MINUTES OF THE ISMLA AGM HELD ON SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2007 AT CITY OF LONDON BOY’S SCHOOL


1. Matters arising from the AGM 2006

• Duncan Byrne welcomed delegates to the meeting. He referred to the Minutes taken at the last AGM at Oakham School on the 4th February 2006 and asked if there were any matters arising. The minutes were proposed by Richard Hoare, Tonbridge School and seconded by Robin Edmundson, City of London Boys’ School.


2. Chairman’s report

• Duncan Byrne reported that ISMLA is in a healthy state and has contributed nationally more and more in the past year, with the press interested in the organisation’s opinion.
• He thanked the committee for their hard work in helping to run the organisation.
• He pointed out that all members of the committee, with the exception of David Cragg-James, are full-time teachers.
• ISMLA is keen to recruit new members and to carry on promoting Modern Foreign Languages.
• Duncan stressed the need to engage as well with the maintained sector
• He questioned the reporting of independent schools by the media and the inaccuracy of the Times report on his comments about the Dearing report. The press perhaps consider the typical independent school to be Eton or Harrow.
• Duncan reminded delegates about further details in the newsletter and on the website.
• He thanked Thomas Underwood for all his work in the production of both and encouraged people to check the website regularly.
• He thanked City of London School for Boys and in particular the Head of Modern Languages, Robin Edmundson, for their help in hosting the conference.


3. Treasurer’s report

• Peter Ansell reported that the financial year is now the 1st August until the 31st July.
• He urged delegates to look at the figures for the financial year, which have been audited and accepted, in the delegate packs or on the website.
• The accounts might seem disjointed at first sight, due to changing the date when membership is due.
• The main overheads last year were the costs of the conference (£4672.26), the printing and posting of the newsletter (£1864.53) and committee meetings (£728.75).
• Membership proved to be the biggest source of income (1054.86)
• For the current year, the opening balance is £3747.54. Outgoings are £3838.46. Income (on the 2nd February 2007) is £12,090.
• The main costs are committee meetings (approximately £460 per meeting.
• All outstanding bills have been paid.
• Income from membership fees stands at £4855 and from the conference so far £7060, although there is some left to bank.
• Peter then highlighted that many member school pay by BACS and that this normally works well. On occasion the school’s name can be removed and he asked members to ensure that their school fills in the part of the membership form that gives the school’s bank account details.


4. Membership secretary’s report

• John Ridge was unfortunately too ill to attend. Duncan Byrne reported on his behalf.
• ISMLA now has a healthy 211 paid members.
• The website (www.ismla.co.uk) has made it to easier to obtain membership forms and stay informed. He encouraged delegates to pass on this information to members of their departments who had not attended the conference.


5. Election of committee members

• Duncan Byrne stated that ISMLA could have up to 15 committee members and encouraged delegates to consider joining the committee.
• Duncan Byrne was re-elected Chairman of ISMLA, proposed by Kate Frank and seconded by Judith Steinberg.
• Astrid McAuliffe was re-elected Vice-Chairman of ISMLA, proposed by Nick Mair and seconded by Robin Edmundson.
• Liz Hughes was re-elected Secretary of ISMLA, proposed by Andrew Hunt and seconded by Sébastien Lauret.
• Peter Ansell was re-elected Treasurer of ISMLA, proposed by Duncan Byrne and seconded by Peter Langdale.
• Nathalie Fayaud was re-elected Reviews Editor of ISMLA, proposed by Patrick Thom and seconded by Richard Thompson.
• Evelyne Maynard was re-elected Prep School Liaison Officer, proposed by Richard Hoare and seconded by Duncan Byrne.
• Dr Geoffrey Plow was re-elected Awarding Bodies Liaison Officer, proposed by Garry Hudson and seconded by Judith Steinberg.
• Duncan Byrne reported that membership fees for ISMLA are now due in September and this should be more convenient for Heads of Department.
• He called for a proposal for the changes, the motion to effect these changes was proposed by Dr Geoffrey Plow and seconded by Evelyne Maynard.


6. AOB

• Duncan Byrne gave a vote of thanks to Peter Ansell for his efficiency as Treasurer of ISMLA.
• He also made an appeal for contributions to the newsletter.
• There was no further business and the meeting closed at 11:41.