Next members meeting Friday 27th June 2008 2p.m. Venue:
El Ancla Torrox Costa 

Minutes of May members meeting:

Minutes of the recent members meeting held at The Avalon Hotel, Punta Lara on 30th May.

Present:
Malcolm Lewis, Spanish Insight; Dave and Debbie Hyde, AdClix Pro; Andy and Linda Mountfort, Coastline Properties; Mike Clements, Clemente; Siobhan Maciejewski, Guido Bauer; Ray Watts, Ocio Comer; Sean and Lin Hannington, VivaSpainRentals and Hanningtons; Ian Spratt, Photography and Design; Janet and Ian Butler, Doctores de la Casa & DriveTec; Helen Twistleton, Grapevine; Angela Rogers, Spanish Insight

Apologies:
Sue Whewell, Chameleon Properties Bob Higgs, Tony Schlosser and Ian, Apple Estates Andrew Robertson, Technology Direct Alan McLean, Gay Weddings Nerja

New Members
Kaye Springthorpe, HIFX Currency Exchange – Kaye gave a small presentation on how HIFX operates, which was greatly appreciated.
Dave Price, The Price is Right – Dave attended the meeting on the invitation of Mike Clements, and was interested to see how ABC operates.
Jackie, Artist – Jackie introduced us to her work as an artist in the area.
Ray and Louie Paternoster, Kipling bags – Ray and Louie brought along with them samples of the unique bags they make and sell.

Malcolm Lewis, ABC Chairman opened the meeting.
1.
The Residents Day in Nerja was considered to be a good success, signing up 18 prospective new members to ABC.

2.
The winner of the raffle, held on Residents Day, was drawn at the meeting. Winner was Ian Perry of Hostal Miguel. New members attended the meeting were informed of the wine kindly donated by Irish Annie’s for this event.

3.
Presentation – given by Malcolm Lewis, Chairman, on ‘Cash is King, but Barter is Smarter!’. This was an extremely interesting presentation which members became actively involved in by questions and observations. Ian Butler added during the presentation that he had been operating this method for a few months. An example he gave was a recent job in which he did 2 days work in return for a septic tank. Andy, Coastline, queried the benefits of a barter system to which Ray, Ocio, told members of a jeweller in England who traded very successfully with property companies. He offered his services to be involved if ABC were to go ahead and adopt this system in some form, and was very pro a Barter card. Siobhan of Guido Bauer, told members of a situation where she swapped property management services for the use of an apartment. Dave Price, The Price is Right, asked if there was any control over such a system, and Malcolm Lewis explained that it is a very successful system in other countries and was unsure at this stage of the methods of control, and that this was something that obviously ABC would look into and bring ideas to the table. All members liked the idea of a Barter card and system within the ABC network in principle, and were happy for it to be looked into and discussed in more detail in future meetings. Summary comments were to keep it simple and that all members would have to be known. A very interesting and thought-provoking presentation – thanks Malcolm! A Poll has been set up on the ABC website asking members to show their interest in the idea of the ABC discussing a local business barter system.

4. Burglaries
Malcolm Lewis informed members of the recent arrests of 2 Romanians. Siobhan said that she had heard it was more like 16. Ray, Kipling Bags, spoke of a security system that he had designed in the UK that worked by way of sending people text messages and that it had been very successful and easy to use. Sean Hannington, Hanningtons, added that he had worked with Spanish companies and as a result could acquire the same deals as the Spanish with regard to rejas. It was put forward that if anyone needed any to contact Sean.

5.
Bob Higgs, Apple Estates, is producing flyers and leaflets for his business as it becomes internet based, and Malcolm Lewis expressed Bob’s offer of any member who wishes to have their details on it to send an e-mail to ABC.

6. Voluntary support request to ABC members
Malcolm Lewis asked for help or assistance by members with regard to the running of ABC, with Dave Hyde requesting help with the administration side, which he has been operating alongside the website. Ian Spratt offered his assistance and will discuss with Dave after the meeting. Angie, Spanish Insight, volunteered to be Social Secretary organising and assisting members with social and outside activities. Thank you to both for their contribution.

7.The Champagne Tour with Life Adventure, Nerja
Well, what a successful first event for ABC! All people who attended the Champagne Tour by Life Adventure, Nerja, commented on what a fantastic time they had and were full of praise for the people who run it, (Michael and Donna Tweehuijsen), who are obviously totally dedicated to what they do and work hard to make sure people have the very best time. Siobhan, Guido Bauer, suggested the idea of approaching Michael and Donna to ask if they would attend ABC and give a presentation and inform members of forthcoming events. Dave Hyde said that he would forward them a vote of thanks from all who attended which has since been done.

8. Any Other Business:
Malcolm Lewis put forward a suggestion of a summer BBQ on the beach with music, etc. Members were happy to look into it.

ABC members were informed that the Committee Meetings, held before the monthly meetings, were open to all, and all were welcome to attend to put their views forward.

Next meeting dates:
Committee meeting: June 20th (Venue to be decided)
Members meeting: June 27th (Venue to be confirmed)