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AGM PEN PICTURES  - JOHN BENARDOUT, COMPANY SECRETARY

Gents, you haven’t forgotten the AGM on the 27^th November at 2.00p.m sharp, Hammersmith Town Hall? To come to an A.G.M. not knowing anything about the men you are expected to vote for is not fair. I feel that if I can bring to some of our new subscribers a pen picture of the Board of Management, it will help you to know more about your present Board.

 PETER FENNYMORE: Took over as chairman at the last A.G.M. Although be inherited a strong organisation, he has come in at a time when the society’s growth has to produce bigger results. To this aim peter has formed a future planning committee. Peter’s ambition has always been to be the chairman of ODRTS and he has brought his own unique way of steering the Board in a fair-minded patient fashion. His strength is in his resilience, accepting full responsibility dealing with any matter at source, a good listener and a meticulous person.  His long association as a board member (a P.R.O for many years) has prepared Peter well as all of our business associates will say: Peter wanted the chair, he’s got it and he revels in it.

 AUBREY SITEMAN: I could write a book on Aubrey (and he would sign it)! I can speak with authority as I have worked alongside him or many years. Without doubt the finest Treasurer this society has known. It would be difficult for me to imagine this place without him. His unselfish devotion to the society is unquestionable. ODRTS has grown to what it is today partly due to Aubrey’s guidance and expert handling of our affairs. Finally, Peter Fennymore would be the first to admit that the way Aubrey has readily liaised with him has made being a butterboy chairman that much easier.

 MARTIN GELLMAN: Our previous chairman. A man of immense experience, now chairman of the joint radio committee. Regarded by his colleagues as the most shrewd and ruthless negotiator in the business. A stickler for procedure and a valuable asset to our organisation. Although he appears on the outside to be difficult to approach, I can assure you he is a very warm person.

 JACK TAYLOR: Probably the best-known cab driver in the trade. He devotes so much energy to charity work and still manages to give 101% to ODRTS. Jack has been and done it all.  There is nothing he doesn’t know (he’s told me so on many occasions). If he admits to not knowing it, it is probably not worth knowing.

 PHIL MESSIAS: Phil has been a board member for several years, always popular with the members as his votes show. He has acquired a complete insight into the running of the business. He is a very methodical and immaculate person, which one can see in the way he conducts himself. He was asked to take over Complaints and has made this unglamorous post a well-run organised position that operates perfectly, as it had to during Phil’s hospitalisation.

 PHIL EMDEN: Phil is a guy I affectionately call the Mexican bandit. He not only looks like one, he can without warning, come up with a bright idea out of the blue catching the rest of the board completely unaware. You only have to pick up News & Views to see Phil is our Editor, as his humour and the way he expresses himself stands out a mile. Phil might look quiet and unassuming, don’t let looks deceive you. He is a dedicated board member, which can be seen by the way he studies the society.

 JOHN SAUNDERS: I doubt whether there is any board member who has John’s experience in the control room.  He’s done everything from telephonist to control room manager (and I have even see him wash up). The amount of hours John has put into the job of getting the control room to run smoothly, I should hate to say. He has the knack of quashing an explosive atmosphere by his calm approach. His character generates when you see the harmony spread through the building via customers and drivers.

 E.GEE:  Better know as Micky, he is our latest acquisition to the board. During the few months he has been here, he has surpassed my expectations by slotting in very quickly to the board’s way of life. He has searched for knowledge in his own time to become more efficient, never frightened to ask questions. Micky has taken over the night shift, which is no mean task.  That shows courage!