WALSALL RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT U.R.C. ON MONDAY 13TH MARCH 2023
PRESIDENT: SUE OATES The President welcomed members to the AGM.
Apologies: June Gill, Jan Farrow, Sheila Emery, Sheila Bolton, Mary Cooper, Chris Fletcher, Peter Entwistle, Eileen Russel and Devi Morgan.
Minutes of last AGM were on display on the noticeboard, on the website and on each table for members to view.
Matters Arising Members were reminded that at the AGM I 2022 it had been agreed that annual subscription would rise by £5 in 2024 and a further £5 in 2025. Minutes were accepted, proposed by Doris Lee and seconded by Jean Entwistle These were agreed by members voting. For. 35. Against. 0. Abstentions. 0
President’s Report Sue Oates Sue gave thanks to committee members, volunteer teamakers and those who prepare the tables, chairs and sound equipment for our meetings. She also thanked the social committee for their work organising a variety of outings throughout the year and to Doris Lee who provided table decorations for our special occasions. The variety of talks during the year was appreciated and a hope that the coming year would be just as enjoyable. Sue also remembered those members who had passed away during the year and also those who could no longer attend our meetings. Finally, Sue thanked members for continuing to support the Association.
Treasurer’s Report Kathy Norman A copy of the Balance Sheet for year ending December 2022 was given to each table to view. Roger Butt had audited the accounts and signed them off. 1st January 2022 30th December 2022 BANK £5128.83 BANK £4612.59 CASH £ 24.51 CASH £ 0.87 DEFICIT for year. -£ 539.88
The main deficit occurred due to no collections being taken at the door at each meeting during 2022. The amalgamation of the monthly sub together with the annual fee will mean the Association will be in a healthier position going forward. Members were reminded that the committee had agreed that available funds would be used to benefit members now. They had also agreed to subsidise any shortfalls in trips in 2023 so that a full programme could be organised and the success or otherwise will be reviewed at the end of the year. Due to the fall in numbers costs of hiring a coach were now based on 25 people attending each visit, if more people came the costs could be lowered. Kathy mentioned that if funds remained on track, then the annual subscription may not have to be raised in 2024. At the moment there were 48 members, 47 of whom had paid with an average of 35 members attending each meeting. Kathy expressed the continuing support received from NEU for the use of their office for committee meetings, photocopying and distributing leaflets to schools each year about our Association. Money had been paid out during the year for flowers for Mary Burns when she was undergoing lengthy medical treatment and for memorials for members who had passed away during the year. Kathy asked for members to consider these possible changes to reduce costs should the deficit grow during the year.
The website, costing £49 per year – should we still keep it as it appears very few members take advantage of it.
Should we continue to send birthday cards to members particularly as the cost of postage is increasing.
It was reported to members that alternative venues have been looked at during the year and comparison made with the U.R.C. costs and facilities. Some committee members had visited all or some of the venues which included St. Martins, Alridge Church rooms, Aldridge Compass Suite, Aldridge Community Centre and Manor Farm none of which entirely suited every need. Unfortunately, the comparison sheet could not be put before the committee due to their meeting scheduled for last week being cancelled due to the snow. It will be discussed at the next committee meeting and members will be given details in due course. Finally, Kathy thanked members for paying fees on time and said accounts could be perused at any time. Members were asked if they had any questions concerning the accounts but there were none.
Social Secretary Report Margaret Jones Margaret ran through the trips and events that had taken place over the last year, two trips had to be cancelled, Ragley Hall and Trentham Gardens. Doris Lee had left the social committee and Margaret thanked her for her help and service over many years, she welcomed Jean Ballard as a new member to the committee. A full programme of visits has been arranged for 2023 which it is hoped members will like and attend.
Membership Secretary’s Report Mary Burns Mary reported that 47 members had paid their fees and she would be contacting 3 people who had not yet responded. There have been 3 new members and 4 have decided not to renew and 3 had passed away during the year.
Speaker ‘s Secretary Report Antonio Longhi Antonio explained he had taken over the role from Alan Crunden who had undertaken the role for many years and had arranged a varying range of speakers, Antonio particularly liked the native American who came in costume. He detailed the upcoming programme and the range of speakers who he hoped would keep members entertained and awake. He indicated he would welcome suggestions for future speakers but to bear in mind that he had a budget to keep to.
Almoner’s Report Jean Entwistle Jean said over the year she had sent out 2 sympathy cards and 10 get well cards, the latest one being to Devi Morgan who is in hospital at the moment. Reminder to let Jean know if anyone needs to be contacted.
Election of President supervised by Jean Entwistle No nominations had been entered on the noticeboard so Jean asked if there were any nominations from the floor, no one responded. Therefore, Jean asked for agreement for Sue Oates to continue as President for another year. This was proposed by Ruth Burns and seconded by Pam Roberts Members were asked if they agreed. Those for. 35. Those against. 0. Abstentions. 0
Election of Officers. supervised by Sue Oates No nominations had been entered on the noticeboard so Sue asked if there were any nominations from the floor, no one responded. It was therefore proposed that the existing Officers were elected en bloc to serve another year. This was proposed by Lesley Stanley and seconded by Vivian Fairbanks Members were asked if they agreed. Those for. 35. Those against. 0. Abstentions. 0
Election of Committee members supervised by Sue Oates No nominations had been entered on the noticeboard so Sue asked if there were any nominations from the floor, no one responded. It was therefore proposed that Margaret Parker, Jean Ballard and Glyn Mills serve another year. This was proposed by Melvyn Shaw and seconded by Janet Foster Members were asked if they agreed. Those for. 35. Those against. 0. Abstentions. 0
Any Other Business A reminder was made about the Association’s website and a request for any additions to be made through Kathy Norman who at the moment is our webmaster. Donations made at the door for the cream tea this afternoon had totalled £80 which would be going to Walsall Hospice End of Life Care.
Conclusion of A.G.M. Sue concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for coming and participating and declared it was now time for the highlight – the cream tea.
A raffle was held after the tea and all prizes were claimed.
Date of Next Meeting The next meeting will be on 17th April when the speaker will be Judy Hubble with a talk entitled ‘A Servant’s Lot’.
We had the business side of the meeting with some laughter. The 2022 Exec. Committee members were voted in en bloc for 2023. Reports were made by all the officers and were well received by members. Minutes of this meeting will be on this site next year near to the AGM 2024. It was followed by the Scone tea. We have to say a big thank you to Essington Farm, Essington. They supply us with the freshly baked scones - both Fruit and cheese ones - both delicious.
We have a lovely group of people in this Association and we should be thankful for such people.
WALSALL RETIRED TEACHERS’ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT U.R.C. ON MONDAY 14TH MARCH 2022
PRESIDENT: SUE OATES The President welcomed members to the AGM.
Apologies: Melvyn Shaw, Cynthia Pigeon, Alan & June Crunden, Peter Entwistle. Barbara Sellwood, Sheila Emery, Eileen Russell, Chris Fletcher, Barbara Bradshaw and Marion Letts.
Condition of Room Hire and Fire Safety The President explained to members of the new conditions for hiring the hall and read out those items that related to all members. Sue then informed members where the nearest exits were in case of fire and to report any accidents so they could be recorded in the URC accident book.
Minutes of the last AGM were on display on the noticeboard , on the website and on each table for members to view. Matters Arising
Relaxing the Constitution
Members were asked to agree to keep the relaxation rules agreed at the AGM of 2020 in the event no nominations are made for officers or committee. This was proposed by Hilda Udall and seconded by Jean Entwistle This was agreed with members voting For: 37 Against: 0. Abstentions: 0
Subscription fees
Members were asked to confirm the proposed inclusion of weekly fees with the annual subscription to begin in January 2023 which would be £20. This was proposed by Sheila Bolton and seconded by Doris Lee. This was agreed with members voting For: 37 Against: 0. Abstentions: 0
Raising of subscription fees
As previously discussed at the 2020 AGM our fees are now not covering the outgoing costs and membership fees needed to rise, since then we have had the pandemic and our membership and attendance has reduced further. Members were asked to confirm a rise in the annual subscription fee of £5 in 2024 and a further £5 in 2025. This was proposed by Ruth Burns and seconded by Melva Boothman. This was agreed with members voting For: 37 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
Minutes were accepted by proposal by Ruth Burns and seconded by Antonio Longhi These were agreed by members voting For: 37 Against: 0. Abstentions: 0
PRESIDENTS REPORT given by Sue Oates Sue gave thanks to the Officers, Committee members and volunteer teamakers for helping to ensure the Association and meetings ran as smoothly as possible. She also gave thanks to the Social Committee for their work on providing a variety of outings and events and also thanked members and their friends who came on the trips and made them a success. She finished by reciting a poem by Benjamin Zephaniah entitled ‘People need People’.
TREASURER’S REPORT given by Kathy Norman (a copy was available on each table) Kathy reported the accounts had been audited and passed by Roger Butts. The deficit was being made up through surplus funds previously accrued and is being spent to benefit the current membership as the future was still uncertain. Due to covid our membership had decreased and the monthly meeting attendance now averaged 34 whilst before covid it had averaged 42. All costs were going up e.g. room hire, transport etc and also additional expenditure for covid precautions i.e. sanitiser, paper cups etc. The NEU still continue to help with photocopying and flyers. She thanked everyone for paying their subs promptly and for those who now pay online. Coach trip costs were calculated on basis of 30 people for a large coach and 25 for a small one. There are now a lot of variations between coach companies for each destination and a close watch would be kept on this. Kathy informed members about future finances and the increases being seen post covid and the shortfall that this would produce hence the need to increase fees, as the cost of speakers escalates maybe some fun activities could be introduced from time to time. Questions were invited from the floor and the acceptance of the accounts were proposed by Brenda Ferguson and seconded by Jan Farrow. These were agreed by members For: 37 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT. Given by Margaret Jones Due to covid no trips had been undertaken during the past year but Margaret informed members that the social committee were working hard to arrange future events. She outlined outings that had been scheduled up until June this year.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT made by Mary Burns Mary informed members that the current membership stood at 57 with 36 those having already paid their fees and several had paid today. Three new members had joined and those members who had not renewed or attended for some time would be contacted by phone to see if all was well. She asked that members updated their details so records could be kept up to date.
SPEAKER’S SECRETARY REPORT given by Kathy Norman due to Alan Crunden’s absence due to ill health. Kathy reported that Alan was stepping down from this post and that a card of thanks was being sent to him together with a garden voucher to show the Association’s gratitude for his hard work over the years of finding a varied range of speakers. Of the speakers arranged for this year one had died and two had not yet confirmed. The social committee would be overseeing the pre-arranged programme and at the same time prepare a procedure for arranging speakers with consultation with Antonio Longhi who will become Speaker Secretary and will arrange the programme for next year. Any suggestions for future speakers should be given to Antonio.
ALMONER REPORT given by Jean Entwistle Jean reported that she has sent out 16 cards in 2019 4 of which were sympathy cards, one only in 2020 and 12 in 2021 of which 4 were also with sympathy and 3 sent after member’s major surgery.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT supervised by Jean Entwistle No nominations had been entered on the noticeboard so Jean asked if there were any nominations from the floor, no one responded. Therefore Jean asked for agreement for Sue Oates to continue for another year. This was proposed by Lesley Stanley and seconded by Lynn Shaw Members agreed by voting For. 37 Against: 0. Abstentions 0
ELECTION OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS supervised by Sue Oates No nominations had been entered on the noticeboard so Sue asked if there were any nominations from the floor, no one responded. Therefore Sue asked for agreement for the existing Officers en bloc to continue for another year. This was proposed by Margaret Jones and seconded by Lesley Stanley Members agreed by voting For. 37 Against: 0. Abstentions 0 Sue said a role exchange has been made between Membership Secretary and Assistant, Mary Burns taking on the role of Membership Secretary and Brenda Ferguson the Assistant role. Sue thanked Brenda for her work over the past years.
Members also agreed for: Antonio Longhi to become Speaker Secretary from Assistant Speaker Secretary Executive Committee members to continue for another year en bloc Social Committee members to continue for another year en bloc Nominee Jean Ballard (proposed by Sue Oates and seconded by Lynn Shaw) to join the Committee. The above was proposed by Doris Lee and seconded by Vivian Fairbanks Members agreed by voting For. 37 Against: 0. Abstentions 0
ANY OTHER BUSINESS Sue informed members of the sad loss of Ted Roberts who had died the previous evening, Ted and his wife Pam had been members for a number of years.
There was a charity collection for the cream tea following the AGM with donations going to Walsall Hospice. Members were asked to contribute if they so wished.
Members were reminded to visit the website for changes in information and to let Kathy Norman know of any news of members that could be added to the FRIENDSHIP page.
Thanks were given to John & Kathy Norman for providing a new screen for our use and also to Walsall National Trust for the loan of the PA system.
The AGM was then concluded and a cream tea followed.
RAFFLE The first ticket drawn belonged to Doris Lee followed by Vivian Fairbanks, Liz Dunthorne, Pam Huffer, Jo May and Lesley Stanley
DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on 11th April when the speaker will be Cas Bailey with a talk entitled ‘Handcuffs to Hot Glass’.