Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT. - At the meeting on the 19th March, the following were present: Mrs. McDouall, Miss E. E. Cole, Mis C. B. Cole, Mr. George Jones, Major Richardson, Mr. F. P. Doremus, Mr. C. W. Forward, Mr A. C. Field (treasurer) and the secretary.

The Memorial Hall estimate for Congress meetings was considered.

June 19th, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
GENERAL COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT.- The General Committee was summoned to meet at Ramsgate at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1st. The following were present : Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Hanson, Major Richardson, Mr. Forward, Mr. Hills, and the Secretary ; also as visitors, Mr. Axon and Mr. Tongue.
There not being a quorum present, the Chairman ruled it an Executive Committee.

The date of the International Congress was changed from August 2nd and 18th to September 13th and 18th.

August 7th, 1897:

General Committee

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of the meeting held in the Central Offices on Friday, July 23rd, after semi-annual meeting. Present ; Mr. A. F. Hills, Miss Yates, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Mr. W. Becker, Major Richardson and Mr. George Jones, also Mr. A. C. Field (treasurer), and Mr. O'Callaghan (agent).

The high price (7s 6d) of the Congress dinner tickets (Crystal Palace) was discussed. Decided, if it can be arranged, to alter it.
Resolved, that the Executive be summoned as often as necessary to deal with Congress matters, till Congress is over.

August 21st, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of special meeting held on Friday, August 6th. Present: Rev. Francis Wood, Miss E. E. Cole, Mr. A. C. Field, Mr. George Jones, Major Richardson, and Miss Yates in consultation.

The 7s 6d dinner at the Palace for September 16th altered to a 4s lunch.
Three special circulars suggested by Miss Yates were adopted.
Sub-Committee on Congress papers reported.
Decided to have a cycle handicap by the V.C.C. if this can be arranged. Also other athletic contests.
Resolved - To ask Mr. Hills to transfer the balance of his former guarantee (£75) re Palace dinner, to the whole Congress.
Decided that tickets for the Congress Conversazione be 1s each.
Resolved - That the 5s Congress Ticket shall entitle holder, in addition to privileges already arranged, to a rail and admission ticket to the Palace (September 16th), and a lunch ticket at half price if purchased before September 11th.
Resolved - to arrange a Public Demonstration and Concert at the Palace, all speakers and singers taking part to be strict Vegetarians.
Resolved - That one meeting during Congress week be set apart for Vegetarians only.

August 28th, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of Special Meeting held on Friday, August 13th. Present: Rev. Francis Wood, Miss E. E. Cole, Mr. George Jones, Mr. C. W. Forward, and the Secretary, also Miss Yates in consultation.

Report presented of official visit to Crystal Palace Co. and Bertram & Co. re Sept. 16th.
Resolved - That the Theatre be taken for a meeting at 7 p.m., and that 10,000 handbills be printed by Evans & Co.
List of names suggested as a help to form the Vegetarian Choir for the Palace meeting, was read, and Secretary instructed to write to them.
The Luncheon to be at 2.30 p.m., or at later time if found more convenient, at Secretary's discretion.
Steward to be appointed to take charge of visitors at the luncheon. The Committee to arrange their seats. The Committee to meet on the Friday before the Congress.
Resolved - That all papers for Congress to be gone through by the staff, who shall if necessary report to the Committee.
Resolved - That August 31st be last date for receiving papers. That they be classified and of a kindred character at each session.
Resolved - unanimously, that Mr. Hills be asked to be President of Congress and give a Presidential address.
Resolved - That the meeting for Vegetarians only be "Social and Experience," and managed by Major Richardson.
Conversazione to commence at 7.30. "Evening dress" optional.
A suggestion to have manufactures going on at the Exhibits was agreed to if without expense.
It was decided to send a note to Secretaries of Societies asking for loan of suitable objects.
It was decided to arrange for sale of literature, badges, and photos of Vegetarians at the Crystal Palace on Sept 16th.

Correction. - We regret that in our report of the meeting of Aug. 6th we ommitted the name of Miss C. B. Cole who was present at that meeting.

September 4th, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, August 20th. Present: Mr. Field, Mr. Forward, Mr. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, Miss Yates (in consultation), and Mr. O'Callaghan (Agent).

Mr. Hills accepted the position of President of the Congress.
Resolved - That the Congress shall commence at 3 p.m. by the opening of the exhibition, at 4.30 the reception of members and delegates, at 5 p.m. the President's address.
The Congress Papers Sub-Committee was disbanded that the whole Executive should deal with the entire Congress.
Mr. Hills, in reply to the Committee's letter, offers to meet a guarantee with an equal amount up to £25 if a "Congress Fund" is opened.
An offer by Miss Yates to demonstrate with an aerial graphoscope was accepted with thanks.
Resolved - That £5 be spent in advertisements of the Congress.
The Secretary reported that he had communicated with all the Ambassadors etc., re Congress Exhibits, and received much encouragement in the official replies.
Resolved - That the Social and Experience meeting for Vegetarians only be held on the Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.

October 2nd, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of Special Meeting held on Friday, August 27th. Present : Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, and Miss Yates.

Information having been sent to the effect that if we have a meeting in the Crystal Palace Theatre it will be gretaly interfered with by the noise outside, the question was discussed, and it was finally ruled that as there is no resolution to the contrary, the meeting is to be held in the Theatre as previously decided.
Resolved - That all members of the General Committee including alternatives, be appointed to act as Stewards of the Congress, and especially to support the President at the opening.
Resolved - That ribbon badges be obtained for the Stewards to wear.
It was decided the seats around the President's table, at the Congress, be set apart for members of the Committee and Presidents of Societies.
It was decided that the choir have a rehearsal at Hygeia House, according to Mrs. Wallace's offer, on Tuesday, September 7th.

October 9th, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of a special meeting held on Friday, September 10th. Present: Mr. C. W. Forward, Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C. B. Cole, Rev. Francis Wood, and the Secretary, also Miss Yates in consultation.

Resolved unanimously that non-Vegetarians be invited to speak at the Crystal Palace luncheon. The Committee then selected names to be invited.
Resolved - That final arrangements be left with the Secretary.
Resolved - That the reception of delegates be hedl in the Board Room. Several other matters of detail for the Congress business were also settled.

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, September 24th. Present: Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss C.B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, and the Secretary.

A discussion took place on the question of publishing the transactions of Congress and what they should contain.
Resolved - That the transactions of Congress be published as the December number of the Vegetarian Review.
Permission was given to Mr. Beard and others to publish some of the Congress papers in theri respective journals.
A list of suggested awards to Congress exhibitors was considered, and, with one exception, approved.
A vote of thanks was accorded to the friendswho had generously loaned articles of interest to the Exhibition.
Resolved - That we reply to all Societies that have sent greetings to Congress, and also send them a copy of the transactions when published.

V.F.U. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Photos of the Congress Party at Monkhams may now be had at the offices of the Vegetarian Federal Union, Memorial Hall. Price 3s. 6d. each for the single mounted one, and 6s. 6d. for the double.

December 4th, 1897:

Vegetarian Federal Union
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT of monthly meeting held on Friday, November 19th. Present :- Mrs. McDouall, Mr. Geo. Jones, Miss E. E. Cole, Miss E. B. Cole, Rev. F. Wood, the Secretary, Mr. Saunders (Agent), and Miss Yates.

A balance sheet (approximate) of Congress accoutns was presented, showing a deficit of only £18 odd.
A design for Congress Medal Awards was approved.
A National Congress for 1898 was approved, to be held in October, and an International Congress at Paris in 1900.