Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
of the Boston and District U3A
held at the Assembly Rooms, Boston,
on Tuesday, 19th August, 2008 at 10.30 am
Chairman’s opening remarks
Charles Moody opened the meeting by thanking everyone for coming and welcoming them to the meeting, with special mention of visitors and new members.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Brenda Lane, Hilary and Ray Percy and Marion Smith
2. The Minutes
The Minutes of 21 August 2007, which had been distributed were taken as read and signed as a true record. Acceptance of the Minutes was proposed by John Murphy and seconded by Pam Townsend.
3. Chairman's Report
Boston & District U3A
We have moved from a paid up membership of 140 last September to a membership today of 178 with the highest number of renewed membership subscriptions to date at this time of year. My personal feeling is that Boston U3A is a lively buzzing organization which is reflected in our membership numbers. Although our membership did not reach the peak of last year’s 190, several members moved away and sadly some died.
We participated in the Boston Mayflower Open Day in Central Park, which was visited by a large number of people. Unfortunately the organisers chose to provide live music in the main marquee, which meant that it was almost impossible to hold a conversation with anyone. However a lesson has been learned and the music will be in a separate marquee this year.
Some statistics
Attendance at monthly meetings varied between 58 and 89 with an average attendance of 72 members and a record number of 79 attending the AGM.
During the year, we had 32 visitors at our monthly meetings many of whom joined us.
Committee Members and others
I must extend a personal thank you to those who have worked so hard on the committee throughout the year. In my first year as chairman I have been given unstinting support by everyone. I think we have been a very good team with people working together and supporting each other. For me, this has been a rewarding experience.
I should particularly like the thank the Tea and Coffee makers led by Dot Redmile, the drier-uppers, the hosts at group meetings, the team of Welcomers, headed by Pauline Rawlings: a big thank you to you all! We are all sorry to see Dot go as Tea Lady in chief – she has done a sterling job.
Last but by no means least, many thanks to David Smith who is now closing his books after completing the two years during which he said he would act as Treasurer. We have been fortunate in finding a successor in Doreen Matthews who now joins us as a full committee member.
Dot Ware has resigned from the committee but will be staying on as a member of U3A. I am grateful to her for all the cards and good wishes she has distributed to those of us who have not been well during the year.
Groups
Groups have changed throughout the year. Last September, we had 32 groups running and as of today, there are 34 groups. Some have wound up, others have run their allotted span and regrouped with a different subject to study. New groups have started up – Archaeology, Canasta, Church Architecture in Lincolnshire, Modern History, Photography, Quiz and Singing and the Music group has restarted. We still experience the thorny problem of people volunteering to lead a group but I’m pleased to report that several groups got under way with help from members with relevant skills but who didn’t want to join the group itself.
We stopped using the facilities at Haven High during the year as they wanted to charge us a fee, which was considered too high. Instead we have been supporting Fydell House with several groups holding meetings there – parking is not free but the surroundings are much more pleasant and we can use the kitchen to prepare tea and coffee.
Speakers
Again we had a varied range of speakers which John Richards organised for us this year. Speakers have all had very different personalities but have all amused, inspired or entertained us. Ron Abbott entertained us so much at the Christmas Party that we invited him back to talk on Roman Scandals, which was greatly enjoyed. A big thank you to Michaela for stepping in at the last moment when our speaker couldn’t attend. We hope that more Boston U3A members will act as speakers next year –many of you have done things which would interest all of us.
Newsline
Newsline continues to keep you abreast of what we are thinking and what you are all doing. David Ward has done a sterling job since taking over from John. Copy from you all has meant that extra pages have been needed in some months. Thank you David.
Website
David has also been instrumental in setting up our website which nearly 150 of you had visited as of yesterday. We would like to extend the information it contains so we will be relying on members to provide ideas and feedback. It has taken a lot of effort and the committee are thrilled with the result. Once again, many thanks to David.
Boston and other U3As
In September, Michaela and I were invited to a meeting of a group of U3As from Alford, Grimsby, Horncastle, Louth, Skegness and West Wolds. We joined this group, now called the East Lincolnshire U3A Neighbourhood Group, which has a membership of nine including the newly formed Spilsby group. Activities being promoted by the groups are advertised so that anyone interested can participate.
Fun Day at Tattershall Castle
One of the things we did was to host a Fun Day at Tattershall Castle in July which 154 members of the Neighbourhood group attended. There were many activities in which people could indulge (bowls, croquet, walks and a quiz) and groups also mounted displays of their work in the church.
The Future
The Committee has been working on a bid to attract funding for us to purchase some multi-media equipment – laptops and printers, a projector and a good piece of sound equipment which we can use at monthly meetings as well as other group activities. You are all aware that the sound system in the Assembly Rooms has been giving us problems. It is not good when people attending can’t hear the speaker and we believe that it will eventually put people off coming along each month.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support throughout the year. I’ve been proposed as Chairman again for the coming year which I hope will be as active as this one with lots of new groups being formed.
Acceptance of the Minutes was proposed by Dot Ware, seconded by Doug Brown.
4. To Receive and Adopt the Statement of Accounts for 2005/6
Treasurer's Report
The year to 31st July 2008 has been very much one of consolidation. A greater number of Groups are now operating than a year ago and we have our own website up and running. These activities inevitably have costs attaching to them but this is the purpose of U3A's existence, the running of Groups for the Members' benefit.
During the year our Membership fell back from 190 in 2006/2007 to 170 but this is not surprising following the surge of 50 new members who joined in the previous year. As a consequence our Membership Fees dropped by £240 to £2,040. Our total income for the year was £2,227 compared to £2,507.
Regarding our total outgoings of £2,257 these are virtually the same as last year but reflect lower expenditure on equipment items which are, however, offset by increases in various cost heads.
Overall we have incurred a small loss for the year of £30 compared with a surplus in 2006/2007 of £255. Notwithstanding this position, the Committee has agreed that the subscription be maintained at £12 for another year, as we have financial reserves at the year end of £1.830 - which are perfectly adequate for our immediate objectives.
One anticipated benefit not reported in these Accounts is the tax claw-back resulting from Gift Aid. Regrettably this has not been finalised but the income will be reported in next year's Accounts.
The Committee have expressed satisfaction with the financial affairs of our U3A and recommend that the Accounts to 31 July 2008 be accepted.
Acceptance of the Statement of Accounts was proposed by Sandra Turl, seconded by David Clark
5. Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Officers
David Clark proposed a vote of thanks to Charles Moody and the Committee, said that the committee had done a really great job during the year and gave his best wishes to the next committee.
6. To elect the Officers of the Association
The number of people nominated for the committee matched the number of places available, namely:
Chairman: Charles Moody
Vice Chairman: Jill Pepper
Treasurer: Doreen Matthews
Secretary: Michaela Moody
Committee Members: Hazel Clark, Wendy McDonnell, Merlyn Murphy, John Richards, David Ward
All in favour.
7. To Appoint an Independent Examiner of Accounts
Carol Lidgett was prepared to act again as Independent Examiner having acted this year for the first time.
8. Notified Business
Diaries were available for collection from the Secretary.
Members were asked to put their names on the sheet for Grand Sluice visit and to indicate their preferred days, visit after mid-October.
Dot Ware would replace Dot Redmile as Chief Tea Executive.
9. Coffee
A coffee break gave the usual opportunity for people to sign up for groups and to exchange news.
News from the Groups
After coffee, the Chairman thanked the membership for re-electing him as chairman and said that he would try to ensure that the coming year was as successful as the one just passed.
He then invited the groups to present their activities for the year. The following spoke about their activities:
Astronomy, Boston Wanderers, Croquet, Digital Photography, Discussion, French Conversation, Hardy Perennials, History, Holiday French, Improvers’ Bridge, Lace Making, Living History, Luncheon Club, Modern History, Outings, Play Reading, Quiz, Walking, Wine Appreciation, Writers’ Group.
Payment of Subscriptions
Two tables were at the back of the hall
