Minutes of the Swindon Ocotal Link - AGM5th Nov 2015
Attendees :
Gill Wallis, Bruce Clarke, Cecilia Olley, Karen Mayell, John Mayell,
Mary Creffield, Kathleen Wyatt, Cristina Bennett, Derek Montaut,
Steve Rhodes, Ruth Summers, Raj Thapar, Bryn Rowlands
Apologies :
Rita Heads, Dorothy Clarke, Raziya Sacranie, Ann Hampson
Minutes of the SOL AGM 2014 Approved.Proposed - Bruce
Seconded - John
No Matters Arising
Chairman’s Report
Steve Rhodes welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Steve outlined some of the fund raising events of 2015, highlighting the Duck Race, Yoga for Peace Day, the Supper Evenings and thanked everyone involved.
Steve talked about some of our initiatives to raise awareness of SOL’s involvement with Ocotal and referred to increasing input to the SOL Website, and a potential campaign involving Tesco in Ocotal Way in 2016.
Steve thanked Mary and Rita for covering the Treasurer’s role through 2015 and welcomed Raj as our new Treasurer. Raj will be a valuable asset to SOL and will build on the good work done by Peter Wilkes who left us earlier in the year.
Steve identified some of the fund-raising events planned for the coming year and discussed some of the options for funding from the Borough Council and through the Town Twinning Network.
Derek Montaut suggested seeking funding from specific European sources.
Treasurer’s Report
Mary circulated the Independent Examiners Report for discussion.
Mary advised the meeting that Adrian King of Bew & Co is no longer available to act as
our independent examiner, and that a replacement has already been appointed.
Mary talked through the details of the report.
It was agreed that we keep the annual membership subscription at £10.
Membership Officer’s Report
Mary (on behalf of Ann) gave details of current membership and raised the issue of keeping members’ email addresses up to date.
Election of Officers
Steve Rhodes was nominated and re-elected as Chairman.Proposed - Ruth S
Seconded - Bruce
Bruce Clarke volunteered to act as Vice-ChairmanProposed - Karen
Seconded - Cecilia
Raj Thapar was nominated and elected as TreasurerProposed - Mary
Seconded - Gill
John Mayell was nominated and re-elected as Digital OfficerProposed - Steve
Seconded - Ruth S
Ann Hampson was nominated and re-elected as Membership
OfficerProposed - Mary
Seconded - John
Cecilia Olley and Cristina Bennett were nominated and re-elected
to represent SOL at the Twinning Network MeetingsProposed - Mary
Seconded - Karen
Gill Wallis was nominated and re-elected to continue as
International Liaison OfficerProposed - Mary
Seconded - Kathleen
John Mayell and Bruce Clarke volunteered to take the minutes at SOL meetings.
Donation from Mr Bryn Rowlands
Steve introduced Bryn Rowlands who wished to make a donation to our project fund of £754.55.
Bryn told us the interesting back story of how this money was collected by his fellow workers and members of the USDAW trade union in the late 1980’s to support medical aid in Nicaragua. However, the money was never actually sent and had lain dormant in a bank account.
Bryn met Gill at one of the Peace Fairs where she had a SOL stand and through her approached us to put the money to good use for medical aid in Ocotal.
Bryn handed over a cheque to Steve and we extend our thanks to Bryn for his integrity and thoughtfulness in making this donation.
Steve Rhodes to send a letter of thanks to Bryn Rowlands
Visitors from Ocotal
Steve and Bruce led discussions on our aim to bring over 2 visitors from Ocotal in the spring or summer of 2016 to help celebrate the 25 years of linking with Ocotal.
The intention is to invite Jorge and one of the Circus Skills performers based in Ocotal at a time to coincide with appropriate public events planned in Swindon.
It was agreed that we would hold a Planning Group meeting on Tuesday 24th November.
The group will consist of Bruce, Steve, John, Cecilia, and Mary.
The meeting closed at 20:45