The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 9 pm in the Recital Room, West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge.
Present: Simon Fairclough (Chairman), Chris Ford (Treasurer), Jo Whitehead (Vice-Chairman), Richard Andrewes (Vice-President) and approximately 60 members. Christine Skeen took the minutes.
1. Apologies were received from Sir Brian Pippard (Pres.), Sir David Willcocks (Vice-Pres.), Stephen Cleobury (Conductor), Jennifer Howells (Secretary), Martin Ennis, Caroline Goulder, Chris Lawrence, Andrew Morris, Claire Pike, Ruth Williams and Lawrence Wragg.
2. The Minutes of the last AGM were agreed and signed.
3. Matters arising: Amendments to the Constitution had been posted on the website.
4. Chairman's report: Much effort had gone into fundraising. Nearly £10,000 had been raised in the last three weeks. The aim in spending it was to provide all members and Cambridge generally with many broad experiences. Concerts such as the upcoming Turangalila (£7,000), and the future Peter Maxwell Davis, Mahler and Sir Roger Norrington ones were all expensive. In order to provide opportunities of this calibre and to position CUMS at the centre of University music-making, the Society needed to be administratively sharp and do much more artistic planning. Long-term thinking was needed to plan beyond Stephen Cleobury's retirement. The next 18 months to 2 years ahead would be vital and everyone, especially members of CUMS I and II, was invited to get involved and contact Simon Fairclough with ideas of how the Society should be shaped. Great commitment, such as was required of chapel choirs, was needed if we were to repeat the type of programme now in hand.
5. Treasurer's report: As described on the distributed paper, a small profit of about £2,500 was made last year, as a result of keeping to a tight budget. CUMS I and II concerts made about £700 profit, although sometimes with disappointingly small audiences. Zephyrs made a smaller loss than previously, albeit of £950. The Society was kept afloat by instrument hire, efficiently run thanks to Sam Kemp and Dan Hill and making about £10,000 profit each year. There was still some money owed to the Society on this front. The CUMS Fund had not been drawn upon last year. The accounts had been audited but not yet returned signed. Jo Whitehead and Chris Ford had prepared more detailed accounts which were to appear on the website, should potential donors wish to see them.
6. Appointment of auditors: CKL Partnership was appointed unanimously, having been proposed by Jo Whitehead and seconded by David Charters.
7. Election of Officers for 2008-09: Fund-raising, Michael Sharp; Treasurer, Chris Ford; Instrument Manager, Sam Kemp; Publicity Officer, Rosica Bates; Librarian, Maggie Heywood; Webmaster, Alex Selby - all elected unopposed. The Elections Officer post was vacant.
8. A.O.B.: Simon Fairclough told the members there would be notice of the Annual Dinner shortly.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm