THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE
OF ARBITRATORS
EAST MIDLANDS BRANCH
(Chairman: Bill Fisher)
BRANCH
NEWSLETTER
June 2002
CHAIRMAN'S
NOTE
Since the last Newsletter, we have held our
Branch Annual General Meeting and the new committee was elected. The new team
of Officers was appointed by the new Committee at our first committee meeting
in May and you will see elsewhere the full details of Officers and Committee. I
am pleased to welcome the new members.
I was persuaded to carry on as Chairman for
another year and the rest of the team of Officers is much the same. My thanks go
to John Evens for continuing his splendid work as our Hon Secretary; to Bill
Fisher who continues as Hon Treasurer and to Roy Pickavance for editing and
controlling our Branch web site.
At the AGM we heard that John Townsend will
no longer be able to give his time to the committee. John has been a committee
member for many years and has recently served as Branch Chairman for three
years. John is taking up the position of Chairman of the RICS –
Another resignation was Jeffrey Rosenthal
who, although continuing as a committee member and who was appointed as Branch
Vice-Chairman for 2002/2003, has stood down as Public Relations Officer, after
two years. My thanks I am sure echo yours for all the work he has done during
this time and I am grateful that his talents will still be available to the
committee.
Mark Thomas and Richard Brackenbury also
stood down from the committee and our thanks go equally to them for their help
and their time over the past years.
I should also mention the contribution made
to Branch affairs by Robert Dorrington. Having completed his second term on
Council, Robert recently had to stand for re-election but was unsuccessful in a
very strong team of candidates. The Branch has benefited from Bob’s attendance
at Council and I extend to him our thanks for representing the Branch over the
last few years.
The Branch was invited to give a presentation
on ADR to members of Leicestershire County Council and their consultants and
John Townsend, John Evans, Jeffrey Rosenthal and I gave a talk and presentation
to around 30 members at County Hall.
The Committee is now planning a programme of events for 2002/2003 and I hope you will support them whenever you are able.
Email: chair@CIArb-EM.org
HON.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The AGM was held on 27 April 2002, and a new committee elected. Details of the contact addresses and numbers of the committee are attached.
At the first Committee Meeting of this session, held on 15 May 2002, the Committee elected the following Officers:
Chairman Peter Dickinson
Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Rosenthal
Hon Sec John Evans
Hon Treasurer Bill Fisher
Election to the post of Public Relations Officer was deferred until the next Committee Meeting.
New Member
We
are pleased to welcome Mark Watkinson of Oakham,
John
Evans
Honorary
Secretary
Email: sec@CIArb-EM.org
REPORT
FROM BRANCH OFFICERS' CONFERENCE
1. A
demonstration relating to HQ’s web site was given. Reference was also made
regarding HQ’s updating plus Branch’s own web site, updating and link with H.Q.
2. Public
liability in respect of Branch events was raised. The specifics were not
available at the meeting, but Branches are to be sent details of HQ’s insurance
cover.
3. HQ
are to produce a scattergraph using member’s postcodes. It is anticipated that
this will be of some assistance to Branches to organise events in the best
location in respect of numbers attending.
4. Membership
targets were not being met. It was suggested that Branches should join local
Chambers of Commerce where it could publicise events, give talks and introduce
new members.
5. As
it is found that pupils either find difficulty in getting a pupil master or a
suitable arbitration to produce an award, HQ are to arrange for a Mock
Arbitration. This is likely to be held in
6. Reference
was made to possible increases in membership fees. This was due to the rising
costs of disciplinary proceedings. It was stated that care was needed to
determine whether there was a justifiable complaint or whether a losing party,
who had not gone to appeal against the Award, was using the system to get at
the Arbitrator. The situation is being reviewed, including the Human Rights of
the arbitrator.
7. Under
previous discussions held in other meetings, Public Relations Officers were to
given some training. This has not yet been organised.
8. HQ
are to send to Branches leaflets to be given to person subjected to
arbitration.
Email: treas@CIArb-EM.org
BRANCH TREASURER’S
REPORT
1. BANK ACCOUNT
The bank balance at 3 June stood at £5,181.30.
An invoice for £470.00 has been sent to CCC regarding the seminar held there.
2. VAT RETURN
The return was completed and sent to HQ on time.
3. HQ GRANT
The first instalment from HQ has been received and amounts to £1,277.71. This is reflected in the bank balance above.
4. FUNCTIONS
The
Mock Arbitration at
The
Mock Adjudication at
The seminar given at LCC was charged at £400 plus VAT.
Regarding the Annual Dinner, a refund from the hotel has been made, the exact figure is £471.35. There is a loss of £620. It is a P.R. event and this sort of loss was anticipated. It is worth a thought, however, that if only 10 more members with their partners supported this event, there would not be a loss.
Email: treas@CIArb-EM.org
WEB SITE
EDITOR’S REPORT
You
will note that on our web site, www.ciarb-em.org, there is a members'
listing, which as been updated. Would you please check your membership details.
If incorrect, please e-mail us at web@ciarb-em.org.
Additionally,
if you want your web address to be listed with a link, this can be arranged for
the sum of £10 per annum which will become part of the branch funds. If you
would like this, please send your request to web@ciarb-em.org.
Any additional events or updates to current events will be posted on the website.
Web Site Editor
Email: web@ciarb-em.org
Contributions to the Newsletter are always welcome.