The January 2008 Committee Meeting.

Not the official minutes...

First a quick appology for no eavedropping last month - I lost my notes. Oops.

The annual check package deal has been ratified for 2008. Once again the CFI would like everyone (and that includes YOU) to take part at the bargain price of £30 for three winch launches and an areotow. This is not a test to pass or fail, this is to help you! To do a bit of re-training if you've picked up any bad habits since you last flew with an instructor. The flights will initially be charged at full price, then on completion, you'll be credited with a cash-back. So if you don't complete the set of flights, don't expect the discount.

The emailing of the new gate code had a few glitches as some members (including me) didn't get the info. So if you get a test email asking you to acknowledge it, PLEASE reply, so we can sort things out.

The committee members (and the invited guests) all declared any possible financial interests, so that everyone knew who has done what. At any point where something that may impact on then is discussed, they will have to leave the discussion completely to avoid any bias creeping in. and indeed that happenned at one point during the evening.

Monthly stats for the club were presented by Carol, and included in the new Newsletter, prepared by Dan Grey. (Who'd like a few articles from members for the next issue, please.)

Security and dog walkers were discussed - one dog has recently had a close shave with the winch cable. A safety hand-out will be sent out, again, to the social members and dog walkers. It will include where they can and can't go, for their own safety.

Members are reminded that for legal reasons, any guest member they bring out must pay a quest membership fee to keep the VatMan happy. This is the LAW. Even if the guest flies in a private two-seater.

Alan reported that after our bit of BBC news before Xmas, there was an increase in web traffic for a short time, and one of our latest adverts has already produced a new member. Here's hoping there will be more. To boost our profile more, we will be attending the Bicester Carnival with a glider and the BGA simulator. Volunteers needed please, the committee can't do everything.

Use of BSE and BBU was discussed, and using BBU will be phased out, while BSE will be reviewed again in about six months time.

To aid in contacting the committee members, some contact numbers will be added to the contacts page (when I finish doing another twenty or so things for the club, and my typing finger tips aren't as sore).

Much more interesting than the usual committee stuff was the announcement that the club will be running several Go for Solo courses during the soaring season, and two cross country courses as well. So if you're interested, sign up now! (See the newsletter.)

And for those who haven't noticed, Mike Pettican will be working for the club on Wednesdays and Fridays (and the odd Saturday too). So midweek flying over winter, weather permitting, will continue. Mike choose us over audi Cars, so do turn up when you can.

And to help all those who find paying lots of soaring fees, if you go for a badge flight, you will only pay soarinfg fees on club glider for the first three hours. I remember the poor guy many years ago who had three or four flights of over four hours before he finally got his five hour flight - he'd have liked this idea!

And for those who don't know what the committee and directors actually look like - watch the noticeboard, as George has been busy with his camera! (Watch the web site too, when I get those other 20 things out the way...)

The next committee meeting will be on Februaryr 3rd, at 5:00pm.