View From The Signalbox
We have continued to receive messages that express regret that Richard has resigned and also express the hope that the committee has dealt firmly with the situation. The committee decided to soldier on until the AGM rather than call an EGM at which they would put to the members the problems they had been experiencing. These have caused much extra work and restricted efforts we would have otherwise been putting in to promoting and supporting the Line.
This means that the 2005 AGM will be one of the most important meetings in the history of FoFNL. It is imperative that the positions of Chairman and Secretary are filled and I would urge members to give serious consideration to supporting the Friends by putting themselves forward to serve on the committee.
As the interpretation of the Constitution, with regard to observers/substitutes, has been called into question it is more than likely to be discussed and therefore a copy is enclosed for members to study prior to the meeting. It has been said to me at almost every AGM which I have attended that some members feel unable to vote in committee member elections because they do not know the personalities of the people being nominated. Therefore I would ask that nominees are prepared to offer a short 'pen picture' of themselves, including their ability to use the e-mail system. Because of the emphasis placed by a few on the committee's handling of the Dornoch Rail Link proposals I have decided to allocate considerable space in this issue to help members to decide, when voting for committee members, in which direction and how sensitively they want the new committee to move.
The summer outing to Dunrobin went ahead and was enjoyed by those that attended. We are very pleased that Richard Ardern felt able to accept the invitation to become a Director of Highland Rail Partnership as the representative of the three Friends organisations.
Committee members have continued to represent FoFNL at various meetings and reports are contained on the following pages.