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Minutes of the KOS Executive Committee Meeting
Present: Martin Coath, Chris Abrams, Jack Chantler, Annie Abrams, Dave Sutton, Ken Lodge, Tony Morris, Mike Henty
1. Apologies received: Don Taylor, Derek Jackson, John Cantelo, Barry Wright, Gordon Allison, Robin Mace
2. Action Points outstanding: All new members to have a January start date for paying their membership fee. We have reviewed the subscription reminder procedure again. Reminder will go in Newsletter as usual. Chris sees our website as raising KOS awareness and getting new members. The website is therefore designed to promote the Society, explain what we are about and the benefits of joining the KOS. Bloggers need to be asked where their records are going? We do not have the resources to take their records off for the database. Replacement of Cobra as our database to be actively considered. Robin has in hand to put on the website the latest position re the production of the 2006 KBR. Deleting duplicates from the master list of bird records has to be done and is a problem. We had already discussed recorders doing this job. Even more duplication now, due to Birdtrack.
3. Outdoor meetings A request has been received for an outdoor meeting on gull identification.
4. Indoor meetings Members from all our committees are asked to make an effort to attend our indoor meetings. Derek has already lined up three or four talks for the 09/10 programme, although these are tentative and unconfirmed at present. Committee members are requested to contact Derek with any names of possible future speakers or subjects to cover. In particular, inputs are requested on possible speakers who can do instructive identification talks. 5. Website Chris had problems with format which are now solved. He has just done new page and should be ready in next week.
KOSNet – still thriving and new members continue to join. Well over 400 members. We accepted the criticism aired on KOSNet that a regular turnover of committees was ideal for fresh ideas and to avoid jaded views – but we need to address the lack of nominations for our committees. Our innovative website puts us in the forefront of all the counties but we need to be equally innovative in other areas. We have a new archivist and KBR committee which may help generate some new ideas/methodology. The criticism re the lack of C&S minutes on the website was also acknowledged. The Executive should see the Minutes of all committee meetings.
6. KOS Newsletter John has emailed to the Committee the draft of the next Newsletter which is full of articles. It did raise the issue over number of pages and consideration should be given to holding over one or two of the articles.
7. Birds of Kent Andrew is still plugging away. It is probable that the results from the current BTO Atlas survey will be included, ie post 2011. The inclusion of these results would mean the publication being delayed but would result in the book having longer lasting value. More writers are still needed.
8. Treasurer Treasurer has received a bequest of £200 and has duly thanked the contributor. Gift aid of £866 was received last month. Still getting DVD sales, £175 surplus on this enterprise. Advertisers billed and up to date. KOS Accounts backed up and given to Chris on disc.
9. Editorial and Records KBR Production: Derek Jackson and Alan Johnson have offered to assist with KBR. We currently have 18 KBR writers. Kent recorder: Don has resigned. A replacement is being sought.
10. Conservation and Surveys Dave Rogers of Natural England was welcomed to the committee at their last meeting and they have extended an invitation to Dr Steven Wood, Kent's rep for the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. He has accepted & will hopefully attend their next meeting in January. BTO Atlas - Sally has produced a report of the latest returns. BTO have just started the process of validation. Coverage is good for Atlas tetrads and next part of survey being sent out.
11. Publicity Chris to review policy for advertising/links on website. Statement needs to be made on site that no commercial sites can be advertised as this would be akin to a recommendation.
12. AOB Exhibitions do not get new members but we should attend whenever possible to ‘fly the flag’. WeBS data – BTO to be asked if WeBS data can be made available to county recorders online. This would accelerate the distribution of data to the KBR writers. Chris Hindle has now done a downloadable bird reporting form that has been put on the website.
Next meeting – December 11th (including AGM matters) at Sevenoaks. |