2022 Members Gathering and AGM

The 2022 Mountaineering Scotland Members Gathering and AGM took place on Saturday 19th November at AK Bell Library in Perth.

This year’s Annual General Meeting was held as a hybrid event, with a split of attendees in Perth and others joining online via Zoom. A total of 51 members registered to join the AGM online, while 31 members choose to attend in person. This was approximately the same number as attended last year’s virtual AGM, although many more proxy and club votes were submitted in advance.

Mountaineering Scotland President Brian Shackleton and CEO Stuart Younie hosted the meeting, with introductory remarks before leading through the agenda. The Treasurer, Hazel Meehan, presented accounts for the financial year 2021/2022 and answered questions from members in both the audience and online via Zoom.

An increase in membership fees, which had previously been fixed for 3 years after the 2019 AGM, was approved, as was the appointment of two new directors: Andrew Walker (Communications & Member Services) and Pete Crane (Access & Conservation). We were delighted that Jo Dytch has agreed to stay on as Director for clubs and, following the vote, members have agreed that her term of office has been extended by two years in accordance with our articles of association. 

Ken shared examples of how mountain rescue teams are using technology - including drones - to find people in the mountains, with a live demonstration of the mobile phone location software currently in use.

Next, Dougie was able to talk about some of the award-winning work OATS carry out on upland path maintenance, as well as briefly discussing plans for an exciting joint project with Mountaineering Scotland.

At the end of the AGM, general questions from members (both online and in the audience) were welcomed. It was great to see and hear from several new members, as well as discuss issues impacting both individual and clubs.

This included questions surrounding the withdrawal of the proposed Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy from the vote at the 2022 AGM to allow additional time to ensure feedback and further comments can be addressed. It is anticipated that a revised draft policy will be presented for adoption at an EGM early in 2023.

Thank you to everyone who attended both in person and online, and those who asked/sent in questions. 

Full minutes are to follow.