Ever wondered what goes on at a local charity AGM—and why you’d want to attend? Isn’t it just all boring admin and formalities?
Well yes, to an extent: we are required to hold an Annual General Meeting and carry out a small number of governance-related formalities. Importantly, we take nominations for Trustees, and confirm the Management Committee (Board) for the coming year. We table the accounts and make the Annual Report available for review.
But it’s also a chance to learn more about what we do, and why and how we do it. We review the past (financial) year’s activities, finances, wins and ‘could-do-better’s. We consider on how the year’s achievements have reflected our Mission, Vision and Values, and share our plans for the coming year. Exciting plans for 2025 were described by our Chair Debra Mendes, with an increased focus on provision of charitable services to balance the use of the Centre as a ‘venue for hire’.
On the back of our very successful Monday drop-in Community Soup Cafe, we want to extend our provision of activities and drop-ins for our community elders, with a particular focus on those living with health conditions such as Parkinson’s. We then aim to establish a regular session for teens and young adults, with a variety of activities, on a weekend evening. These plans will be fleshed out by the Trustees in the new year.
We very much welcome at these meetings locals who would like to know a bit more about what we do and how the Centre is run, and this year we were particularly pleased to have in attendance several volunteers and potential Trustees. We hope to share our love and enthusiasm for HVCA and believe that our AGM provides a useful forum for the existing Trustees, staff, hirers, volunteers and neighbours to meet (sometimes for the first time!) and exchange ideas.
Thank you to everyone who attended on 20 November; we value your presence and your input.