AGM 2007 Waiuku

THE NATIONAL FUCHSIA SOCIETY
OF NEW ZEALAND INC

REPORT ON 2007 AGM
By
Marion Prestney

New Zealand Fuchsia Society AGM weekend held 2-4 March 2007 was as usual a very successful weekend in all aspects. The Host club Franklin which covers a large area of the northwest of NZ (from Waiuku up as far as above Dargaville - a distance of 100 kms had thought of everything possible to make their fellow fuchsia followers have a really pleasant and full weekend. As usual the wonderful welcome bags for all had an excellent array of helpful items -bottles of water, (really appreciated in the heat), hand cream, message pads, pens, chocolates, sweets, maps and information of the area and more. The local club obtained sponsors who donated all types of items for inclusion in the 'goodie' bags.

The venue - the Waiuku Lions Station (in another life had been a railway station..) was excellent - the club having hired it for the weekend, and the Lions Ladies took on the whole catering job for four meals, with club members supplying delicious morning and afternoon tea snacks.
Accommodation was well organised and the whole weekend pricing so very reasonable . The programme went exactly as planned checking in on Friday after 3 pm then Mixing and Mingling - catching up with somany old friends. An executive meeting held at 4.30, an excellent finger food dinner supplied at 6.30 and Fuchsia Forum Panel Discussion at 7.30. This event, a reintroduction after several years was very popular with even more time and topics requested for next year. With the appointment of new Registrar, Elaine Baldwin - guidelines needed to be established for the requirements for registration, the format and development of the Testing Panel and their role. This discussion started on Friday night and assessed during the actual AGM.

The AGM went very well- over 40 members attending but it was disappointing that all clubs were not represented and it is hoped to remedy this next year and have members from every club and more independent members taking part.

A highlight again was a cheque received from Ted Sweetman - Procumbens Publishing for $1741.60 for funds from the sale of Ted's beautiful calendars and royalties from his other fuchsia publications. This very much appreciated by the meeting.

The reports of President Peter O'Hara and Vice-President Trevor Ganblin showed concern at the ageing of our members generally and the accompanying inabilities that so affect our established clubs which could threaten the very essence of the survival of The National Society and its established clubs, it is recognised that we need to make a stirling effort to keep our numbers on the increase and this becomes a major issue. The newly formed clubs of Franklin and Otago were an excellent boost, but greatly needed to help balance our membership which has fallen to377.

What is valuable to us? Decidedly the friendliness and purpose of members together but we must find innovative ways to attract members spreading the word of the delights of growing fuchsias. The LINK magazine, under Jim Kane's stewardship, is just that -a wonderful communicative link for us to share and grow personally. With excellent original articles - this is of great value to us all.

Treasurer Catherine Nunweek was congratulated by Olga Conner on her excellent presentation of Accounts and Balance Sheet which showed an excess of expenditure over income but with this being a transition year (where subs are being brought into correct line to 31 January each year, it is hoped this will be remedied this year.

Election of Officers With the resignation of Peter O'Hara from the Presidency, due to other commitments, the following officers were elected:
President Trevor Gamblin; Vice President Bert Kennerley;
Treasurer Catherine Nunweek; Secretary Marion Prestney;
Link Editor Jim Kane; Registrar Elaine Baldwin.

Hosting of 2008 AGM The Otago Fuchsia Group was successful in their bid to host this and participants advised to make early bookings for reasonably priced airfares.

Register: Paramaters established for fuchsia plant registration, and panel members appointed for testing fuchsias - Anne Grace Auckland, Margaret Bennett Ashburton, Bert Kennerley Wellington and Cliff Donaldson Dunedin, with Ted Sweetman as convenor.
Registrar Elaine Baldwin was pleased with lists of fuchsias that have been coming in from clubs.

BusTrip for the Saturday afternoon was excellent showing the district, to the coast, and several Franklin members' gardens which is always a delight to visiting fuchsia fellows. Then a fun Saturday night dinner and entertainment in Western Style with great music and good dancing participation.
Sunday's further trip to gardens, and a nursery was followed by a great barbecue which finished the excellent weekend. Well done Franklin.
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