Annual General Meeting Report to Monday Club June 2025.
Today I am going to do a review of the year and give you the financial situation of the club. It has been another year of exciting activities and trips and I know you have enjoyed the many activities.
I selected a theme for the year of Be You and gave you a notebook to jot down important events to remember and to help you to reminisce. Becoming your best self isn’t about following someone else’s blueprint—it’s about defining success your way. "The best thing about being the best version of yourself is that even if nobody else is around, you're always in great company."
Our programme was based around learning new skills, meeting new people, visiting new places and enjoying social contact. I know numbers are always lower on exercise days, but physical activity does contribute to your overall mental and emotional health.
In the first term we had a visit from Agewell providing information on what support is available to us to help us live a life of purpose and enjoyment. We had great fun making the wreaths for Christmas and I hope your family appreciated your efforts.
I was most impressed by the lady from hearing loss who gave an excellent presentation on the aids available. Our Christmas ceilidh led by Anne Kearney was great fun and Chloe enjoyed joining us for the day.
In the second term we had a presentation from the Red Cross who are activity involved in providing support and essential medical care in areas of conflict. Stella tried her best to demonstrate how to make Chinese lanterns. I am not a craft teacher but the final valentine boxes were successful at least. We finished the term with a visit to Newtownards followed by a lovely lunch at Harrisons.
The third term had only 4 sessions beginning with exercise and then a social event when we did some word searches and quizzes. Last week we had our visit to Armagh and the two wonderful cathedrals. A delightful lunch was provided at the City hotel and we all arrived home after a long and eventful day. I want to thank everyone for the very positive feedback they give me as this makes my preparations and planning worthwhile.
Now to the current financial situation of the club.
Our income for the year is based on the £3 per week donation, donations towards trips, donation from St Vincent de Paul and the bank balance from the previous year. Making a total of £ 23,970.75
Our expenditure like everything else has experienced has increased. The rates, transport, food and dinner at trips have all been higher this year. This resulted in an expenditure of £ 16,505.60
Before COVID we were receiving £10K per year from the lottery but during the two years of not meeting as a club, this amount built up giving us a healthy bank balance. As a result, for this year September 2024, we received only £4,489. If you look at our expenditure you will note that this funding would not go anyway near what we are spending. Consider the Armagh trip and you will see the various costs would be coming in at £53 per person.
For next year we will need to consider staying more within our funding.
Thank you to the 45 people who completed the evaluation. 56% of our members have been with us more than 5 years which is excellent and we are still receiving new members. Many clubs did not recover after covid but we were very fortunate.
Enjoy your lunch today and be sure to collect your goodie bag before you leave. Have a lovely summer.
A Bell
Chairperson.