SOUTHERN PHOTOGRAPHIC FEDERATION
Minutes of AGM/Meeting No. 170 held 16h May 2007 at Peter Symonds College, Winchester

1 Apologies
Ernie Fulbrook, Leo Rich, Haslemere,  NEWDIG,  Beaulieu CC, Hayling CC, IOW Digital,  Petersfield PS, Salisbury CC, Wimborne CC,

2 Present
Alton CC, ASIPS, Basingstoke, Bournemouth CC, Bracknell CC,  Chichester CC, Disabled Photographers, Fareham & Portchester CC, Farnborough CC, Fordingbridge CC, Havant CC, Highcliffe & Infinity CC,  Jersey PC, Locksheath & Sarisbury CC,  Newbury CC, New Forest CC, Ordnance Survey PS, Overton PC, Poole & District CC, Portsmouth IC, Prism PC, , Southampton CC, S.Reading CC, Spectrum, Steyning CC, Viewfinders of Romsey CC, Winchester PS, Wokingham & E.Berks, Wonston & Worthys CC, Yateley CC 

3 Minutes of Meeting 168
Meeting held on the 8th Sept were agreed and approved.  Proposed by Yateley and seconded by Winchester

4 Matters Arising
Item on Child Photography is in Exposure please bring this to the notice of club members.
Issue of 1 member 1 club representation in external competitions to be discussed under AOB

5 Presidents Report
Ian reported that his first year as president had been a busy but rewarding one, and if re elected will bring with him as much enthusiasm as this last year. Ian thanked the Council for their assistance and guidance during the last year, we managed to achieve everything we set out to do although we were short of members on the Council.  This year saw the first digital projection championships, 18 clubs took part in this event and the 3 judges were impressed with the quality of the work.  We hope to hold the event again next year and look to even more clubs taking part.  Ian outlined 2 important events we are hosting for the PAGB this coming year.  First is the PAGB Slide Championship in October.  We shall need every club to support us by letting us have your best slides, these will be copied so will not be needed for more than a couple of months.  The second event is the PAGB Distinctions Award weekend 26/27th April 2008.  There will be an appraisal day held 4th November and it is hoped many of you will bring work along to be assessed.  Anyone anticipating entering should send their names to Lynn Lambeth.  February sees the bi-annual Print Championship, Crossfield Hall, Romsey.  We are still looking for a club to run this event for us.  We also would like to fill the Vice President roll this year and must have a volunteer to help run the PAGB events. It is extremely important to the success of the SPF to have enough volunteers to assist, otherwise we shall not be able to enter the PAGB exhibitions.  Ian made a special presentation of a Roll of Honour to John Philpott.  Also a reminder to clubs to think about their members and whether they were worthy of a nomination for a roll of honour.

6 Secretary’s Report
Lynn reported there were leaflets to collect for Warwick Slide Championships 21st July.  Also details of a competition run by the National Portrait Gallery, these will be posted on the website.

7 Treasurers Report
Roy gave thanks to the Council for the support given to him over the last 6 months as he settled into the treasurer roll.  It had been a steep learning curve.  Liz was thanked for preparing the accounts.  The audited accounts were circulated.  There was an overall profit of £42.12, this is somewhat down on last year’s mainly due to 2 one off costs of £465 for lap top and £307 for PAGB print exhibition.  Roy asked for the accounts to be approved, Ernie Loft, Yateley CC proposed the approval, Laurie Phillips, Southampton CC seconded them.
Due to the known increasing costs of hall hire and printing/photocopying  Roy proposed a small increase in the subscriptions starting at £1 for the under 25 members, £2 26-50, £3 51 – 75 , £4 for 76+, this was seconded by Dave Kessell.
Roy stated that he would not be changing the date the late payment levy is due as this is written into the constitution.  He asked clubs to collect the new subscription forms before leaving.  The clause in the Public Liability Insurance regarding vulnerable people was bought to everyone’s attention, this is also printed on the back page of Exposure.  Any club wanting a copy of their insurance certificate to send a stamped address envelope.

8 Exhibition Secretary’s Report George reported so far there are 24 clubs registered to take part in prints and 19 in slides, this is only slightly down on last years figure.  Showing of the exhibition is up on last year, 14 so far.  George reminded reps to make sure their clubs do not leave it late to enter as there was a limit on the number of print entries we can take.  The closing date is 31st August.

9 League Secretary’s Report
2 clubs dropped out before the start of season.  A re-arranged fixture resulted in a club missing the event.  It was re-run without problems but it is a timely reminder to clubs to send out reminders to their visitors at the same time it is sent to the judge.
Chris thanked Woolston and Overton for hosting the semi finals and is looking for volunteers for this coming year.
Chris thanked those who helped at Finals day.  There was discussion on the 7 club league set up and explained the advantages of all evenings having 48 images, less matches therefore less judges to find, no need for clubs to host 2 rounds and shorter travelling distances.  Chris is willing to discuss with any clubs any solutions they want to come up with although no changes can be made for the coming season.  Ernie Loft, Yateley CC raised issue of no windows for rounds now, Chris explained under the present system there did not seem to be a satisfactory way to work it but again if anyone wanted to look into this Chris would be only too pleased to discuss.

10 Print Championships Report
Ian made a plea for a club to volunteer to run this.  The Crossfield Hall, Romsey is already booked for 17th February.  The club running the event will benefit from the proceeds of the raffle and Council will be on hand to give help and guidance.  Barbara, Bournemouth CC asked if any written instructions of what is required, Lynn to email.
Ian stressed that if no club comes forward to run this event will not take place.

11 PAGB Exhibition Secretary
Anne has been doing this very important role for over 13 years .but felt last year she wanted to take a stand down, Ian will organise the slides for October but again a volunteer is needed to take over now.  Anne decided not only was it time to stand down from this role but would also stand down from Council.  Ian thanked Anne for all her work over the years and presented her with some flowers as a small token of appreciation.
Anne said she had very much enjoyed this role and it had afforded her the opportunity to meet many interesting people.

12 Handbook Secretary’s Report
Dave reported that the response on the review had been excellent and he was about ¾ of the way through it.  End of June is the very latest time to put in any amendments.  New handbooks needed to be printed in time for the September Club Reps meeting.
The blank page that had been included had proved useful to clubs to enter notes on so it was agreed to include again. Ian made a plea to clubs to purchase extra copies as they were a valuable source of information for club members.
Dave asked that club reps remind their members if there are any new lecturers to send in details for inclusion.

13 Publicity Secretary’s Report
Total income for the Handbook for 2006/7 - £130 with £25 due from Fotospeed.
Total income for the Exhibition catalogue 2007 - £180 with another £110 outstanding for collection.
Dave is writing follow up letters to collect in outstanding monies.  Sponsorships and payments are becoming noticeably more difficult.  They do however receive publicity through the handbook, exhibition catalogue and in Exposure.  Bill Flood gave thanks to Dave as he noted what a difficult job it was to get sponsorship.

14 Newsletter Editor & Webmaster Report
Trevor informed reps that Exposure was ready for collection at end of meeting.  He gave thanks to Dave Kessell for getting printing down at a reasonable cost.  Each one cost between 50p – 75p x 150 copies, works out a costly business.  This is the reason club members are encouraged to download copies.  There are 2 versions, PDF for Broadband users and html for dial up users.  It would help to spread the costs if a couple of members print a copy and pass it around their members.  Plenty of information being received for the newsletter but always looking for more.
Trevor gave some facts and figures about the hits on the website, with hits from around the world and the most popular day is Thursday.  Trevor noted there were a few bleary eyes amongst the audience but said for those interested in these facts he would incorporate in the website information.
The on line competition has been more popular this year, still with time to enter, closing date June 30th.  Enprint images can be entered by sending direct to Trevor for scanning.

15 PAGB Executive Member’s Report
Margaret Collis is now President, Don Langford - Vice President, Peter Young – Treasurer, Graham Laughton, the longest serving secretary has retired, and Howard Tate has replaced him.  12 of the 15 Federations took up their 3 minute slot at the AGM, many of whom reported the move forward in digital imaging for competitions.  It was also noted that although the overall trend is that slides are disappearing the demand for Warwick remains strong.
Due to so many changes almost all committees had to be reconstituted.  Leo confirmed he would no longer be running the Recorded Lecture Service Group two, this would be taken over by Michael Betts from Kent.  Leo has been invited to become secretary for Awards for Photographic Merit, as well as being asked to become Chairman of Patronage Committee.  Leo agreed to do both for 1 year to see how it works out. Other committees Leo will be sitting on are: FIAP Liaison and Club Slide Championship (Warwick).
It is with heavy heart PAGB advise of 2 photographers who have been banned from taking part in any PAGB events and action taken has been reported to Royal Photographic Society and FIAP.  These bans are due to infringement of another photographer's copyright.
Colin McLatchie, until recently a member of Guernsey PC has been banned for life, although in due course he may be able to apply reinstatement provided the Federation is convinced he is fit to do so.  No time limit has been imposed for this.
Peter Watson of Farnborough CC has been banned for life with no proviso.
APAGB – 2 awards made but neither in this Federation.
FIAP lists of Patronage – details now available from website, so the copying and distributing of printed lists will be dispensed with.  Ian Platt will send out printed lists if requested.  Club to write and supply self addressed envelope.
Club Print Championships, block booking made for officials and judges at the Gateway to Wales hotel.  Anyone wishing to get same rate for accommodation can get details from Christine Langford of North Wales PA.
The 6th and final version of the Digital Projection Report has been ratified and is now available on the PSAGB website.
PAGB have written to Austin Mitchell outlining why it opposes the need for any form of official id card for photographers and that they will not be supporting the RPS or Amateur Photographer in this matter.
FIAP run a Bi-ennial photographic competition for Youth groups but the UK has never been represented.  They would be interested in learning of any youth groups who may like to take part.  Two categories up to 13 years and 14 – 25 years.

16 Roll of Honour
Mr Brian LeCornu, LRPS, Jersey PC was presented with his roll of honour in April when Ian visited Jersey.
There will be another to be presented in the near future.  Reminder given to clubs to look at their members and see who is worthy of this honour.

17 Election of Council Officers
The following were re-elected to their posts.
President – Ian Bigg, proposed L. Lambeth seconded C. Thorpe
Secretary – Lynn Lambeth, proposed  B. Spibey seconded L. Whitemore
Treasurer – Roy Lambeth proposed I. Bigg seconded L. Lambeth
Handbook Secretary Dave Isaacs, proposed C. Richardson, seconded B. Flood
League Competition Secretary, Chris Whiting, proposed L. Lambeth, seconded I. Bigg
Roll of Honour/Records Secretary, George Walsh, proposed D. Kessell seconded B. Flood.
Publicity Secretary, Dave Kessell, proposed G. Kelland, seconded ~D. Toft
Newsletter Editor, Trevor Muston, proposed G. Pincott, seconded J. Davis
Council member, Leo Rich, proposed L. Lambeth, seconded R. Lambeth
Council member, Ernie Fulbrook, proposed I. Bigg, seconded L. Lambeth
Jack Whitemore remains on Council as past president.

18 AOB
Discussion took place on the issue of people being members of more than 1 club only being able to represent 1 club in SPF competitions and exhibition in any one year, rather than the present rule of being able to represent any number of clubs they are members with different pieces of work.  This would mean the photographer declaring at the start of the season which club they would represent that year.
There was mixed reactions as to whether this would work from the clubs present and from Petersfield CC who had written to secretary before the meeting.
Terry Jamieson of Viewfinders of Romsey CC proposed that the Council discuss this fully and make the decision by the September Club Reps meeting, this was seconded by Dave Kessell, rest of the reps agreed all but 1 club who felt this would be too much unnecessary restriction.  Any decisions made would not come into effect until the 2008/09 season.