Society
Berkshire Family History Society
36th Annual General Meeting
The 36th annual general meeting of the Society took place on Thursday 30 June 2011 at Tilehurst, hosted by the Reading Branch. Seventy nine members and four visitors attended.
Minutes of the 35th AGM were circulated and accepted unanimously. There were no matters arising.
The chairman's report for the year ending 30 April reviewed the society's progress, noting these key achievements:
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a growing membership, reversing the slight decline of the last four years;
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the excellence and evident popularity of the society's new website, online shop and of the society-hosted Berkshire web pages on GENUKI;
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cumulative attendance of 2,500 people at 60 branch meetings held during the year;
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in excess of 50 outreach events organised by branch members in the year;
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society presence at major family history events, including Who Do You Think You Are? Live at Olympia, the Bracknell Family History Fair and the local 'Ascot Golden Age' event staged at Ascot Racecourse;
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raising the society's profile in the national family history press, local press and on BBC Radio Berkshire; and
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publication of the first edition of Berkshire Marriages on CD and the ninth edition of the Berkshire Burials CD, with more publications to come very shortly.
On the debit side the chairman noted slow progress in securing a collective resolution to issues relating to online publication of data derived from parish records. He also commented on an apparent reluctance of some Berkshire-based members to use and support the society's Reading Research Centre, despite its central situation for the county and proximity to Berkshire Record Office, and the continued decline in attendances at traditional family history events.
He also noted the Executive Committee's decisions to withdraw for 2011 from membership of the Federation of Family History Societies and to review the position again at the year-end.
The report detailed eleven ways in which the society fulfils its obligation as a registered charity to deliver public benefit.
The chairman concluded by thanking the many volunteers whose dedicated support contributes to the success of Berkshire Family History Society.
The treasurer's report showed that costs have been further contained and income has grown a little, in part reflecting some non-recurring items. The net result was that the society showed a small operating surplus of £4,868 on the year. Membership fees have been raised this year (from 1 July 2011) not only to safeguard the society's future financial position but to deliver additional benefits to members. The independently examined accounts for the year ending 30 April 2011 were received and approved unanimously.
Following the presentation of the two reports, the society's president, Sir William Benyon, was re-elected by the members present, as were the two vice-presidents, Dr Peter Durrant and Chad Hanna. The new Executive Committee for 2011/2012 was then elected, with three new trustees joining those who had agreed to serve for a further year.
After endorsing the appointment of an Independent Examiner of Accounts for 2011/2012, and there being no other business to be transacted, the meeting closed.
To follow the AGM, Mark Stevens, Senior Archivist - Berkshire Record Office, gave an illuminating talk on Victorian Fair Mile, Berkshire's County Asylum. His presentation prompted many questions and certainly changed audience perspectives on the lives and circumstances of the asylum's 19th century inmates.
The society's annual report and accounts for the year ending 30 April 2011 will be available on the Charity Commission website http://www.charitycommision.gov.uk shortly.
page updated 21 July 2011
Helping family historians
Berkshire Family History Society aims to meet the needs of those researching into family history across the UK and overseas - as well as those with Berkshire ancestors
You don't need to have Berkshire ancestors to benefit...
...nor do you need to live in Berkshire
The society offers you:
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a first-class Research Centre and bookshop in Reading
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monthly meetings in six locations open to everyone
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free outreach sessions in many main libraries across Berkshire
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an online discussion list for informed help and advice
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a growing range of publications, including indexes and transcriptions of Berkshire's historic records
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an online shop
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a quarterly magazine Berkshire Family Historian for members
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friendly links to experience, advice and support of members worldwide
Only Berkshire Family History Society covers all of the pre-1974 Royal County of Berkshire
Its Research Centre is next door to Berkshire Record Office - where you can search the many original records of the county
Explore this website to discover the many ways in which your family history research can benefit from the products and services provided by Berkshire Family History Society
Formed in 1975 the society has nearly 2,000 members worldwide. It is a registered charity (Number 283010) subject to the provisions of charity law in England and Wales.
The objects of the society are:
to advance education of the public in research into family history and genealogy, primarily but not exclusively within the boundaries of the pre-1974 Royal County of Berkshire; and
to work to promote the preservation, transcription, indexing and ready public accessibility of related records and information
The Executive Committee and the team that runs the society's day-to-day operations are all unpaid volunteers. There are many tasks to be undertaken and additional volunteers can make important contributions to the society's work wherever in the world they may live.
page last reviewed and revised 18 June 2011
