AGM
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13th May 2006
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10:00am.
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St Luke’s Church Centre, Aylsham Road, Norwich
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Meeting
called by:
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Trustees - DSN
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Facilitator:
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DSN
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Note
taker:
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Kate Belcher
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Attendees:
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Nicola Baxter
Rodney Beckett
Kate Belcher
Bob Branson
Lisa Doggett
Sue Harradine
Andrew Hewson
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Linda Hewson
Trevor Hewson
Ellie Hoxley
Marilyn Hoxley
Griselda Hubbard
Gaynor Leeder
Sheridan Little
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Julia Maile
Allan Sewell
Peter Sewell
Tracey Sismey
Alex Wilkins
Sue Wilkins
Marcia Derbyshire
(guest speaker)
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Apologies:
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David Beales
Mary Beales
Polly Bramwell
Andrew Clarke
Dianne Clarke
Kay Daze
Richard Daze
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Roy Elliott
Lisa Elliott
Chad Goodwin
Robert Knights
Rachel Knights
Keith Little
Tracey Mills
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Alan Orpett
Sheila Orpett
Marco Raiment
Julia Spinks
Mike Spinks
Judy Taylor
Nick Taylor
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Matters
Arising:
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Minutes
were accepted; proposed by Marilyn, seconded by Gaynor
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1.
Sensory Support have now got a protocol for
preschool children with DS developed from the protocol of the Early
Support programme. There will be a protocol for young babies with DS
out in the summer.
2.
There has not yet been a conference for young
adults with DS who want to live independently. It should be possible
as we have a core of people: the children are all growing older, the
teenagers and young adults more mature. Sue suggested a coffee morning
might be more useful than a formal conference as informal information
can be more useful. There are already group members who live
independently, so people could suggest pitfalls, advantages and
realistic expectations
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Agenda
item:
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top
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Mostly
the group is treading water but there is some work behind scenes.
There are no new initiatives but we are dealing with things
reactively. This avoids the problem of trying to spread ourselves too
thinly. It is important for the committee as a group to address
problems arising.
The
newsletter connects people, and is interesting, helpful and
informative. Thanks to Allan; it is worth all the hard work, and
thanks to Linda too.
Membership
- now we no longer have subscription, it is not clear how we signify
membership and renewal or indicate how people are no longer members.
People put themselves on the mailing list so there is no need to mark
mailing list member/non member. People remain members until death or
they withdraw so it is necessary to have a positive way of indicating
that people want to remain members. It would be possible to put a
tear-off slip on the mailing for the AGM asking people if they want to
remain as members. Members need to let the committee know if they are
leaving the group for example if moving away.
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Agenda item:
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top
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Over the year more has been
spent than brought in, but there is still a good income. There was a
good examiner’s report. It is a thorough examination, which may be
more searching than an audit as everything is checked. Our funds are
just below the limit for audit set by the Charity Commission.
Unrestricted and restricted
funds - If there is no fundraising and the total kitty drops too low
then unrestricted funds will still continue to support SNDG and YDG
but there is a danger of dropping into the red even though what is
done is beneficial to the group as a whole. Then we would have to
raise funds. Hall hire for YDG could come out of restricted funds, as
it is just a historical accident that it has come out of unrestricted
funds.
Fundraising - Nicola has
fundraising packs from DSA which were sent for DSA awareness week but
could be used at any time.
It
was suggested we reappoint the independent examiner Haines Watts;
proposed by Rodney, seconded by Lisa.
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Agenda item:
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top
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Birthday
Bash will be on June 11th from 2-5 at Harford Manor School. It is on
the last day of DS awareness week. We have no idea yet about numbers.
There will be some money raising e.g. raffle, and other entertainment
such as face painting, an entertainer, a fire engine. The Lord Mayor
will attend, and it is hoped to interest Anglia news, the EDP, and the
Black Thunder girls. The event is for friends and family, even people
not on the mailing list such as those who help out with drama. There
will be an announcement in the What’s On column in the EDP, and
possibly an announcement on Radio Broadland.
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Agenda item:
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top
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It is a lot of work to keep
contacting presenters but everyone benefits. Parents enjoy a chat over
coffee and the young people enjoy a good time as well. There is now
some extra time with Geraldine, which means some fundraising is
necessary; Marilyn is applying for funds. Workshop leaders are more
expensive than they used to be.
Because the drama group works
well together, friendship groups have arisen, which led to making a
video. As a result of that, several young people went on a transition
weekend, which looked at issues such as housing. It is hoped
eventually to organise something similar for the older group. It was
funded by money from the Learning Difficulty Development Fund (Mencap).
Another bidding round for this fund is coming up soon.
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Conclusions:
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SNDG
and YDG are the visible side of DSN, so there is a lot to be thankful
for.
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Agenda item:
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top
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The
proposed change speaks to the spirit of what we are about. It was
approved by DSA and the Charity Commission. We use the DSA model
constitution so the proposed change is used nationally. Accepting the
change was proposed by Tracey Sismey and seconded by Kate and accepted
unanimously.
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Agenda item:
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top
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We need 3 new trustees because
we need to have movement of trustees or at least provision for it.
Standing down: Rodney Beckett,
Sue Harradine and Judy Taylor. Current trustees are Bob, Marilyn,
Lisa, Gaynor, Allan and Peter.
There is a vacancy carried
over from last year. The burden of trusteeship is to make sure that
things are done properly; it shouldn’t be any trouble unless
trustees do silly things financially, and is not onerous because there
is no membership money.
The committee could meet quarterly
as both the YDG and SNDG are currently running well, but all trustees
must be prepared to make a commitment to attend all meetings if
meeting less frequently than before. Other people could be brought in
on a consultative basis. Kate and Julia Spinks had previously
indicated they would be happy to stand. Julia would consider taking
over secretarial responsibilities but could only be co-opted as she
was not present and had not applied formally.
Nicola
agreed to stand on the committee, proposed by Gaynor and seconded by
Lisa, and Griselda (proposed Lisa, seconded Allan) agreed to stand on
the committee as treasurer, to shadow Rodney for the next 12 months.
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Agenda item:
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top
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Bob
agreed to stand again as chairman. Allan proposed and seconded by
Kate. The vice chair can be decided in committee meetings.
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Agenda item:
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top
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Sue and Rodney were thanked
for all their hard work.
Judy asked Gaynor to remind
members that she is still willing to undertake hospital visits.
The committee will need to get
new stationery etc as it all currently refers to those standing down.
A few
thoughts - There was confusion about the starting time of the meeting,
with the result that we overran. We need to get this right when
inviting visiting speakers, so as not to waste their time. The DSN
business took about 75 minutes, coffee time/setting up speaker’s
presentation about 30 minutes, presentation about 45 minutes, and
there was no time for questions. That was a shame as often the
questions are very helpful.
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