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Member Services | Scottish Mountaineer Archive | Issue 33 - Nov 2006 |

Executive News

 

 

 

A follow-up to the discussions and action points concerning the future of the MCofS
By Mary Webster (Vice President MCofS)

AGM update and Working Party
…… Communications

I am writing this article in September for you to read in November. With ongoing consultation and magazine deadlines it is difficult to be completely up to date. Please visit our website for updates.

So what are the facts?

The principle of incorporation was agreed at the 2005 AGM. Since that time there has been continual support for the principle of incorporation. Draft Memorandum and Articles of Association (equivalent to a constitution) were written, posted on the website in the spring, and comments sought.

In May and early June 2006 it became clear that there were still a small but significant number of points in the Articles which needed discussion. Time was too short to achieve this with appropriate consultation before the 2006 AGM. Hence a delay was proposed by the Executive Committee and agreed at the AGM and a working party set up. (For its composition see the August issue of Scottish Mountaineer.)

What is the working party doing?

After the AGM, initial discussion between working party members took place by email. A useful meeting was held on 1st of August. Since that time issues have been checked with our insurers Perkins Slade, wording has been further improved and other items suggested. The voting method at general meetings has been clarified.

Most of us appreciate the value of joining a club and learning new skills among more experienced mountaineers. Clubs have an important place within MCofS. A proposal is that Affiliated Clubs would be members of a Club Forum, which is to actas a consultative body to the Board.

Other changes proposed include:

  • the term ‘Bye-Laws’ - which caused concern - has been removed;
  • the word ‘Regulation’ is to be used for additional internal operational items, e.g. subscription details that may alter;
  • the word ‘Policy’ has been clearly defined. Any policy will require to be published for comment, and considered by the Club Forum before being put to the membership at an AGM.

At the time of writing the working party is finalising a draft of the Articles to put to the Executive at the end of September.

Additionally the overall two tier structure of the proposed Board and Executive is under further consideration.

What happens next?

We plan to hold the first Forums this autumn, to allow discussion and comment from all members and clubs and to ensure a wider consultationprocess. See details elsewhere in Executive News.The new draft Memorandum and Articles will be posted on the website at the same time as this magazine reaches you.

Comments on these documents are welcome from both club and individual members. Please send your views to davidg@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk.

The definitive Memorandum and Articles of Association, Regulations and Child Protection Policy will be placed on the website by 20th January 2007, and a Special General Meeting is scheduled for 17th February 2007 (see separate article).

Key Changes from the Current Constitution

  1. To ensure greater democracy the club block vote has been changed to one member / one vote. However postal voting is included for any member who cannot be present. (Any AGM motion will be clearly stated in the magazine prior to the AGM. The AGM is likely to be a more formal affair and will be followed by an Open Forum to ensure discussion and debate.)
  2. All Clubs are entitled to be members of a Club Forum.
  3. The Company is required to have a Child Protection Policy Statement. (See website for the latest version of the policy).

Notice of Special General Meeting

Perth on Saturday 17th February at 1600hrs.

(Details of the venue in Perth will be posted on the website by the end of January 2007 and will be in the next edition of the Scottish Mountaineer, due out in early February 2007.)

Agenda

  1. To receive a report from the Executive on the discussion of the incorporation proposal since the 2006 AGM and on the Executive’s conclusions.
  2. To consider the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association available on the MCofS website as the Definitive Draft [20 January 2007] and any amendments proposed in advance of the SGM.
  3. To authorise the Executive –
    1. to procure the incorporation of a company under the name The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, in terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association available on the MCofS website as the Definitive Draft [20 January 2007] as modified by any amendments accepted under Agenda Item 2, and on the basis of the subscribing directors at the time of incorporation beingpersons who are elected members of the Executive of the unincorporated Mountaineering Council of Scotland;
    2. subject to the completion of such incorporation to the satisfaction of the auditor of the unincorporated Mountaineering Council of Scotland, to transfer the entire assets, liabilities and operations of the latter to the new company; and
    3. once the foregoing transfer has been accomplished and the auditor has signed a certificate confirming his satisfaction with it to proceed, to wind up the unincorporated Mountaineering Council of Scotland, without any further members’ meeting or resolution.
  4. To approve the adoption of the Child Protection Policy Statement.
    (NB: The final draft Child Protection Policy Statement is on the website)

Please send comments to: davidg@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk)

 

 

Calling ALL Members
It’s Time to Have Your Say – at Your Forum

By David Gibson
(Senior Officer)

The Working Party set up at the MCofS AGM to consider the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) has made a number of recommendations, including that of establishing a Club Forum. If members support the motion to incorporate the MCofS at the Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for 17 February 2007, the status and purpose of the Club Forum will be formalised in the new M&A.

As part of the consultation process prior to the vote on incorporation at the SGM, we are inviting club and individual members to ‘forums’ to comment on the draft M&A, associated draft Regulations and draft Child Protection Policy.

Further drafts of these documents will be published on the MCofS website following approval by the Working Party and the MCofS Executive, so please check the MCofS website ‘Recent Updates’ for the latest information.

We will be pleased to discuss other matters of interest at the forums, which will be held at 7.30pm at the following venues:

Glasgow – Thursday 16 November
Venue - The Campanile Hotel, 10 Tunnel Street, Glasgow, G3 8HL
(100m from Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, off A814)

Edinburgh - Tuesday 21 November
Venue - The English Speaking Union, 23 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 8HQ

Perth - Thursday 23 November
Venue – MCofS Office, The Old Granary, West Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5QP

Take this opportunity to put your views directly to the MCofS. We will be pleased to discuss any topic, in addition to the main agenda items.

We ask that club and individual members support this initiative. Please send your confirmation of attendance in advance, to help us organise these events effectively. Thank you in advance for your support.

Please email davidg@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

 

 

Member Services Committee

By David Gibson
(Senior Officer)

At their September meeting the Executive decided to introduce a new committee responsible for the development of member services. The committee’s remit will focus on the development and promotion of new Membership Benefits. It will also include in its activities the new website and the Scottish Mountaineer Magazine, Marketing, PR, Communication, and Fundraising.

Brenda Clough, an elected member of the Executive, and a member of Perth Mountaineering Club, will chair the new committee.

Members with experience in any of these fields, who would like to volunteer for the committee are asked to contact David Gibson at the MCofS office, telephone 01738 493947, or email davidg@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

 

 

Civil Liability Insurance

A revised document explaining the benefits and operation of Civil Liability Insurance, and details of the Insurance Policy is now on the MCofS Website at:
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/council/insurance.html

 

 

Changing Staff at MCofS

There have been a number of changes recently to the staff at the MCofS following a sportUK and sportscotland audit and staffing review.

Pet Thomas, has been our Administration Assistant for 6 years (since we moved into the current premises), and who will be known to many members for her enthusiasm, convivial nature and love of Salsa dancing, left for pastures new. A new position of Senior Officer (David Gibson – introduced in the last issue) and dedicated posts for the remaining work were established. Ade Robinson is acting as the Receptionist and Administration Officer and the following new staff started recently:

Jane Anderson
Jane is the new MCofS Membership Administrator. She is a regular hill walker and has climbed most of the Munros within easy reach of her home town of Perth. Her other main sport is orienteering, for which she is a qualified coach. She also enjoys tennis and is looking forward to her first win with Bridge of Earn ladies! To rest from all these activities she comes into the MCofS office 4 days a week and deals with your membership. Feel free to call in for a chat with her, so that she can put your face to your name on the database!

Denise Logan
Denise is the new Bookkeeper at the MCofS, taking on much of the daily financial work that was previously passed to our overworked voluntary Honorary Treasurer. Denise is married to Graham and has two boys, David (aged 13) and Gavin (aged 10) and a very energetic Jack Russell called Tilly. As a family they enjoy dinghy sailing in the summer, skiing in the winter and are prepared to admit they are St Johnstone fans! Denise works in the Perth office on a part-time basis.

 

 

Co-options to Exec

 

There remained three positions on the Executive Committee after the AGM and it was agreed that the places would be filled by co-option. The following members have generously volunteered:

James Riches

I have been hill walking and scrambling in Scotland for over 20 years. Having grown up walking in the Cairngorms I am interested in the future developments of this area; its landscape, mountains and wild life.

I have climbed approximately 200 Munro’s and have scrambled such climbs as Pygmy Ridge, Fiacaill Buttress, all the Munro’s on Skye, the Forcan Ridge, Leachas (Ben Alder); Aonach Eagach; and the horns of Alligin. I have limited experience of rock climbing but intend to increase this over the next few years helped by being a mature medical student at Dundee University (Avertical world!). Out with Scotland I have visited the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, Ireland (Macgillycuddy’s Reeks), Mount Kinabalu (Sabah) and Gunung Mulu (Sarawak) in Borneo. I am a member of the MCofS and the John Muir trust and I am in the process of completing mountain leader training. Having experienced first hand the benefits of MCofS membership, AGM activities and winter skills courses I am keen to become a more active member and having personally experienced problems with access I am keen to help enforce the rights of responsible access through recognized forums.

Brian Linington

It started when, as a teenager, I went on an Outward bound course at Eskdale. I immediately took up rock climbing and walking, and have been active ever since. Possibly because of this beginning I have strong views that the hills are for all, and that the young should be encouraged. Most of my UK hill going has been on the West coast of Scotland, with occasional visits to other areas. I lived on Skye, and was in the rescue team for a time. In 1999 I completed the Munros. I still rock climb occasionally (only on sunny days!) and get out weekly in winter and summer. I have spent a lot of time in the Dolomites, and I suppose it’s scrambling which I enjoy most of all these days.

I like my hill going to be as free as possible from rules, regulation and interference from others. I recognise that some structure is necessary, and hope that my corporate background will be of assistance to MCofS in this time of change.

I feel that individuals should be encouraged to act responsibly and with consideration for others and more important, the mountain environment.

Ron Payne

I have enjoyed the outdoors since my teenage years and came to Scotland to walk and work in 1974. I completed the Munros in 1985 and I am well on with a second round, the furth were completed in 1998 and the corbetts in 1999. Recently I have found that Grahams are quite addictive. I used to snow and ice climbing however, in the event of snow, I now prefer ski touring (and usually have a trip to Norway most winters). I manage a little rock climbing and can lead severe on a good day. And if all that palls I travel, usually chasing summer elswhere, walking in New Zealand, Tasmania, Western Australia, USA, Chile and Argentina.

I have been a member of the Perth Mountaineering Club for over 30 years and have served as President and Secretary. About ten years ago I joined the Glasgow Ski Touring Club.

I am a Chartered Electrical Engineer and worked for Scottish and Southern Energy until I took early retirement seven years ago. In the last ten years of my working life I was a senior project manager handling major telecoms projects.

I stay near Perth and have represented access takers in general and mountain interests in particular on the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum since it was formed two years ago.

 

 

MCofS Mountain Article Competition 2006 Results

By Joe Brown
(MAC Coordinator)

This years competition was judged by Ex-MCofS President, John Donohoe, Ex-MCofS Vice President and English Teacher, Ingrid Parker, Sport Development Officer Kevin Howett and Press and Journal columnist and keen hill walker Mike Lowson.

There was a good variation in the style and themes in this year's Prose entries and the judges were obviously drawn towards the same conclusion as to which entries merited special attention. Overall, eight submissions where received.

Sharing third place was 'The Taming of the Slate' by Alan Dawson and 'Time out' by John Biggar. Alan's piece cleverly applied the 'epic terminology' of mountaineering writing to a walk; whilst John's 'well constructed tale' highlights the stresses revealed when romantic and climbing relationships overlap.

In second place was ‘From Whence Doth Come Mine Aid...?’ by David McVey, a strong, contemporary piece that one judge felt showed 'great imagination and powerful structure.'

This year’s winner in the Prose category was 'Vivre La Difference' by Andy Cloquet. All judges applauded this witty, short yet compact piece that holds an unguessable twist in its tail.

There where a good number of entries in the Poetry section, although a number of those clearly had little to do with mountaineering and scored down accordingly. Susan Collin's entry, 'No Summit' captured perfectly the feelings of those all too familiar days when we find ourselves retreating from the mountains whilst J Purvis' 'No Risk' illustrates the loss we'd feel as mountaineers in a safety obsessed society taken to extremes. Mike Robinson's 'Why doI climb' expressed it's subject in a 'creative and thoughtful' way and came a close second to the eventual winner, 'The Arch' by Moira Baird, a multi-facetted piece that contains several messages.

The judges would like to pass on their congratulations to the winners, whose entries will no doubt feature in a future issue of Scottish Mountaineer. Thanks also to all those who took the time to enter.

2007 MCofS Mountain Article Competition

Next year's competition deadline is 1st August 2007.

The MCofS has encouraged creative mountain writing through the Mountain Article Competition since 1987. There have been over 200 entries since it's inception by then President Graham E Little.

There is no denying that the experiences of being in the hills, either traumatic or therapeutic, can inspire creativity and there have been some excellent entries in the past.

It must be reiterated that the subject matter must have a connection with an aspect of mountaineering, rock climbing, walking or skiing. It can be fiction or non-fiction and the Judges will be looking for originality.

There are two categories:

PROSE - 1st Prize: £100; 2nd Prize: £50.

POETRY - Prize: £50

Prose entries should be a maximum of 2,000 words long. Poetry entries can be as long or as short as you like. All should be preferably typed (or supplied as a word or rtf document on disc or emailed), but otherwise clearly written on single-sided paper.

Send your entries to Joe Brown (marked “Mountain Article”), c/o the MCofS Office, The Old Granary, West Mill Street, Perth PH1 5QP (or email to: article@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk).

Members should quote their club name or individual membership number. Enclose an SAE if you wish the article to be returned and the winners will be announced in the November 2007 edition of Scottish Mountaineer. The MCofS reserves the right to publish the prize-winning entries. Past winners have been published either in the MCofS newsletter, Annual Report or in magazines or Journals. We also intend publishing all the winning entries since it started on the soon to be launched NEW MCofS website as part of a Mountain Writing forum.

 


Mountaineering Council of Scotland
Clothing and Gifts

 

We are pleased to announce the introduction of a quality range of specialist MCofS clothing and gifts.
All items feature the MCofS Logo ‘Streap Alba’ tastefully embroidered in colour on the clothing and featured on gift items
Postage and packing £3.99 - Free delivery for orders over £50.00

Place your order (credit or debit card payment only) on the MCofS clothing and gifts website at http://www.mcofsclothingandgifts.com/

Or telephone our order hotline 0845 257 1854 Customer service email sales@mcofsclothingandgifts.com

Spindrift Men’s 200g Full Zip Fleece
Fabric: 100% Polyester 200g Fleece
Weight: 592g (Large)
Sizes: S-XL
Midweight polyester fleece jacket which offers a high warmth to weight ratio. Black body and sleeves, with contrasting grey fleece collar lining. Two zipped, part mesh lined, handwarmer pockets. Elasticated hem drawcord with toggle adjustment. Self fabric cuffs. YKK zip.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on left hand breast
Price: £24.99

Spindrift Men’s 100g 1/4 Zip Fleece
Fabric: 100% Polyester 100g Fleece
Weight: 258g (Large)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Lightweight, comfortable mid-layer garment. Ideal for outdoor activities. Anti-bacterial fabric, wicks perspiration without absorbing moisture. Grey with contrasting black fabric collar trim.
YKK ¼ zip.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on left hand breast
Price: £19.99

Spindrift Women’s 100g 1/4 Zip Fleece
Fabric: 100% Polyester 100g Fleece
Weight: 222g (12)
Sizes: 8-16
Lightweight, comfortable mid-layer garment. Ideal for outdoor activities. Anti-bacterial fabric, wicks perspiration without absorbing moisture. Black with fabric collar trim. YKK ¼ zip.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on left hand breast
Price: £19.99

Spindrift Unisex 200g Gilet
Fabric: 100% Polyester 200g Fleece
Weight: 424g (Large)
Sizes: XS-XL
Warm, versatile gilet. Ideal layering piece. Black body, with contrasting grey fleece collar lining.
Two zipped, mesh lined, handwarmer pockets. Elasticated hem drawcord with toggle adjustment.
YKK zip.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on left hand breast
Price: £17.99

Lowe Alpine Dryflo Mens Light Weight Crewneck Long Sleeve
Fabric: 100% Polyester
Weight: 156g (Medium)
Sizes: S-XL
Colour: Black
Technical base layer, made from polyester, suitable for outdoor activities throughout the year.
Dryflo fabric moves moisture away from the skin, leaving you dry and comfortable. It’s a permanent system, so it won’t wash out. Permanent wicking performance. Non-absorbent, ultra quick drying. Durable. Packable and lightweight. Crease resistant, non-iron.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on right hand breast
Price: £21.99

Lowe Alpine Dryflo Womens L/W Crewneck Long Sleeve
Fabric: 100% Polyester
Weight: 132g (Large)
Sizes: S-XL
Colour: Bluebell
Technical base layer, made from polyester, suitable for outdoor activities throughout the year. Dryflo fabric moves moisture away from the skin, leaving you dry and comfortable. It’s a permanent system, so it won’t wash out. Permanent wicking performance. Non-absorbent, ultra quick drying. Durable. Packable and lightweight. Crease resistant, non-iron.
MCofS tri-colour logo embroidered on left hand breast
Price: £21.99

Victorinox Jelly Swiss Card
Size: 82 x 54 x 4mm
11 functions including: Ruler (cm+inches); Letter opener/blade; Small scissors; Nail file with screwdriver; Ballpoint pen; Tweezers; Toothpick; Stainless steel pin and Protractor
Price: £16.99

Maglite Solitaire Torch
Less than an ounce and three inches in length, the Solitaire offers the same precision engineering found in every Mag-Lite. Using only a single AAA battery, its focusing beam is surpisingly bright fo such a small flashlight. A spare bulb is included in the tail cap along with an Alkaline battery and a sturdy key lead which facilitates the use of the key and lightbeam in the same direction. It’s also ideal for a key chain or purse. Enhanced by a sleek black presentation box, it is a most impressive gift.
Price: £13.99

Victorinox Jelly Climber Knife
Size: 91mm
Large blade; Small blade, Corkscrew; Can opener & small screwdriver; Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper; Reamer, punch & sewing eye; Keyring; Tweezers; Toothpick; Scissors and Hook.
Price: £21.99

Silva Map Measurer Electronic
Map measurer – works with any scale!
Features: Thermometer; Calculator; Mini-flashlight; Compass and Key-ring
Price: £17.99

Lifeventure Thermal Mug
More of a mini vacuum flask than a mug; this will keep drinks hot for up to six hours. 285ml capacity. Double walled stainless steel. Plastic sealing, water-tight lid.
Price: £9.99

Quadra Earthenware Mug
Matt glaze midnight blue earthenware mug printed with MCofS logo.
Price: £6.99

Natural Slate Coasters
Set of 6 natural slate coaster printed with MCofS logo in silver.
Price: £14.99

Carabiner Keyring
Carabiner key chain in navy printed with MCofS logo. Size: 15.5 x 8 x 0.5cms
Price: £1.99

MCofS Car Sticker
4” square transparent car sticker printed with MCofS logo.
Price: £0.99