2023-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] April 2022 To 31[st] March 2023

Charity name: The Association for Creation Spirituality (GreenSpirit)

Charity registration number: 1045532

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activities
	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Association is established to advance education in and promote or further the study of or research into religion, philosophy and science by fostering the creation-centred spiritual tradition in contemporary society in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and to disseminate the useful results of such study and research for the benefit of the public.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	 Holding events, experiential outdoor sessions and workshops thereby promoting environmental concern  Publishing a magazine two times a year, and a calendar: living with the seasons, sending out a newsletter and publishing a book series exploring aspects of creation-centred spirituality  Maintaining a website (www.greenspirit.org.uk) containing information and resources about GreenSpirit. There are also facebook pages, facebook groups and other social media accounts  Supporting local groups carrying out activities at a local level  Supporting other initiatives in line with the objects of GreenSpirit
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit at the November 2023 council meeting.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The two GreenSpirit magazines, the GreenSpirit calendar: living with the seasons and newsletters continue to provide the membership and beyond with relevant news and articles. Membership has been fairly static and the eNewsletter has grown. GreenSpirit continues to have a growing presence on Facebook and other social media accounts. All of these inspire people to take care of the Earth and all living beings. There are now 13 books in the GreenSpirit book series with sales reaching just over 700 in 2022 which is the highest sales for any year. These books are sold near to cost price to make them as affordable as possible to anyone interested in creation centred spirituality. The website has been upgraded providing easier navigation for users and the front page has been regularly updated making it easier for people to find out what is relevant to them. In addition to information about GreenSpirit's activities highlighted in this report, there are also book reviews, a blog, videos, resources, green action toolkit and links to other likeminded organisations. This extensive website has a great deal of resources making creation-centred spirituality available to people globally. The Spring Walking Retreat was held at Monkton Wyld Court in Dorset helping participants to connect with Nature and find out more about our evolutionary journey with a visit to the nearby Jurassic coast. The Snowdonia Retreat was held at Cae Mabon in Snowdonia in an inspiring location dedicated to encouraging Earth based connections. The Annual Gathering "The Universe Gaia and Us" was held at Holland House in Worcestershire. The main speaker was Jude Currivan who spoke about how the conscious evolution of humanity may be realized as an integral part of our planet’s own evolutionary progress and purpose. Through all of these events, participants learnt more about our connection with the Earth, all beings and our evolutionary journey. In addition, through discussions and workshops, participants learnt from each other how to live more sustainable and creation-centred lives. Online event were held including seasonal celebrations for the solstices, equinoxes and Celtic festivals. Climate Cafes provided a supportive environment to help participants to express their feelings about climate change. And a weekly group was held discussing various topics relevant to creation-centred spirituality. These online events have helped many who have not been able to attend physical events to learn more about creation-centred spirituality and inspire them to take care of the Earth. Talks to various groups have been given and stalls at external events held. GreenSpirit continues to support local groups around the country helping people at a local level to understand their connection with the Earth.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	GreenSpirit continues to benefit from a legacy donation some years ago with annual planned spending to make use of the funds available. The small loss of £330 over the year, which is less than previous years, reflects an increase in donations for the period. All events made a small surplus. The increase in funds for the bursary fund (to £1,179) will help those who could not otherwise afford it, to come to GreenSpirit events.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The minimum level of reserves is fixed at £10,000. This includes funding of an orderly winding up of the Association if forced to do so, and cushioning expenditure on conference organisation.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£36,439 as at 31Mar23 (excluding restricted funds).

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	Unincorporated association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are elected at the AGM held at the GreenSpirit Annual Gathering. Voting for Trustees is by members of GreenSpirit. Officers (who are also Trustees) are also elected at the AGM by members. Proposals for Trustees are given to the secretary one week before the AGM and these are presented to the AGM for election.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Trustees (otherwise known as GreenSpirit council) are responsible for the running of the charity. Council is supported by a paid coordinator. GreenSpirit supports a number of local groups throughout the country.

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname	The Association for Creation Spirituality
Other name the charityuses	GreenSpirit
Registered charitynumber	104553
Charity’s principal address	137 Ham Park Road, Forest Gate, London. E7 9LE.

GreenSpirit Income and Expenditure Financial Year 2022-2023

	April 1st ’22 to March 31st ‘23				April 1st ’21-March 31st ‘22	April 1st ’21-March 31st ‘22
			restricted			restricted
	INCOME		funds			funds
	Subscriptions	4640			4845
	Donation	5264			1116
3	Books in a Suitcase	20			70
	Magazine Sales	94			46
4	Events	13820			12027
	Publications	301			202
1	Misc Income	402			14
	Gift Aid	775			822
	Calendar	316			251
2	Fundraising	15			26
	BursaryFund	215	215		210	210
	Interest Received	332			303
	Total Income	26194			19932
	EXPENDITURE
5	Magazine costs	2172			1725
	Council Expenses	647			524
6	Coordinator Costs	8701			8363
4	Events	12512			10864
	Online Processing	351			338
	Postage	139			170
3	Books in a Suitcase	38			115
	Insurance	540			495
	Publications	100			24
	Office Expenses				22
	Calendar costs	791			1049
	Website Expenses	114			464
	MembershipExpenses	17			100
1	Miscellaneous	402			2
	Total Expenditure	26524			24255
	Profit or loss	-330			-4323

Funds at March 31st 2023			Funds at March 31st 2022 Cooperative 6712 Triodos 10000 EBS 20938 Lloyds 270 Cash 30 Total Deposits 37950 of which £964 restricted.
Cooperative	5677
Triodos	10072
EBS	21199
Lloyds	670
Cash	0
Total Deposits	37618
of which £1179 is restricted

Registered charity number 1045532

GreenSpirit Income and Expenditure Financial Year 2022-2023

Liabilities

Liabilities
Coordinator fees and expenses		£2316
Subscriptions paid in advance		£2320
	Total	£4636
Assets
Books contained in the suitcase		£200	(approx.)
Office supplies		£100	(approx.)
	Total	£300

Independent Examiners Statement

I have examined the books and records of the Association for Creation Spirituality.

Signed:

(signed copies with Secretary and Chair)

Dated: 19 September 2023

Approved by the board of trustees at the AGM on October 1[st] 2023

Notes to the accounts.

The restricted fund only contains the bursary fund.

1. Includes test transaction and an overpayment (400) for an event, immediately refunded.

2. GiveAsYouLive

3. Books

4. Events

Events totals include income and expenditure this financial year for Annual Gatherings, Walking Breaks and Snowdonia Retreats

Income		Expenditure
Walking Break '22	2730	Annual Gathering '22	4600
Snowdonia Retreat '22	2150	Annual Gathering '23	800
Spring Walking '23	3310	Snowdonia Retreat '22	2002
Annual Gathering '22	5630	Walking Break '22	3382
	13820	Spring Walking '23	803
		Wild Week '23	925
			12512

1. Magazine costs include printing, postage and image costs

2. Coordinator cost is fees (8675) and expenses (26)

Overall, GreenSpirit financial reports are considered enough for the size, complexity, and purpose of the organisation. For purposes of secure governance, the treasurer displays the accounts at each council meeting and the Chair & one or two other trustees have sight of recent bank and

Registered charity number 1045532

GreenSpirit Income and Expenditure Financial Year 2022-2023

bank/building society statements of GS ‘reserves’ at council meetings. All transactions need dual authorisation.

Bank statements are reconciled and the income and expenditure (and any necessary movements of money from one account to another) is reported to the council 3 times a year (at each council meeting).

We use online accounting software for bookkeeping and condense the financial information from that into each report.

Events Income and Expenditure (across financial years)

Events Income	and Expenditure_(across financial years)_
Event	Walking break ‘22 Snowdonia Retreat ‘22 Annual Gathering ‘22 Walking Break ‘23
Income	3490 2150 5630 5210
Expenditure	3382 2002 5600 4895
Profit/Loss	108 148 30 315

Registered charity number 1045532