AGM 2011

AGENDA FOR WOODWORD SPIRITUALIST CHURCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY MARCH 27th 2011 AT 8pm

1. Silence for arisen friends and opening prayer.
2. Apologies for absence and welcome to new members.
3. Appointment of tellers and scrutineers.
4. Reading and adoption of Minutes of last AGM.
5. Matters arising from the minutes.
6. Reports:
(1) President’s Report.
(2) Secretary’s Report.
(3) Treasurer’s Report.
7. Acceptance of Woodford SN Church Accounts.
8. Election of Officers.
9. Election of Ordinary Members of the Committee.
10. Election of Class “A” Members.
11. Election of two Local Wardens.
12. Vote for the 2011 Church Charity.
13. Choice of auditors for next financial year
14. Any Other Business

NOMINATION LIST
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT COMMITTEE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION FOR CONTINUED SERVICE ON THE COMMITTEE

Retiring but willing to accept nomination:
Sue Bendon President Officer
John Rooney Secretary Officer
Colin Rands Treasurer Officer
Cheryl Baker Ordinary Member
David Cox Ordinary Member
James Langwith Ordinary Member
Sue Griffiths Ordinary Member
Christine Deekes Ordinary Member
Iris Klein Ordinary Member
Angela Graham Ordinary Member
Connie Shears Ordinary Member

Retiring but not willing to accept nomination:
David Butcher
Nominations: There were no nominations.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WOODFORD SPIRITUALIST CHURCH HELD AT THE CHURCH ON 28th MARCH 2010 AT 8pm

1. SILENCE FOR ARISEN FRIENDS AND OPENING PRAYER
John Rooney said a prayer for arisen friends and asked for guidance for the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Apologies were received from Sue Bendon and Sue Griffiths. John Rooney welcomed new members.

3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS AND SCRUTINEERS
Connie Shears and Jim Langwith volunteered as tellers. David Butcher and Lyn Bailey volunteered as scrutineers.
The tellers counted the members present and declared the meeting quorate.

4. READING AND ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM.
The minutes, having been distributed beforehand, were adopted by a show of hands.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes.

6. REPORTS
(1) PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2009
There was no President’s Report due to the absence of the president.

(2) SECRETARY’S REPORT 2009
John Rooney reported that as with previous years, the church had consciously highlighted education as a priority and that the church had a range of open and closed affordable circles. There were also opportunities for aspiring mediums to demonstrate their abilities on Fledglings' Evenings and an Afternoon of Private Sittings given by Fledglings.

In addition, the church took its responsibility to train the next generation of healers seriously and used the SNU apprentice-type scheme run in conjunction with the SNU to train healers. The East London District Council visited the church for Healing Review Days as part of this process.

John reported a broad range of Saturday workshops throughout the year. The participants enjoyed and learnt on these regular workshops. These workshops also gave the medium workshop leaders an opportunity to extend their own expertise.

As in previous years, the church has supported various charities. As always a donation was also made to the Benevolent Fund of the SNU. The Sunday collection on Armistice Day was doubled and sent to the British Legion. Again, a gift of food was taken to the Redbridge Night Shelter in Ilford just before Christmas . As in previous years, the church continued its policy of doubling the amount of money raised for all charities with a donation from its own funds.

John thanked members of the church and members of the congregation, for the work they did regarding the Sunday Service, the Monday afternoon Service and the Wednesday Healing Services. He also thanked all the mediums for serving the church taking just their expenses in exchange. He went on to thank the other officers and members of the committee for their tireless efforts.

(3) TEASURER'S REPORT 2009
Colin Rands reported that many items in the accounts were very similar in amount between 2008 and 2009. He would only comment on notable differences.

The Saturday and Thursday income was less in 2009 as a Tony Stockwell evening was held in 2009. The income from circles has risen due to more circles being held in 2009. The rental income from the church house in 2009 is less than 2008 as there were a few periods where we have only had one or two tenants instead of three tenants. The investment interest income is lower in 2009 due to the national reduction in interest rates. The expenditure on lighting and heating has increased due to a colder winter and higher gas and electricity prices. However, for 2009 we had an excess of income over expenditure of £2,000.

Although the AXA instrument came to the end of its ten year term in January 2009, we did not withdraw the funds as the instrument was increasing in line with the increase on the stock market.

Colin commented that the church remains in a sound financial position.

Cheryl Baker advised that in addition to the money sent to the Church Charity around £800 had been sent to animal charities by way of members' donations, the sale of refreshments and raffles.

7 ACCEPTANCE OF WOODFORD SNU CHURCH ACCOUNTS FOR 2009
The accounts were accepted by a show of hands.

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The officers were returned unopposed. (Sue Bendon as President; John Rooney as Secretary and Colin Rands as Treasurer)

9. ELECTION OF ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Sue Griffiths, Christine Deekes, James Langwith, David Cox, David Butcher, Cheryl Baker and Iris Klein were elected by a show of hands.

Angela Graham and Connie Shears were elected as ordinary members by a show of hands.

10. ELECTION OF CLASS "A" MEMBER
Cheryl Baker was the only person who offered to stand was returned unopposed.

11. ELECTION OF TWO LOCAL WARDENS
James Langwith and David Cox were returned unopposed.

12. VOTE FOR THE 2010 CHURCH CHARITY
The committee presented three charities from those suggested by the membership. These were: Air Ambulance, Redbridge Branch of the National Autistic Society and Help for Heroes. From these three, Air Ambulance was chosen as the Church Charity for 2010.

13. CHOICE OF AUDITORS FOR NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR
Colin stated that the current auditors, Clemence Hoar Cummings, had served the church for many years and had given satisfactory service. He recommended that they be re-appointed. They were re-appointed by a show of hands.

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Pam Collins pointed out that the Church car park is sometimes used by non-church members, frequently contains litter and is in a muddy condition and wondered if the gate could be used to stop unauthorised use of the car park.

Colin acknowledged the matters raised and advised matters had been raised at various committee meetings. However, despite attempts to resolve the matters, they still persisted. Following a short discussion, the following was agreed:
Obtain car registration of registration numbers of church house tenants; put a notice on the windscreens of unauthorised cars in the car park; mark out car spaces; investigate resurfacing of the car park; attend to the closure of the barrier gate; attend to removal of litter.

The meeting closed in prayer at 8.30.