Chairmans Report - AGM 2010

I should firstly like to thank the Committee for their support throughout the year, which on the whole has been a successful one for the Society, can I also take this opportunity to thank Stuart Johnson in absentia for his generous support in hosting tonight’s AGM. It was disappointing that two events had to be cancelled, the summer party at Great Hallingbury Manor and the November dinner at the Hyattt Regency. It was felt that the summer party was too far to travel and a Sunday did not work particularly well despite the show of hands at the 2009 AGM.

The November dinner was cancelled due to lack of support which reflected the economic conditions at the time. A splendid evening was held at the Reform Club last September and particular thanks go to Michael McKercher for his generosity in hosting that party which has enabled the Society to make charitable donations and to subsidise the summer party due to be held at the Leander Club on 23rd June. There will be a back to work party at the RAC Club on 6th September and the Annual November Dinner due to be held on 10th November, hopefully at the Hyatt Regency.

The Committee had felt that as the society was no longer a beggar as such, it could be tougher on members who had not paid their dues and these members had been written to and excluded from the society if it were evident that their membership was not going to be renewed. It is therefore a much more accurate reporting of membership statistics which will be reported later. The Committee has agreed that membership fees will increase in 2011 to £25 for the year and the joining fee would remain at £25.00, new members joining in 2010 would be paying the increased subscription rate.

Much work had been done with Jon Wright on redevelopment of the website, which was now up and running although some updates needed to take place but the key change was that members were now able to pay by credit or debit card on line which should make the booking of events and the payments of subscriptions that much easier. Part of the rise of the increase in subscription is of course to cover the administration charges made by paypal but the Committee felt this was very much worthwhile in making the site a much more effective tool in society communication.

I should now like to read a report from Stuart Johnson on the Savoy Society Mentoring Scheme which has become a huge success and truly given the society credibility within the industry, such that we expect to be over subscribed with mentees this year and I shall refer to that and to sponsorship opportunities throughout Stuart’s report.

A copy of this AGM report is available to download from the Meeting Minutes page.

“I am pleased to report the SSMS has made great headway in its first year.  In July last year 15 mentees all 2nd and 3rd year degree students were successful in completing the selection day activities and interviews.  All were matched with a Savoy Society Mentor, who along with the Mentees had received a half day training from Sally Atkinson in order to approach the relationship in the most professional and structured way. In order to maximize the benefits, each partnership meets bi-monthly, or more frequently if required, along with email and telephone contact.

Further sponsorship is also required in order to grow the scheme further, so if you personally, or the company for whom you work, would care to support financing in any way please contact Stuart Johnson.  His email address is sjohnson@roccofortecollection.com”