RCA Society

RCA Society AGM 2013

The draft minutes of the previous AGM were tabled. Members were reminded of corrections included from the subsequent MC meeting. Below is a summary of the AGM 2013.
RCA Soc AGM Report 2013 (1mb PDF file)

The minutes of the 2012 AGM were agreed as accurate.

(JB-J) Copies of the current Annual review were tabled at the AGM. The Chair explained that the Annual Review purposefully reflected the website - which has become central to the Society’s activities - by listing all the events included on the website’s calendar, news articles and photo / video galleries. The intention of this was to remind members how quietly active the Society had been since the previous AGM - and to raise the issue that the Website, although a ‘virtual’ mode of communication, had not substituted members coming together at ‘real’ events. Corrections to the draft report as follows: reference to the CSD should read: ‘ ...meeting at the CSD - London focus Group - was held at NDY Lighting (near Old Street)...’ and (TS) to correct contact details re “Events Officer”. A pdf of the annual review would be uploaded to the Website and circulated.

The “Annual Review” as amended was accepted.

Officers Reports (tabled and spoken to)

(DB) Treasurers Report - The ‘finances’ were holding steady. Attention was drawn to a occasional variance in figures - this was due in part to long delays clearing costs for the T&H Art Book Prize, also a number of subscription renewals occur in July (not January). It was agreed to maintain the annual membership fee of £10.

A decision was required about reviewing the Bank Accounts and amounts held in each to cover recurring web costs, postal or emergencies. It was agreed to discuss this along with ‘Online banking’, High Interest / mini ISA accounts at the next general Management Committee meeting.

(DB / IS) Membership - Discussion on finances led to fundraising and building up more membership. It was agreed that the Thames & Hudson Art Book Prize had raised the Society’s profile and had been a useful way to promote the Society. However, it was a complex scheme to manage and demanded energy and time. It was noted that most prize-winners continued to quote the prize in their online CVs. A number of suggestions on revising the prize were put forward (SAQ): the Society to encourage individual members to “purchase” a graduating student’s work and RCA Soc to promote this - Individuals to purchase work for an RCA Society ‘Collection’ - Prize promotion of the “purchase” on the website - Exhibition of the “Purchase” at a select venue.

It was agreed to progress a ‘Promotional prize’ which utilises the Website + interacts between First Year and Graduating students. 

It was further agreed that if the prize included exhibition a policy should be adopted on artist payments; EPR and Sales ( eg. 90% artist: 10% RCA Society)

(IS) Liaison + Website/Database Report  - Reported there were now 8,401 graduates and associates names on the RCA Society Database, with up to date email contacts. The data was constantly trawled through and updated. The Website includes “comments” on articles as well as a calendar to list members events, and a Photo and Video Gallery. A “Royal College of Art Society” Facebook account had been set up. The Website’s PayPal membership and donations was functioning and yeilding new subscriptions.

It was agreed to look into use of the website Home Page Banner for ‘sponsorships’, ‘advertising’ and ‘fundraising’ and to extend the website’s “networking” abilities.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted + Officers Reports were accepted

Nominations and Elections -  The outgoing chair tabled copies of the RCA Society Rules for guidance

It was agreed to proceed with nominations and election for the Management Cttee/Exec 2013:

 

Chair Ismail Saray

Secretary Jenni Boswell-Jones

Vice Chair David Sheriff

Treasurer Diana Brown

Events (share) Terence Symmons / David Sherriff

Website / RCA Liaise TBA

International Liaison Peter Ayley

Membership TBA

 

Saleem Arif Quadri

Jeff Sawtell

Dave Burnett

Doreen Wilcockson

Lynne Beel

It was agreed to invite co-options of further members onto the Committee - according to our rules.

 

The meeting ended: 1.15pm - After lunch members took an “Art Walk” to John Cass Art School Gallery (London Metropolitan University), Whitechapel Art Gallery, Gallery S.O, “Unto This Last” (Plywood Interior design) Work Shop, “WaWa (‘tailored seating’) Showrooms.