Report of the Essex Field Club for 2003-2004
the proceeds will help us greatly with future publications and the development of the Club's on-line
database as well as contributing to the costs of storage of our Collections.
Health and safety
Mary Smith produced an A4 and a more concise A5 version of "How to get the best out of field
trips" This was produced in response to fears that the Club could have some liabilities under the
Health and Safety legislation. It was noted by our insurers (Sun Alliance) that Health and Safety
legislation did not apply to activities undertaken entirely by volunteers, but that insurance could be
invalidated by clear negligence.
Resignations from council
Four members left the Council in the course of the year: Peter Allen, Tim Gardiner, Adrian Knowles
and Michelle Pye. All were thanked for their contribution to the running of the Club.
Website
A cumulative total of 4,778 visits to the Club website had been made by 11th February 2004. The site
is becoming a substantial source of information, updated on a regular basis. New members arc
joining through the website and non-members are being attracted to our meetings through the site.
Membership
Membership stood at 329 in February 2004. As expected, and in spite of all our efforts, the subscription
increase caused chaos amongst our members who pay by Bankers Order as well as those paying by
cheque. The Membership Secretary is preparing the numerous reminder letters required as this report
is printed. About half of our members paid the correct subscription for 2004, about a quarter paid the
wrong amount and about a quarter paid nothing at all.
Finance
Council introduced an increase in subscriptions from 1st January 2004. The new rates are:
Ordinary member £15
Junior Member £10
Family Member £17.50
Institutional Member £20
The increase was essential due to the fact that the cost of producing our publications was exceeding
our income (see Newsletter No 42 p3). For further information about finance please see the attached
Treasurer's report.
Future
Our most pressing problem is the future of the Club's Collections and Library; the Council are
committed to continue working to find a long-term solution. The Club hopes to become a charity
within the next year, which would make two big differences: first, gift aid on subscriptions and
donations would improve our income; secondly, we would have a much more powerful position for
attracting grants for projects such as a home for the Collections and/or the Biological Records
Centre. The Council is committed to publishing two new booklets subject to the normal peer review,
it is hoped that we will continue publishing new volumes as they are presented.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)
3