Riding for Disabled, Newry Group, Annual General Meeting Tuesday
25[th] May 2021, via Zoom at 11am
Attendees:
- Dee Gallagher, Rose de Courcy-Wheeler, Anne Grant, Alison Suffern, Helen McAuley, Shauna Dooley, Janet Liggett, Isobel McLoughlin
Apologies:
Sharon Grattan
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Fiona Lowry
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Will Glendinning
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Lorraine Hutchinson
Alison opened the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and passed on apologies by those who had notified her of their absence. It had been decided by the Trustees that a Zoom meeting was essential in order to adhere to current Covid restrictions.
Co-Ordinator Report
Unfortunately, the rides which had ended in March 2020 have remained suspended and we can only hope that we will resume in September 2021.
We did apply for a grant from NI Area of RDA in October 2020 (approved by the Trustees) and were awarded £420 to help sustain and maintain the RDA ponies owned by Free Spirit Equestrian Centre. This was awarded and presented to Lorraine Hutchinson at the beginning of November. This was most gratefully received and helped feed the livestock when no other income was available.
The Newry Group would like to thank Julie Frazer for all her hard work as Chairman of NI RDA and wish the new Chair Celia McMorran every support.
The above report was read and accepted as an accurate account of the year’s activities
Proposed: Rose de Courcy-Wheeler
Seconded: Janet Ligget
Financial Report
Rose de CW reported on the accounts. There had been very little activity during the last year – the only expenses were the RDA Head Office Membership and Insurance (reduced slightly this year) and a contribution to the retiring Chairman of the Northern Ireland region. The only income in this year had been a further contribution for marmalade sales.
The financial statement was proposed by Alison Suffern and seconded by Dee Gallagher.
Election of Office Bearers/Committee – all members were returned unopposed
- Election of Chair Person: Deirdre Gallagher
Proposed by Rose de CW, seconded by Helen Macauley
- Election of Treasurer: Rose de Courcy-Wheeler
Proposed by Helen Macauley, seconded by Janet Ligget
- Election of Secretary: Deidre Gallagher
Proposed by Anne Grant, seconded by Alison Suffern
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Election of Group Co-ordinator: Alison Suffern Proposed by Dee Gallagher, seconded by Janet Ligget
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Health & Safety Officer: Anne Grant
Proposed by Isobel McLoughlin, seconded by Rose de CW
Safe-Guarding Officer: Will Glendinning
Proposed by Alison Suffern, seconded by Helen Macauley
Election of Committee Members – the Committee remained unchanged
Fund – Raising Committee
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Anne agreed to continue her role as heading the Sub Committee, together with input from other volunteers.
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Tullyraine Equine Clinic have kindly been raising funds during lockdown
A.O.B.
Before returning to RDA Activities the group needs to fill in the necessary paperwork and a Clean-Up Day combining with retraining of volunteers has been proposed. Rose de CW has agreed to watch the relevant Webinars on the RDA website and co-ordinate our return.
Deirdre Gallagher will ensure that all Access NI is up to date and record any safe-guarding and first aid courses undertaken by volunteers.
Rose and Lorraine were both due for re-assessment as Coaches and will look into completing that online.
Everyone was asked to try to recruit new volunteers and to think of simple fund- raising events.
There been no further business, the chairperson thanked everyone for attending.
Meeting closed at 12.10pm.