<p>
    [[link text="Annual General Meeting" what="article" where="agm-160904-info"]] held in
    room F107, engineering building, University of Warwick,
    on Sunday 4<sup>th</sup> September 2016 at 11:45&mdash;12:25.
</p>
<h4>
    Minutes
</h4>
<p>
    MEETING COMMENCED at 11:45.
</p>
<p>
    PRESENT: Committee: Pam Fish (Chairman), Arthur Day (Treasurer), Steve Bowkett, Vanessa Lester,
    Catherine Fitzsimons, Anne Steward, Chris Huck, Kevin Machin, Marvin Close and the delegates from member groups.
</p>
<p>
    ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR THIS MEETING: Chris Huck proposed Pam Fish, Penny Ellis seconded, all agreed.
</p>
<p>
    MINUTES: 2015 minutes were read. Proposed for acceptance, Andrew Connolly, seconded, Penny Ellis, passed by the meeting.
</p>
<p>
    FINANCIAL REPORT: Arthur Day presented the balance which accompanies these minutes.
</p>
<p>
    GIFT AID: Pam announced that we are now able to use Gift Aid, an idea which was suggested at the 2015 AGM.
</p>
<p>
    PRESIDENT: Pam read out a letter from our President, Lord Fellowes,
    who apologised for being unable to attend the festival.
</p>
<p>
    NARRATHON: Pam presented the launch of the Narrathon, which will be a novel written by nineteen NAWG authors
    who will write a chapter each. Steve explained the mechanics of the scheme and said that it will start
    in January 2017 and run until May.
</p>
<p>
    GALA DINNER: Pam said that there were 96 people at the dinner which was the highest attendance for some time.
</p>
<p>
    ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Chris Huck for re-election, p. Tony Tibbenham s. Jane Martin.
    Steve Bowkett for re-election, p. Bill Douglas s. Amanda Giles. Anne Steward for re-election, p. Penny Ellis s.
    Henry Curry. Vanessa Lester p. Daniel Beaumont s. Simon Whaley. All agreed.
</p>
<p>
    NAWGFest 2016 REPORT: Catherine Fitzsimons (Booking Administrator).
    Catherine presented a very detailed breakdown of the festival.
    The numbers for the event averaged around 61 for Saturday and 76 for Sunday, with 96 for the gala dinner.
    She thanked all the staff and the helpers involved over the weekend.
</p>
<p>
    If you would like to see the detailed report, please ask Pam.
</p>
<p>
    MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Catherine (Membership Secretary) reported that she is now using email as much as possible.
    She said that the membership stood at 105 groups and 59 individuals.
    They all receive [[link-mag]] magazine as per their membership, as well as 19 patrons and supporters getting a copy.
    There are 315 members who choose to receive the newsletter.
</p>
<p>
    If you would like to see the detailed report, please ask Pam.
</p>
<p>
    WEB-ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Kevin reported that the website is working well.
    He asked for groups to be involved with the website and to make full use of the discussion facility
    and the noticeboard.
</p>
<p>
    AOB: Jane Martin asked whether the voucher system would be available next year and Pam said that it would.
    Amanda Giles asked that vouchers could be bought bit by bit so that the cost can be spread over the year.
    She asked if they could be used as a present. Pam said that they could.
</p>
<p>
    THE MEETING CLOSED AT 12:30.
</p>
<p>
    At the end of the meeting Pam handed out free copies of Writers magazine.
</p>