payments.
DHO Racing did not cover their costs but are hopeful that they will in the coming year.
Coggins and Eagles had a difficult year with few members visiting Wengen. They hope to see more participants in the coming season.
The Club has had some exceptional costs in 2022:
The AICC races were held in Wengen at some cost to the Club.
Updating and improving the website and marketing systems also incurred additional costs.
However it is hoped that by encouraging membership this will prove to be a valuable investment.
Other exceptional costs included updating the dishwasher.
A substantial increase in subscriptions after a gap of five years is essential, especially as the exchange rate has increased the Club’s costs. The rise is in line with inflation.
Without an increase in income the Club will have to reduce the services that we offer.
Although the last two years have shown a loss on accounts the situation is not a threat at the moment but must be addressed in the near future.
The resolution was carried nem con. There was one abstention.
5. To re-appoint Messrs Moss and Williamson of Ashton-under-Lyme as Independent Accountants
The resolution was carried nem con. There were no abstentions.
6. To increase the Ordinary Member annual subscription to £120 (with consequential increases to all other categories of membership as provided for in Section 16 of the Standing orders) (Article 4.2)
The resolution was carried. There were eight abstentions.
7. To note the resignation of Nigel Ley as President and Director.
The resignation was noted.
8. To note the resignation of Sarah Hoyle as Vice-President.
The resignation was noted.
9. To note the resignation of Peter Job as Non-Executive Director and as Chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee.
The resignation was noted.
10. To note the standing down of Elizabeth Moore as a Main Committee member, having completed her term of office.
The resignation was noted.
11. To elect Sarah Hoyle as President. (Article 14.2)
The resolution was passed nem con. There were no abstentions.
Sarah thanked the membership for electing her. She has been a member of the Club since 1995. In the late 90s she became involved with DHO Racing and in 2006 took on the role of Secretary. Followed by three years as Vice-President.
Throughout Nigel’s tenure as President the profile of the club in amateur ski races such as the Inferno and the AICC has been raised and Macmillan week retains almost iconic status. Ski guiding has continued throughout Covid and Coggins and Eagles have continued in spite of low numbers due to travel restrictions.
Membership communications have increased so that members are well informed.
In the future attracting new members is key, whilst retaining current ones. Younger members are key to the future of the club.
In two years the Club celebrates its 100th anniversary and events are planned in Wengen, London and possibly elsewhere.
Although club competitive racing has increased the impact of Covid has impacted on DHO Racing. More racing trainees are needed to ensure its future.
12. To elect James Wilson and Tessa Lawrance as Vice-Presidents and Directors. (Articles 14.4 & 14.8)
The resolution was passed. There were two abstentions..
13. To elect Susan Davies as a Non-Executive Director (Articles 14.6 & 14.8)
The resolution was passed. There were two abstentions.
14. To elect Mike Fox as Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee (Article 15.5)
The resolution was passed nem con. There were no abstentions.
15. To elect the following for a further term of three years (Article 15.5)
a. Deborah Flindall, Committee Secretary
The resolution was passed. There were no abstentions.
b. Sarah Hirst-Malin, Membership Secretary
The resolution was passed. There were no abstentions.
c. Brian Bollen, Journal Editor
The resolution was passed. There were no abstentions. resolution was passed. There were three abstentions.
d. Richard Berry, Chair of Racing and Training
The resolution was passed. There were no abstentions
e. Tessa Lawrance, Chair of Alpine Committee
The resolution was passed. There were no abstentions.
16. To elect David Orf, Richard Holt and Kate Robinson as members of the Main Committee (Article 15.2)
a. David Orf
The resolution was passed. There were three abstentions.
b. Richard Holt
The resolution was passed. There were three abstentions.
c. Kate Robinson
Withdrawn
17. To transact any other business which may be properly transacted at an Annual General meeting, and for which notice has been deposited with the secretary four weeks before the meeting. (* notice of special resolution needs to be signed by not less than one twentieth of all members). The Company Annual general meeting will be followed by a meeting of the Club at which general business is considered.
Several tributes were paid to Nigel Ley as he leaves the role of President.
Coggins Manager Bob Eastwood commented on his good humour and enthusiasm in supporting Coggins and Eagles.
Former president Michael Woodhall thanked him for a splendid effort, handling difficult challenges with great ability and welcomed Sarah Hoyle as she takes over the role.
Nigel Ley
President
Downhill Only Club
November 2022
