Minutes of the BSA EGM/AGM held on Saturday 3rd November at St Michaels Church Hall, Newquay, Cornwall commencing at 4pm

Those Present

Rob Barber, Les Clinton, Kevin Cook, Carl Coombes, Tom Crawford, Matthew Dale, Scott Dunderdale, Mike Durkin, Ben Farwagi, Dave Foster, John Foster, Sally Foster, Robert Freshwater, Rhona Gardiner, Will Giles, Robert Green, Barrie Hall, Joanne Hillman, Sam Jefferson, Paul Jeffery, Frank Johns, Duncan Jones, Matt Lloyd, Roger Mansfield, Dave Muir, Rob Muir, John Owen, Mark Parry, Tania Pommereit, Geoff Pym, Chris Rea, Pierre Tallon-Queraud, Duncan Scott, Vince Timson, Peter Urquhart, James Walton, Karen Walton, Nick Walton, David Weight, Mark Wesson, Morgan Williams, Colin Wilson, Micheal Winter, David Wright.

Proxys (Registered at the door).
Will Aikman, Tony Alsop, Dominic Boletta, Darren Burrett, Alex Callister, Colin Crowther, Simon Day, Simon Deeming, Marcus Durden, Rich Emerson,  Tony Good, British Bodyboard Club, Anna Harriett, Gary Hill, Benjamin Keay, Thomas Garwood, Angus Goozee, Will Housten, Gillian Isuan, Carl Jeffery, Jersey Surfboard Club, Dale Johnson, Tim Jones, Jamie Jones, Andrew Joyce, Ben Keay, Mike Murphy, Rob Moore, Simon Parkinson, Jon Price, Craig Ridgley, Laura Roberts, Andrew Robertson, Greg Robinson, Wayland Rodgers, Martin Scrace, Anton Roberts, Natalie Silverthorne, Ester Spears, Mike Stevens, Max Stokes, Tim Tanton, Richard Unsworth, Tony Whelan, Darren Wright, Norman Wright.

Duncan Scott (Acting Chairman) introduced the meeting by reminding members that we are all at the meeting because we love surfing, to respect each other and stick to the facts. If there were no objections votes will be taken by show of hands.
There were no objections

Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Ester Spears, John Baxendale, Lynda Keward and Llewellyn Whittaker.

Correspondence received:

Statement from Phil Williams ( BSA Member for over 20 years ) –

Firstly apologies that I can not be at the meeting, I am away with 30 youngsters for the weekend so could not let them down. I would be grateful therefore if this note was read out at the meeting by Duncan Scott (Chair) - THANKS
I attended the last EGM and continue to be very concerned with the current level of arguments with in the BSA. I know all the main players that are subject to the numerous column inches that we have read over the last 6 months. I feel strongly that volunteers are key to the success of the BSA and know all the people involved are genuine hard working individuals that are rare to find. 
I believe passionately in the BSA and realise no one attending this meeting wants the relationships involved to be as they currently are.
I have reviewed the recent happenings of the BSA from someone who is not just a keen surfer, but have had 18 years experience in Human Resource issues as a senior manager in a large distribution organisation .
My proposal going forward is very clear, although I accept not as easy to implement !!
I personally believe that mistakes have been made on both sides, but at the same time, in the main, these actions were taken with the best of intentions. If we continue to try and look back and to force issues, all that will happen will be the fragile finances of the BSA will become even worse, and I do not believe that in particular the banning of individuals for life can be legally binding. This will merely protract potentially damaging ‘in fighting’ for a further period of time, and fatten the bank accounts of the Solicitors involved.
Much has been learnt during the last 9 months about the running of the BSA and I think the exec are now in a better position to work with Karen, and have a clear framework put in place on managing and taking forward the Organisation.
Therefore let’s get on with repairing the relationships, and drawing up new guidelines for moving forward. There are huge challenges, but also great opportunities ahead, and I know we all agree this episode has been very damaging.
Therefore let’s cease trying to still score Brownie points, and move on towards building back up the association to where we want it to be.
Thanks  
Phil Williams
Head of Affiliated Club – Christian Surfers UK, and member of the BSA for 20+ years

Statement from Rich Hall, British Bodyboard Club

In the event that I am unable to attend the BSA EGM on Saturday, the BBC would like to have our opinion regarding the debacle surrounding the situation the BSA found itself in over the summer, entered into the official record of the meeting.
The BBC relaunched itself early in 2007, and after preliminary discussions the National Director Karen Walton was very helpful in our efforts to re-establish the club.  We collaborated on a number of initiatives including sponsorship, new competition venues and the further integration of the bodyboard community into the BSA.
Regardless of the events that led up to the ‘suspension’ it was with dismay that we watched the situation develop and our plans postponed or disrupted.  In the event Karen’s ultimate reinstatement allowed a very successful National Championships to take place.
As a club we would like to support Karen’s reinstatement, but would observe that the management structure of the BSA needs to be revised and a more robust corporate governance system established.

Yours sincerely

Richard Hall, BBC Sponsor Liaison

2.1 Executive Committee
There followed a presentation by Executive Committee member Benedict Farwagi on recent events and allegations against the Executive.

Karen Walton told members that the presentation had been factually incorrect.

Nick Walton asked if Benedict Farwagi was speaking for himself or on behalf of the whole Executive Committee.
It was established that Benedict Farwagi’s presentation was his own opinion and not that of the BSA Executive.

Frank Johns told members that he had analysed much paperwork to prepare for this meeting and voting off of the Chairman under any other business of a BSA disciplinary meeting in April was not in accordance with the constitution. 
The letter appointing Benedict Farwagi as BSA General Manager had been written by Benedict himself and supported by Dave Weight - no one else!
The members are desperate to get this organisation running properly and not by people running it for themselves.

Staff member Joanne Hillman told the meeting that the staff were not happy to work with Benedict Farwagi in the BSA office, but instead were in fear of their jobs if they did not co-operate with him

Matt Lloyd said as NGB the Association has a responsibility to the Government as well as the members. He also pointed out that members were not consulted during the recent actions taken by the Executive Committee, and that as stakeholders the member’s views had not been considered.  He also asked if the BSA’s lawyers had been consulted.

Duncan Scott said that lawyers were consulted by but their advice had not always been taken.

Nick Walton told members that he didn’t think the BSA solicitors had been given the full facts. He reminded members that it is a fundamental principal of democracy, that, Dominic Boletta should have been allowed to argue against a vote of no confidence.  That this was conducted under ‘any other business’ is inexcusable.
Karen Walton was unable to attend the disciplinary meeting.  Unable to reply to allegations, she was given a written warning - this breaks Employment Law.
The national director was forced to raise statutory Grievance against the BSA Executive Committee.  Dr Denis Gartside of Falmouth University concluded the treatment of the national director was unfair.

David Weight told members that the Chairman (Dominic Boletta) did not reflect the aims of some of the Executive, and had to go.

Duncan Scott told members that Karen Walton was now back in the office and that the organisation was now functioning as normal.

Barrie Hall informed members that there was a lack of trust on all parts and that the current situation is not working

Roger Mansfield asked Duncan Scott if he could take the BSA forward with the current executive.

Duncan Scott told members that he could not see the Association going forward with the Executive Committee in its current form

Kevin Cook proposed a vote of no confidence in the Executive Committee and if this was carried, an Interim committee be put in place to see the Association through to elections.

Nick Walton proposed that an interim committee be given 12 months to review the Articles of Association.

There followed a Vote of confidence (show of hands) in the whole Executive Committee.  Proposed by Kevin Cook and seconded by Matthew Dale

A vote of no confidence in the whole Executive Committee was carried unanimously.

The Executive Committee stood down.

Colin Wilson proposed that Duncan Scott continue as Acting Chairman and Nick Walton seconded this.

Ben Farwagi proposed Mick Winter and Dave Weight seconded this.

There followed a vote for the position of Acting Chairman

Mick Winter received 6 votes and Duncan Scott received 46 votes

Duncan Scott was duly elected Acting Chairman of the Association.

There then followed proposals and votes for 4 positions to serve on the Interim Committee for a period of 45 days
Matt Lloyd was proposed by Frank Jones and seconded by Duncan Scott (19 hands)
Mark Wesson was proposed by Barrie Hall and seconded by David Muir (28 hands)
Kevin Cook was proposed by Colin Wilson and seconded by Peter Urquhart (25 hands)
Carl Jeffery was proposed by Nick Walton and seconded by James Walton (24 hands)

Carl Jeffery, Kevin Cook, Mark Wesson and Matt Lloyd were elected as Interim Committee Members.

2.2 Re-Organisation of the BSA
Members were happy that the Interim Committee would look into restructuring the Association.
 
2.3 Relationship between the BSA and UKSP
It was suggested the BSA arrange to meet UKSP. 

2.4 Approve the minutes of the AGM held on 16th September 2006 in Bude
The minutes were approved by Joanne Hillman and seconded by Robert Green.

2.5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising from the Minutes that were not covered in the meeting.

2.6 Correspondence
There was no correspondence that was not covered in the meeting.

2.7 Chairmans Report - attached

2.8 National Directors report – attached

2.9 Financial report
Presented by Geoff Pym: BSA accountant.
Geoff told members that a full report is available from the BSA Office
Various ways of raising funds were discussed from raising membership subscriptions, providing travel insurance and finding volunteers to work on events.

2.10 Recommendations from the Executive Committee
There were no recommendations from the Executive Committee

MEETING CLOSED AT 7.20

National Directors Report

It’s important, given the recent issues with the Committee, that members are aware the day-to-day work continues to be my priority.  The members, and the development of the sport is what the BSA is all about.  We have a loyal, hard working team that continues to implement the Associations aims.
I’d like to thank the BSA staff for their commitment over the last 12 months. 
We have 2 new members of staff this year – David Foster has replaced Steve Berriman – Dave looks after membership, the BSA website and the new weekly newsletter.  Members will have seen the positive changes Dave has made to the website.  
Also Mark Parry has taken over as surf schools liaison officer, we have already had excellent feedback about Mark and the work he is doing. 
One of our main roles is the selection and organisation of the British teams.  Through this work, Britain is continuing to push forward and build a reputable standing in World surfing. 
One of the most outstanding results in the history of British surfing was achieved in California when Ben Skinner strode through his heats to take the silver medal in the World Longboarding event.  An overall 9th place for our team illustrated that we continue to improve.  Ben also took the European Tour of Longboarding title and with talent like Elliot Dudley and last year’s Junior European Champion Reubyn Ash, this is a moving time for British surfing. 

The Masters Team travelled to Puerto Rico and carved out a respectable 7th. 
The British Kneeboard Team came back from the World Kneeboard Championships in Santa Cruz with 2 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals.  Congratulations to all involved.
We are taking a long-term strategic view for the development of our junior talent. This year the British Junior Team came 11th at the WJSG’s in Portugal, an improvement of 3 places on 2005. The junior squad for 2008 has been selected and we are delighted to announce a  £75,000 five-year sponsorship package from soft drinks brand Calypso.  As a result of this we have devised a full winter training schedule, squad members will have regular training sessions – the funds will also cover the 2008 WJSGs in France. This continual training route will build over the coming months and years providing our junior squad members with an intense and professional development programme.  This is a significant step forward for British surfing. 
This year the BSA has made further steps to ensure quality judging across our competitions and improve training for our judging staff.  We have purchased a ‘state of art’ wireless computerised judging system, it will make events easier to organise and greatly improve the consistency of judging.
Bringing the British Championships back to Newquay proved a huge success, we had the best surf and the best surfing ever.  We congratulate Mark Harris and Beth Mason as the new British Champions. 
This was the last year that we will be supported by North Cornwall District Council to hold the British Junior Champs at Widemouth Bay – they have invited us back next year, but unfortunately the Council will not provide any funding. The entry to this event increases every year showing how the junior scene continues to grow. 

As NGB the BSA is responsible for the rules and regulation of all British surfing.  We have developed links with other contest organisers and sanctioned their events hopefully more contest organisers will see these benefits.

Surf Schools
With more and more surf schools opening, it is essential that we educate the public to the value of our approval scheme.  The surf schools liaison officers, Mark Parry, Mike Murphy, Simon Day and Kevin Cook have been very active this year and 100% of BSA Approved Surf Schools have received at least 1 visit and 80 % have received more than one – this year on application all schools were given the ROSPA Safety on Beaches Operational Guidelines and a BSA flag.
Mark has started lobbying County Councillors and Members of Parliament to regulate all surfing instruction in Britain.  Sony has launched a BSA Approved Schools promotion with the DVD for the Surf’s Up movie. 
The National Surfing Centre takings were down 15% on last year due to the bad weather and flat surf but Barrie Hall and his team have been kept busy right through until the end of October and of course, we all hope for a better conditions next year. 

Coaching Courses
This year we have run 27 Level 1, 5 Level 2, 3 Level 3 and 2 Level 4 Courses accrediting 229 new coaches.  We have also been approached by Surfing South Africa with a veiw to train some of their coaches. 

Youth Development
After a number of years lobbying we were delighted earlier this year to be successful in our application for £69 000 of funding from Sport England.  Over the next 3 years, this grant will provide the funding for a new Surf Development Coach.
The position will develop a new Club Coaching System throughout the whole SW – and it is hoped that if this scheme is successful we will be able to gain additional funding.
With surfing continuing to grow as a key topic for the local, regional, national and international media, we have been working with Rhona Gardiner and her team at Excess Energy Communications. Rhona and her team have ensured that the BSA is leading the global resistance to the British Airways surfboard ban.   Dave Foster started a petition against the ban on the BSA website which now has over 5000 signatories that include the world number one Mick Fanning. We’re determined to turn this one around for surfers the world over!

Membership
Our membership has increased by 10% and Paypal is proving an easy way for members to join up on line.

This is just a short overview of the work that the management team does.  Despite the many challenges we faced this year we have remained committed to the membership I hope you will agree that we continue to develop our organisation in a number of positive ways. 
Thank you.