AV News Magazine | Page 35

AV News 178 - November 2009 Chairman’s Report to the AGM Keith Scott FRPS DPAGB Your AV Group is managed by a small but dedicated committee acting mostly in an unseen manner behind the scenes. Over the past twelve months committee members have expertly dealt with a variety of issues, they have frequently amazed me with their skilled and resourceful capabilities. It is therefore my pleasure and not merely my duty to thank each for their valued input. Brian Jeffs for the very efficient manner in which his secretarial duties are performed, Keith Brown for his skill managing the Group's finances and his thoroughness presenting accurate and understandable accounts and Bernard Longley for his contributions of so many structured ideas. For the past twelve months AV News has been edited as a joint undertaking between Jill K. Bunting and John Smith in what may be peculiar circumstances, they have however achieved great success producing a varied and interesting magazine. On everyone's behalf I thank both most sincerely for their extraordinary efforts and achievements. AV News is always on time, on budget and of good quality. From comments received I know that their efforts are also appreciated by the general readership and it is a tribute to their hard work that approximately thirty percent of our magazine income is from paying subscribers which helps subsidize Group Member subscriptions. The Group sponsored "Sir George and Lady Doreen Pollock Medal" designed specifically for restricted category, young, or first time entrants in major competitions is proving very attractive to event organizers. This year medals have been granted to The Geoffrey Round International, the National AV Championships, the Irish Photographic Federation Championship and the Great Northern Festival. To date only the Geoffrey Round International has been completed whereby the medal was awarded to David Pickford for his sequence entitled Mountain Man. As previously reported the Group remain under represented in the South West region, we have not secured a replacement for Peter Horner and currently we have no representation whatsoever North of the border, although we know there are small pockets of AV workers in this region. In addition to two AV Distinction Assessment days and major competitions there has been six RPS AV days spread across the country, one less than the year previous, we also manned a weekend stand at the National Motorcycle Museum at a major photographic event, many thanks to all who gave their time to support this activity. Many thanks also to Phil Barker for maintaining the Group Website, another behind the scenes worker whose input is essential and appreciated. Permission has been given by several Group members to have their successful distinction submissions placed on a disc for RPS AV Group promotional purposes. Unlike the full promotional lecture this disc will be available to Area Organizers for use in local presentations on condition they do not allow the material to be copied, or distributed for any other purpose. Page 35