NWCRO training and AGM

 The previous time the rescue team had had an AGM, we did it online. For obvious reasons. But that didn't motivate people very much, and we found we were inquorate. We had to do it again! And twist some arms to make sure we have enough people.

This year we could be in person again. And the advantage of that is that you can combine it with a training. That tends to draw more people than just a meeting! And this year it would be right after the John Grant concert. I knew I was going to be a bit sleepy…

The day before I had suddenly thought of Amelia, a team member who lives in the West. Most people who live in the West are Thursdaynighters and I do not wish to travel with them, but she is an exception. I had mailed her to ask if she wanted to share transport. And when I came back from the concert in the middle of the night, I saw I had a response. And I had only just received it; she was nightcrawling too. She thought that car sharing was a good idea! And suggested an additional lady we could pick up along the way.

The next day we organised it and it all worked out. Amelia drove to me, I drove us to Conwy Falls, and Sharon drove us to the AGM. And when we got there it wasn't busy, but there were enough people to make the AGM valid. But we would do the training first.

The first thing we did was assembling the Larkin frame. We don't do that very often, so we are a bit out of practice. It would be good if we have a bit more routine if we ever need it in anger. So it was fun and useful! And after that we practised loading the stretcher. And we do that quite often, but it is a delicate art; if we ever have to really put a casualty in a stretcher, they are likely to be in it for a while, so it is important we really are good at putting them in it in such a way they are safe and comfortable.

Larkin frame in action

We then had lunch, and during lunch one of our members gave a preview of a presentation he was going to give during the upcoming rescue conference. It was about gathering large amounts of practically useful data about underground venues, that would be accessible to the team members. The idea would be that not everybody knows everything about all venues; if we can just pull all the information about where the entrance is, where the nearest parking is, what phone signal is like on the parking lot, et cetera, from an online tool with a few clicks of the mouse, that could really help a lot.

After that it was time for the AGM. That was not eventful, but of course it is needed to go through this every year. I am staying on as membership secretary. And at the end of the meeting I handed out a few medals. And then we were good for going home! Another year, another AGM sorted...