Journal Number 90
March 2004

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2003

Minutes
The AGM of the NZNOG was held at Iwitahi camp at 7pm on Saturday 13 December 2003.

1. Twenty members and guests attended, and expressed gratitude to Robbie and Sue Graham
   for arranging and organising the weekend.
   
   
2. Brian Molloy, Don Isles, Ann Fraser, Claire Pullman and Graham Marshall sent apologies.
   
   
3. After some discussion the proposal "That the NZ Native Orchid Group should become an incorporated society" was passed by 14 votes to 6 against.
   
   
4. Ian St George was elected as Convenor.
   
   
5. Judith Tyler (Treasurer), Max Gibbs, (Secretary) Eric Scanlen and Brian Tyler, were elected as executive. The executive has the ability to co-opt, and members noted the concern that there was no South Island representation, nor any professional botanist.
   
   
6. The proposed rules were read and approved, with a change to rule 3 (c) to "The executive may appoint people to Honorary Membership, or to Life Membership. Such people will have made significant contributions to the Group's objects, and will have accepted their appointments in writing. Their rights and obligations are the same as those of ordinary members except subscriptions are waived in the case of Honorary Members".
   
   
7. The AGM is to be at Iwitahi or otherwise where the Group meets, between September and January.
   
   
8. The financial year will end 30 September.
   
   
9. The application for incorporation was signed by 19 members.
   
   
10. Max Gibbs spoke about the contributions made over 19 years by Trevor Nicholls, and about
    the Group's endeavours to recognise his huge contribution to native orchid conservation.
    
    
11. He also spoke about the Taupo Orchid Society's governance of the Iwitahi Reserve, and
    possible changes in the future. The NZ Native Orchid Group will help if required where it can.
    He mentioned a major financial grant the Reserve had received from Environment Bay of
    Plenty for weed control.
    
    
12. Chris Ecroyd spoke about the dismay people had expressed at the advent of the new generic orchid names, and his concern the Group would lose membership as a result. The journal
    editor agreed to print old generic names in brackets following new generic names.
    
    
13. Judith Tyler told us only two members had expressed an interest in an email journal,
    so this idea is to be dropped.
    
    
14. Ian St George outlined discussions with Kingsley Dixon, Chris Ecroyd and Max Gibbs about
    trying to attract a postgraduate student to undertake studies of NZ orchid mycorrhiza;
    Chris Ecroyd will take charge of progressing that project.
    
    

The meeting closed with acclaim at 8.20 pm.
 

Following the AGM the Group became an incorporated society, and its current documents can be viewed at www.societies.med.govt.nz by conducting a CURRENT NAME SEARCH.