2024-12-31-annual-report - Aglow International (Ireland)

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

Delivered 21/01/2023

Covering the Financial Year from 1/1/2024 to 31/12/2024

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 31/12/2024 Aglow International (Ireland) had a balance of £3253.43. Income from offerings and group contributions amounted to £981.58, an increase of around £150 on the

previous year. Bank fees amounted to £31.15 for the financial year. The major outgoings were for the running of a two One Day Conferences, one in May 2024 and one in September 2024. The total cost for both conferences amounted to £377.86 including catering and travel expenses.

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 major financial output in 2023 was for the two One Day Conferences which were attended by around 70 - 80 women from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and from Scotland. These conferences enabled the leadership team 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, as well as amplifying awareness of global concerns from a Biblical perspective.

The Committee did travel regularly to meet personally with, and giver support and leadership training for Christian ministry to.a number of local groups but did not require any travelling expenses on these occasions. Travelling expenses were taken for the Committee travelling to the September conference in Dublin and travelling expenses were also paid for the worship leader and one of the speakers for the conference in Ballymena in May.

Otherwise the Board paid all heir accommodation and travelling expensesfrom their own pockets.

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 2024 was on giving support to leaders and members of local groups both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and then facilitating the coming together of these groups ina larger conference format.

This was done through travelling to meet the individual groups, offering support, direction and teaching. In 2024 the Organisation held two major gatherings on the form of the One Day Conferences. This followed a desire amongst the members, recognised by the Committee, in 2023 for such gatherings. As such one conference was held in Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland. These conferences, together with the Committee meeting with local groups and combined with the regular local group meetings enabled Aglow International (Ireland) to fulfil their primary purpose

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 2024 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. This special needs group has also attended and made presentations to other groups, both of able-bodied and special needs individuals.

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, particularly to a Christian charity working with children in Kenya.

The number of members attending the UK Conference in England has significantly increased in 2024 and the Committee would like to continue to encourage this in 2025.

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 generally voluntarily paid their own travelling expenses, except on one occasion when they travelled to Dublin.

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.

The Trustees would also like to further increase the community activity of their local groups and promote the Conference in the UK.

It is also hoped that further local conferences will be organised in 2025.

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