Federation for Ulster Local Studies Ltd Trustees’ Report Year ended 31 March 2022
Federation for Ulster Local Studies Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 March 2022
The trustees present their Report for the year ended 31 March 2022
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year were as follows:
Mrs Josephine Herbison Mr Joseph McCoy Ms Aine NiDuibhne Mr Robert Guthrie Ms Helen Meehan
Mr Patrick Devlin Mr Johnny Dooher Mr Sean Barden Ms Katie Orme
Registered 14 Corby Way Address Belfast BT11 8HY Independent Róisín Shanks Examiner Fellow, Chartered Accounts Ireland 7 Foxleigh Wood, Lurgan, Co Armagh BT 67 9GW Bankers Allied Irish Bank Charity Registration NIC100526 Number Company Registration NI 027863 Number Website www.fuls.org.uk
Structure, Governance and Management
The Federation for Ulster Local Studies is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 15 October 1993. The Company is governed by the terms of its memorandum and articles of association.
The Federation registered as a charity on 12 September 2014
Ten meetings were held via Zoom during the year in addition to the Annual General Meeting.
Attendance was good with an average attendance of 74.7% at meetings. However activity was limited during the year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
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Actual Possible
Josephine Herbison 10 10
Bridie Bradley 10 10
Patrick Devlin 7 7
Johnny Dooher 10 10
Aine niDhuibhne 9 10
Joseph McCoy 10 10
Sean Barden 3 7
Robert Guthrie 8 10
Katie Orme 6 7
Helen Meehan 0 10
Denvir Boyd 1 1
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Objectives and Activities
The Federation established in 1974 was set up to promote and assist with the study and recording of the history, antiquities and folk-life of Ulster, to develop communication and co-operation between local historical groups and between these groups and relevant statutory and voluntary organisations.
Our Mission
The Federation will provide guidance, support and direction to those societies who are interested in the rich and varied history and heritage of Ulster. This will be done in an inclusive and assessable manner that encourages widespread participation and promotes mutual respect and understanding.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a community in Ulster that is able to lay claim to, and have pride in, its history and heritage.
Objectives
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To provide direction through organising and executing educational workshops and seminars so that both local societies and the general public can develop the skills and methodologies to enable them to further their own studies.
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To encourage the publication of accessible and stimulating material that encourages widespread participation in local studies and to provide opportunities for people to meet, network and exchange ideas and experiences.
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To develop member societies presence on the internet and develop and maintain electronic communications with and between them.
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To plan for targeted training groups who wish to use local studies in their own field.
Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit
Membership
Society Membership stands at 92, Individual Membership, 23. Many societies were inactive during the year and two societies ceased operations. Twelve societies had not renewed their membership for the year.
In view of the continuing impact of the pandemic on Members' activities, and their financial resources, as well as the fact that the Federation is at present able to provide only limited services, the Executive Committee decided to continue the reduction of membership fees by 50% for the 2021-2022 year. Members (Society and individual) that paid by Standing Order were refunded the difference in November 2021.
Administration Review
Following on from the AGM 2021 and the failure to fill all administrative positions on the Federation executive committee it was decided that an Administrative Officer should be appointed to ensure that all key duties of the Federation would be carried out in line with its responsibilities as a registered charity. Mr. Patsy McShane, a long-time member of the Ballinascreen History Society and a member of the early Federation committee was appointed by the executive committee at the February meeting.
Insurance
The Federation continues to provide public liability insurance for its members. As a result of the continuing pandemic the committee decided to reduce the PL Insurance charge for the year. This means that member societies only paid a flat fee of £15.00. This is a much reduced rate.
Due North
Due North was once again produced and circulated to member societies and contained many interesting articles.
Website
As very little activity happened during the year, there was limited updates of the website. It is hoped that this very useful facility will be reactivated in the incoming year. A lot of material regarding the Federation can be accessed from the website.
News-letter
Two news-letters were issued during the year updating members on the activities albeit limited of the Federation and its member societies. Both news-letters can be obtained on the Federation website.
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact on member Societies, most of which suspended their activities with all meetings and events abandoned. However after very little activity by the Executive Committee during the previous year 2020/2021 the Committee resumed and ten meetings were held virtually during the year.
Financial Review
The Federation finances remain sound with adequate resources instantly available (bank current account). We continue to monitor our accounts regularly, and will take appropriate action if the occasion demands it.
Income is generated from membership fees, insurance contributions and sales of Due North, all of which were maintained during the year. As most member societies were inactive during the year substantial reductions on both membership fees and insurance contributions were given.
Independent Examiner
The Federation reappointed Mrs Roisin Shanks (FCA) as independent examiner for the ensuing year. Mrs Shanks has agreed to be reappointed for the incoming year 2022/2023
Signed
Joseph McCoy (Chair)