Annual General Meeting, BNSR 10, 8/2/20

Eligible voters: 29

18:04 – Meeting Start.

President’s Report

Ben gave the President’s Report.

Treasurer’s Report

Josh gave the Treasurer’s Report.

• Kieran Taylor asked what the Society bought to make a £78 loss.
  • Josh went through the Society’s purchases.
• James Pett asked what the Society’s largest asset was.
  • Josh responded by stating that it was the laptop.
• James Richardson asked if the Society could purchase a DDR machine.
• James Bulman asked if Josh actually wrote the report himself.
  • Josh responded by stating that he had written the report and had put his name on it as proof.

Esports’ Report

Karen gave the Esports’ Report.

Constitutional amendments

Motion to split the Engagement Officer Roles into Publicity Officer and Social Secretary

Ben explained the differences between the two roles, detailed in the General Meeting, 2/11/19.

Brent raised a motion to make sure that events are published at least a set time before the event happens

• Ben asked what this ‘set time’ would be.
• Brent responded that it would be as soon as the event is confirmed.

Ben suggested having two separate votes for each of these motions:

• A vote on the motion to split the Engagement Officer Roles into Publicity Officer and Social Secretary.
• A vote on the motion to make sure that events are published at least a set time before the event happens.

James stated that there is a grey area regarding when an event is confirmed, e.g. is it just the event’s conception or once the venue for the event is agreed upon.

Henry stated that events should be advertised during the week prior to the event in the newsletter.

• Ben stated that would be in favour of using Facebook events instead of exclusively using newsletters.

Katie stated that she would be in favour of having a form of delegation between the Publicity Officer and Social Secretary on top of their assigned responsibilities.

• Brent stated that the delegation of work between the Committee is the President’s responsibility.

Vote on the motion to split the Engagement Officer Roles into Publicity Officer and Social Secretary

• For: 23
• Against: 0
• Abstain: 6

Motion passed.

Regarding the motion to make sure that events are published at least a set time before the event happens, Brent suggested making the event on Facebook then editing the event to include other details such as venues as these details are confirmed.

Vote on the motion to make sure that events are published at least a set time before the event happens

• For: 20
• Against: 1
• Abstain: 8

Motion passed.

Motion to rename the Bailrigg and Smash Officer role to Smash and Bailrigg Officer

Kieran asked why the name of the role matters.

Brent suggested adding an option to rename the role to “Smash and Bailrigg and Smash Officer”.

Vote on the motion to rename the Bailrigg and Smash Officer role to Smash and Bailrigg Officer

• For: 6

Vote on the motion to rename the Bailrigg and Smash Officer role to Smash and Bailrigg and Smash Officer

• For: 16

Vote on the motion to leave the role’s name as Bailrigg and Smash Officer

• For: 4

Vote to abstain on the motion to renaming the Bailrigg and Smash Officer role

• For: 4

Motion to leave the role’s name as Bailrigg and Smash Officer passed.

Committee Elections

President Election

Candidates:

• Moshiur Chowdhury (absent, no speech written, no nominated proxy)

Votes

Moshiur Chowdhury

• For: 2
• Re-open Nominations: 26
• Abstain: 1

Vote to re-open nominations passed.

Treasurer Election

Candidates:

• Katie Stevenson

Katie gave her speech.

Brent asked Katie what she would spend the Society’s money on

• Katie responded stating that she was unsure and that she would need to discuss with the other Committee members.
• Katie also stated that she is aiming to spend Society funds on purchases that would benefit both the casual and the esports communities of the Society but stated that it would ultimately be the Committee’s decision.

Josh asked Katie what her favourite money-themed song was.

• Katie replied stating that she doesn’t like money-themed songs.

James Richardson (with permission from the President, Ben, to speak) asked what if the game Hungry Hungry Hippos could be bought for the Society.

Kieran asked if Katie would be able to be Treasurer if she is not at University full-time.

• Katie clarified that she is a full-time student and would be able to spend most of her time with the Society.

Votes

Katie Stevenson

• For: 21
• Re-open Nominations: 1
• Abstain: 6

Vote to elect Katie Stevenson as Treasurer passed.

General Secretary Election

Candidates:

• James Bulman

James gave his speech.

Kieran asked James if he could count.

• James responded saying that he could.

Henry asked if the newsletter that would be created by James would have a repetitive unfunny joke similar to those created by Mo

• James assures Henry that he will come up with an equally unfunny joke.

James asked if James Bulman could change his name.

• James Bulman requested, if it were to be changed, it could be changed to ‘Bret’

James clarified that ‘in time’ is defined as “the means of human perception”

Votes

James Bulman

• For: 17
• Re-open Nominations: 4
• Abstain: 4

Vote to elect James Bulman as General Secretary passed.

Social Secretary Election

Candidates:

• Sam Innocent

Sam gave her speech.

James Pett asked if Sam had ideas for socials?

• Sam responded by saying that she doesn’t have ideas currently but is open to any ideas from people at any time.

James Richardson asked what memes Sam was going to present?

• Sam replied with good memes such as Rick Astley and The Bee Movie script.

James Pett asked Sam what her favourite Looney Tunes character was?

• Sam replied with Bugs Bunny.

Votes

Sam Innocent

• For: 13
• Re-open Nominations: 6
• Abstain: 8

Vote to elect Sam Innocent as Social Secretary passed.

Publicity Officer Election

Candidates:

• Henry Potts

Henry gave his speech.

James asked if Henry was able to use Microsoft Publisher.

• Henry replies stating yes, he has experience with Microsoft Publisher.
  • Brent advised against using Microsoft Publisher.
  • Henry agrees.

Kieran asked Henry how he will publicise events?

• Henry replies stating that he would use Facebook, and various platforms. Henry also stated that he would use pictures and will spread words around other societies.

Phil asked Henry if the Society had a Twitter account?

• Henry replies stating that the Society already has one.

Sam asked Henry about his street credibility.

• Henry replies stating his street credibility.

James Curruthers asks if Henry is aware of the subreddit?

• Henry replies with yes.
• Mo pointed out that the Society has retired its subreddit.

Noah asked Henry if he knew when all the socials take place?

• Henry correctly listed off the dates for all weekly events.

James Richarson told Henry that he loves him.

• Henry thanked James.

Votes

Henry Potts

• For: 18
• Re-open Nominations: 2
• Abstain: 7

Vote to elect Henry Potts as Publicity Officer passed.

Equipment Officer Election

Candidates:

• Jack Holden

Jack gave his speech.

Kieran asked Jack what he has done for the past year?

• Jack replied stating that he kept the Society’s equipment safe and secure.

Karthus asks Jack what his favourite type of cable was?

• Jack stated that his favourite type of cable was display port.

Brent asked Jack if his answer had changed since the last election?

• Jack replied stating that it hadn’t.

James asked Jack if he knew about James’ LAN cable?

Brent asked Jack if he had any new ideas?

• Jack replied stating that he was going to install a new shelf in the Society’s storage cage.

Owen asked Jack what his favourite colour was?

• Jack replied stating that his favourite colour was green.

Votes

Jack Holden

• For: 25
• Re-open Nominations: 2
• Abstain: 2

Vote to elect Jack Holden as Publicity Officer passed.

Esports Coordinator Election

Candidates:

• Rhys Appleby-Crosby (Absent)
• David Evans (Absent)

David‘s speech was read.

Rhys‘ speech was read.

First Round

• For David: 4
• For Rhys: 18
• Re-open Nominations: 0
• Abstain: 7

Vote to elect Rhys Appleby-Crosby as Esports Coordinator passed.

Second Round

• For David: 1
• Re-open Nominations: 13
• Abstain: 13

Vote to re-open nominations for Esports Coordinator passed.

Smash and Bailrigg and Smash Election

Candidates:

• Noah Valpy-White

Josh asked Noah why he picked Bowser in Manchester?

• Noah stated that he thought it would work.

James asked Noah who his favourite Smash Bros. character was?

• Noah stated that his favourite character was Snake.

Jonathan asked Noah why he was such a colossal degenerate?

• Noah replied sarcastically.

Kieran noted that most of the Bailrigg team would be gone next year.

Henry asked Noah how he felt about Snake’s grenade blast radius?

James asked Noah what he thought about Snake’s ass?

• Noah said it was better in Brawl.

A member asked Noah what he thought of Snake’s Down B?

• Noah responded by advising not to don’t get grabbed.

Votes

Noah Valpy-White

• For: 21
• Re-open Nominations: 3
• Abstain: 2

Vote to elect Noah Valpy-White as Smash and Bailrigg and Smash Officer passed.

Honourary Memberships

No nominations were made in advance.

Kieran stated that many of the nominees that were awarded honourary membership last AGM were not entirely deserving of this.

• Kieran then nominated Chris Ravenscroft, describing how Chris had always done a lot for the Society and stated that Chris should have been nominated last year.

Vote to give Chris Ravenscroft Honourary membership.

• For: 17
• Against: 1
• Abstain: 6

Vote to give Chris Ravenscroft Honourary membership passed.

AOB

Mo proposed a motion to limit a member of the Society to a total of two years on the Committee.

Brent stated that he was on the Committee for more than two years and didn’t work at a poorer rate.

Sam Jackson suggested amending the motion to state two consecutive years as he believed this would be better.

• Sam also added that a Committee member could seek advice from another Committee member if they were unsure as to whether to run for a third year.

Mo stated that one person could do everything for the Society but the quality of work would get worse after two years.

Brent stated if someone couldn’t run for one of the core roles, (President, Treasurer and General Secretary) because of this motion, then the Society would be at risk of dissolving.

• Mo stated that he would rather see the Society dissolve than see it with incompetent Committee members.
• Mo reiterated that after two years, he had seen the Committee perform less effectively.

Mo suggested having a separate vote two determine if the two years should be consecutive.

Aimee asked if someone left after a term if that would count towards the two-year count?

• Mo suggests that could be clarified in another vote.

Vote on the motion to limit a member of the Society to a total of two years on the Committee.

• For: 8
• Against: 19
• Abstain: 4

Vote on the motion to limit a member of the Society to a total of two years on the Committee rejected.

Brent proposed a motion for all minutes of meetings to be put up within a week of the meeting’s occurrence.

Vote on the motion for all minutes of meetings to be put up within a week of the meeting’s occurrence.

• For: 17
• Against: 1
• Abstain: 11

Vote on the motion for all minutes of meetings to be put up within a week of the meeting’s occurrence passed.

Brent stated that when a U.S. president resigns, they are still referred to as the ‘President’.

• Brent proposed a motion to for all past presidents of the Society to be referred to as ‘President’.

Meeting adjourned prematurely, vote on the motion to for all past presidents of the Society to be referred to as ‘President’ rejected.

20:00 – Meeting End.