Old Bored Executives - The OBE'S 

First Meeting of the OBE's Torquay 12th May 2012 

Present:

Officers: Peter Manley (Chairman), John Kilshaw (Vice Chairman), Mark Newby (Honorary Secretary), John Payne (Honorary Treasurer), Marcus Grover (Membership Officer)

Shaun McCormick, Mark Boesma, Shaun Redman, Ken Donald, Vaughan Harris, Steve Way, Steve Lord, Ron Shea, Dave Barker, Roger Spensley, Ron Shea, Neil Buckley

Chairman’s Opening Statement: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and immediately admitted a mistake had been made over the name of the Club which should have been Old Bored Executives as opposed to Bored Old Executives.

After considerable debate it was agreed that the adoption of the new name was accepted so all members could be referred to as OBE’s and the Immediate Past President of 41 Club duly signed a new hand written Charter effecting the name change.

Steve Lord at this point made a brave attempt to suggest we should also set up international branches of this club, which was rebuffed unanimously although it was a relief he was not trying to flog bow ties.

Approval of the Constitution: The members then proceeded to go through the draft rules of the constitution (reference is to the Rules agreed). As a preliminary matter Steve Way pointed out the excellent misnumbering of paragraphs and there was considerable debate over sub clauses not following clauses and how this should be formally adopted as a method of working.

Membership – It was agreed that there should be a Sub Clause C - which makes clear that membership was only open to Past Members of the National Executive or Board of RTBI. On a specific point the Membership Officer pointed out that this should include the word “ no tossers “.

It was unclear whether this applied to the preceding qualification or whether that qualification was deemed to assume not tosser acquisition status.

The Vice Chairman raised the valid question of whether past National Chairmen and PLC Chairmen could become members. There was considerable debate however it was agreed that we are an elitist club and no exception can be made.

The Honorary Secretary pointed out that a number of individuals who were unqualified were seeking to join the club and it was agreed that the Chairman would delicately decline their applications.

Officers: The officers were debated and it was agreed that the proposed Officers of the Club should be duly elected. However a number of additions were suggested.

A significant appointment was made for a Sommelier (Drinks Monitor). Ron Shea suggested that the holder of office should wear a sash or some other mark of office and volunteered a piece of ladies circle clothing. That swung the matter and Dave Sharky Barker volunteered for appointment.

It was suggested that we needed a strategic officer who could be responsible for leading various focus groups. The unanimous view of the meeting was that Roger Spensley should be appointed to lead our focus groups.

On a suggestion by Steve Lord and backed by Shaun Redman amongst others it was agreed that Roger would be empowered to report back in respect of various focus group issues at our next meeting. It was however predetermined that in order to save time what ever Roger came up with we would consider and then ignore in advance.

Ron Shea left the room and was accordingly elected as Programme Officer, relying on the established principle that you should never leave the room during a discussion to elect officers. Shaun Redman was appointed the Table Sports Officer.

It was agreed the Vice Chairman should do something.

Club Financial Year: There was considerable debate over the issue of the Clubs Financial Year and the pros and cons from a fiscal perspective. As a result it was placed in the Hands of Roger to establish a focus group to determine that issue.

Club Meetings – 10 (b) was amended from the Club will meet a minimum of three times a year to the Club will meet when we feel like it.

Steve Way noted that at this point in the rules the missing subparagraph D turned up. This was an additional rule that all members when introducing themselves must add the club designation OBE. For example:

“ Hello I am Steve Way OBE “

There were other rule amendments suggested but by this time the Honorary Secretary had lost interest.

Treasurers Report: John Payne reported that National Subs were £12.50 and it was agreed that our capitation should be £15.00 per year. This is payable at the next meeting.

However following debate it was agreed that this should be set at £14.99 so that the Honorary Treasurer can make a charitable donation on our behalf of 1p per member to the Vice President of 41 Clubs nominated charity.

On a proposal which was seconded by someone it was agreed that subs are to be paid in cash only and can only be submitted by affixing them to a bottle of spirits to be provided to the Treasurer.

This will then be a tangible asset and will form part of the Reserves of the Club. Roger was asked to form a focus group to look at the clubs reserve policy.

Club Attire: The Chairman suggested that the members should have unified club attire in terms of headwear. He and the Vice Chairman were wearing a rather dapper flat cap and suggested that this should be the order of the day.

The Chairman raised the issue of Jewels as he is desperate to get another gong around his neck but the question of cost was debated – it was referred to the focus group to see what proposals can be achieved for suitable recognition of the officers.

Ron Shea suggested as a southerner he did not want to wear a flat cap and that his “ Tommy Trinder “ trilby was the order of the day. Shaun Redman suggested this could form part of a focus group assessment.

Other Members: The Honorary Secretary indicated that expressions of interest had also been received from Hitesh Pandya, Mark Gray and Nick Lawton.

John Payne pointed out that membership should only be achieved by appearing in person however the applicants would be welcomed subject to proving qualification to the Honorary Secretary. 

Future Meetings: It was suggested by the Vice Chairman that these should be based around RTI or 41 Club National Events.

It was agreed we needed an Xmas party.

That there should be an inaugural Charter and this is to be held on 6^th September in Birmingham on the night before the start of NSW @ Marchesi House. The Honorary Treasurer was delegated to organize it.

This led into a debate over supporting RTBI and the Chairman suggested we should support Round Table when we can be “ bovvered “.

At this point everyone lost the will to live and the Sommelier was charged with going to the bar to get the drinks in

Next Meeting – Whenever it is arranged

The members then left but before doing so signed the New Charter, which was approved by Vaughan Harris. 

This is where the findings of our Focus Group Officer will be published for all members to ignore .