North West area members convened at the unique surroundings of the Briton’s Protection in Manchester to review the year’s events and develop our area plan for the 2009/10 year.
The session was ably lead by Area Chairmen, Clive Evans who gave the Chairmen’s address. 2008/9 had seen the IRO in the North West achieve a number of key stepping stones to develop after a difficult couple of years. Administration and finance matters had been improved with the development of the Area Council and appointment of a new treasurer. A number of successful visits and seminars held with thanks passed to Carl Phillips for his endeavours in managing the events program. Connections with the Young Professionals (IROYP) had been developed following discussions at the annual dinner and the injection of some new blood into the Area Council. Elections were held for the positions within the Area Council with the following appointment were made.
Chairman – Clive Evans
Treasurer – Tom Cox
Secretary – Nigel Murphy
Events - Carl Phillips
Liaison with IROYP - Brett Hobson
Communications - Chris Nutton
Education Programme and IRO HQ – Tricia Meade
Council Member – David Mason
Council Member – Mo Perkins
Council Member – Gwyn Jones
Council Member – Neil Worthington
New committee members were welcomed to the Area Council, Mo Perkins was welcomed back to the council following his previous service as Chairmen.
The events program was reviewed. The most successful were visits to ‘unique’ sites/experiences most notably the trip on the New Measurement Train on the West Coast Mainline (WCML). It is hoped to arrange a further NMT trip in the 2009/19 events program, further details of the full program for 2009 will be published in the near future.
The Area sections finances were reviewed and a positive, stable position was described. Ideas for use of section funds included supporting a study tour to Ireland, expenses for events as a further encouragement to members and learning resources for IRO course members.
A number of other items were discussed most notably increasing active participation in the NW section’s events recruitment of new members to the section, engagement with existing corporate members and developing links with non member organisations in the area.
Many thanks to all who attended to support the 2009 NW Area section AGM.