International Biodeterioration 26 (1990) 75-80

Biodeterioration Society News Items

BIODETERIORATION SOCIETY ANNUAL G E N E R A L MEETING

The Societies Annual General Meeting was held during a joint Scientific Meeting with the United Kingdom Federation for Culture Collections (UK_FCC) at the Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Kew, 7 July 1989. The Scientific Meeting, 'Microorganisms employed in biodeterioration testing', covered marly aspects of the role of culture collections, screening of micro- organisms, challenge testing and accreditation of testing laboratories. A full report of this meeting, together with the Summer Scientific Meeting~ held in Berlin, will be published at a later date.

Dr Brian Flannigan, retiring President of the Society, thanked all Council members for their hard work during his term of office and welcomed the new President of the Society, Dr Harold Rossmoore. Dr Rossmoore thanked Dr Flannigan and expressed his hopes and ambitions for a growing and energetic Society.

The following reports were presented:

Honorary Secretary's report 1988/89

I have pleasure in presenting this my first report as Secretary of the Biodeterioration Society.

The results of the election are as follows:

President - - Dr Harold W Rossmoore Ordinary Members - - Dr R W Clarke, Dr Paul E Cook

75 International Biodeterioration (26) 1990--© 1990 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, England. Printed in Great Britain.

76 Biodeterioration Society news items

Dr Rossmoore needs no introduction as he has been active in the Society for many years. Dr Cook of the University of Reading has particular interests in rapid methods, biofilms and industrial mycology, while Dr Clarke is Conservation Scientist at the National Maritime Museum where his particular expertise lies in biological problems. I warmly welcome our first non UK President and our new members; together they represent a healthy extension of interests represented directly on Council.

This is my 10th month as Honorary Secretary during which period Council has held three formal meetings and an ad hoc session to discuss our affiliation with International Biodeterioration. The terms of our continuing affiliation have been major items on the agendas of all these meetings.

The purchase last year of an IBM compatible computer has allowed the membership list to be stored in a more convenient and portable fashion than previously. Despite early teething problems with the software all is now running smoothly.

After taking tenders from four companies the production of our new publicity material has been entrusted to the graphic design department of Lancashire Polytechnic, their tender being the most competitive. The production of this package has been delayed due to our lack of a publicity officer. However, Dr Brian Crook has now agreed to take on this post so that production should soon be under way.

In completion I would like to thank all our outgoing Council members for their hard work this year; especially Dr Brian Flannigan, our retiring President: his assistance and moral support was invaluable during the first months of my secretaryship. I look forward to my first full year with enthusiaism.

Members of council 1989/90 President: Secretary: Past President." Treasurer." Programme Secretary." Membership Secretary: Publicity Officer."

Dr H. W. Rossmoore Dr J. Kelley Dr B. Flannigan Dr A. Ingleby Christine Gaylarde Diane Band Dr B. Crook

Council Members: Dr A. Chamberlain, Mr A. Mitchell, Mr B. McCarthy, Dr R. W. Clarke, Dr P. E. Cook. Representatives from Outside Bodies: Dr S. Denyer (Society for Applied Bacteriology); Ms D. Band (Industry); Mr M. Greenhalgh (Biocides

Biodeterioration Society news items 77

Manufacturers); Internat ional Biodeterioration Research Group President or his nominee; Mr D. Hough ton (Biological Council).

Dr J Kelley Honorary Secretary

Honorary Treasurer's report 1988/89

I have pleasure in present ing my second report and the audi ted accounts for 1[988/9 for acceptance by the membersh ip .

This year has seen some rat ional izat ion of our accounts on the advice of our audi tor with the closing of the current account in Welwyn Garden, which was originally opened to hand le money for the 7th I.B.S. A further step for the new year is to close the meetings account as this now serves no constructive purpose with the reorganizat ion of meet ing arrange- ments and the book keeping procedure which we employ.

Whilst the value o f subscript ions received have fallen back to previous levels, we have seen an increased revenue for our occasional publications which have become a major source o f income. This reflects the excellent and ihard work put in by the editors of these proceedings. Our meetings themselves cont inue to be carefully organised and are self-financing.

Expenses for the 7th I.B.S. have again been shown separately due to the ongoing cost involved dur ing the year to produce the proceedings.

A major acquisi t ion for the society was the purchase of a desk top compute r and printer for use pr imari ly by the Honorary Secretary for product ion of minutes, circulars and member sh ip lists etc.

The society's council main ta ins a close watch over our expendi ture and finances. With a council member sh ip which is so widely spread across Britain it is not easy, but all members assist by use o f saver fares, help from their employers and by arranging council meetings on days when rail travel costs are lower. We have also obta ined agreement from our bank to waive routine bank charges in recognit ion of our chari table status.

The funds held in the Nat ional Saving Bank Inves tment Account cont inues to provide a very significant income to the society. A review of our investments has been made. We have been advised that as a registered charity, bear ing in m i n d the payment of gross interest free o f tax and the relatively easy access to our funds, then the National Savings Bank Inves tment Account cont inues to represent the best opt ion for our money.