U3A WEST RAND CHAPTER

THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THE 9TH MAY 2017 AT 11H00

IN THE WILGERSPRUIT N.G. CHURCH, 35 MIMOSA STREET, WILROPARK.

SIXTY-SEVEN MEMBERS SIGNED THE ROLL CALL.

WELCOME

The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming all the members present.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: (Attachment 1) Mr Hanzel Jacobs read the report to the members.

FINANCIAL REPORT: This had been sent out with the reminders.

Mr Doug Smith had two queries:

  • The terminology used in the report needed to be clarified. Mr Frans Smit, Treasurer, replied to his satisfaction.
  • The interest earned in the nine months up to end December 2016 seemed somewhat small. Mr Smit replied that the Chapter had no start-up capital. The few Life Memberships that were taken and a donation from U3A North Chapter provided the first amount of income to get the ball rolling. Payments have been made during the year, rent for the premises and crockery, refreshments, speakers’ travelling costs, etc.

Liabilities were the Deferred Income from the Life Memberships. Mr Smith was invited to meet with Mr Smit should he have any further queries.

MEMBERSHIP:Mrs Freda Smit reported that the 2016 total membership was 183. Life Members 23. Renewals and New Members for 2017 total 148 thus far.

SPEAKER PLANNER REPORT:

Mrs GrietWessels reported that excluding the inaugural meeting where The Chairman of the North Chapter introduced the concept and history of “The University of the Third Age,” there had been 8 meetings during 2016, 6 lectures on topics of interest, 1 of entertainment and 1 on “Laughter for Health” offering a course to the members at a fee.

Subjects have been varied and not been duplicates of those offered by the North Chapter.

An appeal was made to the members to share their career knowledge expertise in a lecture during the coming year. Speakers from the membership are more welcome to other members.

PUBLICITY:Mrs Marthie Coetzer reported that the Caxton newspapers were not always willing to co-operate with placing the notices of the meetings.

Only 3 local papers carried the Annual General Meeting notice in May.

Members were asked to check their local papers for inclusion of U3A information and let her know.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS CO-ORDINATOR:

Due to the resignation of Mrs Joey du Preez, this portfolio has become vacant. An appeal to the members was made for a person to fill this portfolio.

Mr Hanzel Jacobs mentioned that these groups were slow in developing. At present there are 4 groups: Bowls, Bonsai, Yoga and Reading.

The Yoga and Reading groups are popular to the extent that the 2 Yoga sessions per week are fully booked, the Reading group needs to split.

A “Men’s Coffee Group” has been suggested.

WEBSITE CO-ORDINATOR:

Mrs Dawn Weyers spoke to the establishing of the Website. It is still a work in progress and needs input from members. She asked that the members contribute to the site through interaction on the internet.

OUTINGS AND LUNCHES:

Mr Brian Muldoon explained that Outings and Lunches were priced to accommodate pensioners. Research goes into establishing venues and places to visit that are reasonably priced, easily assessable, yet have interest to a variety of tastes. These events provide social interaction among members, some of whom are lonely and would like to communicate with other likeminded people.

Members are asked to make suggestions of places to go and places to eat.

RESOLUTION: CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION: (Attachment 2)

Mrs Janet vd Merwe, Secretary, presented the Resolution to change the period of notification of Annual General Meetings from 21 days to 14 days.

The resolution was carried by the members present. No objections were raised.

RATIFICATION OF STANDING COMMITTEE:

Mrs vd Merwe explained that due to there being no elections at the inauguration of the chapter, the first 7 members formed the committee. Thereafter 3 other members were co-opted as the need for more portfolios arose.

It was now necessary for these standing committee members to be ratified by the meeting for the 2017 – 2018 year. The meeting agreed unanimously.

Thanks to the Committee for the work done during the first year of existence of the West Rand Chapter was given by Mrs Lynn Hibbert.

THANKS:Mr Jacobs thanked the members for attending the Meeting and wished them well for the coming year.

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CHAIRMANSECRETARYDATE