2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] April 2023 To 31[st] March 2024

Charity name: The Association for Creation Spirituality (GreenSpirit)

Charity registration number: 1045532

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activitiesjectives and Activitiesectives and Activities	Objectives and Activitiesjectives and Activitiesectives and Activities	Objectives and Activitiesjectives and Activitiesectives 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.

Achievements and Performance

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SORP
reference
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Achievements and Performance	Achievements and Performance	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. The magazine celebrated its 25thyear with a special edition in Spring 2024. Membership has risen from about 239 to 268 members 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 13 books in the GreenSpirit book series with sales reaching 750 in 2023 which is the highest sales for any year. Work is being done on a book about rituals and celebrations. 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 Castleton YHA in the Peak District helping participants to connect with Nature and feel their place within the living Earth. The Snowdonia Retreat was held at Cae Mabon in Snowdonia in an inspiring location dedicated to encouraging Earth based connections. The Annual Gathering was held at The Nightingale Centre in Derbyshire with conversations around “Shamanism: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life and Healing” on the Saturday morning. 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 two regular Anam Cara groups were 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 a stall run at a Sustainable Newham event. GreenSpirit continues to support local groups around the country helping people at a local level to understand their connection with the Earth and to be inspired to live sustainably.

Financial Review

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Review of the charity’s financial Para 1.21 GreenSpirit continues to benefit from a legacy
position at the end of the period donation some years ago with annual planned
spending to make use of the funds available. The
loss of £3,531 over the year has prompted the
Trustees to start looking at fundraising. All events
made a small surplus. The bursary fund (of £814)
will help those who could not otherwise afford it,
to come to GreenSpirit events.
Statement explaining the policy Para 1.22 The minimum level of reserves is fixed at
for holding reserves stating why £10,000. This includes funding of an orderly
they are held winding up of the Association if forced to do so,
and cushioning expenditure on conference
organisation.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £33,273 as at 31Mar24 (excluding restricted
funds).
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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.

Names of the the charity trustees who trustees who who manage the charity for the the period 1Apr23 - 31Mar24 31Mar24

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a
of the the charity trustees who trustees who who manage the charity for the the period 1Apr23 - 31Mar24 31Mar24 Le
: Name of person (or body)
Trustee name Office (if any) Bates cetadueniatian entitled to appoint trustee (if
_ | whole year any)
—SSSSCdESSSCSCS~SSSSC=SiCMe ber of the charity
1 [Janice Every ‘(|Char
2 [Jane Stott Vice Char ———~—S«dYSS~SC~SCSCS~SSS_i Members of the charity
[Members] [of] [the] [charity]
3 | Chris Holmes Treasurer. ——=([| [—~—~—S—~————_|]
4 | Hilary Norton 1Apr23 — 10ct23 Membersofthe charity
Hilary Norton Council Member 1Oct23 - 31Mar24 Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
5 Richard Adams Council Member Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
6 Elizabeth Beaven Council Member Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
7 Jenny Leslie Council Member Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
8 Emanuela Marchiori Council Member 1Apr23 — 10ct23 Membersofthe charity or
Trustees
9 Chris Newsam Council Member Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
10 Steve Wollaston Council Member Members ofthe charity or
Trustees
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Janice Every — Chair lan Mowll — Coordinator ) Declarations

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Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
4 fn, Rpor \
Fullname(s)| sal
J. =EVER | H \ LAAYim NortonKOON
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc) CACO. UOrte - Chai’.
Date -
IG _ ll. 2q
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GreenSpirit Income and Expenditure

Annual Accounts ’23 -‘24

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |restricted|funds| |22-23|for| |carried forward|1179|comparison| |Subscriptions|5560|4640| |Donation|5547|5264| |Books|in|a Suitcase|34|20| |Interest|683|332| |Magazine Sales|42|94| |Events|12995|13820| |3|Publications|457|301| |Gift Aid|867|775| |Calendar|183|316| |Fundraising|15| |1|Miscellaneous|64|402| |Bursary Fund|115|115|215| |total|26547|1294|26194| |2|Magazine|costs|2372|2172| |Council Expenses|468|647| |Online|Processing|370|351| |Coordinator Costs|9415|8701| |Postage|175|139| |Books|/ Suitcase|- Books|11|38| |Insurance|592|540| |Office|Expenses|78| |Calendar costs|930|||791| |6|Website Expense|1108|114| |Publications|100| |Events|13898|12512| |Membership|Expenses|181|17| |Miscellaneous|402| |Bursary fund|use|480|480| |total|30078|480|26524| |profit or loss|-3531|814|-330| |Funds at March|31st 2024|Funds|at March|31st 2023| |Cooperative|£7,152|Cooperative|5677| |V'||Friodos|£6,222|Triodos|10072| |/||EBSLloyds|£20,533£180|EBSLloyds|21199670|.| |Total|Deposits|£34,087|Total|Deposits|37618| |of which|£814|is|restricted|of which|£1179|is|restricted|

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Registered charity number 1045532

GreenSpirit Income and Expenditure

Annual Accounts 723 -‘24

Liabilities Coordinator fees and expenses Subscriptions paid in advance

£2316 £2320

Assets Books contained in the suitcase Office supplies

Total £4636 £200 (approx.) £100 = (approx.) Total £300

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 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 (Free Agent) for bookkeeping and condense the financial information from that into each report.

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Restricted funds are finds set aside for a specific purpose, in this case for supporting members to attend events.

1. Overpayment subs (returned in subsequent financial year)

2. Magazine costs include printing, postage and image costs

3. Income from book sales

4. Coordinator cost is fees and expenses

5. Events (walking break, wild week and conference added together)

6. Website expenses include accounting software

Independent Examiners Statement

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| have examined the books and records ofthe sociation for Creation Spirituality.
Signed c / yOe he ty hes /
(signed copies with Secretary and Chair)
Dated A ( are ==
Approved by the board of trustees at the AGM on October 20" 2024
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Registered charity number 1045532