Author: Terry Tuxford

Chairman’s Welcome – The Chairman began the meeting with a warm welcome and hoped everyone was having a good breeding season. He stated that there was an extensive agenda for the meeting and encouraged everyone to contribute in order that the meeting was productive.

Apologies for Absence – Apologies received from Chris Snell – on holiday and Janice Al-Nasser – unwell.

Ring samples for 2024 – The GC was advised that the new anodising machine has now been delivered to Avian ID. This means that our ring orders will be made in house from start to finish. There had been a slight delay in the initial set up of the new machine, but it is now ready to go and Jim Muir will receive two sets of rings – one standard size and one colour budgerigar size, for his assessment and report.

Judges Handbook – The judges handbook is now complete and will be posted to all judges by the end of March 2023. It will be accompanied by an introductory letter from the BS Chairman.

Rule Changes

a. Proposed Boundary Change – a letter has been received from South Midlands BS with a proposed boundary change. The area society members had asked that this be raised as they felt that their area was too large. After an in-depth discussion, the GC did not support the boundary change as SMBS is already our smallest area and with the fewest members. However, it was noted that SMBS could reach out to their neighbouring area society and ask if they would support a boundary change, and if so, write to the administrator with a rule change proposal to be put to the membership in 2024.

b. S Holland letter suggesting GC add the Terms of Reference (TOR) document to the rule book.

Following discussion, it was agreed that it would be inappropriate to incorporate the TOR into the Society rules but in the interests of transparency it should be made available to members via the BS website.

c. Patronage Conditions – Guidance for Best Practice – It was agreed that the wording about birds being rung needed to be changed to specify that birds shown in the Young Bird classes, must be wearing rings sourced through the BS office.

d. Stud Registrations – A letter received from Ian Ainley suggested the BS should formalise the acceptance of stud names and to charge for this service. After a discussion it was unanimously agreed that the rules already covered this and partnerships may call themselves by a partnership name or a stud name. No fee will be charged.

Club Show Committee Minutes held on 16.02.23 – The Club Show Committee had an informal meeting via zoom to meet the new members of the Club Show team. It is the intention to invite Dave Hislop and Ronnie Simpson to the next meeting in March, so that they can pass on the benefit of their many years’ experience. Rob Hughes will supply the BS Editor with press releases for the Budgerigar, the BS website and the Facebook page.

Patronage

a Patronage Administrator’s report – The Patronage Administrator advised that he had negotiated rosette costs for two tier rosettes at favourable prices as well as tail printing and ribbons.

Patronage Applications for 2023 are: Area Society – 10, Platinum (Included National and Scottish National) – 4, Gold (includes 2 x Anniversary Show upgrades) and Area invitation Upgrades – 15, Silver – 28, Bronze – 5, National S & R V – 1, Gold S & RV – 1, Area S & R V – 8, Rosette – 9, BS Club Show – 1, Colour Budgerigar Patronage – 2 (includes National S & R V Show).

There were 83 applications in total, which is down 30 from 2022.

He further advised that the six trophies for the new BS Achievement Awards had been ordered at a cost of £400.00 and will be presented at the BS AGM.

b Dennis Cairns – A letter with various suggestions in respect to patronage has been received from Dennis Cairns. It was agreed that this item be moved to the April face-to-face meeting to allow a fuller discussion to take place.

Memberships not renewed for 2023 – Some members have not renewed for 2023. It was proposed and unanimously agreed that at the end of March, a list would be produced and divided between the 10 elected BS Area representatives to find out why.

Judges Expenses – A letter has been received from Gavin Carter on travelling and accommodation expenses for judges with a suggestion of standardisation. After discussion it was unanimously agreed that these matters were not within the GC’s remit. It was further agreed that matters of judge’s expenses were best dealt with by individual clubs.

Joint Area Society Training Day – After discussion it was agreed that the Judges Training Coordinator together with the YBS & L&SC BS, who both have experience of organising training days, will develop a programme that is aimed at encouraging members into the first stages of becoming a judge. This will be based on the new Judges Handbook and shared with the GC at a future meeting.

BS AGM Arrangements – Arrangements for the AGM weekend in April are complete. Lincolnshire B&FBS together with Chris Snell are organising the Sales Show and Chris and Richard Miller are doing a head-to-head presentation.

Future Meetings – a letter was tabled suggesting the GC have more face-to-face meetings. It was agreed to look at this again after the face-to-face meeting in April.

Chairman’s/Society Administrator’s Referrals – The Chairman advised that he had one referral regarding the BS patronage at the Colour Budgerigar section of the National Specialist and Rare Variety Show. Since judging this part of the show in 2022 he had suggested that the Clearbody and Crest varieties be removed from the Any Other Colour section and given their own classes and CC’s, as the Any Other Colour classes were just too big. The GC agreed to this suggestion.

Date Of Next Meeting – 22^nd April 2023, at 10.00 a.m. at The Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln

Meeting closed at 2130hrs.

The following came to the BS via the NCA.

I wish to bring it to your attention that the Government are proposing to alter the current poultry registration regulations, reducing from 50 poultry to 10 and including all other birds.

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/poultry-register/all-birds-registration2023/consultation/subpage.2023-03-02.6293264592/

The latest edition of The Budgerigar is in print and will be posted soon.

New Club Show Format 2023

Budgerigar Society Annual General Meeting – 23rd April 2023 at Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln

JUDGES TRAINING SCHEME

Have you ever considered being a Judge?

The BS runs a Judges Training Scheme over a 2-year period. If you would like further information, please contact either:

The BS Office – Tel: 01828 633030 or Trevor Terheege (Judges Training Scheme Co-ordinator) – Tel: 01455 212953.

The Budgerigar Society

Summarised report of the Budgerigar Society General Council Meeting held on Thursday, 12^th January 2023 commencing at 7.15pm via Zoom. There were no absentees.

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME – The Chairman began the meeting by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoped the Society and members of the General Council a successful year ahead. He further expressed his sadness at the many reported deaths of members recently and our thoughts are with the members families.

JUDGES ANNUAL RETURN – The Chair advised that the 31^st January annual deadline was fast approaching, and returns have been coming into the office for some time. There have been appeals from some judges that for reasons, such as illness and show cancellations, they could not meet the criteria. Following discussion, it was unanimously agreed to announce a blanket approval and all judges will remain on the panel for the forthcoming year, unless they have requested removal.

JUDGES HANDBOOK – The judges handbook is being updated by the Magazine Designer, who will produce 150 copies, to be distributed to all BS panel judges. It was also agreed to include 5 blank judges returns forms in with the Judges Handbook for future use.

COLOUR STANDARDS PUBLICATION REVIEW – The members of the sub-group were confirmed with the Society Vice Chairman as lead.

PATRONAGE – After a detailed discussion it was agreed by a majority decision 13 for, and 1 against to keep patronage levels the same as 2019, unless clubs had raised their patronage status. This is for clubs that have not been awarded special anniversary status, as these should revert to their 2019 levels.

It was agreed to leave the issue of classifications including the Hastings BS suggestions until a future meeting.

PATRONAGE ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE – The Patronage Administrator confirmed that all aspects of patronage was up to date. The Editor confirmed that the 2022 league tables will be published in the January 2023 edition of The Budgerigar

CONVENTION 2025, 6^th – 8^thJune 2025, Grand Hotel, Seafront, Blackpool – It was confirmed that the cost of the hotel is similar to the Club Show hotel and includes breakfast as well as Wi-Fi and parking, at a rate of £80.00 for a single room per night and £120.00 for a double room per night.

120 rooms have been provisionally booked for the Friday and Saturday, with a further 40 for overseas WBO attendees. Plus, a further 40 rooms for members and guests who wish to stay on Thursday night, 5th June and Sunday night 8th June. Information of cost and how to book with the hotel will be available soon.

CLUB SHOW MINUTES – Proposals had been made by the Club Show Committee that were unanimously approved by the General Council. An official Press Release will be issued in due course.

RINGS – The Society Administrator advised that comments on social media in respect to the new rings had been very positive. It was also agreed to send samples of the 2024 rings to our ring inspector early for checking.

PROPOSED RULE CHANGES
JUDGES TRAINING SCHEME

The first change is to bring the rules in line with current Novice, Intermediate and Champions section requirements and to remove the judge’s registration fee in line with current practice. This was unanimously agreed.

The second change is to encourage Novices to become full panel judges earlier in their career as budgerigar fanciers. This proposed change is in response to novice members and if successful, will have the effect of allowing a last year Novice exhibitor to commence the Judges Training Scheme and sit the test at the end of their first year as an Intermediate exhibitor. If the candidate is successful, they will only be allowed to judge Rosette and Bronze level BS patronage shows only until they complete their first year as a Champion exhibitor after which they will be allowed to judge all types of BS Patronage shows. This proposal was passed on a majority of 11 for and 3 against

RING ISSUE DATE – Aidan Yule (JY1), had suggested that the Society consider a rule change with regards to changing to a 1^st October ring issue date. This was debated and it was unanimously agreed to advise the member that the General Council does not support this date change as it could impact on Club Show and other show entries. However, he will be advised that he can put this rule change forward himself at the next Rule Change year.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION GRACE PERIOD –A reducing in the annual subscription late payment period from 4 months to 1 month – 31^st January – was proposed. Many members pay their next year subscription from July for the coming year. The rules also allow members to renew by the end of April of the membership year. So annual subs are collected over a 9-month period. The change will tighten the subscription payment period for administration purposes.

After discussion it was unanimously agreed that this will be the subject of a rule change put to members in 2023.

BS AGM ARRANGEMENTS – The AGM is scheduled for the 23^rd April 2023 at Lincoln. Details will be published in The Budgerigar.

QUARTER 4 OF 2022 METRICS REVIEW – Key points from the report showed that the BS Stand being at various event has led to more members being enrolled. However, the retention of members is where the Society need to focus.

It was noted that at present we have a perfect storm, with covid, cost of living increases and the conflict overseas affecting seed prices, all of which have had a significant cost impact over the past year.

BUDGERIGAR CLUB – It was proposed and unanimously agreed that we accept Wayne Greenings’ offer to manage the Budgerigar Club on a commission only basis.

ENGAGEMENT SURVEY SUB GROUP REPORTS – All sub groups had been busy over the festive period and each had produced reports with recommendations. These will be summarised in the March edition of The Budgerigar.

The various action points from the sub groups will be included as future agenda items, to allow the GC to discuss in detail.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING –March 9^th 2023 at 1915hrs via zoom

MEETING CLOSED AT 2125 hrs.

The latest edition of The Budgerigar is due to be posted on 24th January 2023.

The January 2023 issue of The Budgerigar will be sent to all paid up members of the Society. Anyone who wishes to renew their subscription can do so by 30th April 2023 without loss of continuity and will receive any 2023 magazines missed. Please contact the BS Office on 01828 633030 or post the form that was in the previous editions.