Chairman’s Blog - Meeting  Thursday 12th July 2012

25 present – holidays took their toll on this meeting.

Brian Painter was missed, not on holiday, apparently overwhelmed with gastric problems – get well soon Brian.   Now that we know the problem it dispels any suspicion that you didn’t turn up so that you could hold on to the Oscar for another week.   In his absence Adrian Crossdale stood in to judge the Oscar winner for this week.   

The 60 second round started gently.  Marcelle Saad extolling the virtues of the ruby.   Adrian Crosdale’s smoke alarms that were radio linked.  Claire Greenslade offering 10% off any July orders and even Terry Maylin advocating mediation and no aggro…..at least for this week.

Joan Jaggernauth was on the letter “O” and claimed that this stands for organic.   Certain of our members started to get excited until they checked with their next door neighbour that it was an “nic” and not a “smic” on the end.   She was, of course, referring to consistency which sort of linked in with David Plumley’s Education Slot.   We all got a little more animated by Howard Bullock asking us to raise our hands to various obvious and fatuous questions.   As a group we really are open to “suggestion”.   It was left to Kevin Radford to move to the whimsical producing a pair of socks – one marked Wednesday and the other Friday.   I can only assume that they were a pair knitted for him many years ago and that he probably had a pair for every day of the week at one stage in his life.   Perhaps that was that same stage when his gloves were kept safe by having them secured by elastic that went up one sleeve, across his shoulders and down the other sleeve.

Scott Griffiths apparently advised Clients who make portable toilets.   If this wasn’t enough to make your eyes water Kevin Brooks story of someone being hit on the side of the head by a brick thrown by an Uncle with a wonky eye made it almost inevitable that, modesty permitting, I was able to lay claim to the Oscar this time.  It was the Oscar that wouldn’t stand up because it had no base, but it was an immensely satisfying moment for all of my family, friends and those who have supported me throughout my career.

A positive note was struck by Sarada Chaudhuri reporting on the Professions/Finance Power Group Meeting when she confirmed the progress that had been made following the last meeting in getting things arranged for our seminar on the 3rd October 2012 at the Ivory Rooms in Billericay at a time to be arranged, but between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on that day.   More of this to come as we get on with our preparations.

The 10 minute presentation allowed Jason Nortey to provide us with details of his personal life and his work history, most notable being a spell at McDonalds where he clearly was being groomed to be a successor to Ronald McDonald.   Clearly their loss was Barclays and our gain.   So moving was his delivery that he moved Kevin Radford to approach him and give him a hug.

The question and answer session that followed his 10 minutes gave us all a lesson in the new technology of “Ping It”.    Under £300.00 can be transmitted by text message.   My learned colleagues, the Meeting Secretary and the Education Development Officer, immediately linked themselves up to do this.   At that time I felt it was probably just as well that Brian Painter was not with us.   He might have taken a turn for the worse.

Referral and testimonials were good and a creditable £12,422.00 was the amount of recorded business shown.

Finally, Adrian Crosdale announced the 14th September at 6.30 at the Blue Boar in Billericay as being our Friday evening get together for drinks and, who knows, whatever may follow.   Not to be missed.

Following on from the Meeting was a Committee Meeting which saw Howard Bullock installed as our new Chairman.    His very presence in his new role inspired everyone who attended to produce several good ideas followed by a meeting summary circulated to all of us before many of us could get back from the Meeting and sit behind our desks.

The overall experience today has been a good one.  Whatever we might have lacked in frivolity was made up by signs of useful progress being made on various fronts.

And, it was even beautiful sunshine throughout the meeting!!!

See you all next week.

Posted by Scott Griffiths