AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (Shrewsbury Branch)

Chair: Sara Mai Secretary: Ann Bartles-Smith

Treasurer: Suzanne Freegard Minute Secretary: Reg Cooper

Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 19th March at – Hobbs Room

Present / Apologies
Ann Bartles-Smith (Sec); Martin Beardwell; Sally Beattie; Lalage Bown; Reg Cooper; Misha Willow Crawford: Michael Cuthchie: Rebecca Dove-Thomas; Suzanne Freegard; Patricia Harris: Peter Holgate; Jeevan Jones; Sara Mai, (Chair); Peter Pack; Caroline Rogers; / Jo Cooper; Alex Hiam; Rose Stockwell; Keith Scott;
Item / Action
1. / Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes were accepted as a true record
2. / Matters arising: A Jeevan has withdrawn from the conference because of costs. He is on the waiting list for an assisted place. Peter suggested that we write to AIUK about this matter saying that supported places should be allocated around the groups. Ann said she would send a programme of the groups activities to the Church Stretton group. / A B-S
3. /

Correspondence: Ann received has received copies of the AIUK magazine, the group campaign up date and information about the Arms Trade Treaty campaign.

4. / New Media: The Twitter account is live and events are being posted on the Facebook page. / All
5. / Fund Raising: Decision was taken to attend this years Shrewsbury Folk Festival
in August. hold concert at the Unitarian Church. It was decide to hold another
quiz at the Crown in the Autumn. Reg will contact the pub for dates. / A B-S
RC
6. / Treasurer’s Report:
Financial records –Year to date
Balance date 31st December 2012
nk £1,235.68
Balance / £1,417.53
Income / £476.61
Sub-total / £1,894.14
Expenditure / £179.76
TOTAL / £1,714.47
Momentary
Bank reconciliation
Bank Statement date 31st January 2013
Balance at bank / £1,377.15
Credit unpresented cheques / £579.49
Sub-total / £1,956.64
Debit unpresented cheques / £242.17
TOTAL / £1,714.47
Momentary
Commentary
Cheques still to clear from accounting period (£102.88 in, £62.50 out)
Income in previous period
February stall £5.50
Pub Quiz £87.00
Expenditure in previous period
Room Hire £112.50
Approval requested for further expenditure
None
7. / Stalls: Suzanne and Ann said the stall on women in Afghanistan went well.
8. / Members Action: The focus of the members action was Women’s Rights in Afghanistan. Sara gave a brief outline of the situation there. There are grave concerns that when NATO pull out of the country women’s rights will deteriorate. There is an online petition but members were urged to write to the MP. It was also suggested that members should write to the press. The issues will be posted on the website. Martin will get the names and contact details of ministers involved in this matter. / All,
A B-S,
MB, SM
9. /

AOB: Peter raised the matter of the forthcoming conference. He said that there had been no nominations for the election of board members. He said he would circulate by email the resolutions he wished to back. Telford Amnesty group are holding a concert on 27th March. Caroline spoke of a postcard competition to be held at a school assembly. Lalage asked for support for a meal/fund raiser for Self Help Africa.

/ All, PP
10. / Date of next meeting: 16th April 2013:– Geoff Hardy, LGBT Issues in Africa - Hobbs Room, Shrewsbury Library.