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Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Keswick Film Club
held at the George Hotel at 7.30 pm on 25th March
2001
Present:
Ian Picken (Chairman), Tom Rennie (Treasurer), Rod Evans (Secretary),
Committee Members David W Miller, D David Miller, Alan Smith,
Stephen Brown, Michael and Shelagh Collins and 11 other Members.
Apologies were
received from Brian Jimack and Jane Morgan.
1. The Minutes of
the 2000 AGM were summarised by the Secretary and signed by
the Chairman. There were no matters arising from them.
2. Chairman’s Report.
Ian began his report
by talking of what we had learned from our first full season (1999-2000),
and of consolidating without being conservative in the year since
then: there had been a good number of challenging and foreign
language films among the 24 non-Festival films shown. The size
of audience was less important than showing quality films and
breaking even financially. The latter had been achieved by slashing
staffing costs to near zero, with Tom and Michael projecting without
charge.
The Second
Keswick Film Festival had been a repeat success, in similar
format but with fewer clashes of film timings, and attendance
higher than last year at approx. 1000. Feedback had been very
positive. Relations with the Theatre were cordial, with mutual
satisfaction over the Festival, press releases and the Film
in Keswick leaflet, which had gone out to 26,000 addresses.
Co-operation would continue, with the dates for 2002 already pencilled
in and consultation already taking place over the educational
events of the Festival, in the week leading up to 15-17 Feb 2002.
The Theatre’s own films in that week were expected to tie in with
our plans. There had been good coverage in the local press and
on Border TV thanks to Eric Wallace who opened the event.
Ian then turned to some
other encouraging matters: the BFFS ‘Best Programme’ award sat
very nicely with last year’s ‘Best New Film Society’, membership
was at a healthy 151, and the Club had attained charitable status
(thanks going to Rod and Tom). Committee members had attended
both this season’s BFFS Viewing Sessions, and had gone to various
training courses and conferences on running film festivals, organising
educational events, finding funding, and marketing.
Looking to the year
ahead, the Chairman hoped for an improved festival, another good
season of world cinema, a clearer, even more effective Film
in Keswick brochure, and continued good relations with the
Theatre by the Lake.
3. Treasurer’s report.
Figures prepared by Tom Rennie were examined, and updated at the
last minute by the arrival of the Theatre’s payment of the Club’s
share of ticket sales: after deduction of their staff costs, 10%
commission and ‘hire’ of the Theatre, just over £1500 more was
to be added to income. Although there were three films still to
be shown this season, and a number of bills to be paid, there
was a healthy situation in both Festival and season’s activities,
largely thanks to grants obtained to ensure the Festival’s financial
success.
4. Reappointment
of Trustees. The Secretary explained the Articles of Association
(advised by Companies House and approved by the Charity Commissioners)
which the Club had adopted to attain charitable status. These
ruled that all Trustees should resign at the first AGM after incorporation.
Tom Nixon proposed and Paul Buttle seconded the motion that all
should be reappointed en bloc: carried nem con.
On discussion of the
advantages of charitable status (largely VAT relief on
advertising, and enhanced prestige in the public’s esteem) a member
familiar with the ways of the National Trust advised that we could
reclaim a portion of subscriptions paid to the Club by
taxpayers. This would be investigated.
All present members
of the Committee were willing to stand again, and the Chairman
was pleased to hear that, in addition, Anne Key was keen to join
the group. Any other prospective Committee-persons should mention
their interest to Ian.
5. Having talked about
plans for the future in his report, the Chairman invited questions
from members about those, or indeed about the past season.
Questions dealt with
included:
the choice of
the Easter Sunday film;
the need or otherwise of major themes for the Festival;
the need or otherwise to keep a significant contrast
between Festival films at the Alhambra and the Theatre;
were members taking full advantage of the website (www.beam.to/keswickfilmclub,
for services to which Stephen was thanked, as was Rod for
the email loop);
was it possible to arrange more help over projection at
the Alhambra; (answer: Tom was happy to enlist the support
of Alan Smith and Anne Key, but warned that Graves (Cumberland)
Ltd (cinema owners) may require some presence of their employees
at all times);
were we watching the deadline for Theatre mailshots;
why no KAOS representation at Topsy Turvy;
did we now have the experience to select the films
that were going to appeal to the majority of Club members.
This last question gave
rise to some debate: answers given included such points as:
‘it is the quality
of film presented that is important, not its crowd-pleasing
nature’,
‘it is important to avoid any form of censorship if possible’,
‘the selection group takes account of all kinds of information
- reviews, reports, internet databases, recommendations
from members and experts’,
‘we’ve just won the ‘Best Programme award from the BFFS’,
‘see the page
on our website that invites and lists film ideas for next
season’,
‘not all films are available - print condition and screening
rights often rule out older films’.
There appeared to be
a general consensus that film selection was proceeding in an appropriate
direction.
This wound up business
for the evening and the meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
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