ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

 

DATE: 3rd August 2022

VENUE: The Rose and Crown, Flamstead

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I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our 15th Annual General Meeting and say a massive thank you for your on-going commitment, hard work and support for the Charity.

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Covid 19 has continued to impact the Charity and planning of events but we have been able to continue to meet together face to face and have started to represent and support village events again. Due to the changing climate of covid and increase in cases again, it meant that we sadly had to make the decision to cancel our summer outdoor cinema event which we had been planning for since the end of last year. This was due to the high risk/costs associated with putting on this type of event vs risk of non attendees due to covid.

Since our last AGM, we have been able to raise monies by providing the Tea Room at the village show in Sept 2021, carols at the pub in December 21, Gardeners' Question Time event with Matt Biggs in Feb 22 and the Jubilee tea room recently in June 22. We have also continued to receive several large donations over the last year which has enabled us to remain in a good financial position without the need to put on a large fundraising event.

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Sadly, last year following the last AGM, we had the official resignation of Richard Downes (Trustee) and Mark Evans (Committee member) but are very grateful for Rosie Hickey-Colman and Alex Morris who have now joined us as Trustees. It has been fantastic to have their support and involvement so far and they have both been an asset to the team.

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As a Charity, we have offered support to 35 residents since our last AGM and have given practical help to 12 residents which is comparative to last year. We continue to offer help and support in various practical ways including domestic help, dog walking, pet care, gardening, childcare and transport. The offer of help remains far greater than residents accepting practical help but residents have been very grateful to know that we are here to help if needed. We have also been able to recently support the refugees at the Jubilee event and are in the process of making connections to support them as our constitution allows whilst they are living in the Parish of Flamstead.

We remain financially secure despite not having had a main fundraiser for last 4 years. We continue to have had a steady flow of donations throughout the last year including on-going donations from residents/families we have helped, local business donations. Ali Moss -Treasurer will be providing a more detailed report re finances. Residents and the local school have all benefited from these donations. We have also obtained a card reader for contact payment at events which will support a move towards a more widely used cashless system.
 

We are in the process of completing a new updated leaflet and events banner and we plan to hand out our new leaflet as a networking exercise during the Scarecrow Festival. We aim to use this event to make villagers aware of who we are, what we do and how we can help. We also continue to provide regular updates via the Parish magazine, Facebook, Grapevine and on our website. The website is regularly updated by Rosie who has also enabled donations to be made via the website as well as send messages direct to Trustees. We have a Whatsapp group for volunteers that we can access to support at fundraising events or aid in networking with different groups within the village. We also have regular links to St Leonard's church to aid in finding out about residents who maybe in need of our support.

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It is necessary at this meeting to confirm and vote in Trustee membership for 2021/2022 and to agree Trustees/committee for 2022/23. As we are aware, it is vital for the Charity to have these 3 positions filled to function.

 

The current Trustees are as follows:

Tracy Wells - Chair
Ali Moss - Treasurer
Rosie Hickey -Colman - website

Alex Morris

All in agreement?

 

Secretary role needs to be filled

Addition of new committee member - Gill Biggs

Any changes to constitution required at this stage?

 

Plans/actions for 2022/23:
- New flyer and general purpose events banner
- Continue to advertise for New Trustees/committee members to join us - Scarecrow Festival networking event/table (Sat/Sun)
- Village show Tea Room Sept 2022
- Fundraising event 2023
- Support refugees within Parish within constitution

- Continue regular updates/monitor/upgrade/improve website - Continue regular/quarterly links with village organisations
- Continue to pay for advertising in Parish Magazine
- Set up and activate Gift aid process

- Regular meetings/contact to discuss future plans, residents, fundraising ideas

- Use of Whatsapp to update Trustees/committee members and volunteers
- Update list of services/contacts to ensure relevant and up to date/accurate
- Continue to be good stewards of Charity's money

- Ensure we continue to adhere to The Charity commission regulations

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