Governance

Questionnaires Feb 09,
Responses to Questionnaires,
Summary Responses,
Nominations
AGM unfinished,
Responses to AGM unfinished,
Response of Chairman John Paddon on his AGM plans
Election of a Field Committee

Election of a Field Committee

Our request to continue the AGM for the business in my last Email has been ignored. The active members who put themselves forward for the AGM have all agreed to serve on a Field Committee with the following terms of reference:

To form a Field Committee to act for the active members to: (1) enforce the wish of these active members that the Farnborough meeting produce a plan, and not allow them to spend our money unless their activities are charitable (education of the public in archaeology); (2) building up activities in NE Hants through (i) recruitment & training of all age groups (ii) seeking to promote archaeological projects (iii) liaison with other societies to give assistance to them (iv) checking areas not served by local meetings.

You are invited to elect them by replying to this Email. Biographical details of those standing are available at www.businesstrendslibrary.co.uk/nehhas.htm#N

Elect all [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Chairman: Richard Whaley [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Secretary: Jan Blatchford [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Treasurer: Jerry Revell [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Field (Works & School): Richard Whaley with Richard Alexander [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Public Relations & Membership: Mark Staplehurst [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Comments

Votes and Comments will be posted on above website.

Richard Whaley Elect all [ x] Yes, [ ] No

As requested, good luck Mark Staplehurst Elect all [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

Clare Gillett Elect all [ x ] Yes, [ ] No

Dick Francis Elect all [ x ] Yes, [ ] No

Jerry Revell Elect all [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

From Kerry Bates KerryBates@BarlowRobbins.com Elect all [X ] Yes, [ ] No

Edith Gillham VinaKris@aol.com Yes to all nominations for the committee

Paul Hockie Elect all [X] Yes, [ ] No

Jan Blatchford Am I allowed to vote for myself? Elect all [/ ] Yes, [ ] No

Senen Hennessy Vote is within the original letter. Thanks. Elect all [ x] Yes, [ ] No

Andrew Bain AndrWBain@aol.com

Elect all [ ] Yes, [ ] No

Chairman: Richard Whaley [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

Secretary: Jan Blatchford [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

Treasurer: Jerry Revell [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

Field (Works & School): Richard Whaley with Richard Alexander [ X ] Yes, [ ] No

Public Relations & Membership: Mark Staplehurst

Richard Alexander Good morning Richard Elect all [X] Yes, [ ] No

Clare Cutler clarestars@hotmail.com Elect all [ * ] Yes, [ ] No

Paul Sheldon Paul.Sheldon@pharmasol.co.uk Elect all [ x ] Yes, [ ] No

CHRISTINE HICKS christinehix@btinternet.com

Sorry for not replying. Please accept aproval for commitee members as outlined. Christine and Esme Hicks






The 2009 NEHHAS AGM has not yet dealt with the majority of business tabled for it.

Problem: Active members recruited for major projects who have seen the small OAP Farnborough meetings say they are a disgrace and need a plan. The committee formed from these Farnborough meetings have members pressing to restrict archaeology to small events around Farnborough. Questionnaires answered by the active majority show strong support for a committee representing them, and resolutions were tabled for the AGM.

The Law of Meetings provides that notice of meetings must be provided to all members especially if the nature of business is not expected. Rule 9 provides the same.

Three weeks notice was given by Email to the Secretary of AGM business on:

Project Director's Report with Questionnaire and Resolution on the Field School [Notice not given to members. Report available to AGM but not Questionnaire nor replies nor full text of Resolution. Resolution on agenda, proposers called upon, decision made]

NEHHAS Administration Paper & Questionnaire and Resolutions [Notice not given to members, nor paper, Questionnaire nor replies, nor available at AGM]

Resolution on form of committee [on agenda but placed after elections, proposers not called upon to propose, Chairman merely said present size was appropriate and moved to coffee and did not re-convene]

Resolution for a plan the Farnborough meetings [not on agenda, proposers not called upon to propose]

NEHHAS Governance Questionnaire & Resolutions [Notice not given to members. Paper & Questionnaire not given to members, nor available at meeting. Resolutions not on agenda. Proposers not called upon to propose]

Two weeks notice was given by Email to the Secretary of AGM business on:

Additions to Society's Rules, for discussion. [Notice not given to members. Text not available at AGM. Not on agenda. Proposer not called upon]

Nominations for the committee + bios [Bios available at AGM]

Print outs were given to Secretary 2 weeks before the AGM for all above. Website was given for all the replies to the Questionnaires www.businesstrendslibrary.co.uk/nehhas

I asked Chairman after his report where he stood on the pressures from present Committee that archaeological operations should be small local digs around Farnborough. He refused to answer, saying he would do so under AOB - but did not do so, moving on to coffee as above. No elections could be held until all candidates had a so answered. Together with the large number of active members saying they must be adequately represented, invalidates the election of an unchanged Committee of Farnborough OAPs.

Questions

Should the AGM be continued to complete the business tabled with proper notice Yes [ ], No [ ]

- continued on Digs Yes [ ], No [ ]

Should the Secretary be dismissed for failing to properly give notice and place tabled business on the agenda Yes [ ], No [ ]

Should candidates for NEHHAS Committee show they are dedicated to serving the territory in the Governing Rules Yes [ ], No [ ]

--- local officials could be created to serve particular towns, areas or meeting groups Yes [ ], No [ ]

Comments - send to pcil.btl@ukonline.co.uk

No notice was received of the AGM or its business - several members

The papers made available at the meeting did not clearly show what they were by headings, and it was not possible to read them before the meeting started - Dick Francis.


Dear Richard completed as requested With best wishes Clare Gillett

Questions

Should the AGM be continued to complete the business tabled with proper notice Yes [ x ], No [ ]

- continued on Digs Yes [ x ], No [ ]

Should the Secretary be dismissed for failing to properly give notice and place tabled business on the agenda Yes [ x ], No [ ]

Should candidates for NEHHAS Committee show they are dedicated to serving the territory in the Governing Rules Yes [ x ], No [ ]

--- local officials could be created to serve particular towns, areas or meeting groups Yes [ x ], No [ ]



Here's my answers, Cheers Jerry

Questions

Should the AGM be continued to complete the business tabled with proper notice Yes [ x ], No [ ]

- continued on Digs Yes [ x ], No [ ]

Should the Secretary be dismissed for failing to properly give notice and place tabled business on the agenda Yes [ ], No [ ]

Should candidates for NEHHAS Committee show they are dedicated to serving the territory in the Governing Rules Yes [ x ], No [ ]

--- local officials could be created to serve particular towns, areas or meeting groups Yes [ x ], No [ ]


From Paul Hockie

Richard,

I am sure the AGM is the right place to sort this out, but I am not sure how. I think, like many distinguished societies where the membership has aged, those that are looking for a more social environment come into conflict with those who want a more active involvement (and are, perhaps, more IT aware). I enjoyed my dig but minor Roman Roads are not my thing and I would like to see more opportunities for other sites but the post dig meeting was just handing round some finds when I was hoping for a more in depth discussion.

I would like to get more involved , but only with an expanded field program or field school.

Regards

Paul


From Jan Blatchford

Hi Richard

It seems to me that as the Society is described as covering North East Hampshire it can't possibly expect just to cover Farnborough. It would possibly be feasible to have a special interest group for those who are interested in Farnborough, but surely the main purpose of the Society is to explore the archaeology and history of the whole area.
Has the Society got a mission statement describing its aims and function? The website describes all the work you have planned over the next year - surely that is what the Society is all about? That is what people read (including myself) and become interested in being a part of. That is the public face of the Society.
There seems to be a conflict between those who want an 'History of Farnborough Society' focussing on lectures and meetings, and those who want to be involved in active Archaeology of the area. Do these two need to be split? It seems to me that they do - and then you would be independent of any conflict.

Jan


The charity’s governing document says the main object of the Society shall be
To promote the advancement of public education in the subjects of archaeology and history, especially of and in North East Hampshire.
From Peter Abraham – response below


Questions

Should the AGM be continued to complete the business tabled with proper notice Yes [ X ], No [ ]

- continued on Digs Yes [ X ], No [ ]

Should the Secretary be dismissed for failing to properly give notice and place tabled business on the agenda Yes [ X ], No [ ]

Should candidates for NEHHAS Committee show they are dedicated to serving the territory in the Governing Rules Yes [ X ], No [ ]

--- local officials could be created to serve particular towns, areas or meeting groups Yes [ ], No [ X ]

From Andrew Bain andrwbain@aol.com

Should the AGM be continued to complete the business tabled with proper notice Yes [ X ], No [ ]

- continued on Digs Yes [ ], No [ ] - Pass

Should the Secretary be dismissed for failing to properly give notice
and place tabled business on the agenda Yes [ X ], No [ ]


Should candidates for NEHHAS Committee show they are dedicated to serving the territory in the
Governing Rules Yes [ X ], No [ ]

--- local officials to be created to serve particular towns, areas or meeting groups Yes [ ], No [ ] - Pass

  1. Field School: Plan is to start in Farnborough, and go to other towns in North East Hants in
    subsequent years. Yes [ X ]; No [ ]


  2. Comments -
    Personally, I'd prefer to hold meetings indoors and digs out in the open;
    Why waste good digging time on politics. (tongue firmly in cheek)

    Committee members are not elected to filter out any motions with which they might disagree;
    Those that [appear to have] act[ed] in this manner should be properly censured.

    If 'we' are the North-East Hants History & Archaeology Society, I agree NEHHAS should reflect
    the whole NEH area - but that Historians in the area also have their place alongside
    Archaeological interests.

    Hope that helps.
    Andrew

Response on asking Chairman John Paddon for his plans to complete AGM on sending him above statement of business tabled

 

NEHHAS Committee Meeting 11 May 2009

JP referred to the email received from RW (see enclosed**), the comments on the conduct of the AGM were noted, and the errors contained in it were noted** In view of the evident dissatisfaction of Richard Whaley, the committee suggests he retire from membership of NEHHAS and set up his own independent organisation. RW must return, in any event, all NEHHAS equipment to the control of the committee so it can be used effectively by the society in their present work.

[**there was no enclosure, and the ‘errors’ are not stated]





VOTING IN THE QUESTIONNAIRES OF FEB 09

Including the authors’

Field School

Plan is to start in Farnborough, and go to other towns in North East Hants in subsequent years Yes 3/3

NEHHAS ADMIN

Q(1) Should the Committee be more representative of the active field members Yes 10/12

Q(2) The Committee should be constituted as above Yes 10/12

Q(3) Are you willing to serve on the Committee for an initial year? Yes 4/12; No 4/12; Undecided 4/12

Q(4) Should the outgoing Committee prepare a plan.. for future indoor meetings at Farnborough Yes 11/12 – one comment – should be new committee

NEHHAS Governance

Most members are not around Farnborough and so their views are inadequately represented when decisions are made. Circulation of questions to be decided and opportunities for e-voting on these could alleviate this inequality. A minimum requirement of one day's contribution to a dig might be appropriate for an e-mail vote to count.

Agree Yes 4/4 - one respondent - but all members to have e-vote

In addition a session at a dig in which reports are made and views expressed, perhaps during an evening barbeque, could be productive. Such a session could indeed be the Annual General Meeting with subsequent e-mails contributing to the settlement of unresolved issues

Agree Yes 4/4

 

Nominations to NEHHAS Committee

As a result of the Questionnaires circulated to Members on the Field Programme, there was strong support for all the proposals made, and motions on all of them have been tabled for the AGM. Also, enough people have come forward to propose a full slate for the Committee proposed by Dick Francis, as below. You are invited to give your views, which will be added to this site. A distillation of all views will be presented to the AGM. E-mail pcil.btl@ukonline.co.uk

Chairman Richard Whaley. Richard has held every office in the Society, being Secretary 20 years ago, and Chairman years 10 years ago. Disputes broke out over the need to recruit, and he left the chairmanship to become Chairman of the Hampshire Archaeological Committee. The consequence of failure to recruit around Farnborough is taken up in Dick Francis' Questionnaire. In the early 2000s he succeeded Geoff Hoare as Archaeological Director of the Society, and in recruiting for major projects has taken the Society to over 100 members in some years. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. By profession he works in the opposite time direction as a Business Forecaster, and has 40 years of research experience since gaining a Ph.D. in Physics at Exeter University.

Secretary Jan Blatchford. Jan joined us last year, and has been supportive of our digs and set-ups and some surveys. She also dug and was trained at the Reading University's Silchester dig last year, and was on the Stone Hendge digs which made the headlines. She is a Chemistry teacher and lives near Farnham.

Treasurer Jerry Revell. Jerry joined us last year, and supported the digs and surveys. He is seconded by his firm to this area for a year or two, and is studying for a part time degree in Archaeology at Bristol. He is conducting software research into photograph enhancement, which can automatically recognise field boundary patterns from maps. He also has a keen interest in medieval and post medieval stone quarrying industries, and vernacular architecture of the same period.

Field (Works & School) Richard Whaley but also joined by Richard Alexander with a view to him taking over the role. Richard Alexander joined us last year on the Roe Down dig, lives in Farnborough, and runs the public libraries around Wokingham. He is doing a part time archaeological distance learning course with Oxford University.

Public Relations & Membership Mark Staplehurst. Mark live in Farnborough, and is a Rushmoor Councillor. He is a salesman by profession, and a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. He has done a Certificate in Archaeology from Reading University, and is looking to get more involved. He has got a group of young people together in his ward interested in archaeology.

Responses to "You are invited to give your views" NEHHAS Feb 09

Revell, Jerry (UK), jerry.revell@baesystems.com

The Field School gets my vote. Cheers%3