MMAA National AGM - Bombala, NSW. Jan 2008

Masonic Motorcycle Association of Australia Inc

MINUTES OF A.G.M. M.M.A.A.
26TH JANUARY 2008.
Held at Masonic Rooms, Bombala.

PRESENT: Cliff Hobson, Alison Gimbert, Paul Gimbert, Tas Harlow, Graham Bant, Laurie Smith, Mark, Scott Walker, Basil Freedman, Trevor Capararo, Terry Webster, Grant Bates, Chris Packham, Peter Cochrane, Greg Marshall, Dot Marshall, Peter Seymour, Bojan Visintin.

1. Welcome by Cliff Hobson. Numbers down on last year, Bombala only increase. Not sure how we can attract more members.

2. APOLOGIES: Roger Coates, Andrew Nolan, Hans Geyger, Ian Boerman, M. Lampadarios, Wendy Capararo, Lorraine Webster, Steven Lane, Chris Nott, Ian Lanyon, Weaver family, Terry Doyle, Michelle Duiker, Colin Everingham, Chris and Elaine Tickner, Robert Hendren, Steven hockey, Neil Grant, Allan Mason, Gary Duff.

3. Minutes previous meeting read and passed.

4. Business Arising.
Changing of Constitution, submitted and passed for incorporation by Department of Fair Trading N.S.W.

5. Terry Webster – fees to be paid to National from Chapters.
Victoria paid $715. Received cheque for regalia.

6. Correspondence.
Four resignations for the year were read out and accepted.

7. Treasurers Report
Bombala to receive $780.
Central Coast $840
Refund of fees to chapters.

8. Cliff Hobson –noted resignations, lack of interest up to us to address the
problem.

9. Bombala Chapter – Paul Gimbert.
Called meeting of possible interested parties, lot came, no interest, why pay
fees when they can go for a ride anytime they like. No commitment.

10. Victorian Chapter – Grant Bates.
Had several rides, and café meetings too. Gave out $1500 to different bodies
as donations. Received $1,000 from G.L. to assist with the “Community
Connections Program” where Vic Chapter has given out 84 complete computers systems
to deserving people and organisations.

11. Sydney Chapter – Basil Freedman.
Enthusiasm lacking in Sydney chapter, 9 members. Says Trevor has members
in Tamworth, suggests they meet half way with Central Coast and NSW
chapters and see how it goes as a first step towards builing interest.

12. Central Coast – Cliff Hobson.
A general lack of interest and ride participants have declined over the past
year.

13. Mark Walker – we need more members to get more numbers on rides.

14. Grant Bates – keep in contact with each other.

15. Paul Gimbert – set ride itinerary each year, some will make it some won’t.

17. Election of Office Bearers.
Greg Marshall to conduct election.

18. President
Nominated Terry Webster
Proposer Dot Marshall
Seconder Bojan
Terry Webster declared President.

Vice President
Nominated Roger Coates (Lizard)
Proposer Dot Marshall
Seconder Basil Freedman
Roger Coates declared Vice President.

Secretary/Treasurer
Nominated Dot Marshall
Proposer Terry Webster
Seconder G. Bates
Dot Marshall declared Secretary/Treasurer.

Road Captain
Nominated Basil Freedman
Proposer Terry Webster
Seconder Grant Bates
Basil Freedman declared Road Captain.

19. Grant Bates thanked everyone for accepting offices.

Terry Webster took Chair. Terry thanked Cliff for his work for the association
He noted that the theme for the past year appeared to be a general lack of interest and enthusiasm by many members and stated we have seen a decrease in membership through apathy and a severe lack of communication and activities.

20. Terry stated the differences, in Victoria, between MMAA and VMMA.
VMAA – all masons, all Lodge related rides. Raised a lot of money for
charity, Canteen, Kids with Cancer. VMAA – also has page in Masonic
magazine for advertising. Their constant promotion through the magazine has
greatly assisted in their increased numbers in Victoria. MMAA was predominantly a social riding club with charitable tendency as a by-product, and not as a main function of the club.

21. How to increase membership – advertising, Masonic magazines, word of
mouth. Raise money for charities, community based. Rides with visibility.
Website needs to be reactivated and updated. Steven Lane designed website
for Vic Chapter – http://www.masonmotorcycles.com.au/. Wear shirts and lapel
pins. All chapters to donate $100 for Steven Lane to update and create a new National
website, which can be found at http://www.themmaa.com.au/

Steven Lane appointed national webmaster.

22. Bombala and C/C to send $100 each to National.

23. Community projects – a great way to be noticed.

24. Communications crucial to ongoing of association.

25. Newsletter bi-monthly.

26. Paul Gimbert asked a new member, Peter Cochrane, why he chose to join our
Association.

27 Peter Cochrane replied that he had investigated joining the Vietnam Vets and
decided but found little to interest him. Had a late life crisis and brought a
motorbike, looked for an organisation with common interest – masonry – so
he joined us. Recreational activities, and bonding , like minded people.

28. It was generally asked -what could be done to increase membership?

29. Peter Cochrane suggested we use Freemason magazine to find out how many
masons have bikes. Create a data base and send newsletters whether members
or not.

30. Alison to send email list to Peter Cochrane so that he can report back to Terry
and Dot.

31. Peter Cochrane going to Sydney and will see the editor of the Freemasons
magazine. He will also contact Cliff and Basil.

31. Bojan to do newsletter.

32. Incorporation Number of MMAA – Inc9888607

33. Family memberships in Vic. Over 18 pays annual fees
Husband and wife membership, pay fees, but children under 18 are free.

34. Accounts
Cliff to be paid $192.05
Terry Webster to be paid $29.40
Accounts to be paid when assoc. has sufficient funds available.

35. Public officer – after much discussion, Dot Marshall has taken on the role.

36. Patches for Rallies to be rectangular. New patches to be ordered by Terry.

Next National Rally – Basil Freedman to decide and notify chapters.

Meeting closed 4p.m.