## **Saving Saints Rescue UK** ## **Annual General Meeting on 11 August 2022** ## **Minutes** Present: Rachel Wesley (RW) – Chair/Secretary Marina Parha (MP) Simon Grundy (SG) – Treasurer Tracey Turnbull (TT) Jo Johnston (JJ) ## **1. Agenda** - Apologies - Update on actions from AGM held on 11 August 2021 - Resignations and election of Trustees - Financial return - Summary of activities over the last 12 months - Feedback from users of the service over the last 12 months - Priorities and challenges for the coming year RW welcomed everyone to the 7th formal AGM of the group. ## **2. Apologies** Chantelle Jago (CJ) and Helen McGuirl (HMcG). ## **3. Update on actions from AGM held on 11 August 2021** Actions from the previous AGM have been completed apart from training, merchandise/online shop development and the appointment of a President. Planned Trustee training at Marsh Lea kennels had been put on hold and the online training programme had not been progressed due to lack of resources. TT agreed to make contact with a media figure to enquire if they would be interested in the role of President. ## **4. Changes to Trustees as per Constitution** Chantelle Jago (CJ) previously submitted her resignation to RW in May 2022 and this was formally accepted at the meeting. All Trustees thanked CJ for her contribution and wished her well. Jo Johnston (JJ) was proposed as a Trustee by Rachel Wesley, seconded by Marina Parha. JJ has worked alongside us over the last 3 years giving behavioural advice to fosters and adopters in addition to HMcG. Trustees are now as follows for the next year as per the Constitution: Chair/Secretary – Rachel Wesley Treasurer – Simon Grundy Rescue/Adoption/Fundraising Co-ordinators – Marina Parha, Rachel Wesley, Tracey Turnbull Merchandising/Online shop/Fundraising – vacant position General advisory/behavioural – Helen McGuirl/Jo Johnston Media - voluntary support from Paul Bibby who is working on our social media presence ie Instagram and the development of a YouTube channel. ## **5. Financial update** The Treasurer had provided each member with a copy of the Annual Statement of Accounts from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. This showed a decrease in reserves to £9,016. The majority of expenditure for 2021 to 2022 continued to be transport, kennel costs (due to partnership with Marsh Lea kennels) and vet costs. Whilst adoptions have remained constant, transport and vet costs had substantially risen. An application to HMRC for last year’s gift aid was made earlier in 2022 and this amount was reflect in the current balance. The Treasurer confirmed that he was satisfied with the level of financial controls in place however expressed concern about the sustainability of activities at this level in 2022/2023. It was agreed that a review of strategy was required and a 3 month hold on all adoption activity effective immediately was in place. ## **6. Summary of activities over the last 12 months** RW provided data relating to the following measurable activities in the last 12 months: Adoptions – 147 (for both SS and as RBU for other charities) Dogs in long term foster – 7 (4 x Simba, Angel, Solomon, Jammie at Marsh Lea kennels), (Charlie, Opal and Sissi in long term home fosters). Euthanasia – 1 (male St Bernard due to severe aggression) The number of active fosters is currently 5 with no fosters available for emergencies. Recruitment advertising for new fosters was being undertaken. Home checks conducted (including for other rescuers) – over 200, 5 failed (for SS). The majority of homechecks have been conducted online over the last year. Fundraising and raising awareness days – 5 – Snowdon walk, local fundraisers, 3 car boots, monthly dog walks in Chorley; 100 Club has been launched Media presence – Cumberland Building Society, Dogs Today Pat/companion dog sessions (in last 12 months) – 3 sessions conducted Ebay activity – remained low with a profit of £42. This will remain open until our website shop becomes fully operational. Most popular items continued to be dog bibs and personalised cards. Website shop – closed ## **7. Use of media / website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube** Media activity – an increased presence and use of Twitter and Instagram was now in place. PB’s work on the YouTube channel remained outstanding and the interviews with adopters to appear on the channel. Website – updates remained slow due to lack of volunteer support. RW to provide an update on progress when the current volunteer responded (currently unavailable due to personal difficulties). Dogs remained out of date on the website and documentation; TT/RW ensure that Facebook remained up to date. JJ offered to speak to a contact about website support. ## **8. Merchandising** Old stock continued to be sold including gym bags, t-shirts, bibs, slobber cloths, dog toys and other donated items. A number of items had been sold at 2 car boot sales. Leather collars were sourced and ready for advertising but it was agreed that development of the online shop would remain on hold until an experienced volunteer could be found and the charity’s future explored further. ## **9. Feedback from users of the service in the last 12 months** Positive feedback has been received from many adopters in the last year and also from our rescue partners with lovely comments received about our back up, ongoing support and adoption processes. We have also received 3 formal complaints in the year and 1 remained active. Two had been resolved and were related to a lack of understanding about what to expect in the early weeks of adoption and behavioural support had resolved those issues. A review of the reasons for the complaints had been undertaken and the pre-existing complaint would be analysed once external processes were complete. Discussion centred around communication between adopters and rescuers where we were providing RBU only and how to reinforce expectations. RW had communicated once again to all rescuers what our RBU now consisted of up to £50 (2 nights emergency kennel fees) and ongoing free behavioural support for all adopters. ## **10. Training needs 2022** RW had passed Trustees information about free resources and training available with the Charity Commission on responsibilities and ADCH. A review of trustees’ training needs would be undertaken as part of the working party. ## **11. Future strategy and priorities for the forthcoming year** A working party of all trustees would have a first meeting on Saturday 17/9/2022 from 2 to 4 pm. This would explore the group’s TOR and sub-groups set up to look at policies, operating procedures, advice and guidance and costings. A SWOT analysis of the charity would be undertaken at the next meeting in October 2022. In view of the current difficulties with finances, current poor adoption climate and increase in surrenders of UK dogs, it was agreed that the charity’s focus would shift back to UK based dogs for the foreseeable future. A 3 month suspension of all activity apart from dogs already pre-adopted is effective immediately and non-UK dogs would not be advertised on our sites unless rescuers were willing to take complete responsibility for adoption, transport and rescue back up. Due to the current crisis in the UK and additional problems with foreign rescue it was agreed that all non-UK adoption would be put on hold and reviewed at the AGM in 2023. We have 2 dogs due to travel from Egypt and India who have adopters and these will be our last foreign imports. The DEFRA ban on importing non-UK dogs from Eastern Europe remained in place and due for review on 3/9. Three adopted dogs remained in Romania who we are committed to. Difficulties with importing dogs from Greece remained due to problems with Greek vets not issuing health certificates. TT and MP were progressing this with Greek rescuers for the future. TT raised concerns about testing for blood borne diseases and it was agreed that brucellosis should now be routinely tested for. ## 1 **2. Any Other Business** Due to the lack of resources within the group, negative stress was being experienced by some Trustees. Boundaries were explored and the general public’s expectations, how adoption co-ordinators and those involved in daily admin could minimise negative impact of the charity’s work. This would be further reviewed as part of the working group. ## **13. Date of next AGM** Agreed for August 2023 – date TBC. ## **Saving Saints Rescue UK Charity register no 1171050** **Accounts for the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022** ## **Profit and loss account** **Receipts and donations 24712 Expenses (28800) Balance b/forward 13104 Total 9016 Balance sheet** **Co-Op bank balance 6019 PayPal balance 3094 Stock in hand 50** **Total 9016**