2023-12-31-annual-report - Aglow International (Ireland)

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF AGLOW INTERNATIONAL (IRELAND) CCNI No. 102326

Delivered 05/03/2023

Covering the Financial Year from 1/1/2023 to 31/12/2023

Contact Based at: 38 Grove Road Kells County Antrim BT42 3LR

Constitution

Aglow International (Ireland) is a charity constituted by a Governing Document accepted by the membership and last amended on 03/02/2015. This document sets out the aims and purposes of the charity and all matters regarding its constitution and use of funds. A copy of said document can be viewed by application to and the approval of the Trustees of Aglow International (Ireland)

The Charity is governed by an Management Committee comprising of a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary as well as other members who are invited to join the management committee as is deemed necessary for the effective running of the charity. The minimum number on the Management Committee shall be four.

The Management Committee may deal with and may make and amend regulations to deal with the appointment of workers, volunteers or others to oversee, serve and work in and for the charity whether on a paid or unpaid basis.

Current Trustees

Irene Todd Meta Swinney Susan Lyons Joan Long

All of the Trustees are part of the current Management Committee and there are currently no Trustees outside of the Management Committee. No other Trustees have served throughout this financial period.

Aims, Purposes and Beneficiaries

The following aims and purposes as outlined in the Governing Document of Aglow International (Ireland) fall within the necessary public benefit requirements for acceptance as a Charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

a. The promotion of the Christian religion.
b. To promote age and gender recognition, acceptance, tolerance, integration and reconciliation based on a Christian framework.
c. To amplify awareness of global concerns from a Biblical perspective
d. The provision of leadership training for Christian ministry
e. The organisation of events and the provision of whatever services that may from time to time be deemed necessary or useful to fulfilling the above four aims.

The beneficiaries of such aims are persons of all ages without regard to gender, race or religious persuasion.

Statement of Regard to Public Benefit

With regard to spending of funds and the carrying out of the activities detailed in this report the Trustees continue to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s Public Benefit Statutory Guidance. Since the main aim of the charity is the furtherance of the Christian religion all financial spending and activities have been made and will continue to be made with that aim in mind.

Current Financial Situation.

The Charity’s annual accounts continue to be prepared by the treasurer of Aglow International (Ireland)

As of 31/12/2023 Aglow International (Ireland) had a balance of £2677.90. Income from offerings and group contributions amounted to £834.62, an increase of around £200 on the

years prior to the Covid outbreak. Apart from bank fees the only other expenditure in the current financial period amounted to £143.88, which was required to set up Zoom to facilitate meetings of the various members both North and South of the Irish Border.

Sources of Income

The only source of income in this financial period was the voluntary contributions from Aglow International (Ireland) members and the Trustees would like to express their thanks to all those who provide such contributions.

Other Assets and Liabilities

Aglow International (Ireland) does not have any other assets and has no liabilities. Its conferences are held in buildings or halls that are hired as and when required in various locations throughout Northern and Southern Ireland.

How Finances were Spent

With regard to spending the Trustees continue to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s Public Benefit requirements. Since the main aims of the charity are the furtherance of the Christian religion all financial spending has been made and will continue to be made with that aim in mind.

The only financial output in 2023 was a fee to set up Zoom in order to facilitate National Board meetings and meetings with local groups and their leaders. This reduced travel to and from meetings and so there were no travelling costs for Board members during this financial period. This contact with local leaders and their teams enabled the charity to provide teaching and instruction in keeping with its aims of promoting age and gender recognition, acceptance, tolerance, integration and reconciliation based on a Christian framework; amplifying awareness of global concerns from a Biblical perspective and the provision of leadership training for Christian ministry.

The Board did travel regularly to meet personally with, and giver support to, a number of local groups but did not require any travelling expenses on these occasions.

Details of Funds that are materially in Deficit

There are no funds that are materially in deficit.

Activities of the Charity

The primary purpose of the charity remains the advancement of the Christian religion. The emphasis in 2023 was in offering support to leaders and members of local groups both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This was done through teaching both via Zoom meetings and in person. By holding local training and teaching sessions and using Zoom there was no need for any large conference, thus reducing expenses, not only to Aglow International (Ireland) but also to the ladies attending since they did not have to travel far or need accommodation. These teaching and training sessions, together with the regular local group meetings enables Aglow International (Ireland) to fulfil their primary purpose. The provision of training and encouragement to local leaders also enhanced the work of the local groups.

Teaching provided was intended to be practical and to enable those taught to apply their Christian faith in everyday situations whether at home or work. All such activities involve teaching from God’s Word and promotion of a faith in Jesus Christ. At present the majority of those who avail of the teaching continue to be women and no significant efforts were made in 2023 to create Aglow groups for men.

The charity also runs a group for Adults with learning difficulties and special needs. There have also been a number of occasional activities organised for a wider group of adults with special needs.

In order to further promote the Christian religion the Charity engages in a number of activities, primarily within its local groups, which involve reaching out to the local community in order to demonstrate Christian love and faith in action. These include coffee mornings and personal support for women in need. All these activities help display Christian love and advance people’s appreciation of the Christian religion.

The Charity also gives support to a number of other Christian organisations which are involved in providing education, financial aid and justice to the impoverished or persecuted.

Mitigation of any Possible Harm

Reasonable health and safety policies are adhered to so as to reduce the risk of accident at all events.

As the charity makes use of hired premises there is no need for the charity to obtain its own insurance for these premises. All premises used also have a first Aid kit available.

Otherwise it is not considered that any harm would come to a beneficiary through the activities of the charity.

Private Benefit Arising from the Activities of the Charity

No trustee benefited from any of the activities of the charity during this financial period. Where travel was necessary the Trustees voluntarily paid their own travelling expenses.

Plans for the Future

The current activities of the charity will continue through the provision of training and teaching sessions to support and supplement the work of the local groups. No large conferences are currently planned but it is hoped that such can take place at some future time when both demand and finances allow.

The Trustees would also like to further increase the community activity of their local groups.

Support for all local groups will continue but it is recognised that some groups will require more support than others in order to encourage growth.

Trustee

Chairperson