SECRETARY' S NOTES
JOHN PEARLE, 1 ELDON CLOSE COLCHESTER ESSEX CO4 3HA 01206 861604 thepearles@compuserve.com
THE QUESTIONNAIRE should have been received by all Members, well, those on Bill Reid's list anyway. The "reply by" date has now passed and the trickle of brown envelopes has ceased. Out of 143 sent out, 72 have been returned. Not to put too fine a point on it - not the response I had hoped for, especially as UK members had their replies pre-paid. Many thanks to all who have replied, especially those who have taken the trouble to write with ideas and suggestions both in response to the questionnaire and previously - two of them gave rise to items in this issue. Special thanks, too to our overseas members who had to pay to reply - and they did. It will take a while to get some order into the replies but I hope to be able to give an initial report at the AGM - it occurs to me that it may well be over when some of you read this so those of you who came will already know.... anyway, there will be more on this in future issues of the News.
THE WEB was the subject of a suggestion that we reproduce material that is normally available via the Internet for the benefit of members who don't have access themselves. This is not straightforward since the principle of Copyright applies here as elsewhere, and the fact that the medium is world wide has to be allowed for, but the first item to be disentangled from the threads of the World Wide Web starts in this issue - it's a bit long so Bill will probably publish it in two parts.
A MEMBERS LIST is another suggestion received. This would enable members - especially recent arrivals - to make contact with existing members in their vicinity. I am told that this was done at one time, with updates published in the News. With this in mind, and with the use by the Club of computer held membership records, there is an important item about the Data Protection Act in this issue. Please read it carefully.
THE AGM details were sent with the Questionnaire, so you should know about that, too, but to refresh the memories, Saturday April the 8th, 10.30am, The Village Hall, Rushwick, Worcestershire. Kevin has got the details -mostly right on the CRC web site - www.digital-design.demon.co.uk and follow the link to the CRC.
SPRING is well and truly under way in these parts and isn't far off elsewhere, so while those who aspire to neat gardens and close cut lawns join battle with nature - the rest of us can look forward to the brilliant colours of new growth and wonderful skies and enjoy nature as it is - maybe even take a picture or two2000-2001 SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS NOW DUE
Many thanks to those who have already paid. The deadline for renewal is April 1st. If not received by the July Newsletter you will be deemed to have dropped out. WE would hate to loose you and hope that this timely reminder will see you dusting off that "elusive" cheque book and get your £8 (£9 Family and £9.50 Overseas) made out to the C.R.C. and off to your Area Co-ordinator, as soon as possible. Thank you.