Pigeon Network

NIPA & INFC – AGM on the same Day!

The AGM season is in full swing making decisions regarding the new racing season, the NIPA have a meeting arranged for this week to set the agenda and deal with accounts etc. The RPRA (Irish Region) meeting was held in Carrickfergus last Saturday and a short report will follow. The INFC details will also follow shortly and the dates of meetings etc will be published soon.

Having attended meetings and now having some correspondence I can confirm that the two major meetings for Northern Ireland based fanciers are to be held on the same day, at the same time. An unbelievable state of affairs, and the first time I can remember this sort of thing happening. Dates for the AGM meetings had been published in the Race Books from last season and both had to be changed, and as it turns out both arranged for the same day. It will hit the attendance at one or the other and for those that usually attend both they will have to make do this year of only attending one. I don’t yet have the NIPA agenda and will cover this in full detail after it arrives, the meeting will be held in Protestant Hall Glenavy on Saturday 26th February at 2.00pm.

The 61st AGM for the Irish Nat FC will take place in the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn on Saturday 26th February at 2.00pm. We have one resolution submitted by the committee. The Old Hens National is removed from the race programme. The proposed programme is: Skibbereen North OB Inl Nat Tuesday 24th May, Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 8th June, Plaudren Vannes Grand National Friday 1st July, St Malo Friendship Nat Friday 8th July, Penzance YB Grand National Wednesday 7th September and Skibbereen North Inl YB Nat Saturday 17th September.

Accounts 2010 – Queries in respect of the accounts should be with the secretary in writing three days before the AGM. Only queries in writing will be considered at the AGM.

This year for the first time INFC members will have a free entry to both the Single Bird Challenge and the Robin Duddy Challenge. The entry deadline for the Single Bird Challenge is same as before 17th March, an entry form is included with the statement of accounts. These should be returned to David Black. The INFC is guaranteeing £1,500 in prize-money with £500 to the winner and Diplomas for 1st, 2nd and 3rd sponsored by W Sawyers & Co. The Robin Duddy Challenge has £1,000 guaranteed all that is required is to mark your three birds on the Yearling Nat race entry sheet and the same for Penzance Young Bird. You only need to time one of the three in each year for the average velocity. Any clarification required contact David Black Tel: 07876 157706.

The AGM for Mid Antrim Combine will be held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Wednesday 16th March at 8.00pm. Two Delegates from each club to vote on proposals. Any queries contact Secretary George McDowell.

The 66th Annual General Meeting for the NIPA will be held in the Protestant Hall, Glenavy on Saturday 26th February at 2.00pm sharp. It should be noted that only Delegates can vote or enter into the business of the meeting. Delegate Cards have been issued to each member club and these cards will be required in the recording of votes. Each Delegate must ensure to have his/her official Delegate Card for use during the meeting. No discussion on Resolutions. All clubs must hold a meeting on the Resolutions and mandate their Delegates on how to cast their vote.

Resolution No 1. Submitted by the NIPA General Committee.
That any prize money cheque not cashed within two years of issue will be deleted from records.

Resolution No 2. Submitted by the NIPA General Committee.
That NIPA General Rule 3e be deleted in its entirety. General Rule 3e reads: If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.

Resolution No 3. Submitted by Ballymena & District HPS.
Delete General Rule 3e which states: If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration, and replace with a new General Rule 3e.

If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings, including any propositions, may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.

Resolution No 4. Submitted by Ballymena & District HPS.
The Yearling Cock and Yearling Hen race be replaced with a Yearling Race consisting of normal Open & Section positions. Delete part of General Rule 56 which states: “Except in Yearling Nationals where the maximum is 10 cocks and 10 hens”.

Resolution No 5. Submitted by Ballymena & District HPS.
National Races to revert back to being called Derby’s in General Rules 15, 24, 30, 37, 56, 61 and 63. Delete the word National and replace with Derby. In Race Rules 10, 11, 20 and 21 delete the word National and replace with Derby.

SECRETARY’S REPORT 2011

2010 for the NIPA was a very good season. Weather conditions proved difficult but manageable. The number of pigeons being transported was up on the previous year. This brought in more income, all of which ensured the balance sheet to stay in the black.

In 2010 we held all transporter costs, no increase. It’s now at least 5 years since we asked for an increase. You will be pleased to hear that I will be recommending to your Committee for 2011 for yet another freeze on charges. This should be welcome news to you all. However, this incoming year will see a very large hike in running expenses and we will be very fortunate if we break even this year. I would appreciate any comments from any club on how we could reduce costs for 2011.

Without the assistance of many people it would be impossible for me to oversee the smooth running of our organisation. The Race Controller Ivan Mawhinney, a most difficult job well done. The Transport Manager Terry Mulgrew for keeping the transporters in tip top condition. Convoyers, Terry Mulgrew, ably assisted by Kieran. Drivers, Terry, Kieran, James, Sean, Darren – an excellent team in which I have complete confidence. The Race Committee Anthony, Ken and Alan for their expertise in deciding up to two or three days before race date if we should continue or delay liberations. A very difficult job, well done. The President Mr Joe Kelly of Londonderry, we are all pleased to see that his health has improved and he has been able to join us at all meetings. May I again send good wishes from you all to our Chairman Mr Lyndin Boyle and Assistant Secretary Mr Ronnie Watson, may they soon be restored to good health. And finally, to our Vice Presidents and Committee members for all their assistance given to the NIPA, so you can enjoy the racing.

You will by now have received the Statement of Accounts for 2010. When you examine the accounts please feel free to ask any questions. The balance sheet shows a healthy increase in the value of the NIPA on paper at a staggering £618,652. May your organisation continue to grow from strength to strength. During 2011 we have given the go ahead to fit new drinking systems on the 3 rigid lorries at a cost of £15,750. This should be completed for the start of the 2011 race season. Also we are building a new Drag Trailer which will be a great assistance to us if we need the extra capacity.

The Committee is recommending to the Clubs that, for the first time the position of Press Officer will be split into two and are recommending that W Reynolds and S McGarry fill the posts.

Resolutions for your clubs consideration should be by now in your possession. I will endeavour to explain their relevance.

Resolution No 1. submitted by your General Committee to put a time limit of two years for anyone cashing their prize money cheque. After two years all outstanding cheques will be deleted off the systems and any prize money not cashed will be credited back to the NIPA.

Resolution No 2 & No 3 ask for the deletion of General Rule 3e. However Ballymena & Dist request it be replaced by new rule 3e which would allow resolutions to go forward from Section Meetings. I would remind you that the NIPA is constituted by Clubs and that only Clubs can forward a Resolution.

Resolution No 4 submitted by Ballymena & Dist that the present Yearling Hen/Cock National be replaced with a Yearling Race with a 20 bird limit.

Resolution No 4. submitted by Ballymena & Dist to revert our Nationals back to Derby’s. I do not understand their reasoning as the NIPA is open to all of Northern Ireland and our race winners are worthy to be called National winners. This decision is up to you but I have taken advice from Mr Boyle who confirms that NIPA races were called Nationals and to prove this the McKeown Cup for Talbenny is engraved as YB National. This cup was presented in 1945 (formation year of the NIPA).

This completes the Resolutions nothing too controversial. Remember your club must hold a meeting to discuss the Resolutions and mandate your Delegate/s. It just leaves me to wish you all a good and successful season racing. Yours in Sport, Fred Russell.

The agreed Old Bird Race Programme for 2011.

Sat 9th April Tullamore, Sat 16th April Tullamore, Sat 23rd April Roscrea, Sat 30th April Clonmel, Sat 7th May Fermoy, Sat 14th May Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, Sat 21st May Fermoy, Sat 28th May Talbenny, Tuesday 31st May Yearling Nat Cock/Hen Rosscarbery, Sat 4th June Talbenny, Sat 4th June Fermoy, Sat 11th June Bude, Sat 11th June Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, Sat 18th June Penzance & Penzance OB Classic, Friday 24th June St Malo OB National.

Clubs will have to vote on the programme for young birds, the existing programme as always and a jointly agreed programme submitted by Larne & Dist and Londonderry RPS.

Young Birds existing programme: Sat 9th July Training Toss Mullingar (2 Liberations) ie. Top Half Clubs above 54:36, Bottom Half Clubs below 54:36. Sat 16th July Tullamore Official Race (2 Liberations, as above), Sat 23rd July Tullamore (Mass Liberation), Sat 30th July Roscrea, Sat 6th August Roscrea, Sat 13th August Clonmel, Sat 20th August Fermoy, Sat 27th August Talbenny YB Nat, Sat 27th August Tullamore, Sat 3rd September Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, Sat 10th September Rosscarbery YB Inland National.

Young Bird programme submitted by Larne & Londonderry: Sat 9th July Training Toss Navan (Area Liberations), Sat 16th July Navan, Mullingar, Tullamore (Area Liberations), Sat 23rd July Tullamore, Mullingar (Area Liberations), Sat 30th July Tullamore (Area Liberation), Sat 6th August Roscrea (Mass Liberation), Sat 13th August Clonmel (Mass Liberation), Sat 20th August Fermoy (Mass Liberation), Sat 27th August Talbenny YB Nat, Sat 27th August Tullamore, Sat 3rd September Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, Sat 10th September Rosscarbery YB Inland National.

Sections will have to notify the NIPA Secretary of their preferred Liberation Site for Area Liberation.

A meeting of Section B Delegates representing member clubs was held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms late last year and the minutes of the meeting were returned to NIPA Secretary Fred Russell to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the General Committee. Just short of 20 members were in attendance and just three clubs were not represented, New Antrim Amalgamated, Muckamore and Chimney Corner.

The item came forward at a Committee Meeting held in January, just prior to Blackpool and after some debate on the merits of the contents it was ruled “Out of Order” in that it was not submitted by a member club. That ended the discussion for one night.

Ballymena & Dist had this item listed for discussion at a General Meeting held on 7th February and after hearing a report on the Sect B meeting and subsequent NIPA Committee meeting, the members present unanimously agreed to forward the following points/propositions to the NIPA Committee for consideration.

1. Clarification on existing General Rule 3e. If necessary propose – Delete Rule 3e to be replaced with new Rule 3e. If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings, including any propositions, may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.

2. Yearling Cock and Yearling Hen race be replaced with a Yearling Race consisting of normal Open & Section positions. Delete part of General Rule 56 which states: “Except in Yearling Nationals where the maximum is 10 cocks and 10 hens”.

3. National Races to revert back to being called Derby’s. General Rules 15, 24, 30, 37, 56, 61 and 63, delete the word National and replace with Derby. In Race Rules 10, 11, 20 and 21, delete the word National and replace with Derby.

4. Consideration to be given to publishing the Derby/National results in the BHW in the format previously used.

Now we can move on to the NIPA Committee meeting held in Dromore Leisure Centre on Tuesday 8th February with Alan Darragh in the chair. Arising from the minutes from the previous meeting it was pointed out that under General Rule 3, and more especially Rule 3e it was thought that clearly allowed matters raised at Sect Meetings could be referred to the Management Committee for consideration. It was therefore wrong for the minutes of the NIPA Sect B meeting to be ruled “Out of Order”.

Rule 3 was read out in full. The management of the Amalgamation shall be vested in the Delegates who shall be appointed by their respective clubs. At each AGM the Delegates will elect a Finance, Transport and General Purpose Committee to act on their behalf. Just for the record the rest of the rule reads.

Rule 3a – The Delegate representation shall be one Delegate for clubs with a membership of up to 15 members. Two Delegates for clubs with a membership of 16 to 30 members. Three Delegates for clubs with a membership of 46 members and above. The representation of the clubs shall be based on the previous years Membership List.

Rule 3b – The Section representation to the Finance, Transport and General Purposes Management Committee shall be: Sect A & H 4 Members, Sect B 4 Members, Sect C 6 Members, Sect D 4 Members, Sect E 4 Members, Sect F 3 Members, Sect G 3 Members. Total 28 Members.

Rule 3c – From each Section representation, a Steering & Emergency Committee shall be formed consisting of one member from each Sect who shall act as Co-ordinator for the Section.

Rule 3d – The Co-ordinator shall be responsible for arranging meetings of all clubs within the Sect as and when required but at least one before racing and one after racing.

Rule 3e - If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.

Rule 3f – That all properly constituted proposals submitted by clubs within the organisation shall appear on the AGM Agenda.

Rule 3g – From Sect representation a Rules & Disciplinary Committee be elected consisting of one member from each Sect and nominated by the Section.

Quite a bit there to digest and after some discussion it was put forward, a motion to delete General Rule 3e. It carried at Committee by a large vote and the item was to be listed for the AGM.

The correspondence was then read from Ballymena & Dist and was what was published above. Again a long discussion on Rule 3e and it was agreed since items came from a member club they would have to appear of the AGM Agenda. Item 4 was left pending, the computer was to have an upgrade and publication of the results will be decided then. I myself can see no problem with the new General Rule 3e which if passed will allow Resolutions to go forward from Section Meetings. That would be in addition to what is already listed in General Rule 3f. Discussion should be encouraged at local level, that was the reason the rules were put there in the first place to allow this. We are in the hands of the members who carry the deciding vote, and that’s the way it should be. A number of other items were listed at the Sect B Meeting, if the AGM decide these can be discussed it will be OK, if not then the local club who brought matters up can bring them to the NIPA Committee through their own clubs. Simple is it not?

Not so many years back I can remember the NIPA had an annual Delegate Meeting for the member clubs, and if my memory serves me right it was possible to put Resolutions forward from this meeting for listing at the AGM. All these changes helped to get us where we are today, all decided by the membership.

At the last meeting Tommy Mooney (Newry) resigned from the Committee to leave a space vacant in Sect G, resignations might be pending as well from Lisburn & Dist in Sect D. Positions will be filled at the AGM, or failing that at the next NIPA Committee meeting which is set for Tuesday 15th March. The administration fee will go up £1 to £17, Club Subscription remains at £21 and Race Crates stay at £9. The NIPA membership stands at 1,578, 10 years ago it was 2,200. Fred has also requested that clubs purchase as much as possible through the NIPA, an Order Form was included with the AGM Agenda. HOMER.