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Present: Mr P A S Sly (President Mr A Rawkins

Mr F E Bull (Vice President) Mr P Brown

Dr R P du Parcq (Vice President) Mr M Burman

Mr M A Arnold-Gilliat (Vice President) Mr D Cooke

Mr P L Rawkins (Vice President) Mr I Stephenson

Mr N J Wylie (Chairman & Vice President) Mr D Lindley

Mr E C Ford (Vice President) Mr R Arthur

Mr A Cox (Captain) Mr S Gourevitch

Mr D Grimshaw (Deputy Captain) Mr D Gavaghan

Mr P Leffler (Vice Captain) Mr K Keogh

Mr I Golder Mr G Davis

Mr M Wilson Mr S Dargan

Mr S Keating Mr D S Collingwood

Mr G J S Frith Mr L T Huggett

Mr G du Parc Braham` Mr R E Lambe (Hon Secretary)

Were received from Mrs Mr K P Jeffs and Miss M Israel.

None were read, as none were relevant.

Not applicable.

4. Introduction by the Chairman

Mr Wylie explained that it has been brought to his notice that the proposal as set out is not adequate to safely transfer the clubs assets, in particular the Bungalow, to the newly merged club. So all that could be done at today's meeting was to approve the principal of amalgamation. Professional advice has been taken so if today's motion is approved, at some date soon there will have to be another meeting to which a revised motion is put. The Hon Secretary would detail the revised motion shortly. The extra Cygnet meeting and the General Meeting at which the two Clubs became one could both take place on the same day.

5. The three Papers.

(i) A Report for Discussion

Mr Lambe referred to Mr Frith's paper "An Alternative View" in particular Mr Frith's claim that alternatives had not been identified and evaluated. Mr Lambe's view was these, whatever they might be, were not relevant at the present time. And would not become so before the future fate of the Boathouse was to be decided some time by 2008.

He continued that in his view the most important possible advantages of amalgamation were

1. A stronger negotiating position with the Civil Service Sports Council.
2. An increased fund-raising facility.
3. Simplified Club and Boathouse administration

5. The three Papers (Continued)

(i) A Report for Discussion (Continued)

Considering the future of the Boathouse. Groups who were not yet in office would not decide this for several years. At present we were unable to identify the various boathouse costs as in part they were mixed with those for the Chiswick Ground.

Regarding the percentage mixture of CSSC members and non-CSSC members. This in theory should be 90/10% but was currently nearer 48/52%. He agreed with Mr Frith that this would be difficult to rectify. But membership of both clubs was ever changing so that if the ratio were rigidly applied in the future it would slowly correct itself. Even if it meant taking no non-CSSC members for a considerable time.

As far as Boathouse administration was concerned many present just accepted that it would be carried out. Members were not keen to take on these solely boathouse responsibilities. But they had to be carried out and it would be so much simpler with one committee committed to running both sections and also the premises.

Finally to boat purchase. The paper circulated on the ten year plan was not written in stone and if one section or the other was not pulling their weight in membership, fund-raising or in competition they would not get a new boat.

Mr Lambe stated that it would read as follows:

"Subject to a comparable resolution being adopted by the Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club this meeting resolves that the Cygnet Rowing Club shall merge with the Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club to form a single merged club. The newly merged club, which will come into being on ???????? will initially be governed by the Constitution set out in Appendix 1.

All assets of the Cygnet Rowing Club shall be transferred to the merged club effective from (date above). The assets referred to include the Cygnet Rowing Clubs land and bungalow situated thereon at Hamhaugh Island, Shepperton which shall continue to be inalienable, and may not be permitted to pass out of the ownership or possession of the newly merged club in full accordance with rule 18, Trustees of the existing unmerged Cygnet Rowing Club and as shown as Rule? In the Appendix 1 attached.)

2. Brief notes on the finances of the two clubs.

Dr du Parcq opened by stating that he had no intention of going over the financial details as these in no way would change peoples' views. He did refer to the start of the 200 Club (now the 300 Club) some 30 years ago and the start of the Boat buying programme 25 years ago. We had based our buying programme on our fund raising whilst the women had preferred to go for the soft loan option. That was where the two clubs differed. Dr du Parcq also reminded those present that his chairmanship of the civil Service boathouse Executive would come to an end on 6 July.

3. Projected ten-year capital expenditure plan.

Mr Cox explained that he had not been part of the amalgamation working party but had volunteered to produce the expenditure plan. He had based it on the Cygnet plan that had served the club well. He had adapted policy to a pragmatic need and had done the same for the womens requirements. The guide was just a tool and served as a view of what might be needed. These matters would be decided by the merged club depending upon changing racing levels and boat needs. There was a need to maintain a balanced fleet. But this was just a guide.

5. General Discussion

Mr Frith disputed Mr Lambe's remarks that 2008 was not an issue at this time. But Mr Wylie pointed out that this was a problem for the future. Mr Sly stated that whatever happens in 2008 we might still have the problem of one or two clubs.

Mr Collingwood expressed his views very strongly that the tide of history was against Cygnet. Other clubs had disappeared and the same could happen if change did not come. It was a matter of merge and change or be swept away. We must go forward, One Club, One Boathouse.

Mr Firth considered Mr Collingwood's view was false, as Cygnet was more viable than a merged club.

(6) General Discussion (Continued)

Mr Huggett was of the view that Cygnet was viable so if the women's club disappeared let their members join Cygnet. He agreed that one committee and one boathouse was a good idea.

There followed a general discussion, which strongly indicated all the active members in favour of a merged club and that to some extent considered it so already.

Mr Cox summed-up by requesting that we should do every thing as one club. It would be best and more helpers can be called upon as some of us might be liable to burn ourselves out. Both clubs were house clubs of the Civil Service so let us create the one organisation.

Club Name

The Chairman asked for comments.

Mr Bull stated that he was aware of the wish for the womens club name to continue. This could be assured by continuing to register it with the ARA.

Mr Leffler said that the women wished to retain part of their name but he considered it negotiable.

Mr Sly considered it made good sense for the amalgamated club to be called Cygnet but Mr Collingwood thought the name was irrelevant.

Mr K Keogh stated that all clubs were now dual sex clubs and that we must move on and combine.

6. The Motion

The following motion was put to the meeting:

The motion was carried thus:

25 votes in favour.

3 votes against.

There was one abstention.

The tellers were Mr M Burman who was not eligible to vote and Club President Mr P A S Sly.

REL - 7/70/1