Present: All full members and Membre Apprentis Laurent Vecillia.

Photo right: Rehearsing for the AGM. Click the photos to see larger images.
 

1. The President met the usual problems in calling the meeting to order but succeeded in gaining attention by announcing "I am paying for first litre of wine! There was Much Applause and Drinking Of The Official Drink (MAADOOD), Vin Rosé.   
    
2. Officers Reports
    
   • The President reported that the Official Web Site continued to receive world-wide acclaim. (MAADOOD).
      
   • Mme La Secretaire gave a very eloquent trilingual speech - so much so that it is reported separately in its' entirety. There was very much applause from the surrounding diners as well as from the ACU, and much drinking of wine!
     
     And after days of practise, the real thing ...
      

   • Mme. la Vice Président announced that she was going home to cook the potatoes and would return later. This brought joy to the faces of Robbie and Renate as they realised they would have to drink the Vice President's share of the wine.
     
      

   • The Minister Without Portfolio declined to comment and as a result was fined 1 litre of wine. This was not as severe as it appears because the wine is only FF26 per litre, but if he had to buy more wine it might lead to serious consequences because everyone has to buy 1 litre in any case.
     
     Robbie (Minister Without Portfolio) tosses the salade for Jean (Mme l'Ambassadrice).
        
   • Mme l'Ambassadrice reported that International Relations continued to flourish. Following the visit by the Swiss Contingent (Buettler) to the British Contingent (Brandon) the planned reciprocal visit in September 1999 had been a great success. (MAADOOD). The President complained that Robbie would not let him spend enough money, and is planning a reprisal.
      
   • The Technical Director reported on the very successful completion of the 1999 ACU 14th July Feu d'Artifice (fireworks) Project, proposed and agreed last year. He had constructed a large wire frame which supported pieces of wood to form the letters "ACU" 2 metres high and installed it on the beach, close to the official municipal fireworks display. The wood was wrapped in rope/cord. At the end of the Official Display the letters were soaked in diesel fuel and set on fire (ignited). The festive crowd, watching from the far side of the river, were astounded when the letters ACU in fire appeared. "What is this???!!!" they cried in awe. "What does it mean 'ACU'????" The ACU Members, watching from the riverside, were very proud!
     (Click for a Photo showing a strategically-placed table being guarded by members for the ACU to watch the Feu d'Artifice. A bridge tower is reflected in the river and there is vin rosé bien frais in the cool-box)
     
     The Technical Director and his wife Barbara caught 'dans un moment amoureux'.
     
     The Technical Director then went on to explain how, after the 14th July 2000 display, the fireworks contractors had been contacted and asked how much it would cost to have the letters 'ACU' included as part of the Official Display in 2001. He considered sum quoted, 1,500 French Francs to be acceptable and proposed that the ACU make arrangements with the contractor. The proposal was unanimously accepted. (Note: the section above is true.)
      
   • Election of Officers:
     The President tried very hard to resign but was told "Either continue in office or drink another litre of wine". He decided to continue.
     
     The Vice President, Secretary, Minister Without Portfolio, Ambassador, Chef des Boules and Technical Director decided to keep their old positions (although the ACU is an Equal Opportunities Organisation, it is not democratic).
     
     Laurent deserts the meeting to attend to diners
      
3. New Committee Position:
   The President reported that, while he and Mme l'Ambassadrice were playing Bluegrass Music at the Centre of the Universe, they had been given money to the grand total of 20 Francs (old francs, that is). Now that the Association had funds and especially in view of the planned expenditure on the 2001 Feu d'Artifice, he told the Committee that we must have a Treasurer. The new position was approved by 7 votes to 1 (Theo Wenten voted against because he realised it would be his job...) The meeting then told Theo that he must take charge of all funds (currently 20 centimes) and invest them wisely.
   
   Laurent regards the original script of the Official ACU Song or Anthem Click for words
    
4. Any Other Business
   Treasurer Theo Wenten proposed that the ACU should have an Official Song or Anthem. This was accepted unanimously. Various suggestions were made as to what the anthem should be but most were too serious and therefore unacceptable. Theo himself eventually suggested the winner - The Chabot Evening Menu, sung to the tune "Amen".
   Click for the words
    
5. Public Relations:
   The proceedings were unofficially witnessed by a multitude of diners and drinkers (who had great difficulty in understanding what was happening; several looked suitably embarrassed and sat further from us).
   
   Despite frequent performance of the Official Chant the Committee was disappointed to note that the amount of disturbance caused to the unsuspecting tourists at the Café Chabot was less than in previous years.
    
6. The main business of the meeting - consumption of the Official Drink - continued until each member had drunk at least 1 litre. Then the meeting disintegrated in the traditional very unruly manner and the German section staggered back to camp down the hill road on the edge of the cliffs, shouting "ACU! ACU! ACU!"

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Updated 13th December 2000