Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting

@ Sevenoaks 5th June 2008 

Present:

Martin Coath, Mike Henty, Chris Abrams, Robin Mace, Don Taylor, Derek Jackson, Jack Chantler, John Cantelo, Barry Wright, Gordon Allison, Annie Abrams

1. Apologies received:

Tony Morris, Dave Sutton, Ken Lodge

2. Action Points outstanding:

AGM suggestion of combining KBR data for several years discussed.

3. Outdoor meetings: Tony currently incapacitated but had been informed that he needed to get programme to Annie in next 7 days.

4. Indoor meetings:

Projector now purchased. No laptop purchased although speakers will require a laptop to drive the projector.

5. Website:

Chris has slow broadband connection so he is looking at speeding up website download time. Data is not being deleted from a few years back but he is looking at backing up in a different method to make it quicker to back up site. Photo archive of rare birds will remain and will be accessed through the Kent list. The current year common birds gallery will remain unchanged. Future photos of any Kent wildlife will be tied to seasons, not month. We believe that Latest Sightings is the most used area of website. Front page redesigned now we have a "Google" search facility.

Robin will change incorrect information on the website with regard to the 2005 KBR which the website at present says will be out in August 2007! Robin needs Minutes to update C&S part of website. Barry needs to send Robin the E&R Minutes too.

KOSNet: There are currently 415 subscribers and new members are still coming through.

6. KOS Newsletter:

Quarterly bird round up cannot be done by Ian this quarter and John has no potential member ready to take over. Newsletter was late, partly due to the round up not being available earlier.

Programme of new events to be encapsulated and put up at Reserves.

Dave Davenport’s skua article going into next Newsletter, together with tributes to him.

7. Birds of Kent:

Meeting required to take ideas forward. Some species accounts still need to be written.

8. Treasurer:

We are in a financially sound state as subscriptions became due in January. The bond again rolled over for 6 months and Mike will consider extending it for a longer period once he has checked Charity Commission guidelines.

Letter of thanks received from BTO for our £2000 sponsorship.

9. Editorial & Records:

E&R will discuss in detail KBR production and writing of species accounts at their meeting on Saturday 7th June. BBRC feedback for 2006/7 not available. Barry is therefore using their website to check BBRC rarities and submitting photographs to get decisions. Detailed descriptions are not being submitted by observers but luckily we have photographs, a lot from our website. Sadly, a lot of these records will not have a named ‘finder’. Eventually all records will be scanned and accessible via BB website, probably without detailed discussion notes from committee. No description required if there is a photograph.

KBR- Jack, Robin, Ken & Alan Fossey have taken responsibility for 2006 KBR. A search for a new database can begin but this must not be allowed to hold up KBR production.

10. Conservation & Surveys:

BTO Atlas work going well.

11. Publicity and membership:

No meeting.

12. AOB:
Posters advertising the indoor meetings need to be put up again as in the current year. Indoor & outdoor meetings information to be moved to front page of the website to heighten awareness. Suggested Derek put posters on website and ask members to distribute via KOSNet.

‘Birds of Kent’ books will be on display at Rochester Museum. Gordon leaving out literature on Saturday.

Martin will attend Wildlife & Countryside Fair, Cliffe 31st August

Next meeting – 11th September 2008.