GLM AGM 2023 – CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Looking back on the 2019/2020 report I presented to the meeting on 10[th] February 2020 provides a lot of food for thought.
That was our last meeting before Covid-19 lockdown. In fairness the committee didn’t lockdown. Thanks to James and Covid -19 Mutual Aid we were able to support vulnerable people in our catchment area doing their shopping and collecting medical prescriptions.
The hall was closed for the next 18 months. Early in January 2021 a burst pipe in the attic of the hall caused severe flooding. The damage was quite severe in the toilet area and main hall floor. Hall floor and corridor ceiling had to be replaced along with replastering of men’s toilet. Total cost of repairs was in the region of £35,000.
When the hall reopened in September 2021, there were many requests to use it again for children’s birthday parties. From then until now we have hired it out for 14 birthday parties. Two didn’t take place due to Covid-19 in the respective families. That compares to 15 parties in the hall during 2018/2019. Then we had the free Halloween party for primary school children on Saturday 30[th] October. This was an outstanding success with a large attendance of children from both religious denominations. A big thank you to the newly formed Youth committee who organised it.
At the monthly committee meeting held on 29[th] November 2021 a decision was taken to close the hall until further notice due to the rise in cases of the new Covid variant Omicron and its rapid spread. This meant the cancellation of the Christmas Bingo session and the children’s Christmas disco. The one exception was to allow children’s birthday parties to go ahead at the discretion of the parents provided they followed the Covid-19 guidelines as laid out by the Stormont Executive.
The newly formed youth committee met on four occasions in the Autumn. They came up with many new initiatives to encourage the young and old people of the area to come together and have fun together. This would involve the formation of a Mother and Toddler group leading onto the formation of a Junior Youth Club. Parties for the young and old would be organised at Christmas and Easter to encourage these young and older people to meet in GLM hall so that we would get to know each other. Then they would organise day events and bus outings. Grand applications had been made to various organisations and funding sought. To date they were successful in receiving £4100 from the Victoria Homes Trust.
When the hall reopened in September, the SRC planned to continue the Art classes and enrolment took place with 15 people signing up for the new term. Unfortunately, the tutor was hospitalised and the Classes were postponed until January 2022. Owning to Covid-19 the classes were delayed until Wednesday 23[rd] February. The Women’s Institute continued using the hall as per usual. A new group taking up residence was the Young Farmers’ Club. They only used it on three occasions and moved to the Orange hall in Mowhan.
The Silver Threads, a group of Senior Citizens who had been meeting in the Millennium Hall for over 20 years, decided to disband as the group had decreased in size due to age and ill health. Money, they had in their account was transferred to the GLM CDA account. Much great work was done by the Silver Threads over the years as well as socialising and going on annual outings to places of interest. They published a book entitled, “The Way It Was” a compilation of stories from members experiences of how life was in their younger days. They are sadly missed and we thank the group and the many members involved over the years for their contribution to the GLM community.
Financially the association is in a better place than a few years ago and that is good. Now that there is war in Ukraine and energy prices for Kerosene are soaring, it’s going to cost a lot more money to refill the heating oil tank as well as the rise in electricity prices. It is important to keep fundraising to cover our running costs and overheads.
With funding from Tada we now have two spin bikes. Hopefully through funding we can increase that number. In the meantime, the bikes are in the hall to be used so feel free to contact me regarding their use.
In conclusion thank you all for your support during the last two years. These have been difficult times. As the saying goes, ‘What doesn’t kill you, will make you stronger.’ I know we have all lost loved one during this time and I express my sincere condolences to all who have and especially our loved ones who have been part of GLM CDA and have now passed on. May They Rest In Peace.
’ – GLM AGM 2023 CHAIRPERSON & SECRETARY S REPORT
The 2022 AGM did not take place as only four people turned up on the night of 7[th] March 2022. It wasn’t possible to run the meeting as the constitution requires a minimum of 7 (50% of the committee) to form a quorum. This was very disappointing. In April I was diagnosed with a heart murmur which was also disappointing and spent the next 12 months having various tests before having my aortic valve replaced on 11[th] March 2023. A youth meeting was called for Monday 17[th] October 2022 and only two members turned up along with me. Again, very disappointing. An AGM was arranged for 5[th] June 2023 and this time 5 people attended, insufficient for a quorum. All this time the Chairman/Secretary and Treasurer have been doing their best to keep the hall open and functioning. Unfortunately with the reduced use of the hall and the increase in insurance and energy cost we are now in financial difficulty. As per previous 2 years only the Women’s Institute, and Art class are hiring the hall. In 2022 we had 16 birthday parties and this year 8.
It's hard to keep. going when you don’t get the support of the local community. My invite to the June 2023 AGM had this to say,” Our last General meeting of the GLM association was scheduled for 7 March last year 2022. Only three people turned up which was insufficient numbers to meet the quorum requirement. Consequently, the association has been kept running by the previous chairperson and treasurer. This is not a satisfactory situation as firstly it is unfair for these two individuals to have to carry the responsibility of keeping the hall open. Secondly it is not democratic as the association is required to be run by a committee of individuals nominated at an AGM…..”
Therefore, I'm inviting you to attend a meeting in the Millennium hall on this Monday 13[th] November at 7.30pm to elect a new committee for the forthcoming year. It is important that you attend this meeting if you have an interest and desire to make life better for everyone living in the Glenanne, Loughgilly and Mountnorris area and surrounding district. You may not wish to be on the committee, but you can provide a very important role of support in the background. Your views on the running of the GLM association are important to us.
Looking forward to meeting you in the Millennium hall on Monday 13[th] November at 7.30pm.
If you have any issues or queries you can contact me on 07720838681
Best regards Danny McSherry Outgoing chairperson
AGENDA – AGM MONDAY 13[th] November 7.30PM GLM MILLENNIUM HALL
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Welcome
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Chairperson’s Report
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Secretary’s Report
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Treasurer’s Report
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Presiding Officer, Kevin Kenny, Hanna Hillen Estate Agents
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Election of Officers for 2024
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Election of Committee Members for 2024
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Date of next meeting
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AOB
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Refreshments