This years AGM will be on Sunday 30 March at 1400hrs, once again at The Quality Cobden Hotel, Birmingham. It will be preceded by the National Council Meeting, beginning at 1400hrs on Saturday 29 March. Delegates are currently being notified. Please ensure that attendance forms are returned no later than Wednesday 12 March.

In addition to the motions for AGM in the minutes of the last NC meeting, the following have also been submitted:-

From District 4.

Para 8.3.2 of the Constitution be amended to read "Voting at AGM's shall be by a show of hands of the individual members present at the time of the vote. If the votes are equal, the President (Chairman) shall have a second and casting vote.

From Surrey Branch.

At the last AGM of the Surrey Branch, it was proposed that "the increase in subscriptions of �3 be paid in full next year, and not over 3 years."

From District 8a.

Northern Ireland Medal
The efforts to secure recognition of those Northern Ireland Firefighters who suffered great hardship and sacrifice during the "troubles" in 1960's and 1970's must not be allowed to fade and all possible aid should be given by this Association to secure justice for them to achieve equal recognition with the other Northern Ireland Services, by awarding them the Northern Ireland Medal or equivalent.

Amendment to District 4 Proposed Motion No.3
Replace the wording from "The Association shall be non-political" with "The Association has no political affiliation."

This is to take account of the fact that we have to be political to achieve our aims but we do not want to be affiliated to any other Political Organisation.

Subscriptions
Prior to each Annual General Meeting the National Treasurer shall send to all Members of National Council a list showing the number of paid up Members in every District as at the previous 31 December.
This is to be included in Item 7.1 of the Constitution.

Members who are more than twelve months in arrears with their Subscriptions should automatically be excluded from Membership.
This is to be included in Item 7.1 of the Constitution.

Nominations for Vice President.

No 6 District has nominated Peter Robinson, Buckinghamshire and No 6 District representative. Peter also serves on the Editorial Committee and is currently co-General Secretary.

No 1 District has nominated Maurice Howard. Maurice is Secretary/Treasurer of Cheshire Branch. He also stands in for Brian Haynes as No 1 District representative when Brian is unable to attend meetings.