## **Federation for Ulster Local Studies Ltd** ## **Trustees’ Report** **Year ended 31 March 2023** ## **Federation for Ulster Local Studies Trustees’ Report** ## **for the year ended 31 March 2023** The trustees present their Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 **Trustees** The trustees who served during the year were as follows: Mr Joseph McCoy Mr Johnny Dooher Ms Aine NiDuibhne Ms Helen Meehan Ms Bridie Bradley Mr Joe McCoy Ms Elizabeth Hoy Mrs Florence ## **Registered Address** 14 Corby Way Belfast BT11 8HY ## **Independent Examiner** Róisín Shanks 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 ## **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 Eleven meetings were held (one via Zoom)during the year in addition to the Annual General Meeting. Attendance was good with an average attendance of 73.2% at meetings. |**Trustee**|**Actual**|**Possible**| |---|---|---| |Joe McCoy|11|11| |Bridie Bradley|11|11| |JohnnyDooher|11|11| |Josie Harbison|2|4| |Denvir Boyd|3|11| |Aine niDhubhne|7|11| |Robert Guthrie|0|4| |Elizabeth Hoy|4|4| |Ian Elliot|3|4| ## **Introduction** This report covers the year from 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023. The impact of the Covid19 pandemic has mainly disapated with a lot more members begining to meet again sometimes totally in person, sometimes totally virtual and sometimes a blend of both virtual and in person. This report sets out the very activities of the Executive Committee since 1st April 2022. All meetings were held in person. ## **Membership** Society Membership stands at 80, Individual Membership, 23. More societies became active during the year and two more societies ceased operations. A number of societies have still to renew their membership for the year despite several reminders. In view of the continuing impact of the pandemic on Members' activities, and their financial resources, the Executive Committee decided to continue the reduction of membership fees to a flat rate of £50.00 for the 2022-2023 year. ## **Officers & Committee** ## **Officers** Chairman: Joseph McCoy – Individual Member Vice-Chairman: Denver Boyd - Individual Member Secretary: Ian Elliott – South Belfast Historical Society Treasurer: Bridie Bradley, West Belfast Historical Society ## **Executive Committee** Johnny Dooher – Strabane History Society Elizabeth Hoy – Broughshane History Society Helen Meehan: Donegal Historical Society Aine NíDuibhne: Donegal Historical Society However due to health matters our Secretary, Mr George Elliott had to resign after eight months in post. The Trustees wish to record or thanks to George who in the short time he held the position mad a substantial impact on the post, particulary the minutes of meetingsw. ## **Administration** The Administrative Officer appointed in February 2022 continues in post and administers the day to day affairs of the Federation, including, membership, insurance, organisation of meetings etc and ensures that all key duties of the Federation are carried out in line with its responsibilities as a registered charity. As per the resolution approved at the last AGM the Federation membership year was aligned with the financial year resulting in payments for both membership and insurances being due at the same time. This took affect from 1[st] April 2023. ## **Insurance** The Federation continues to provide public liability insurance for its member societies in Northern Ireland. As a result of reduced activity at local level during the past year the Federation Executive reduced insurance premiums for societies to a flat fee of £15 (20222023). However due to a welcome increase in activity of member societies and the triennial review of premium the annual cost of insurance was increased to £25 per society for the incoming year (2023-2024) which is still very cost effective when compared to insurance purchased by member societies individually. ## **Due North** Currently Due North is being co-ordinated and isn’t ready for print. It is planned that Due North will issue early 2024. Thanks are due to all the contributors who provided the articles needed to make the publication possible. More articles from member societies would be greatly appreciated. ## **Summer Seminar** We held our first seminar since before COVID. It was held in Draperstown on Saturday 3[rd] June 2023. Speakers were Professor Brian Walker, Queens University Belfast on “The decade of centenaries, 1912-22: Commemoration, Controversy and conciliation – a look back” and Mr Edward Montgomery, The Honourable The Irish Society on “ A history of the Honourable The Irish Society and the Livery Companies in the City of London in the County of Londonderry” This was followed, in the afternoon with a tour of the Plantation town of Draperstown led by Mr. Graham Mawhinney of Ballinascreen Historical Society. ## **Website** Very little website activity happened during the year. A special meeting of the Trustees was held in August 2023 to review the website with the priority to update articles and revamp the website throughout the remainder of 2023 and early 2024. A lot of material regarding the Federation can be accessed on the website www.fuls.org.uk ## **News-letter** Two news-letters were issued during the year updating members on the activities of the Federation and its member societies. Both news-letters can be obtained on the Federation website. However we can only issue newsletters if we get material from our member societies, To date very few societies supply us with information for the Newsletter. ## **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 a lot of member societies were only starting to get back to business after the Covid 19 pandemic 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 2023/2024 Signed **Joseph McCoy (Chair)** Date: 30[th] January 2024