Page 5 - PBCMarch2014

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 11 No.1 March 2014 5

Serjeant Buzfuz
ay I offer all Members a belated Happy New Year.
Several members have contacted me concerning the date for the May
Mfunction. There had always been confusion when the first Thursday fell on
the 1st May and also the first Thursday is usually Election Day at least for local
elections if not a General Election. For this reason the decision was taken a few
years ago to move the May luncheon to the second Thursday and this year it will
be on the 8th. The Garden Party has reverted to the first Thursday in December
after a couple of years when the venue was not available due to a two/ three-day
booking.

On the subject of luncheons you will all have seen my comments about the late sit-
ting of quite a few members. Several Members have responded with various sug-
gestions and these will be discussed by committee. These have included reducing
the numbers, starting later, re-arranging the wine ordering, but fundamentally if
there is a stated start time which is currently 1.00pm Members and their guests
are expected to be in their seats by that time.

At the AGM the issue of attendance at the two main luncheons was raised. Costs
have been an issue for some Members but costs are rising. We need to ensure
a full house at both luncheons if possible. Attendance by Members is therefore
essential. Several years ago the Members agreed at the AGM that an attendance
at least once every two years, i.e. 1 in 4, was a pre-requisite of membership and
anyone failing to meet this could be deemed to have resigned from the club.
Obviously special circumstances are taken into consideration such as illness but
dates have now been regularized as above so holidays etc. are not considered
special. The Members at this year’s AGM agreed that the attendance requirement
should be in increased to 1 in 3 luncheons. For those members that only attend in
either May or December this will mean that if you miss your regular luncheon you
will need to attend on the alternative date. If more members and guests attend
the May function this will help in keeping costs under control.
Some Members have expressed concern at the rising costs of luncheons. The
treasurer explained at the AGM that not only is it the increased costs of the
luncheon but also the rising costs of trumpeters, speakers, sound equipment (and
we are looking into the concerns raised by members from December when certain
areas of the room claimed not to be able to hear) and printing. The costs of these
items have to be spread amongst the attendees. The more tickets we can sell the
better the spread of these additional costs.
Members who qualify may like to consider applying for “retired member” status.