• AGM2001

MINUTES OF THE 30 SEPTEMBER 2001 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HUMBUG

Edited for the benefit of the wiki by Matthew Franklin (Note: I have tried not to change any wording just modify the style. The title had to be shortened.)

The President, Brent Wesley, opened the meeting with quorum at 6:00pm and took up the chair.

Reports

The President reported that Linux continued to grow and the club along with it. He reported that he would not be standing for re-election. (He did however stay on as Chairman of the meeting.)

The Vice President, Robert Brockway, had nothing to report but publicly thanked Brent Wesley for his years of service as President, to applause from the assembly. The Secretary, Raymond Smith, reported on the ongoing work with the HUMBUG web-site, and the ongoing work with the Membership Database.

The Treasurer, Mark Suter, reported an account balance of between three thousand and four thousand dollars. The only significant spending in the year had been on repairs to Caliburn and a new switch for meetings.

Fiona McRae, from the floor, asked after membership numbers. The Secretary reported that the numbers were around 110 at last count, although he did not have an exact count at the time.

Fiona then asked after moves towards incorporation. The short answer is that we haven't quite made it. Membership fee will need to increase to cover insurance costs. There was a general feeling from the club executive that it would happen. It was noted that a general rewrite of the club's constitution would be required for us to meet Department of Fair Trading rules.

The Librarian, David Makepeace, reported no change in holdings and that we would renew our subscription to the Linux Journal.

Elections

Brent Wesley passed the Chair to the Vice President following club practice.

• President: Mark Suter was nominated for president by Brent Wesley; the nomination was seconded by Raymond Smith. Mark accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, Mark Suter was elected unopposed.

Mark Suter was then passed the Chair by Robert Brockway.

• Vice President: Robert Brockway was nominated by Nikolai Lusan; the nomination was seconded by Jason Parker. Robert accepted the nomination. As there were no other nominations, Robert Brockway was elected unopposed.
• Secretary: Raymond Smith was nominated by Jason Parker; the nomination was seconded by Nikolai Lusan. Raymond accepted the nomination.

  • Clinton Roy was nominated by Patrick Nichols; the nomination was seconded by Fiona McRae. Clinton accepted the nomination.

  • Raymond Smith and Clinton Roy left the room for the vote. Raymond Smith was elected by a show of hands.
• Treasurer: Clinton Roy was nominated by Brent Wesley; the nomination was seconded by Willie Yeo. Clinton declined the nomination.
  • Brent Wesley was nominated by Raymond Smith; the nomination was seconded by Robert Brockway. Brent declined the nomination.
  • Bradley Marshall was nominated by Robert Brockway; the nomination was seconded by Nikolai Lusan. Brad declined the nomination.
  • Michael Pick was nominated by Brent Wesley; the nomination was seconded by Robert Brockway. Michael declined the nomination.
  • David Makepeace was nominated by Patrick Nichols; the nomination was seconded by Willie Yeo. David accepted the nomination.

  • Ewan MacGreggor was nominated by Brent Wesley; the nomination was seconded by Robert Brockway. Ewan declined the nomination.

  • Mathew Sellers nominated himself; the nomination was seconded by Brent Wesley. Mathew was taken to have accepted the nomination.
  • At this point, David Makepeace withdrew his nomination.
  • As there were no other nominations, Mathew Sellers was elected unopposed.
• Librarian: David Makepeace was nominated by Nikolai Lusan; the nomination was seconded by Willie Yeo. David accepted the nomination.
  • Michael Pick was nominated by Brent Wesley; the nomination was seconded by Patrick Nichols. Michael declined the nomination.

  • Clinton Roy was nominated by Bradley Marshall; the nomination was seconded by Fiona McRae. Clinton accepted the nomination.

  • David and Clinton left the room for the vote. David Makepeace was elected by a show of hands (12 - 11).

General Business

1.Jason Parker asked what arrangements were in place for .humbug.org.au now that Bruce Campbell had left the country for another job. Robert answered that we were running on one machine, caliburn, and called for assistance with new machines to allow continuous service.

1. Fiona MacRae asked after the arrangements regarding the PO Box. (HUMBUG and Bruce Campbell have shared the same PO Box for some time.) Raymond answered that the box was fully paid until April next year. We would be seeking a letter of authority from Bruce to allow us to operate the PO Box.

1. Mathew Taylor asked about the possibility of a position of 'Training Manager' to oversee training for the club. Robert Brockway agreed this was an excellent idea and nominated Mathew. Mark Suter used his powers under the constitution to create the position during the meeting.

• Further discussion ensued. It was noted that in the past this role has been difficult because people have not provided specific topics they would like to learn.

Pornography

Fiona McRae raised the issue of people looking at pornography during meetings. Her concern is that while it does not bother her it would tarnish the image of the club in the eyes of the general public. She was also concerned that it would open the club up to charges of harassment. Robert Brockway agreed wholeheartedly and pointed out that access to the Internet at meetings was a privilege not a right. If people use it for porn, then that was outside the University's terms and conditions and so the exec would revoke network access. Brent Wesley noted that the same was true for Warez, non-UNIXen, etc. Mark emphasised the role of University Policy. Noted that things should be Fun in a professional way.

Fiona was still concerned and so Mark Suter asked her to propose a suitable motion. Steve McIntyre shared her concerns and offered his view as a gay man.

• Fiona moved: "That any member viewing pornography (as defined by an exec Member) be warned formally and on a repeat offence be excluded for a time to be determined by the executive."

  • Steve McIntyre seconded the motion.

  • There followed much debate between individual members, the chair, and the general meeting. Out of this Raymond Smith moved, and Kevin Cox seconded, that "The word 'deliberately' be inserted between member and viewing".

  • This amendment was passed 24 to 1.

Debate continued for some time. Clinton Roy question the need for such a motion given existing powers. Jason Parker raised the issue of deciding what was and was not porn. The debate again devolved and finally Raymond Smith moved and Robert Brockway seconded that "the motion be put".

The amended motion passed 11 for to 5 against.

Close of Meeting

Ben Fowler asked for input regarding talks to be sent to talks@humbug.org.au. Raymond Smith made a call for input into the club.

The meeting closed at 7:15pm.