Clive Alyve's Guide to
The Annual National Conference (ANC)

Oi! Before turning the page after reading the title and thinking "That sounds really boring", let Clive ask you some simple questions:

1. Do you like eating?
2. Do you like partying?
3. Do you like shagging?
4. Would you like to do the above for free?

If the answer to these questions is YES, then the ANC is for you! (Note: The "shagging" part is subject to the availability of a willing partner).

Each 18 Plus group can send two delegates (full members) to the ANC, and most groups pay for them to go.

"Ah, but don't you have to spend two days sat in a boring conference?", 1 hear you ask. Well, it's actually a day and a half, and it's not all boring.

You get to have a say on the future of YOUR Federation, which can't be a bad thing, and you could always throw in a few jokes, such as:

VOTING

Voting is simple. You stick your hand in the air at the right time. You can vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN. Try not to vote for all three, as it really buggers things up!

TROPHIES

On Sunday afternoon, there are various trophies to be presented, for things like: Best Group Best Area Best programme Best magazine (three cheers for Alyve!!!) Most unusual charity event etc. Lets hope Yorkshire Area and Groups win ail the trophies!

CONFUSED?

If you're worried about getting a bit confused, don't be! If you don't quite follow something, then neither will other people (they're Plusser's as well) and it will get explained by our National Chairman (assuming she understands it, of course!)

Q. How many Plussers does it take to change a light bulb?

A. None. Parties are much more fun with the lights out!

WHAT IS THE ANC LIKE?

It's like a big room with people in it! Have you ever been to an Area Conference? Well, the ANC is much more impressive than that!

Have you seen the party political conferences on the TV? Now we're getting closer, but the ANC is about 18 Plus ... which is much more interesting than boring politics, because it actually means something!

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Some people are nervous about speaking in public. There's no need! Just pretend that you're talking to your friends in the pub, and it'll be as sound as a pound. (Remember not to say "mine's a pint and a packet of nuts!" when you speak, or the "nuts" may be in other peoples' thoughts!)

You don't have to say anything, but at least listen to what is being said. (Hard not to, since microphones are used!) After the discussion, comes...

ANC 1998 Returns To The Seaside

The 1998 ANC was held at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, over the weekend of 9th - 10th May 1998. Hastings is a seaside resort on the Kent / Sussex border with an old town full of character.

Two main hotels were used - the Yelton and the Chatsworth. The Chatsworth was being refurbished and the Yelton was comfortable, although old-fashioned in its decor.

Andy Says 'I Have A Dream'

The 57th Annual National Conference (ANC) took place in Hastings on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 1998 in the White Rock Theatre.

The primary purpose of the ANC is to debate issues affecting 18 Plus at a National level. The first motion proposed raising the full membership fee with 10% of the fee being returned to the member's Area. The intention of this motion was that the money raised would be used for a particular project, for example publicity or development. Arguments were made both for and against but in the end insufficient delegates voted for the motion, so it was lost.

The second motion was that a six-month membership be introduced for people who are unable to reside in the country for a full year. The motion was carried.

There were also motions to amend the posts on an Area Executive Council and concerning the number of Area meetings. Both these proposals were accepted.

The most contentious motion was to raise the upper age limit for full membership from under 30 to under 36 years of age. A variant of this proposal had been discussed at last year's ANC but had narrowly failed to gain the necessary support. This year however the motion gained greater support with only 9 votes against and 3 abstentions. The final three motions were all lost.

As ever at the ANC the Saturday night Dinner Dance had a great party atmosphere with the National Chairman, Sandra Bradshaw, dancing on the tables and discovering a miracle cure for loss of voice (tons of alcohol!).

The other purpose of the ANC is to elect the National Chairman for the next twelve months. Sandra had served the maximum number of terms (three years). Andy Bond had been nominated for the post.

As the rules require, Andy made his own proposal speech. Apart from the odd bit of pontificating and being the next in the line of handsome (?) and beautiful National Chairpersons, he will also be following "his dream". This dream is to be the first National Chairman for more than ten years to stand up at an ANC and say that the Federation has increased its year on year membership. He wants the Federation to have renewed perspective, aims, goals, pride and involvement, and for the members to be able to say "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last" (a quote from a Negro spiritual). Andy Bond was duly elected as National Chairman to serve from Monday 9th June 1998.

In recognition of her hard work as National Chairman, Sandra was presented with a crystal Winnie The Pooh. She also received a gold record (a spray painted version of one of her favourite records, the 18 Plus song) and perhaps least desirably a present from a "secret admirer", a sun shade!

KATIE HAWKINS

Published in Plus News May 1998

First of all, the best bit:

to the following, after the recognition of their achievements at the A.N.C: Grimsby & Cleethorpes Group for winning the National Recruitment Trophy. How many members were recruited, by the way? Leeds Group for being the second best group in the Federation (they were just pipped at the post by Billericay Group) The ALYVE Magazine for winning the Norbury Trophy - the best magazine in the Federation. (Clive Alyve is "really chuffed!") And last but not least... All Yorkshire Area members as Yorkshire Area won the Cobb Dual Purpose Jug Mug which is awarded to the best Area in the Federation. Well done!

It looks like it was a successful Conference for us Yorkshire folk!

As you will probably know by now, the 18 Plus official age range has been increased. Full members are now from 18 to 35. Existing associate members aged 30-35 will become full members again at their next membership renewal. (or immediately if they pay £5 to National).

The membership fee was NOT increased (but if you had budgeted for an increase, Clive Alyve will happily relieve you of the difference)

One more item of good news to Yorkshire members. The 1999 A.N.C. will be held in Buxton (Derbyshire) which is a damn sight closer to Yorkshire than Hastings!

Wendy Turner, our leader, would like to thank all those from our Area who made the trip down to Hastings, and what lovely weather it was too!

If you would like further information on the Conference, you should have been there! Your Group Chairman may share some of it with you, if you ask nicely.

Printed in ALYVE June 1998

Norbury Trophy (best magazine)
"Alyve" (Yorkshire Area)