SDEF held its 2005 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Stirling Management Centre, University of Stirling on 21^st November 2005. 

Unfortunately, the Minister for Disabled People, Mrs Anne McGuire MP, had to call off as a speaker at short notice, as pressing parliamentary business required her attendance in the House. She expressed her disappointment by letter at being unable to attend, particularly as the meeting combined her two interests of Minister and constituency MP for Stirling. Anne was, however, addressing Parliament at the Second Reading of the Equality Bill and this was clearly a key development. 

SDEF was most fortunate that the speaker scheduled to speak in the afternoon kindly agreed to come earlier. Marieke Dwarshuis, the Head of Charities at the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) gave an illuminating address on the new regulatory framework and the responsibilities placed on charitable bodies in Scotland. She described the process of developing the charity register and the criteria and procedure for bodies to register. She brought much material and also referred delegated to the OSCR website for further information. Her speech was most warmly received and appreciated. 

In the afternoon formal business was carried out, this including approval of the Minutes of the previous AGM, presentation of the Annual Report and Accounts and Review of Fees and Subscriptions (these remaining unaltered). 

There having been a postal ballot of all full members in the weeks preceding the AGM for three places on the Board of Directors, the result was announced. There had been four candidates: Mr Peter Ingram-Monk was returned as a Director and Mrs Margaret Simpson and Mr Gordon Mungall were welcomed by the Convenor as new Directors. 

Delegates had previously been posted information and a draft resolution to amend article 29 of the Memorandum & Articles of Association. The change was to allow Office Bearers to be elected by Directors at the first meeting of the Board after the 2006 AGM and at the first meeting after each third AGM thereafter. This was agreed.

The Annual General Meeting also presents an opportunity each year to canvass the views of the membership on priority areas for future development. The Convenor opened the floor to delegates to air their views and proposals for further action. 

A wide-ranging discussion ensued, embracing such diverse areas as: orthotic and wheelchair services; video conferencing to aid consultation; the possibility of regional meetings for members; insurance for member groups; concerns over the Blue Badge scheme; the progress of existing pieces of work; and issues around sensory impairment. Attention was drawn to “HomeZone” a useful publication for people with a visual impairment, available from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). 

The Convenor thanked everybody for their attendance. In all, nearly forty delegates had travelled from all over Scotland including the northern and western islands and many were accompanied by carers. 

Evaluation sheets were issues and the results were later tabulated showing broad satisfaction with the event, the breakdown being: location of the venue (85% satisfaction); access to the venue (77%); access to amenities (83%); key note address (83%); opportunity to discuss the issues (79%); and lunch and refreshment (83%).  

SDEF strives to improve its performance and is keen to keep all arrangements under review, including the choice of venue. We also fed back all comments to the Management Centre. The Annual General Meeting was an enjoyable event and a great opportunity to meet and discuss issues with our membership.