MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF GLEVUM WI
TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2019
CHAIR - ANN APPERLEY
JERUSALEM
1. Minutes of the last AGM held on 13 November 2018
Minutes read and agreed, proposed by Viv Woodger and seconded by Pat Davies.
2. The Committee’s Annual Report
This was presented by Viv Woodger, in the absence of our Secretary Sylvia Odell,
Our membership this year is 55. Five less than last year, and the average attendance each month was 36. A pre-meeting Glevum newsletter and post meeting notes are sent by email to 52 members. This system is also used to forward info sent electronically from GFWI and NFWI. A latest copy of the newsletter is available on the stage at each meeting. I would like to thank Rita Harris for updating the Glevum ‘blog’ monthly with the meeting notes and photos of events. A copy of our programme for the current year can be found there. Rita is also our MCS rep and ensures national WI records for Glevum are accurate by adding new members on enrolment, and removing those who decide not to renew their membership.
I would also personally like to thank Jo Green and Hazel who have taken minutes at committee meetings, and been Secretary at WI meetings when I’ve been away.
In addition to our main meeting, we have continued to have four regular sub groups which meet approximately once a month. The Knit and Natter, Scrabble and Book Clubs meet in members’ homes and we thank all the hosts for accommodating us. All members are welcome to come along to these sessions. A walk is also organised on the 3rd Monday morning in most months, and is followed by lunch in a convenient hostelry. We would like to thank those who have taken a turn at being the organisers this year, and also to George Nash.
Wendy has provided us again with a variety of meetings during the year. We’ve been entertained with two musical evenings; Divas and Great Opera Legends and Ladies of the Music Hall. Angie’s Choir entertained us at our Christmas party. There have been three talks including The Magician and Pickpocket, a highly entertaining talk on Being a Magistrate, and Making Trugs. We were also kept on our toes by the Gym Fitness session in August and exercised our brains with a Quiz. Our members meeting in September was games and quizzes – thanks to Grace and Irena.
In May we enjoyed a well-supported Skittles evening, with knock out and raffle. Our thanks go to Kate Slim, Pam Allen and Sandra Williams for organising this event.
We held a coffee morning in May, using the large hall for the first time, and have another planned for 25 November.
The Group meeting this year with a 60’s theme was organised by Quedgeley WI and attended by 26 of our members. Our annual dinner this year was held on 24 October at Hatherley Manor.
Members have supported the GFWI events organised in this, their Centenary year, by attending the AGM, the evening at John Lewis, the Centenary Vintage Fair, stewarding at the cathedral exhibition and the Christmas Concert.
We continue to collect for the Foodbank, although this has been less well supported than in the past, and penny pots for the Cobalt Unit, and we also have a voluntary collection at our Christmas party for a local charity.
In recognition of their help during the year, we would like to thank our refreshment team, Jo Paisley, Squib Thomas, Sandra Arnold and Pat Jones. Also to those who have been our Sunshine Visitors this year, including Viv Bick, Wendy Robinson for making and sending out birthday cards to members, Anne Parsons who takes the minutes for us every month, and Laura Tremble who has looked after the PA system.
Apologies if I’ve missed anyone, but the committee is very grateful for any help provided by members.
On behalf of our members, I would like to thank our President, Ann Apperley, for all the work she has done in making sure Glevum runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and for keeping us amused with her anecdotes and humour.
3. President’s Address and Adoption of Annual Report – Ann Apperley
It is with grateful thanks that we have come to the end of another successful WI year. Yes, we are slightly fewer in membership numbers for various reasons, but mainly due to members relocating to other areas.
Our committee has supported me in so many ways, for which I thank them most sincerely. I am eternally grateful to our Secretary Sylvia, who has been my ‘backbone’, making sure that all the meeting administration was in place before taking her well earnedholidays.
Phoebe helped us enormously by taking on the post of Treasurer, a very necessary and sometimes complicated post! It is intriguing to learn just how many columns there are in the WI cash book, but Phoebe stuck with the challenge, sometimes under very difficult circumstances, and we are very grateful to her for producing the balance sheet.
I feel I must thank some of our members who voluntarily work on various committees, pack magazines and do other necessary jobs in WI House, and represent Glevum in other ways, such as the County WI Choir who sang beautifully during the GFWI 100 year service in the cathedral. We also look forward to the annual GFWI Carol Service in Cheltenham Town Hall next month.
Thanks also to our monthly meeting tea makers who never complain, and we could never do without!
We have a special WI – continuing to welcome new members – and thank you for a happy year ladies.
4. Presentation and Adoption of Financial Statement – Phoebe Shepherd (Treasurer)
Phoebe gave out copies of the Financial Statement for the last year for members to peruse.
Total cash funds carried forward at this year end is £3,039.00 showing a healthy balance.
Pat Davies thought that maybe some of these funds could be used for the benefit of members. Possibly better Speakers? WI House would endorse anything educational.
5. Appointment of Auditor for the coming year
Phoebe Shepherd (Treasurer) proposed Judy Eaketts seconded by a show of hands.
6. Selection of Committee for 2020
Pat Davies presided over the proceedings. She thanked Ann, Sylvia and Phoebe for their good work over the last year. The following members were presented for the committee. Ann Apperley, Irena Cobley, Margaret Harrington, Jean Hateley, Emma Nash, Wendy Robinson, Phoebe Shepherd and Hazel Williams.
7. Ballot for President
Pat Davies organised a secret ballot and Ann Apperley was appointed President.
8. Vote of Thanks
Ann thanked Pat for conducting the ballot and was pleased to be able to serve as President for one more year.
