7. Expanding the region: 
This elicited the greatest variety of response, though everyone w^as of 
the opinion that OSME should include the Arabian peninsula and 
Turkey! Approximately 50% of members are in favour of including 
North Africa and those countries bordering the Red Sea, with a 
slightly smaller percentage in favour of including the area surrounding 
the Caspian. Qie point which comes across very strongly is that 
OSME should initially consolidate its position within the Middle East 
itself before considering taking in extra countries. This is a view 
generally shared by Council and members can be assured that no 
changes to the region will take place at the expense of our existing 
membership. 
What next? 
Over the last 12-18 months, apart from the Members' Survey, OSME 
Coimcil has been drawing up outline strategies for the Society's 
future conservation, ornithological and promotional activities. These, 
together with the survey results, will form the basis of a Development 
Workshop to be held on 15 October. From this it is hoped that an 
overall development plan for the Society will be produced to guide 
OSME through the next five to ten years . Your continued support will 
be a major factor in helping OSME become more effective in the 
Middle East. 
Report of the first meeting of executive officers of ABC, NBC, 
OBC and OSME held at White Cottage, Cley, Norfolk, UK 
on 3 July 1994 
Present: 
Chris Balchin (NBC), Martin Kelsey (NBC), Nigel Redman (OBC), Graeme 
Spinks (OBC), Richard Webb (ABC), Geoff Welch (OSME), Hilar>^ Welch 
(OSME), Martin Woodcock (ABC). 
The meeting was chaired by MK and the minutes were taken by NR. 
After a general introduction by MK, it was agreed that a degree of 
collaboration between the four clubs was beneficial to each club. A series 
of objectives was drawn up which included increasing cooperation 
between the clubs, .^icreasing tiie effectiveness of each club, reducing 
competition, and reducing costs. It was agreed that the meeting should 
produce a series of recommendations for consideration by the full 
councils of the four clubs. 
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