I can't thank Rod enough for stepping up to take on this role. He initially volunteered to serve a single year and has now served two. In his time he has been responsible for modernising and computerising the societies accounts and whoever steps into the role now will have a much easier job than when Rod took over, and Rod has volunteered to stay around for those extra few months to bring you up to speed.

Annette has also done a sterling job on the magazine, and I am sure would continue if her personal schedule allowed her to do so, and again she has a large amount of material prepared to allow the next person to step easily into the role - and the person for this role will I am sure have a lot of support from both myself in the role of webmaster and Dave Pope as PRO.

The role of membership secretary is also vital in ensuring the society continues to run, and again all of the functions are now computerised to assist the person coming into the role no end.

However, legally, without a Treasurer, the society must fold. That means that someone out there reading this post will have to step up to the mark, or the society has gone. There's around 4 short months to do this in - so please don't delay and if you can help step up to the mark. The cost of an EGM to the society is large - it could conceivably take the entire profits from the National Show and set the society back a year or more - but if no-one steps up then again - all gone.

But what has the BKKS ever done and why do we still need it? Well, almost certainly the hobby would not exist in this country as strongly and vibrantly as it does in this country as if the BKKS had not been there to support it. The society is currently in negotiation with DEFRA and the government over the animal welfare bill - much good has already been done but if the BKKS is not there to represent your views then there is a good chance that koi shows in this country will cease to exist; at least in the number and form that we know now; and in time the sale and import of koi may also come under much greater restrictions.

I'm not trying to scaremonger here but it could happen without support. and while these posts are largely thankless there is a good deal of satisfaction to be had from doing them, and pride in a job well done. Koi shows are great places and Koi people are great people and most will give you every assistance to get the job done. There are people up here working on your behalf for your hobby whether you know it or care about it. This is where you are needed. These roles would suit anyone - Retirees with time to spend on their hobby or young people looking to progress in the world and needing something good for their CV. We need three people to step up and help us. If you have a genuine reason you can't do it, then fair enough - but almost everyone on the council has genuine reasons to have left and they are still there working for you. So now is the time to step up. Who knows, you may even enjoy it.