Chair’s Report for 2022/2023 - John Young
It has been a tough year for everyone, no less for our members. Facing not only the Covid pandemic restrictions and health effects but a turbulent political climate. World strife and heightened anxieties by the war in Ukraine. The cost of living crisis and many issues with strikes and unrest.
Over the year, we have returned to normality. Wednesday Club night is functioning well, with more new faces joining, some going on to become members. The cost of car parking and the Clean Air Zone is having an adverse effect on numbers in attendance.
Lectures have remained on Zoom and, despite a few low turnouts, have gone down well. Outreaches are resumed, with events at the Lickeys, Woodgate Country Park, New Hall Mill and Winterbourne proving to be very popular.
We are always looking for new projects if you have any suggestions.
Currently, we have a Meteor Detection Group operating an AllSky 7 system at Knighton Space Guard. Also, we are currently looking at Radio Astronomy and an offshoot Art Group Meets weekly.
The Society continues to operate well, maintaining a healthy Membership and is financially sound.
A big thank you to our members for keeping faith with the Society. Thanks to our Committee, a particularly warm Welcome to Michael Toon for joining the committee recently.
Thanks To John Downing (Membership), Ben Stanley (Treasurer), Pete Thick (communique), Barrie Paterson (events), John Penny, Yvonne Thick, Micheal Toon. Thanks to Steve Woodfield for many years of Committee service, who reluctantly gave up his trustee and Committee position this year. Thanks to Paul Coleman for operating and maintaining the Societies Web Page.
John Young
Membership Secretary’s Report 2022/2023 - John Downing
Membership is healthy at 79 (73 paid up + 6 honorary) on 31st August compared to 72 (66 paid up + 6 honorary) at this time last year.
Membermojo is used to automate membership details and renewals and is working well. Payments via Stripe are nice and easy.
The annual fee for all members remains at £15.
Membership is only available to persons aged 18 years and over.
John Downing
Financial Report 2022/2023 – Ben Stanley
We end the year with a good bank balance, Membership income has been steady and reaction to the £15 single fee has been positive. The majority of our transactions are now cashless making administration easier and bringing us closer to Charity Commission guidance on handling cash.
The COIF investment fund ended the year with a slightly lower value than previous years, but the returns are still positive. Along with an uplift in Bank interest, this has provided a good top-up to the society funds. This year, we purchased a new laptop and some other equipment for events.
Income
| Account | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memberships | £ 26.89 |
£ 939.86 |
£1,142.33 |
| COIF | £ 1,983.46 | £ 2,048.26 | £2,063.78 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Clothing | £ 0.00 |
£ 23.00 |
£ 133.00 |
| Other Income | £ 0.00 |
£ 16.17 |
£ 73.35 |
| raffe, sales of equip, etc |
|||
| Interest | £ 0.60 |
£ 6.83 |
£ 118.72 |
| TOTAL | £ 2,010.95 | £ 3,034.12 | £3,531.18 |
Expenditure
| Account | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | £ 151.12 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Marketing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Equipment | £ 1,095.78 | £ 307.22 |
£1,931.40 |
| Prizes | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 165.87 |
| Subscriptions | £ 515.30 |
£ 464.16 |
£ 274.38 |
| Lectures | £ 280.00 |
£ 303.95 |
£ 190.00 |
| Fixtures & Fittings |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Clothing | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Trips | £ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
£ 0.00 |
| Other | £ 1,962.55 | £ 392.68 |
£ 0.00 |
| Bank Charges | £ 84.00 |
£ 93.00 |
£ 60.00 |
| TOTAL | £ 4,088.75 | £ 1,561.01 | £2,621.65 |
| Balances at | 31st | Aug 2021 | 31st Aug 2022 | 31st Aug 2022 | 31st | Aug 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash in Hand | £ | 0 | £ | 0 | £ | 0 |
| Current Account | £ | 1063.69 | £ | 2,529.49 | £ | 3,324.41 |
| Savings Account | £ | 11500.60 | £ | 11,507.91 | £ | 11,622.52 |
| Sub-Total | £ | 12564.29 | £ | 14037.40 | £ | 14,946.93 |
| COIF Investment Fund | £ | 74031.80 | £ | 73209.78 | £ | 71,794.91 |
| Total | £ | 86,596.09 | £ | £87,247.18 | £ | 86,741.84 |