Information     Committee     To Minutes1

Minutes of a committee meeting held on Wednesday 3rd September 2008
 at 2pm
in St. Andrew’s Church Hall.

 

1 Chairman’s Opening Remarks.

           The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

2 Apologies for absence

            Apologies were received from Mary Grice, Molly Herridge and 

            Eric Stainthorp.

3 Members Present

             Carol     Chappell                          Olga         Hepple

             Neil        Cockburn                        Adele       Timlin

             Wilma    Drury                               Margaret  Scanlon

             Pat          Hewitt                             Ann          Wilson

             Maureen Naulls

4 Minutes of the last meeting 

            Having been previously circulated, the minutes were agreed amended and

            signed.     

5 Matters arising 

  5.1 Group Leaders Meeting and Social.

        Replies from all the invitations have now been received and the arrangements

        finalised. The committee expressed disappointment at the poor response.

  5.2 Membership List. The completed list will be sent to Frank Stansfield.

  5.3 Regional News. Little interest was shown in the copies on display at the general    

        meeting and there were no requests for receipt by e-mail. A photograph of the

        presentation made to two members at the August general meeting is to be

.       submitted for publication.

. 5.4 Christmas Meeting. A ticket price of £12 was agreed and the catering

        arrangements finalised. Two possible entertainments were discussed and it was

        decided to book Mike Reid at a fee of £70.

        Proposed by Maureen Naulls. Seconded by Ann Wilson.

        Arrangements to be announced at the September general meeting. Tickets to be 

        available at the October general meeting.

   5.5 The surplus U3A screen has been sent to St.Andrews.

   5.6 U3A News. The charge for home delivery has now been ascertained and will be

         displayed at the next general meeting.

6 Finance

  6.1 Treasurer’s Report

        The Treasurer reported the current situation as follows:

        Balance in main account      £4032

        Community Chest Account  £2238

  6.2 Review of General Finances. The review was initiated and the following matters

        were discussed at length and in depth:

a) The logistics following the appointment of a new treasurer. An overlap of two

months was suggested.

      b) The possibility of changing the financial end of year to the AGM date and the

           payment of subscriptions to the following month, with the membership review

           in September. To be further discussed at a future meeting.

      c) Bank arrangements, difficulties experienced.

      d) Possibility of a separate account for the social group. This is permitted by the

          U3A financial guidance rules. A decision to be made following further

          inquiries.

      e) Expenses were reviewed and inquiries are to be made regarding the bulk

          purchase of stationery supplies. To be further discussed at a future meeting.

      f) The opening of an instant access, interest bearing account to maximise capital

          currently held in Community Chest account. The Treasurer to inquire into the

          consolidation of the two accounts.

          Inquiries to be made initially at the existing bank. regarding interest bearing

          accounts currently available in comparison with other banks.

          Details of all the matters discussed to be finalised at a future date. The review

          is on going.

7 Groups

 7.1 Family History. To be initiated early in 2009.

 7.2 Digital Photography. To be reannounced.

 7.3 Spanish. First meeting on 4th September.

 7.5 Wine Tasting. A good response. Arrangements to be confirmed.

 7.6 German. Renate Tompkins is retiring as leader. 

8 New Business 

  8.1 Following the great inconvenience caused to the guest speaker and the members  

       at the August general meeting by the failure of the electricity supply, the

       Secretary has written to the hall management. No reply has yet been received.

  8.2 Newsletter. It was suggested that the number printed be cut to 125-the number of

        the current hall capacity-to avoid wastage. Any surplus copies to be placed on

        the notices table.

9 Correspondence

  In

      Age Takes Centre Stage leaflets. To be made available at the general meeting.

      Letter of thanks from Mary Grice and Eric Stainthorp.

      Application for membership offering tuition in the use of mobile phones.

      Offer of accommodation for meetings at St.Columbas Church North Shields.

      North Tyneside Council “Area Future” family event in September. Details to be

      displayed at the general meeting.

      Public Liability Insurance notification.

      Letter from Marion Appleton concerning “Meeting and Greeting”.

Out

      Letter of complaint to the hall management concerning the failure of the

     electricity supply at the August general meeting

10    Action for General Meeting

Chairman             Margaret Scanlon      Raffle                  As rota

           Treasurer             Maureen Naulls         Notice Boards     Adele Timlin

           Secretary             Adele Timlin                                          Molly Herridge

           Visitor Host         Ann Rickard              Newsletter,          Mr. Mrs. Chappell

                                       Wilma Drury              Groups/Notices           

                                                                           Social Events      Olga Hepple 

                                                                           Printing               Adele Timlin                            

11    AOB

Following discussion, the Chairman will reply to Marion Appleton expressing the

conclusions reached.

Concerning the problems arising at the last general meeting, it was suggested that

more members should be able to operate the new I.T.equipment A request was made for some instruction in the hall itself.

12 Date and Time of next meeting

Wednesday 1st October in St.Andrews Church hall at 2 pm.

13    Chairman’s Closing Remarks.

The Chairman thanked all those present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 4 15 p.m.