Another successful AGM. The main message was that we need more members and to cut down on our costs! We will try - as we always do. The scones, as always were delicious! Thank you Essington Farm for looking after us.
WALSALL RETIRED TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT U.R.C. ON MONDAY 11TH MARCH 2024
PRESIDENT: SUE OATES The President welcomed members to the AGM and reminded everyone of the fire exits and fire procedure. Apologies: Brenda Ferguson, Peter Entwistle, Yvonne Kent and Margaret Walters Minutes of last AGM were on display on the noticeboard on the website and on each table for members to view. Matters Arising Although voted on at the last AGM no subscription rise has been made for 2024. The £5 increase will be implemented in 2025. Minutes were accepted by member vote.
President’s Report Sue Oates Sue presented a report outlining the varied talks and activities that had been enjoyed by members and thanked all committee members of the Executive and Social committees for their work on behalf of the Association to make these possible. Sheila Emery and Jo May were thanked for stepping up to fulfil the role of Membership Secretary after the sad death of Mary Burns. Robert Burns was also thanked for assisting in the greeters role. Sue also gave a big thank you to members John Norman, Melvyn Shaw and Mario Castillo who helped with various chores such as organising tables & chairs, tea making provisions for every meeting.
Treasurer’s Report Kathy Norman A copy the Balance Sheet for year ending December 2023 was given to each table to view. Roger Butt had audited the accounts and signed them off. 1st January 2023 30th December 2023 BANK £4612.59 BANK £4872.58 CASH £ 6.87 CASH -£ 0.13
Kathy stressed there would have been a deficit of £163.91 (subscription minus costs of running the Association) but for payments for New Vic Theatre outing due in January 2024 being paid in early in 2023 accounting year and the coach not being paid for until 2024. There is a deficit in running the Association from subscriptions alone. There were credits on a few trips and subsidies made on others. Charity donations for the year have been made to Walsall Hospice Palliative Care in respect of money collected at 2023 AGM £80 and Xmas buffet £90. Kathy expressed the continuing support received from NEU for the use of their office for committee meetings and for photocopying. They have in previous years distributed fliers to schools to make staff aware of our Association in their packages for schools but due to the ever pressing drive for economy cuts the NEU are now using email only. They have offered to include a promotional paragraph if we choose to do one. Sundries throughout the year included stamps, birthday cards and cards sent by Almoner. Members were asked to let Jean Entwistle know if any member was poorly. Monies were spent on AGM cream tea and Xmas buffet but some committee members gave their offerings as donations.
Doris Lee has done table decorations for meals and Xmas for several years but is now passing this task on, a plea was made for someone to take on this role.
Kathy pointed out that trips were costed on 25 people participating but as coach prices were rising there appeared to be waning interest in outings and deficits or cancellations had occurred.
Kathy gave continued thanks to Devis Morgan for her assistance, to Roger Butt for auditing the accounts and to members who paid on time.
There were no questions about the accounts for the treasurer and members voted to accept the accounts.
Social Secretary Report Margaret Jones Margaret ran through the trips and events that had taken place over the last year. A coach trip to Kedleston Hall had to be subsidised even though a smaller coach was made available and a visit to Croft Castle was cancelled due to lack of interest. Margaret stressed that outings could only be undertaken if the response was good enough and that social committee members worked hard to organise them. Another event that was cancelled was the skittles in May but this was due to the venue being closed and awaiting new owners.
A car outing was trialled to Wightwick Manor in October and this had turned out well. Others are being planned for 2024 programme.
Margaret gave thanks to all the social committee members for their hard work and continuing support.
Membership Secretary’s Report Sheila Emery Sheila began by stating that she hoped she could carry out the role with the help of Jo May, as efficiently as Mary Burns. It was reported that 44 members had paid their fees for 2024 so far and 7 membership forms had been posted to those who had been unable to attend for a period of time. There had been 4 new members during the year with 2 members not renewing.
Speaker ‘s Secretary Report Antonio Longhi Antonio said he hoped his speakers to date had kept members informed and awake during the year. The 2024 programme would include talks from charities who help the community and entertainers as part of a balanced programme. Suggestions for future speakers were welcomed at any time.
Almoner’s Report Jean Entwistle Jean said over the year she had sent out 2 sympathy cards and 10 get well cards, slightly more than the previous year. A reminder was made 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 list 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 Antonio Longhi and seconded by Pam Huffer 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 list 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 Barbara Sellwood and seconded by Janet Foster 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 list 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. Members were asked if they agreed. Those for. 35. Those against. 0. Abstentions. 0
Any Other Business Car outing to Winterbourne Gardens in June was being arranged cost of £6.50 commitment for attendance was needed. Thanks were given to Doris Lee for doing table decorations over several years. Member reports on trips were asked for to be included on the website. Members were also reminded to check the website for any changes to the programme. Also members could forward news on members to Kathy Norman for inclusion on the Friendship page. Trips to Leather Museum in March, Anniversary meal in April, skittles lunch in May and Winterbourne Gardens in June were promoted also interest was asked for re The Nutcracker ballet at the Hippodrome in December.
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 the prizes went to Lorna Phillips, Mario Castillo, Ann Clarson and Marion Letts. The charity donations had amounted to £63.08 which would go to The Walsall Hospice.
Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting would be 8th April