Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting

@ Sevenoaks 26th September 2007 

Present:  Martin Coath, Mike Henty, Chris Abrams, Dave Sutton, Annie Abrams, Robin Mace, Don Taylor, Derek Jackson

Most of the action points were from our previous discussions about the indoor meetings so it was felt these should be covered under that agenda item.

Examination of our membership form reveals that it requires some revision before being reprinted.

There was unanimous praise for the new format Newsletter and its usefulness in keeping the membership informed of our activities.

Unfortunately Tony was unable to attend so we were unable to get an update on these activities.

We comprehensively cover sites on our website so individuals may well feel able to go along and bird watch on their own. The outdoor meetings get put onto KOSNet and our website so we would like a wider audience to be targeted with posters and information displayed at the locality of the walk.

Indoor Meetings

Derek distributed the posters, to those present, for approval. It was unanimously agreed that the inclusion of ‘visitors welcome’, as near the top of the poster as possible, would hopefully encourage others to attend. He had already put up a poster at Sainsbury’s, Aylesford and had investigated other places we might effectively display our poster. It was decided to take a staged approach to publicising our indoor meetings with certain localities being targeted now and others maybe included in the future.

The committee would like continued publicity activities to be carried out by the Publicity and membership subcommittee and, ideally, a publicity person appointed.

Derek had investigated the Grove Green location and found that although there is a storage cupboard it was not secure enough to keep a digital projector.

The venue will be assessed, before the end of the year, as to its suitability for future meetings.

Derek would like to try and have a draft timetable of speakers for 2008/9 by the April AGM and so would like suggestions.

Chris reported that since our website had been listed in the Fatbirders top 500 websites we had sustained an entry of 30+, in fact at the time of the Sharp tailed Sandpiper we were at 18. The website continues to be well used and we receive good, positive feedback. Chris had considered re-designing the front page, particularly as some had experienced difficulty with finding items. There was also some discussion of promoting activities for a limited period – like our meetings.

Robin reported that unfortunately the latest report would not be out this year as planned with some species accounts still not back from the writers. It may be more realistic to look at the report being with our members in January.

Birds of Kent
Four new writers have come forward but there are still some species outstanding, particularly Corvids.

Mike was happy to report that we continue to be in a strong financial position. Thanks to Robin, we are now £41 in profit on our CD/DVD with a continuing trickle of requests. The only outstanding expenditure is to the Webmaster.

We had received a query from our Newsletter editor about the level of advertising costs, as compared to the RSPB. It was felt that we did not need to increase our charges to members, for the bird related adverts we publish.

Editorial & Records

Our Chairman had been approached for a speaker to inform the executive about Ruddy Duck extermination. We had asked for an article, not a speaker, and continue to uphold this decision.

The County has recorded 340 to 350 singing male Cetti’s Warblers this year. However Herons have declined to 210 pairs whilst Little Egrets have increased to 93 pairs. Rob Clements continues with his raptor work and has extrapolated figures suggesting that Sparrowhawks are now at 1,000-1,300 pairs and Buzzards 300 pairs.

To date, only 129 tetrads have been taken up for the BTO Atlas work and Sally Hunter has placed an article in KOS News to keep our members informed of the activity. There was concern voiced that the BTO have restricted volunteers for the project by asking for online registration of interest, thus disadvantaging those who do not have access to a computer.

The KOS has said they will support the KWT regarding their concern on wind turbines.

AOB

We have been asked for help by Mick Davies, an ex KOS member now living in Thailand. It is unclear what sort of support is required so it was agreed to make further contact and ascertain what is required.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 19th December 2007 at SBBO.