## **TRUSTEES REPORT** ## **January – December 2023** **Charity No. 107599 www.irishyouthconvention.com** ## **Aims and Purposes:** The aim of the IYC is to organise an annual youth conference, and other necessary events, in order to engage young people with God's word. Our desire is to see God’s Word communicated faithfully, clearly and creatively so that a generation of young people is raised up to live out their Christian faith in the home, in school, in churches and in the wider community. IYC believes this will have significant benefits for the community in which we live. IYC also aims to train and equip youth leaders to communicate God’s Word to young people in appropriate ways. ## **Public Benefit:** The direct benefits are primarily for those attending the Convention, and other events organised by IYC, as they absorb the Bible’s practical and relevant teaching about living life in our community. This impacts on all aspects of life, including the individual's relationship to God, through to the difference it makes to a person's moral framework to live a Christ-centred life. We believe this has a significant impact on the wider community, as young people are shaped by and equipped with values that benefit not only their own life, but also the lives of others. IYC intends that the day of teaching at the Convention, and any other organised events, should have practical outcomes. To that end we encourage local youth leaders who bring their groups to our events to seek feedback and reflection on what the young people have learned, and to encourage them to live out what they have heard. The best way we can practically demonstrate and measure the above, is in the number of attendees at the Convention each year. We seek feedback from the young people and their youth leaders, as to what they have learned and how it has impacted them. There is no harm arising from any of our charitable purposes. The beneficiaries are all Convention attendees, parents of the young people who attend, and those who they come into contact with. There is no private benefit to anyone associated with IYC. ## **How we meet our aims and purposes:** The IYC Committee carries out its purpose by organising an all-day Convention, held annually in November. This involves a significant amount of planning and organisation, including: 1. Arranging the practical details of the Convention, with a particular focus on the speaker and supporting teaching programme. This also includes volunteer training, liaising with suppliers, the provision of a Bookstall where supporting materials can be purchased, creation of a handbook for attendees, and child protection arrangements. 2. Marketing the event appropriately to young people, to ensure an attendance as close to 500 as possible. This involves liaising with local church youth groups, designing and delivering social media adverts, and maintaining our website. ## 3. Delivery of the Convention itself. ## **Irish Youth Convention 2023:** IYC 2023 took place on Saturday 18[th] November 2023, in Assembly Buildings Conference Centre (Belfast). We were delighted that the event was attended by just over 500 young people and leaders. Our main stage speaker was Shane Deane (Passage Baptist Church, Cork). Teaching from the Old Testament book of Judges. He helped the young people see the chaos and hurt caused when people live life in a self-centred way. He then contrasted that with the hope that can be found when living life God’s way by trusting Christ Jesus. Through the teaching, and interviews, young people will have been helped to think through issues such as mental health, drug & alcohol misuse and bullying. The sessions were led by three committee members, Jonny, Philomena and Erin. Jacob Vallelly and band led our singing and we had approximately 20 volunteers stewarding at the event. Feedback from church leaders was positive and we hope to run our next convention on Saturday 16[th] November 2024. Our speaker at that event will be Rev Ross Mungavin (Associate Minister of South Belfast Inner Mission Area). We are currently looking for a new venue to reduce our running costs, which will enable us to limit any ticket price rises. ## **Financial Review:** _1[st] January 2023 – 31[st] February 2023_ The opening balance, in our bank account was **£9801.39.** The closing balance was **£10,380.24.** ## _**Income:**_ Income was mostly received through event tickets sales, which came to **£6441.69** . This was an increase on 2022 figures, due to a small rise in the price of tickets. We are also thankful for a **£424.39** anonymous donation. We are really appreciative of the local churches, which send their youth groups to the Irish Youth Convention. ## _**Expenditure:**_ Most of our expenditure was on venue hire **(£2433.75)** and catering **(£1309.23)** . Other major costs were associated with gifts to guests invited to take part in the event. For example, - Speaker **£636.46** • Band: **£625.00** ## **Reserves policy** With our closing bank account of £10,380 the trustees are content that we have enough in reserve to run IYC throughout 2024. ## **Volunteers** We would like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard in helping with the smooth running of our event in 2023. We are especially thankful to Pamela Smyth, for all her hard work as our Treasurer, and to Andrew Taylor, our Independent Examiner. ## **Structure , governance and management** The method of appointment for IYC Committee members is set out in the IYC Constitution. The IYC Committee will consist of 6-10 members, reflecting a healthy gender balance. All members of the group will be in agreement with all aspects of the basis of faith. The committee members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the work of Irish Youth Convention and deciding on how the funds of the church are spent. The Committee met 9 times this year with an average level of attendance of 50%. ## **Administrative information:** ## **Irish Youth Convention** c/o 12 Millreagh Heights Dundonald Co Down BT16 1TP The IYC Committee Members who served throughout 2023 are: Johnny Beare (Chairperson) Aaron Douglas _Stepped down Oct 2023_ Hannah Dowling Jason Nicholl (Secretary) Keith McIlwaine _Stepped down Oct 2023_ Matthew Campbell Peter Wright Philomena Fitzpatrick (Co-opted) Rachael Gamble _Stepped down Dec 2023_ Erin Wilson (Co-opted) Jonny Thompson (Co-opted) Treasurer: Pamela Smyth (ex-officio) **Approved by the IYC Committee and signed on their behalf by Jonathan Beare (Chairperson):** **Signed: Date:** 29/02/2024