UNIRAS/AVS UK USER GROUP

Minutes AGM held at Birmingham University

2 November 1998

1. Minutes of the last AGM (Minutes of 19th Nov 1997)

These were approved.

2. Matters arising from the previous minutes

None.

3. Chairman's Report

The User Group held three events during the year. A one-day event was held in London on the subject of Gsharp and Toolmaster 7.0 and another one-day event was held in Manchester on AVS. Thanks go to John Blair-Fish and Steve Larkin for organising these days and, of course, we thank the company for their support of these two events.

The third event was (or is depending how you look at it) the annual conference which has returned to Birmingham in what is agreed by all to be a very pleasant and conveniently located venue. Thanks go to Paul Hatton for his organisation of the event. Again we have the benefit of support from the company and, of course, from all those brave souls who venture out in front of us all and even agree to be asked questions!

The Journal was intended to give way to the publication of relevant material in Network News. Unfortunately that publication has become as elusive as our own Journal had become. The committee is aware of this "gap" but in the absence of an editor and a conspicuous source of material the gap is likely to remain.

I must thank the committee who have all contributed their "bit" to keeping the User Group running during the year. In particular I must single out Lee who has stood down from the committee because his work is taking him away from graphics. Lee has maintained the Users group's web page for several years and will continue with minimal maintenance while other arrangements are sorted out. Two committee members - Steve Larkin and Roger Fleuty - have stood down because they have become AVS employees. We thank them both for their m the committee but is hoping to pass the treasury to someone else during the coming year. Thank you Gina for all your years looking after the books, especially the cheque book!

I should also thank Anthony Matthew who, although not on the committee, joined in our activities looking at possibilities for Gsharp training materials.

Colin Bannister stood down from the committee last year but I cannot let this year go past without publicly congratulating him on his recent marriage.

Finally I must observe that this is, almost certainly, my last report as chairman. The uncertainty comes because the conference must first discuss and decide on the matter of whether the User Group has a useful future role. I sense the feeling that it has but it needs some open debate. If the User Group is to continue then it is time to get some new ideas at the helm. I have reduced contact with AVS and UNIRAS myself of late and anticipate handing the chairmanship to John Blair-Fish at the next committee meeting. I thank both you, the conference delegates, and committee members, past and present, for all their help.

4. Treasurer's Report

The Treasurer reported the accounts for the financial year 1/4/1997 to 31/3/98.

The transfer of funds from the UK AVS User Group had not been transferred by the end of the financial year, and so do not appear in the accounts. (The amount will be in the region of £2270). The joint user group funds are healthy, standing at around £13,700.

Funds were used to subsidise a 3rd Technical Briefing Day in May 1997, to pay for expenses for a Working Party to investigate the feasibility of developing application scripts for Gsharp Application Seat; and for the usual committee expenses. There were some outstanding payments for the production of the last copy of the Journal. Income was received from interest on deposits; refund on the balance of deposit paid towards the 1996 Manchester Conference; and profits from the 1997 Conference. A late payment after the close of the financial year brought the total profit for this last event to £884.55.

No membership subscriptions have been collected since the merger of the two User Groups. This is due to the fact that the new group has ample funds, and currently does not engage in activities which represent a significant drain on capital. 17 institutions took up the Five Year membership in 1995 and 1996. Ways of giving benefit to these member institutions, in recognition of the advanced subscriptions will be considered as part of the discussions on the future direction of the User Group.

5. Future directions of the User Group

This item did not generate perhaps as much interaction from the "floor" as the Executive Committee expected. In general, people were happy with the way the Group is being run, and also happy with the type of events being funded. Some form of subsidy for the Five Year Membership was thought to be appropriate, the details of which were left for the Executive Committee to finalise. Hands-on workshops were always seen to be useful, but no-one could come up with a topic without prior thought.

Everyone was encouraged to contact the committee with any ideas they may have for future events.

6. Elections to the UAUUG Executive Committee for 1998-1999

Those members of the current Executive Committee who were willing to stand again did so, and Arline Wilson (Wolverhampton) was also prepared to stand (proposed Rob Fletcher, seconded Malcolm Austen).

All were elected unopposed to serve on the Executive Committee for the next year.

7. AOB

None.

8. Date of Next Meeting

At the next Annual Conference, (most likely Horton Grange, Birmingham).

Rob Fletcher

December 1998

uAUug Secretary