EMAG Committee Meeting

9th Oct, 2000 at 7.00pm at the Institute of Civil Engineers

Present:
Edgar Harbourne (Chair)
BT (Treasurer)
Tom Lake (Membership Secretary)
Kevin O'Sullivan
Adrian Howard-Jones
`JB'

plus first time attendees: Michael Lister Vincent Nolan Paul Braithwaite

1. Matters arising from last committee meeting. Statement of EMAG's objectives to be supplied by Adrian and put on website by Tom. (AHJ) (TL)

2. Matters arising from Sept 18th meeting. Complaints that absence of minutes made meeting less useful.

3. Report on meeting with Mutual Interest Campaign. Edgar had attended a general meeting and put our case. MIC comprises building societies, friendly societies, staff unions etc.

Suggested that EMAG contact the National Association of Pension Funds and Actuaries professional body. (EH)

The MIC will create a reference to EMAG on their website.

4. Treasurer's report.

Expenditure to date nominal as Sept 18th was self funding.

BT to retire, due to imminent extensive travel plans, and handover agreed asap to to Michael Lister. (BT) (TL) Michael is a chartered accountant.

7. Chairman's report on Membership Campaign.

Equitable Life (ELAS) are not taking EMAG seriously. Adrian to draft a letter to ELAS specifying exactly what we want them to look at/consider, to seek comprehensive answers and confirm that ELAS are fairly examining the full range of options and to progress re-examination of the ring fencing issue in the light of legal opinions seen privately. (AHJ)

It was re-emphasised that EMAG must build membership.

ELAS's tactics of stone-walling and slow, platitudinous responses was frittering away precious time and discouraging the will of individuals in a way that their timing and agenda would prevail by default.

Information received that ELAS intends to write to members in mid December to communicate the recommended bid, to be followed by notification of the other bids and a comparison of how the bid compares with remaining mutual. So time is short. The communications channels chosen were:

a. mailing to a sample of ELAS members b. advertising c. PR to national press (and Aylesbury) d. use of website and bulletin boards e. individual initiatives (MP's, local press, FSA, ASA, non-execs)

a. Mailing Edgar had received a quote from XXXXXXX of circa 8000 for a 20k mailshot. This would cover scanning, preparing up to four text pages, printing, stuffing, envellopes but NOT postage. For smaller quantities the costs would not be materially cheaper. Rejected as too expensive, given existing resources.

ELAS will supply names and addresses of members (though not with an indication of number of votes) only in printout (non digitised) for 155 pounds per 10k.

Edgar favours appealing to existing 200 members for 100 to fund mailer. Agreement to purchase initial 10k names immediately. (EH) The subscription membership fee was discussed and the new figure of 20 pounds was agreed.

The letter to ELAS members will be drafted by Edgar with help from Vincent Nolan. (EH) (VL)

A questionaire to be used for PR purposes will be prepared by Vincent with help from Paul. (VL) (PB)

BT will draft an appeal for funds letter to EMAG members, with Brian Gott to be asked to help. (BT) (BG) (TL)

b. Advertising. Edgar indicated how expensive space costs are. Paul said that by using very small spaces in broadsheets 1000 may buy two or three inserts to direct people to the EMAG site. Paul to investigate. (PB)

c. PR. Kevin said that he cannot fulfill the role of Press Officer but was willing to assist. Edgar to check the list of volunteers. (EH) Committee to seek any member with professional involvement with national press and PR. (ALL)

d. Website. It was agreed to try to make the site design more "user friendly" and to explore adding the questionaire, bulletin board ELAS's website address. Tom asked for help from members. (TL) (ALL)

8. Committee composition.

Agreed that certain members be asked to stand down because they have not participated.

The three first time attedees were invited to join. (ML) (VN) (PB)

(Please note that ability to get to the meetings is not a requirement for committee membership - active corresponding members (by email) are also welcome.)

Agreed that Michael will be Treasurer and Adrian Secretary.

Bank account to be opened. (ML)

Authorised signatures to be of any two of the three: Tom, Adrian and Michael (Edgar having declined through prospect of being abroad and unavailable).

Brian Gott to be invited to remain on committee.

Adrian to continue liason with sources of legal advice and support. (AHJ).

Committee names and E mails to be circulated by Tom. (TL)

9. Ring fencing. Adrian reported that a leading member of the legal profession has written an extensive article containing his opinion on "ring fencing". In Adrian's opinion it is very significant. He may seek EMAG's help in publicising. (AHJ)

10. AOB. Next meeting at ICE Tuesday Oct 24th at 7pm. (ALL) Followed by Nov 6th, again at ICE tbc