A Social Group for Young Adults with Learning Disabilities THEACTIVEGROUP Annual General Meeting Report Held in Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church Hall On 25th September 2024 Registered Charity Number NIC101901
TAG'S Mission To diminish social inclusion for adults with learning disabilities •• To help members feel more integrated in their own community •• To improve self confidence & self esteem To enhance their social skills To bring new opportunities - including participating in courses, promoting physical activity, make new friends and use their local facilities without fear or prejudice. TAG Members TAG has 24 members at present. Members have disabilities such as Downs Syndrome, Autism, Dyspraxia, Aspergers Syndrome, Sotos Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. TAG activities have increased the self confidence and self esteem of its members. Our members have formed good friendships with one another and this has encouraged members to meet one another in their own time within their community outside of TAG activities. TAG Volunteers Members are supported by a group of dedicated, trustworthy volunteers who ensure their enjoyment and safety during the activities and outings. TAG volunteers were awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2013, which is the equivalent of an MBE (the highest award which can be given). TAG is a member led organisation with two members and two volunteers who sit on committee and is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
Benefits of TAG Builds social skills, self esteem and self confidence. Builds friendships Cross community / cross border Integrates members into community Raises awareness of disabled young adults in the community by using public facilities and amenities Provides opportunities to become involved with other groups for young adults with learning disabilities such as Special Olympic City Strikers •• Provides support and respite for parents/carers IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS MILD/MODERATE LEARNING DISABILITY WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM TAG OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER FOR A FEW HOURS EVERY ALTERNATE WEDNESDAY EVENING PLEASE CONTACT: TAG Co-ordinator John Mitchel Place, NEWRY, BT34 2BU Phone: 0781 8418486 E-mail: theactivegroup@hotmail.co.uk Website.. www.ta new .or .uk Facebook: tagnewry
AGENDA
Chairpersons Welcome Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting Secretar¢s Report Treasurers Report Committee Steps Down Election of Committee for 2023/2024 Any Other Business
th Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 20 September 2023 Held in Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church Hall Present Apologies Dympna Rafferty (Chairperson} Marie Quinn Carmel Fee (Treasurer) Fiona Redmond Hazel Glenny (Secretary) Catherine Mc Geeney Majella Savage Rebecca Glenny Ann Hollywood Declan Hazzard Marie Mc Cann Gerald Cunningham John Mc Cann Deborah Cunningham Andrew Skillen Mina Hanratty Michael Rafferty Brendan Farrell Chris Savage Gary Hanratty Joyce Haughian Katrina Magee Niall Cunningham Neidin Morgan Marie Morgan Niamh Quinn Philomena Quinn Paul Fee Rebecca Devlin
Rita Kearney Shannon Laffin Wendy Laffin Siobhan Hollywood William Wills Ronan & Donal Lonergan Alphie Lonergan Anne & Johnny Flynn Marie Magee Bernadette O'Neill Catherine Haughian Anne O'Hagan Gerry & Loreto Mc Ardle Eamonn Devlin Karen Riding Donna & Paul Hughes Oonagh Mc Donald Aaron Kellerstrauss Minutes from 2022 AGM were read and agreed. Proposed by Marie Morgan and seconded by Andrew Skillen. Hazel Glenny presented her secretary's report outlining the previous years activities and thanking the volunteers and everyone who supported TAG. Carmel Fee presented her treasurerfs report advising on the necessity of fundraising and thanked Committee and volunteers for their continued support.
A.O.B Niall asked about the situation with funding and was advised that Catherine was looking into it at present. Johnny Flynn commented that he would be willing to help with street collections and were we planning on starting up raffles again. Paul Hughes also commented that he would be happy to help in any way. Niall also asked about some activities and was advised that all members had to be considered when choosing activities as we must ensure that all members are able to participate. Marie Morgan suggested that TAG should perhaps revise the payments of subs for each activity and increase f rom £3 to £5. Marie proposed this motion and Gary seconded the motion. Committee was asked to stand down and Oonagh agreed to facilitate the re- election which was a block vote as there were no new candidates willing to join committee and the previous committee agreed to stay on committee. Results of Re-election of Committee 2023 Position Chairperson Name Dympna Rafferty Proposed by Oonagh Mc Donald Seconded By Aaron Kellerstrauss Secretary Treasurer Committee Hazel Glenny Carmel Fee Block Vote Ann Hollywood Majella Savage Fiona Redrnond Dympna thanked Oonagh and committee for resuming their positions and advised that refreshments were available. The meeting closed at 8.15pm
Secretar sRe ort What a busy year it has been for TAG with a variety of trips and activities organised for everyone to take part in and enjoy as a group of friends. Lateral flows and the use of masks on the bus trips have been keeping everyone safe throughout the year and have finally been fazed out, however, we must always be aware not to come to TAG if you are in any way unwell. We took part in lots of different activities throughout the year such as archery, making window boxes, a cinema night, Christmas Party and planning and games nights to name but a few. There was also bowling at Lisburn Bowling Alley, outdoor bowls at Clonallon Park, bingo at Drumalane Community Centre and outdoor games at Kilbroney all of which had a great turn out and were a big hit with members and volunteers alike. As you can see we have not been short of activities to take part in. The treasure hunt around Warrenpoint did not take place due to the weather, however, we had a social night in the Whistledown instead and we all loved catching up and getting the craic with our friends. Unfortunately the Saturday trip to the ski Slopes for snow tubing and foot golf in Craigavon had to be postponed due to the weather and was rescheduled but again there where complications leading to a second postponement but thankfully we eventually got there, a great evening. The Moonlight walk took place in April and many of the members and their families came along to join in and support TAG. TAG would like to thank the Volunteers for their unwavering support to the members and parents and welcome Aaron and Oonagh who joined the team during the year. Thank you to the committee for their ongoing support and to all those who contributed to TAG in different ways throughout this year. We would also like to welcome our newest members to the group and we hope they will have many enjoyable moments With us. We are looking forward to another successful year at TAG and having lots of new and exciting activities to take part in. Jtazeislenny - (fAfj Secretary)
Treasurers Report Over the past year, TAG has resumed its fundraising activities. The Moonlight Walk and Easter and Christmas raffles have been a great success. Thank you to those who took up knitting our Easter Chicks which were extremely popular and provided marvellous funds and will be repeated for next year so if you would like to help out with the knitting please see Catherine for the pattern. Catherine also secured funding to see us through this year and is continually checking for more. We look forward to another successful year with fundraising and ask for as much support as possible. Thank you for coming out this evening. Car2nelfee - freafurerj