The Future Last year, I said I would act for one more year as your Chairman so this is my last Annual Report. Thank you all for your encouragement and support throughout the year. I hope that next year will be as active as this one with lots of new groups being formed. I’m sure that your new chairman will keep you all up to scratch!
Acceptance of the Minutes was proposed by Pam Townsend, seconded by Brian Redmile.
5. To Receive and Adopt the Statement of Accounts for 2005/6
Boston U3A has grown by about 50 new Members during the present year. This is reflected by an increase of £564 in membership fees received to £2,280.
Total income for the year was £2,507 compared with £1,920 in 2006. With a higher membership our running costs have inevitably risen in certain areas , and our total expenditure for 2007 amounted to £2,252 ; up from £1,562. The surplus for the current year is £255 compared with £358 in 2006 notwithstanding the greater membership fees received in 2007 --- and this reduction is principally the result of expenditure on Equipment purchases of £315 (Nil in 2006). At the year end our funds total £1,860 ( up from £1,605 ) of which £1,719 is in a Savings Account earning gross interest, as merits our Charitable Status.
During the present year your Committee decided to sign up to the Gift Aid Scheme, which enables us to recover the tax element of our Membership Fees. This is worth £3.36 to our U3A for every year that Members have paid a £12 subscription. The income generated from this scheme will be reported in the next financial accounts. To date some 50 Members have signed the Gift Aid Declaration but it is still not too late to sign up. If you have not yet renewed your membership, please do so, and I would recommend you also sign the Gift Aid Declaration at the same time.
The Committee have expressed satisfaction at the steady progress in the financial affairs of our U3A and recommend that the Accounts to 31st July 2007 be accepted.
After a few questions about committee expenses, the meeting was asked to adopt the Statement of Accounts for 2006/7. All in favour, none against.
Acceptance of the Statement of Accounts was proposed by Dot Redmile, seconded by Jill Pepper
6. Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Officers
Jackie Pond proposed a vote of thanks to Dot Ware and the Committee, said that the committee had done a really great job during the year and gave her best wishes to the next committee. Seconded by Shirley Stannard.
7. 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: David Smith
Secretary: Michaela Moody
Committee Members: Mary Briggs, Merlyn Murphy, Brian Redmile, John Richards, Peter Salt, Dot Ware
All in favour.
8. To Appoint an Independent Examiner of Accounts
Sarah McKay was prepared to act again as Independent Examiner.
9. Notified Business
Diaries were available for collection from the Secretary.
Members were asked to put their names on the sheet for 9 September if they were available to help at the Mayflower event.
10. Coffee
A coffee break gave the usual opportunity for people to sign up for groups and to exchange news.
11. News from the Groups
After coffee, the new Chairman thanked the membership for electing him as chairman and said that he would try not to let them down. He appreciated that he’d have basically the same Committee to support him as well as the tea and coffee making team, the members who welcome visitors and make sure they are looked after at meetings
He also paid tribute to Dot who set an example as Chairman in her quiet way but could also be firm when the occasion demanded. He did not attempt to repeat the achievements of the past two years except to say that Dot set about the job of Chairman with determination, had a way of persuading people to do things and contacted or sent cards to members who were sick. Dot didn’t suffer fools gladly and worked for the good of the membership of Boston U3A.
He then invited the following groups to present their activities for the year:
Astronomy, Birdwatching & Field Studies, Boston Wanderers, Carpet Bowls, Croquet, Digital Photography, Discussion, French Conversation, Hardy Perennials, History, History of British Art, Holiday French, Improvers’ Bridge, Lace Making, Living History, Literature, Local History, Luncheon Club, Modern History, Outings, Play Reading, Scrabble, Theatre, Walking, Wine Appreciation, Writers’ Group.
Payment of Subscriptions
Two tables were at the back of the hall for payment by cheque and two for cash payments.