Please note: The following is a brief summary of 2009 AGM highlights. The official minutes will be published in the 2009 Year Book and will be subject to final approval at 2010 AGM.

Chairman's Report

• The Chairman, on behalf of the Trustees, reported on key events and issues in 2008.  He described 2008 as a year of two successful National Shows however as in previous years attracting public interest remains a challenge.

• Publications moved to a new printer and despite one or two teething problems the Society is generally pleased with the performance, particularly the reproduction of photographs. 

• Cryogenics - unfortunately this initiative has become a casualty of the 'credit crunch' and funding from the major sponsor has been withdrawn and the project suspended indefinitely. 

• The plant quality project (meristem culture) has seen some 50 cultivars sent for virus checking and cleaning. Only two of the cultivars sent were found to be virus free, indicating the value of this project.    

• The Chairman also reported on the status of membership, sales of publications and activities undertaken to promote the Society. The chairman also gave an overview of Society finances, giving details of the substantial legacy received in 2008. 

• The cost of National Shows was again highlighted as a major component of Society expenditure.

• The Chairman went on to describe the new approach to promoting the chrysanthemum and the Society via information and education.

• Graham Barclay and Ian Moss provided detailed explanations of the Society's finances (un-restricted and restricted funds) which effectively ' broke even' for the year. Ian Moss also described the likely impact of the current global finance situation on future returns from Society investments.

• 2008 Accounts were unanimously approved by members.

• Cheeld Wheeler & Co re-appointed as Accountants/ Independent Examiner.

• Honoraria approved for 2009.

• The chairman then outlined the proposed new rule to cover the Society Dissolution and asset disposal (previously issued to all members). After a brief discussion this rule was approved by members. 
  (Updated Rules & Bye Laws available in On-line Library).

Other AGM Business

• All nominated Officers were elected un-opposed. The Society therefore has a new President (Terry Porter), Chairman (Ken Dear), Vice Chairman (Roger Brownbridge) and Floral & Promotions Manager (John Peace). Graham Barclay remains as Finance Manager and Peter Fraser as Membership and Sales Manager.
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• A vote took place to fill five Executive Committee positions from seven candidates. The results of the vote are as follows, showing term of election for each successful  candidate:
  Paul Barlow (three years)
  Mike Higgins (three years)
  Martyn Bryans (three years)
  Barry Hogg (two years) 
  Frank Charlton (one year)
  All relevant pages in the Management Structure have been updated accordingly to reflect the above.
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  Honours

• Society's Associate of Honour was awarded to Terry Porter.

• Society's Gold Medal awards presented to Tim Pierce and Brian James

• Derek Bircumshaw Medal awarded to Mick Graves

• Society's Silver medals presented to Sylvia Bryans, Ian Moss and Chris Wiles

• Woolman Medals of Honour presented to Leslie and Geoff Silvester

• International Award was given to Ted King for his lifetime's work in the USA.

Items for Discussion

• Paul Barlow gave a presentation on the status of the new Information/Education display - the new alternative to floral displays for promoting the chrysanthemum and the society at major horticultural events. A members discussion session followed and all suggestions will be considered for inclusion in the display.
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• Mike Higgins lead a discussion of showing up i.e. showing  'b's' as 'a's. The discussion revealed no appetite among members to move away from the existing rules and regulations for exhibiting chrysanthemums.

Any other Business

• Ivor Mace asked the Committee to consider re-introduction of prize money at National shows given that the Society is now a very wealthy organisation. He commented that when the Society was substantially less affluent prize money was awarded and considered it recognition of growers' efforts throughout the year.
  
  Newly elected Chairman (Ken Dear) responded on behalf of the Executive Committee, he acknowledged the financial status of the Society but considered the addition of prize money to the costs already incurred to put on the shows would soon eat into the assets of the Society. He  went on to say that to reward exhibiting members without rewarding the volunteers who construct and dismantle the shows might be considered unfair. He also highlighted that Members of the Society receive an average of £30 in value terms,  in return for their membership fee.
  He concluded by saying that while the Executive Committee is unanimously in favour of the current position, this topic is reviewed annually by the Executive Committee.
   
  Members debated the issue for some time with differing views being aired. 

Awards  2009

Associate of Honour
Terry Porter

Gold Medal
Tim Pierce

Gold Medal
Brian James

Derek Bircumshaw Medal
Mick Graves

Silver Medal
Sylvia Bryans

Silver Medal
Ian Moss

Silver Medal
Chris Wiles

Woolman Medals
Leslie and Geoff Silvester