Minutes of the Trustees meeting held on Wednesday January 10 th 2007 at the United Reformed Church, Olney.
Present: Rachel Lintern (Chair), Tricia Selwood (Treasurer), David Danskin, Philip Davies, Graham Mabbutt, Claire Lintern, Rachel Lewis, Sheila Ware.
Apology: Sheila Woodhead .
1.The minutes of the meeting held on 3 rd Oct 2006 were approved.
2. Matters arising
- The application for Charitable Status has been submitted to the Charity Commissioners but no reply has yet been received.
- Andrew Betts, a Director of the charity Advantage Africa, has expressed an interest in becoming a trustee of the ONL. Graham suggested that he should be invited to the next trustees meeting in March and this was unanimously accepted. RL/SWo
- Rachel said that the question of the timing of the AGM had been discussed at the Charity Status sub-committee. Davd proposed that April would be a good time as most people were available and this gave time for the annual accounts to be audited and made ready for presentation. This was unanimously accepted.
- Rachel reported that there are now 6 members of the Olney- Newton Link.They are: Sutcliff Baptist Church Rep. Jeff Bowden
Olney Parish Church ( Saints Alive ) Rep. IsobelColi
Olney Infant School Rep. Janet Shipton
Olney Middle School Rep. Clare King
Cowper and newton Museum Rep. Graham Mabbutt
Olney Lions Rep. Rod Wayland
It is hoped that other organisations will join in the linking process.
- Sheila Ware reported that 13 people had joined the Friends Group so far and £200 had been donated. Letters of invitation have been handed to the reps at tonights meeting to hand round to their members. An active recruiting campaign is continuing.
- Sheila has also volunteered to produce a Newsletter. This will be distributed via email wherever possible. ARTICLES FOR THE NEWSLETTER ARE NEEDED ASAP PLEASE. Sheila hopes to have the 1 st one out by the end of January.
- Rachel reported that the web-site is still being developed. Any relevant information. pictures, articles etc should be sent to Sheila Woodhead .
- The possibility of forming a special Fund Raising group was discussed. It was generally felt that individuals and members should be encouraged to do this through publicity in the Newsletter and the local press.
Financial Report.
Tricia reported that a new bank aacount in the name of the Olney- Newton Link was now open and cheques were being paid into it. Money in the old account would be transferred to the new account but a nominal amount would remain in the old account in order to accept Gift Aid cheques etc. The total amount in the bank at the moment is £2???, of which £1700 is not allocated to any specific project. In December £1000 had been sent out for the Shelter Project.
Rachel proposed that a further sum could now be sent and it was agreed to send £1500. Hopefully this will complete the present Shelter Project and enable us to concentrate on the Skills Centre.
4 . News from Newton
The minutes of a meeting held in Newton in November have been circulated to all trustees and other interested parties.
5 . Future plans
- a large consignment of books was sent out in September and has been received. David reports that they are much appreciated and that they are also developing a library. Some more books will be sent out as soon as transport is available.
- a computer was sent in November. Another one has been donated and awaits despatch when transport is available.
- Skills Day. Plans for this are going ahead with 33 participants and 3 African Music groups agreeing to take part. Flyers are being printed and the event will be publicised as widely as possible. Rachel asked for as much help as possible on the day please. Rachel Lewis offered to find a photographer and suggested a raffle. Rachel agreed that this could be discussed at the next sub-comm. meeting.
- David and Sarah have reported an accute shortage of paper in Newton schools as well as several schools having structural damage due to heavy rains.
- Claire said that she is planning a visit to Newton in August and would like to hear from anyone interested in accompanying her.
6 .Date of Next Meeting
It was agreed that as the next meeting will be the AGM an extra Trustees meeting would be held on Wednesday March 28 th at 21, Austen Avenue, starting at 7.30pm
The AGM will be held on Wednesday April 18 th 2007 in the Gravett Hall ( to be confirmed) starting at 7.30.
Rachel suggested that Collins Boakye-Agyemang, the press officer for MKC and a trustee of UKOWLA should be invited to speak on the work of UKOWLA at the AGM. This was agreed. SWo