Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-23
Newcastle Philosophy Society (NPS)
Reporting period: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Please note that this report was produced several years after the reporting period by a board of trustees who were not involved as trustees during the reporting period. No report was submitted by previous boards of trustees for this reporting period. We have largely drawn upon archived material including email communication, social media advertisement, communication with a previous trustee, and minutes of meetings.
Objectives and activities
The objective of the NPS is “to advance the education of the general public in the North of England in the field of philosophy”, as noted in its Constitution. It does this through running and promoting public philosophy events.
The following discussion groups were active during at least some part of the reporting period Wednesday Night Discussion ( later changed to Tuesday Night Discussion) (weekl y ), Women Philosophers (monthly), Deep Dive ( occasional) , and Film Discussion (one-off).
Achievements and performance
In addition to the groups listed above, minutes show proposals for the revival of several historic NPS groups: Philosophy in Film , Café Philosophique , and Philosophical Explorations . However, it does not appear that these groups were revived. There does not appear to have been a General Meeting held during this period. No funding was obtained during this reporting period.
Financial review
No income was obtained during this reporting period. Expenditure was £1,144.03, and consisted of payments for insurance, Zoom subscription, Meetup subscription, and a series of ATM transactions (totalling £600). £258.24 of the ATM transactions was accounted for as reimbursement for a payment for charity insurance taken from the former Chair’s bank account. After communication with the former Chair regarding the remaining unaccounted-for ATM transactions, he has offered to provide the difference for the remaining funds and seek reimbursement when he has had the time to obtain appropriate documentation/ receipts for the use of the funds. The total amount of money in the NPS bank account was £6,023.35 at the start of the reporting period and £4,893.71 at the end of it.
Structure, governance and management
The NPS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a board of trustees. Trustees are appointed either at a General Meeting following a vote of members present or co-opted by the existing trustees.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name: Newcastle Philosophy Society
Charity Number: 1180305
Persons identified as serving as trustees during the reporting period: Donald Forbes, Georgiana Varna, Chandra Vemury (Chair).
Exemptions from disclosure: not applicable.
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others: not applicable.
Signed by Michael Boggon on behalf of the trustees, 24/02/2025