The Minute of the Annual General Meeting of the Royal Photographic Society Historical Group held in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow

On 2^nd May 2009.

 Present : Dr C. Bloore (Chair), Mrs J. Ford, Mr D. Bruce, Mr B. Iddon, Mr R. Robertson, Mr I. Leith, Mr G. Blackwell, Mr M. Pritchard, Mr G. Whitwham and Dr D. Stewart.

Apologies: Apologies for absence had been received from Mr R. Pullen.

 Minute of 2008 A.G.M.: The Minute which had been posted on the Group’s website for more than 6 months was accepted as a true and fair record of the 2008 AGM. Proposed by Mr Whitwham and seconded by Mrs Ford.

 Matters Arising: The Hon. Secretary reported that there were no matters arising from the previous Minute which would not be covered by the Agenda for this meeting.

 Chairman’s Report: Dr Bloore reported a busy and successful year for the Group in her second year as Chair.  The Group had held a number of outings and events : (a) In September 2008 there had been a very successful and enjoyable outing to Paris to view the “Impressed by Light” exhibition at the Musee d’Orsay and Professor Roger Taylor had given the Group, families and friends an enlightening and informative walk-round of the exhibit. (b)  In October several members had been on a fascinating visit to the Guildhall library and Archive. (c) In December Professor Patricia Fanning had been at the National Media Museum, Bradford to launch her new book on F. Holland Day. In addition to an enthralling lecture by Professor Fanning those present had the opportunity to see some of the 160 Holland Day prints which form part of the RPS Collection.  (d) In March 2009 a full day seminar on the Rise of photohistory in the 1970s was held at Birmingham Central Library.  It was well attended as befitted the excellent speakers who contributed. (e) The AGM weekend was the first joint venture with SSHoP based around photographic collections in the University of Glasgow and the Mitchell Library.

 Dr Bloore looked forward to an equally varied, interesting and stimulating programme in the coming year.

 Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer reported that the Group’s finances were currently in a fairly healthy position.  Though income was up slightly, overall expenditure was down as only three (3) copies of PH had been produced during the financial year in question.  Although the overall surplus was less than the previous year when adjusted for the exceptional surplus arising from the Durham Conference, there was a slight increase in the underlying surplus.  Committee travel expenses, a new expenditure for the year, had come in at less than budgeted.  The Treasurer considered that these should continue for another year at which time they should be reviewed. 

 In the light of the favourable financial position the Treasurer was not proposing any increase in the Group subscription for the year 2009/10.

 Membership of Group Committee:  The Secretary indicated that all the serving members of the Group Committee had indicated their willingness to continue in office.  It was proposed that this be accepted – Proposed by Mr D. Bruce, seconded by Mr B. Iddon.

 In addition both Mr B. Iddon and Mr M. Pritchard had indicated their willingness to serve on the Committee.  Both were duly appointed.

 Mr B. Iddon – Proposed by Dr.  D. Stewart, seconded by Mr. G. Whitwham

Mr M. Pritchard – Proposed by Dr. C. Bloore, seconded by Mr. I. Leith.

AOCB:  (1) Cooperation with SSHoP  The secretary reported that the Group enjoyed an excellent relationship with SSHoP and that it was hoped that the jointly-organised events of the weekend would be the first of many such ventures.

(2) Group and RPS Website  There was some concern around the ease of moving from the Group website to the main RPS website and vice versa. It was agreed to refer the matter to Steve Eva and Derek Birch, RPS Council member in the first instance to see if the problem could be resolved.

Date and Venue of 2010 AGM:  This would be arranged and notified to members at a later date.

The meeting closed at 10.30 a.m.