Northern Navigators AGM Minutes

26^th October 2025

Present

Boris Spence
Jabob Li
Dave Peel
Horst Puschmann
Thomas Puschmann
Aileen Congreve
Wenhai Li
Catherine Lawlor
Bob Cooper
Debby Warren
Matthew Foskett
Julian Warren
Kate Hampshire
Allen Banister
Nigel Wright

1. Apologies for Absence

Dougie Nisbet
Kath Marshall-Ivens
Ian Stemp
Clare Baker
Rob Baker

• Minutes of the last AGM

All agreed the last minutes were a true record. Boris went on to explain the importance of admin procedure and the need to report back to BO who oversee our decisions.

• Chairman’s Report

Boris encouraged members to read his full report (already circulated) briefly summarising by saying what a very friendly and welcoming club NN is despite and maybe because of, our small numbers. He went on to comment on some difficulties we are now encountering with the rise in the BO levy, difficulty in gaining access to areas and also charges for access which means we also have to put our entry fees up. Over the year he has been impressed by the number of volunteers who give of their time and also the continued success of club night.

• Secretary’s Report

Debby explained she had produced a bullet-point report (already circulated) itemizing NN’s achievements and successes of the year – A Year in numbers – and encouraged members to take a more detailed look after the meeting. Some highlights worth mentioning include our club numbers: 56 members of which 13 are juniors and 16% live outside of the region; we lost 5 members last year but gained 4 new members; our success in this year’s Compass Sport Trophy.

• Treasurer’s Report

In Kath’s absence, Boris commented on the finances. He reported that we are maintaining a healthy balance sheet, gaining some ~£500 over the last financial year. He explained he is happy to see this as it is good for the club to have a back up in case of SI losses/expenses and we also need a buffer to cover CST entry fees and relay team subsidies.

• Election of Officers and Executive Committee

It was confirmed that the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary and Membership Secretary are happy to remain in post for another year. There were no objections and so this was proposed by Kate and seconded by Dave and was voted for unanimously by those present.

Chair – Boris Spence
Secretary – Debby Warren
Treasurer – Kath Marshall-Ivens
Fixtures – Debby Warren
Membership Secretary – Allen Banister
Mapping Officer -Julian Warren
Junior Rep – Jacob Li (new)
Welfare Officer – Wenhai Li (new)
Publicity and Social Media – Matthew Foskett (no change), Dave Peel (no change) and Thomas Puschmann (new)

All new positions proposed by Matthew and seconded by Bob

Results – Allen Banister (no change)
Activities Secretary – Julian Warren (no change)
Website – Allen Banister (no change)

Other committee members without portfolio: Kate Hampshire, Aileen Congreve, Cath Lawlor, Dougie Nisbet.

• AOB
• Allen proposed we introduce a Fixtures and Areas sub-committee with the purpose of promoting and consolidating our areas for future use. This was agreed by those present. Boris, Allen, Debby, Julian and Matthew showed interest in joining this group. (Action: Allen)
• Matthew proposed we organize more local events to build on skills developed at club night and Street-O and to prepare novice orienteers for regional events. It was agreed that this should be implemented in 2026. (Action: Debby)
• Dave proposed that planning for the following year’s fixtures should begin in July so that they are in the BO calendar for possible inclusion as UKOL/UKUL/Major events. It was agreed that this should be actioned. (Action: Debby)