Virtual meeting proves a winner
THE Lancashire and Cheshire AFL concluded the 2019/20 season with a unique AGM conducted online via video conference.
It is believed to be the first league in the region to do this and there were 66 in attendance including club representatives, management committee and Sarah Cummings and Paul Roots from Manchester FA who played a big part in setting up the meeting.
The meeting opened with a minutes silence for Covid-19 victims, was led by L and C chairman, Mike Yates and league secretary Brian Davies and members of the committee were also able to give their presentations on a variety of the league reports and plans etc for the coming season which will adjust according to how the lockdown continues in the coming months.
Club representatives were given their chance to ask questions during the meeting and also complete ballot papers to send back to the secretary with their votes on agenda items. Notably Andy Rowlandson of AFC Oldham was elected the 2020-21 President.
The league was delighted to welcome some new clubs and pleased that some current clubs were extending their number of teams so that overall there would be more teams in action for next season.
Brian Davies was very appreciative of the help given by Sarah and Paul from Manchester FA in setting up the meeting.
He said: “I want to say a big thank you for all your help and efforts to make this a success. You are welcome to use this as a model for other leagues, and I’m willing to speak to any other league secretaries if they wish.
“We have held several committee meetings in recent weeks via video links and they too went well with very positive outcomes.
“There was seamless co-ordination between the committee members and the benchmark has been set for other leagues now!”
Sarah added: “You are the first one we’ve hosted, but we have a few more booked in over the next few weeks and a few other committees yet to decide, so we may take up your offer with some of those in due course.
“It was interesting to see that members were happy to continue in that format as well, which is a good back up to have depending on how the current situation progresses. You would of course be very welcome to use our technology again should you wish to do so.”