AVON BUDDHISTS Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustees Annual Report and Flnanclal Statements Year: 06 Apr 2020- 05 Apr 2021 Charfty number:1169219
Trustees annual report for the period Period Start Date Period End Date From Day Month Year To Day Month Year 06 04 2020 05 2021 Reference and administration details Charity name Avon Buddhists Other names charity is known by None Registered charity number 1169219 Charity's principal address 35 Coronatlon Road Downend Bristol Postcode BS16 SSN Names of the charity trustee5 who manage the charity Trustee name Office Dates Name of person lor bodv) entitled to appoint twstee From To Mr Ashok Mall Chalrperson 2010212015 o Date Trustees Appolnted Mr Stephen Holley Treasurer 20102n015 o Date Trustees Appointed Mr Scott Pomery Secretary 2010212015 o Date Trustees Appolnted Mr Chris Hill Trustee 2010212015 o Date Trustees Appointed Miss Danielle Rose Trustee 1311112016 o Date Trustees Appointed Name of any senior staff members Dr Mark Fahey
Structure, governance and management Type of governing document Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). How the charity is constituted An association consisting of everyone who uses the Avon Buddhists or volunteers their time. Trustee selection methods Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the Annual General Meeting held in October. Additional governance issues All trustees and staff give their time voluntary and received no remuneration or other benefits. Objectives and activities Avon Buddhist Group was set up with the primary purpose to preserve and maintain the Mahayana Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and make the teachings available to the wider public. Our central tenet is to offer the teachings as a clear path for the f uture well being and happiness of our community and the wider public. Paramount to this is to provide the right conditions for our spiritual guide, Ven Geshe Lobsang Thinley to teach and give advice. Around him, a small group of dedicated students have gathered in order to bring about some of our objectives. As follows: (i) To provide accommodation for the teacher and his day-to-day needs. In the beginningp this was offered by students on a six-monthly basis, but eventually, it was decided that he needed to be independent and so rented accommodation was acquired. The present accommodation above is the principal address of the charity. (li) Provide suitable venues for the teachings to be held. Rented spaces were made available in the local area which gave us the opportunity to advertise
our events to the public. These were on a weekly basis where a talk was given by the Geshe and then a discussion would follow. Weekend courses were also offered on particular topics every two or three months. (iii) Social events were organised on special days/celebrations. This gave us the chance to f und-raise and get the message out regarding our purp05e5 to a wider audience. (iv) Business models. Discussion amongst the group on how we can generate a more sustained and stable income rather than relying on donations as our main source. As part of our ethos, we wish to provide not just spiritual/emotional nourishment but physical nourishment/comfort too. The cafe and a social gathering place ideas were discussed and how these could be realised. (v) Following on from this point the need for a more substantial space/property is Still the next priority: the aim is to bring together all of the above under one roof and thus we hope it would become an integral part of the community and to give us the opportunity to expand our aims into other areas of service. Additional details of objectives and activities After the problems experienced with lockdowns due to Covid 19 our plans in the coming year will attempt to find further means of income and find a space/property as an Avon Buddhist Centre.
Achievements and performance Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, the Avon Buddhist Group had great difficulties providing its core purpose - as soon as these are lifted we will continue to offer Buddhist teachings to the general public. These remain on a weekly basis by our resident teacher Ven. Geshe Lobsang Thinley. The general programme begins with offering prayers chanted in Tibetan (although an English translation is there for those who wish to read it), followed by the main topic of the evening. A discussion amongst the group follows. Emphasis is always placed on making the teachings relevant to our everyday experiences with a particular focus on strategies enhancing wellbeing and reducing problems. Similarly, weekend courses are held to give students a more in-depth study of the Buddhist Path by focusing on particular topics in the Canon. These are generally well attended. Furthermore, our outreach program will extended to include groups outside the Bristol area. Links to other communities are encouraged who might share common interests. In the past invitations have come from local schools for our teacher to talk about Buddhism to the students as part of their studies on Comparative Religions. Also encouragement in the learning of mindfulness and stress relief techniques to help with their studies and enhance their general health and happiness. We will continue to organise social events so we can keep in touch with our extended associate members who are unable to attend regularly. The core group meet fairly often to discuss current needs, progress reports and future projections. Special events to commemorate Losar or Tibetan New Year and to celebrate the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are organised. Thanks go to our Chairman for providing the venue for these occasions offering food and entertainment. And to the volunteers who give their time and make it possible.
Financial review Concerns over our finances have been in review for some time. The need to reduce our overall costs has meant we have had to consider where our priorities lie. Our primary outgoing has been the rent on Geshe Thinley's residence. It has also become apparent that his situation has become difficult and inappropriate for his status as a monk and so the need for him to move to more suitable accommodation has become absolutely necessary. In due course, placement has been found and while not ideal ie. it is smaller, a single room with shared facilities, it is a temporary solution. However, it is more affordable and nearer his place of work. Inquiries have subsequently been made with the local authority whether there is an entitlement for council accommodation. Registered as a British citizen for more than 10 years now he should be eligible. Due to the smallness of his current accommodation, we cannot hold our weekly classes there and have had to look for alternative venues. Fortunately one of our core members has access to a Community Room in the block of flats where she lives. As a resident, she is entitled to hire the room at no cost and so this is at present where we hold our meetings. It is a large space with an adjacent kitchen facility so ideal for our purposes. Advertising this and other functions are now on our web page. Since our last review, the organization has continued to function largely due to the generosity of our donors. However regular donations generated from our teaching programme have fluctuated from month to month which has made forward planning difficult. Many of our projects have had to be put on hold for the time being but we hope to bring some of these to fruition in the near future. To this end, we are looking for sponsors. Part of our programme looking for sponsorship has been focused on our membership.
Further financial review details: Mail-shots with publicity materials, fundraising events etc at some cost and effort to the volunteers and active members have not generated enough in the past. We continue to inform by email and on our web page about our activities. However our catchment is small, relatively speaking, and so it has been decided to spread the net wider, literally on the Net by opening our Facebook and Twitter pages. Posting various Buddhist related topics, articles, teachings etc along with who we are and what we are trying to achieve we hopefully are broadening our appeal. Recognising the situation as it has been, our teacher Ven Geshe Thinley took the unprecedented decision to find work in order to help supplement our costs. An excellent cook learnt from his time in his monastery he took courses to up his skills in preparation for the world of work. This while still teaching and carrying on his own personal studies. While it was never our intention for this to happen, his practical solution to all things has stabilised, for the moment at least the drain on the finances. His subsequent move to his present address again has shown his willingness to help lift the financial burden and secure a future for Avon Buddhists. Other optional information Please find statements relating to the relevant financial periods in the appendices of cc16a. Declaration Signature(s) Full name(s) Mr Ashok Mali Mr Stephen Holley Position Chairperson Treasurer Date 0111012021
----- Start of picture text -----
Charity No
Avon Buddhists 1169219
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 06/04/ 05/04/202
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Donations 50 - - 50 673
PayPal Donations - - - - 80
Cash at PayPal Account 154 - - 154 74
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
204 - - 204 827
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 204 - - 204 827
A3 Payments
Rent for Spiritual Teacher - - - - -
Administration - - - - -
Room Rent - - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments - - - - -
Net of receipts/(payments) 204 - - 204 827
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 3,239 - - 3,239 2,566
Cash funds this year end 3,443 - - 3,443 3,393
----- End of picture text -----
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
/ /2020
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash at Bank 3,289 - -
Cash at PayPal 154 - -
- - -
Total cash funds 3,443 - -
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s)) OK OK OK
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B3 Investment assets - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates (optional) (optional)
B5 Liabilities - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Signed by one or two trustees on Date of
behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval
Mr Ashok Mali
01/10/2021
Mr Stephen Holley
01/10/2021
----- End of picture text -----
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
/ 0/2021
Appendlx (l): Avon Buddhists Barclay's Account (73323595) 0610412020- 0510412021
0> o ¢0 L? L? LTr U a> 0> 0> o) q> a> a> qi E S E E I I I I 8 8 8 8 c c 0000 <( <( < ¢D ¢D Tr- Tr- (y) J WJ ¢ry (D uj ry) ¢JJ ¢D 0> 0> 0> a) o o o o LU LU LU W c c 1111 E E E E <( <( < E E E E o o o o T> T> 7i z> z> zs cn cn (o o o o o
ryj 0000
Appendlx: Appendlx (11) Avon Buddhi5t5 Pay Pal Account 0610412020 - 0510412021
• PayPal Merthant Account ID.. M5B4FMX8NUG Paypal ID.. rnark@aVOniddhlsts.org.uk 0610412020- 05104r2021 statement for 06 2020 to 05 Aprfl 2021 Avon Buddhists 35 Coronation Road, Downend BS16 SSN Bristol Balan Summary (0610412020- 0510412021) Available Start Available End Withheld St8rt Withheld End GBP 154.44 154.44 0.00 0.00 Page 1
• PayPal Merthant Account ID.. M5B4FMX8NUG Paypal ID.. rnark@aVOniddhlsts.org.uk 0610412020- 05104r2021 Any information provlded Is general only and does not take into acLount your flnanclal stua11 or needs. PayPal IEuropel S.a r.l. et Cie. S.C.A. 22-24 Boulevard Roysl. L-2449 Luxembourg. R.C.S. Luxembourg B 118 349. VAT no. LU22046007 For more information, or lo contsct U5. Vlstwwm.Ypal.Co.Uk. Call u5 on 0800 358 791. OtEning hours.. Barn lo 10ptn Monday lo Friday.. 8am to 9pm Saturday.. 9am to 9pm Sunday. For Glaims or limitstions. hours of operation are." 8am lo 8.30pm Monday lo Friday., 8am to 6.30pm S8turday", 9am to 6.30pm Sund2y. Freephone from a UK landline. However, costs apply from a mobile and are dependent on the terms of agreement with your nelwork provider. If you are ralling from outside ths United Kingdom, use the following phone nutnber." 00353 1436 9004 (international (all ¢harges tnay #pY). Page 2