AGM - 16th October 2021 - at Didcot, with guest speaker Mark Hopwood

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Members and guests are cordially invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Great Western Coffee Ship Forum, to take place at the All Saints' Youth & Community Hall & All Saints' Church, Roman Place, Didcot, OX11 7ER at 14:30 (Coffee served beforehand) on Saturday, 16th October 2021, followed by an update from Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway.


Edit to add - Zoom codes:

Topic: Coffee Shop - Annual review and AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting)
Time: Oct 16, 2021 02:30 PM London
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89322645308?pwd=V2V1dVJaYVM4V2oxdXQvR0hNcm55UT09

Topic: Coffee Shop - Guest Speaker Mark Hopwood
Time: Oct 16, 2021 03:00 PM London
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85074561965?pwd=U01nWkpFTGFWblRxL2U4TnpkOGphQT09


Formally, our constitution (included at http://www.passenger.chat/1761) allows any "Frequent Posters" with active accounts on the forum to propose motions and vote - informally all friends and colleagues welcome, either in person or on Zoom for which we will publish the codes later.

Bearing in mind current Coronavirus concerns, we do ask that any members who are not feeling well or have tested positive in the last 14 days attend only via Zoom, and we'll be taking appropriate precautions at the venue.

13:30 - Organiser arrives

from 14:00 - Members arrive and Coffee

14:30 - AGM
* Welcome and technical check
* Review of the last two years
* Constitution resolutions (none?)
* Financial Report
* Plans
* Any other business
* Date of next meeting

15:00 - Mark Hopwood - Guest Speaker
"topic to be fine tuned, but something that reviews the last couple of years and looks ahead positively and with community and partnership very much on the agenda."
15:40 - Followed by questions.

16:00 - Social half hour and tidy up
16:45 - Organiser leaves

Map to venue:

[grahame]

1. Any matter to be raised at the AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) - please let us know by the weekend

2. Lines of questioning for Mark - best let us know by the weekend too, especially if you are attending via Zoom. Not only does that allow Mark to be prepared on what might arise - at least on the starter questions - but also it will help ensure that whoever's running the zoom session doesn't miss you!

3. If you are coming in person, please send me a personal message or like this post or reply; there is no absolute need to register (we WILL be taking all details on the day though); I expect with the split format that there will be good space in the room.

4. Original planning and annoucement thread for this meeting - http://www.passenger.chat/25191

5. Covid Risk assessment which will give you a flavour of what's different this time

Risk assessment - Transport meetings - extras for Covid - October 2021

* People attending who have Covid-19 (symptoms and/or positive tests)
We will ask people in advance to attend via Zoom if they have symptoms or have tested positive
We will ask people to sign in on arrival with their email or other contact address, and as part of that we will politely ask them if they are well, suggesting they leave if not
Sign-in sheet to be kept for at least 21 days

* Meeting size and spacing
We will provide a welcome sign clearly asking people to respect Covid protocols
We have hired a space considerably in excess of normal size for expected numbers
We will advise people to take seats early rather than clustering
We will ask people to sit well apart
We will ask people to leave row by row rather than in a pack

* Sanitisation at the venue
We ask the space providers to ensure there is plenty of soap and towels in the loo
We will have hand sanitiser available and a limited number of masks people may use
[Trowbridge] We will provide boxed drinks and bottled water only - no hot drinks

[JayMac]

Is said hall Finn friendly?

[GBM]

Regrettably not attending.
Was looking forward to a day on the rails, but with recent comments on weekend short-formed being very full, I'm not travelling.
I do however have a question for Mark please.

With Covid 19 causing immense staff shortage, might Mark have an idea as to when driver/guard managers might get around to taking final interviews for new applicants who have passed all previous selections, but are still waiting for that final interview.
I know a few staff-to-be waiting for this, and their joining would surely ease the staffing situation somewhat.

[rogerw]

I will be attending, combining it with a visit to the railway centre

[JayMac]

I will be attending, combining it with a visit to the railway centre

Now that's an excellent idea. Think I'll do likewise.

[PhilWakely]

I will be attending, combining it with a visit to the railway centre

Now that's an excellent idea. Think I'll do likewise.

Thirded!

[ChrisB]

I will be attending, combining it with a visit to the railway centre

Now that's an excellent idea. Think I'll do likewise.

Is it Finn friendly?

[CyclingSid]

I will be elsewhere on a Saturday bike trip. Hope it all goes to plan.

I am sure others would ask my sort of questions about bicycles, carriage and storage thereof etc.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I expect to attend in person.

[johoare]

I will be attending, combining it with a visit to the railway centre

Now that's an excellent idea. Think I'll do likewise.

Is it Finn friendly?

I went there with my son, his partner and their dog earlier this year. It is definitely dog friendly but they do ask for well behaved dogs only. My son's dog had a lovely time

[bobm]

Sadly the Swindon Panel exhibition at the centre won’t be open that day

[broadgage]

I do not expect to visit, but look forward to hearing reports from those who do.

I presume that questions will be asked regarding lack of staff, lack of trains, and if any specific plans with dates exist to address these issues.
I suspect that the answers will be vaguely positive but without promising anything specific.

For many years we have been told "jam tomorrow"
Then the pandemic intervened and we were told "capacity is no longer an issue with reduced passenger numbers."
We are now back to "jam tomorrow"

[JayMac]

I do not expect to visit, but look forward to hearing reports from those who do.

I presume that questions will be asked regarding lack of staff, lack of trains, and if any specific plans with dates exist to address these issues.
I suspect that the answers will be vaguely positive but without promising anything specific.

For many years we have been told "jam tomorrow"
Then the pandemic intervened and we were told "capacity is no longer an issue with reduced passenger numbers."
We are now back to "jam tomorrow"

You can still 'attend' and ask those questions yourself broadgage, rather than rely on a proxy to do so. The meeting will be available over Zoom.

[broadgage]

I am too old to understand zoom !
And the questions that I suggested must surely have occurred to many other members.