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2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
held at the Royal Logistics Corps Museum, Deepcut, near
Camberley, Surrey
on Saturday, 7th June 2008, at 1.30 pm
1) Welcome and Opening Remarks by the Chairman
Michael Neale Dalton welcomed members to the meeting.
A most interesting programme for the day had kindly been arranged by Sir
Geoffrey Dalton with the chance of viewing the Victoria Cross awarded
to James Langley Dalton, for his part in the battle of Rorke’s Drift
in the Zulu War of 1879.
He first invited John Dalton to inform those gathered
of the sad news of the passing on 4th June 2008 of Dr. Lucy Joan Slater,
former DGS Executive Secretary and Committee member, and a guiding influence
for many years in the affairs of the Society.
John had first met Lucy at the 1983 DGS Lancashire Gathering
where a family link was discovered. A firm friendship was forged with
Sheila and John and their children, with many visits to Lucy’s Cambridge
home in the ensuing years. She was a true friend also to many a Dalton
researcher, always ready with information and encouragement, and her major
contribution to the DGS Journal over many years stands as enduring testimony
to her devotion to the Society.
2) Apologies for absence
These were received from Millicent Craig; Michael Cayley;
Ciaran Dalton; Kate Dalton; Dairne and Mel Irwin; Joy Goater; Trew McHeffey
and Martin Fitzgerald, the Society’s website consultant.
3) Minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting
and matters arising
The Minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting were accepted
by the meeting and signed by the Chairman as a true record with no matters
arising.
4) Chairman’s Report
Michael Neale Dalton thanked the Officers and Committee
for all their efforts towards yet another successful year for the Society.
The monthly “Daltons in History” on the DGS website had enabled
him to keep in regular touch with members and provide up to date news
on all the Society’s activities. He stressed that the strength of
the society was founded on a co-ordinated team effort by all the people
involved. The DGS was now recognised worldwide through its activities,
its journal and its website, and with an ever increasing membership.
Margaret Deyes made a plea for the continuation of postal
contact for those without the benefit of the use of a computer, and the
Chairman assured her that the twice yearly mailing of the journal will
continue.
5) Treasurer’s Report
Members were asked to refer to the Accounts as circulated
to the meeting and appended below. The Chairman reported on behalf of
Mel Irwin that 2007 was a year of consolidation with increased membership.
The excess of income over expenditure for the year was just £43.87.
The Treasurer sounded a caution about the printing and distribution costs
of the Journal, which continued to increase.
The Treasurer was in the process of investigating the
best terms for an interest bearing account, and the increase in membership
fees would be reflected in the coming year. He was glad to report that
the capital account was healthy.
The Chairman thanked Mel Irwin for his excellent handling
of the accounts. Maureen Collins noted the ongoing costs of the DGS DNA
Consultant and the Chairman stressed the benefits to the Society from
this. Discussion took place on the need for two Journals per year but
it was agreed this was vital to encourage membership and maintain regular
contact.
The Chairman moved adoption of the accounts and this
was proposed by Sir Geoffrey Dalton, seconded by Alicia Riley, and approved
by the meeting.
6) Secretary’s Report
Pam Lynam reported an excellent response to the sending
out of Gift Aid forms. There were 276 active members of the Society.
Maureen Collins emphasised the need for the Overseas
Secretaries to be kept briefed on new member details. Stocks of back numbers
of the Journal could be obtained from Pat Robinson and she was thanked
for her kind assistance in this matter. The Chairman thanked Pam Lynam
for all her work.
7) Election of Officers and Committee
The Chairman informed the meeting that Michael Cayley
had decided to stand down from the position of Librarian & Archivist.
Tribute was paid to the immense contribution made to the Society by Michael
over a long period in the development of the Dalton Data Bank, in conjunction
with Millicent Craig, and the wealth of information gathered. His would
be a hard act to follow and his work was greatly appreciated by the Society.
There were no further nominations and all the other Officers
and Committee members had indicated that they were willing to stand again.
Howard Dalton proposed that they all be elected en bloc. This was seconded
by Pat Robinson and passed unanimously. The Chairman noted that the search
for a new Librarian & Archivist would continue.
8) Reports by the Editors of the DGS Journal
and “Daltons in History”
John Dalton stressed the need for a constant flow of
material for the Journal. Contributions could vary in length and he suggested
that more MN&Q’s would be appreciated by readers. A similar
plea was conveyed by Dairne Irwin for “Daltons in History”,
where all snippets of information, however small, are always welcome.
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Editors for their hard work,
and this met with unanimous acclaim.
9) Report on the Dalton International DNA
Project
Michael Neale Dalton reported on a successful year for
the project with the number of participating members already increased
from 99 to 111 since January 2008, and the formation of a new genetic
family. He thanked Chris Pomery for his guidance and expertise. Out of
the twelve new participants, nine had established links with existing
genetic groups. Agreement had been reached on a forward programme. Issues
included the size of the task involved, and difficulties for some in interpreting
findings. He stressed that the DNA project is a tool and it only has value
when used in conjunction with traditional family history research.
Howard J Dalton highlighted the costs involved in upgrading
from 25 markers to 37 or 67.
10) Australian Secretary’s Report
Maureen Collins reported that membership levels had remained
stable over the past year. The plan to hold a meeting in the city of Orange,
New South Wales, was well in hand with the dates fixed as 14th and 15th
March 2009. She and Helen Smith were co-ordinating this event together
with Ros Chapman, a DGS member related to a large Dalton family of Orange,
Virginia Higgins, and Jill Warren. An enjoyable meeting had been hosted
in February by John and Lyn Dalton at their Melbourne home. New Zealand
membership was growing and it was good to meet Peter and Noeline Dalton,
from Dunedin in the South Island, on a recent visit to Sydney. The Dalton
International DNA Project continues to be of great interest in Australia
and New Zealand due to some positive results.
11) American Secretary’s Report
The Chairman and all present at the meeting sent greetings
to Millicent Craig, now recovering from her recent illness. She had sent
her apologies for not being able to attend the AGM and the forthcoming
gathering at Birr and sent her good wishes to all.
Michael Neale Dalton was dealing with queries at present
with the kind assistance of Mary Lou Elias Weber, and Dairne and Mel Irwin.
Membership levels and interest remained high thanks to Millicent’s
phenomenal input over the past years. There was ongoing discussion about
providing assistance to look after the USA members. The Chairman was glad
to report that Millicent was much improved in health.
12) Irish Secretary’s Report
Ciaran Dalton had sent his apologies for being unable to attend the meeting,
but reported that he was very actively engaged in the preparations for
the forthcoming DGS gathering in Birr in August. This event is destined
to be a most enjoyable and informative weekend. There is tremendous interest
in Dalton family history in Ireland.
13) Forthcoming Gatherings and AGM’s
Michael and Kate Dalton had visited Birr at the end of
May to finalise arrangements. 40 delegates had so far registered their
attendance, but there was still the opportunity for others to join this
weekend in Ireland. The Chairman thanked Ciaran Dalton for his work as
Irish Secretary and his help in planning the 2008 gathering.
The Chairman then referred the forthcoming 2009 gathering
in New South Wales, Australia. A folder was displayed showing the plans
for the weekend and possible venues with a plea to publicise the event
as much as possible. He thanked Maureen Collins for her work on this and
asked that she pass on thanks to those ably assisting her.
Suggestions were sought for a venue for the 2009 Annual
General Meeting in the UK, with a tentative plan to hold it in early September,
perhaps in Lancashire.
The Chairman confirmed that the 2010 Gathering and AGM,
celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Society will take place in Surrey,
England in the summer. Further details will be announced in due course.
14) Any Other Business
There being no other business the Chairman formally closed
the meeting at 3.00pm with grateful thanks to the Royal Logistics Corps
Museum for providing such a splendid venue.
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