Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club

Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club

Minutes of the Business Meeting held on 7th September 2015 at The Two Brewers

Present: Trevor Aldred (TA), Bob Benbow (BB), John Ferris (JF), Tony Higgs (TH), Fran Hedges (FH), Russell de Ville (RdV), Derek Seymour (DS), Tina Byford (TB), Martin Ward (MW), Karen Thorpe-Morgan (KTM),

Apologies: Bill Littler (BL), Dave Simmons (DS), Geoff O’Brien (GO’B), Richard Pearson (RP), Tony Triggle (TT), Tom Hart (TH*). Rod Wayland (RW),

Guests: Trevor welcomed the new Zone Chairperson, Penny Tregillus.

Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed subject to an amendment to clarify the fact that the agreement with the printers concerning the calendars was not subject to the printer accommodating different layouts. AP’s would be picked up during the current meeting.

Treasurer’s Report:

·  There had been no movements on the accounts since last month and with both the Charity and Admin accounts remaining in good health, no report was deemed necessary this month.

End of year financial summary 30th June 2015.

·  The Audit team would be Fran, Tina & Tom. Trevor would propose an evening during the week for the sign-off to take place.

Service Committee: There had been no new requests for help.

·  Medical Dogs – There is an increasing awareness of the work of medical dogs with an article appearing in the daily Telegraph and Kate Humble and others discussing the topic on TV. Milton Keynes Hospital has recently given its approval for the techniques to be used. Tina had identified some possible dates to visit the organization, and it was agreed that Tina would approach them to confirm our attendance on Friday 13th November 2015. AP Working Party.

·  Tug of War team – There was a response to Russell’s letter thanking us for giving their request serious consideration. AP Discharged.

·  Olney Newton Link Plaques – Trevor had been invited to see the plaque commemorating the names of the 3 young people and they will arrange to have this fixed to the wall of the new Technology Institute. AP TA/OG

·  Life Skills – A letter from District suggesting an extension of their London scheme which is based on the old TACADE skills sets, was passed on to the Service Committee for a recommendation. AP Service Committee

Fund Raising:

·  Olney & Newport Calendars 2016

With the Olney calendar well under way, the Fund raising team met to consider Geoff’s proposal concerning cancelling the Newport Calendar. It was thought that because the Calendar had been advertised it should go ahead. Geoff already had useable photographs which were not subject to copyright restrictions. Also Richard had his own collection which we were free to use also without restrictions. There were also economies of scale to be taken advantage of by making up the order to 1000. John demonstrated that even with worse case scenarios, we were likely to make a small profit. Martin reported that if the format of the calendars were the same, the 1000 could be obtained for the equivalent of £2.23 per unit. It was also noted that there were a number of opportunities for selling in Newport, including the Xmas Lights switch–on, The Historical Society, The Library and a couple of shops. All this reinforced the argument to maintain the NP Calendar. The Recommendation of the team was therefore that we continue with the Newport calendar. This was voted on and agreed unanimously. AP MW

·  Xmas cards – After extensive discussion, a proposal to order 2000 cards of mixed scenes including Emma’s work, with appropriate messages, was agreed. These cards could be sold with the calendars and could also be used for giving out to the Elderly people with their Xmas gifts. We also have a potential ‘sold at cost’ outlet through the Museum. AP MW

·  Notelets – Martin would produce a business case for these and Trevor will circulate via e-mail for agreement and action. AP MW

·  Xmas Fayre Newport – Geoffrey, as the prime mover in organizing and running this event, was now recommending it’s cancellation since the market traders were not expecting big enough returns for the investment of their time. This was also voted on and it was agreed unanimously that we should accede to Geoffrey’s request and cancel the event. AP GOB ongoing

·  Newport Pagnell Xmas Lights turn on - The Newport Pagnell Lights turn on would be held on 28th November. AP OG.

·  Newport ‘Civil War Society’ Project – AP: TH, RP and GOB ongoing.

·  Dickens – Karen reported that she had met with Richard, the tenant of The Bull, to make clear what was needed on the day of Dickens. This included access to the room early on the day or the previous day/evening to set up tables, opening the gates to allow stallholders entry to set up by 8.00am latest, and also having the Stables cleared of storage items. Richard has taken this on board and hopefully there will be fewer problems this year. AP KTM OG

·  BOFF Can Shake – John had received only 3 positive responses to the can shake request for bodies and proposed to cancel. After some discussion, others volunteered some time. Karen would pick up the collecting cans and liaise with John to get badges made up. Trevor would circulate an urgent e-mail seeking support from those who couldn’t make the meeting and also to confirm who would be there and timings. The collection license we have is for 12th September and includes the possibility of a presence in the Co-op.AP JF/KTM/TA OG.

·  Fashion Show – There will be a need for help on 1st October at about 2.00 pm to move chairs from the Church hall into Des Smail’s showroom. The function starts at 7.00pm and smartly dressed Lions get to serve canapés and cocktails, with chairs being returned to the Church hall at the end of the evening.

·  Trevor thanked the newly formed Fund Raising Team for their efforts.

·  Martin’s Cycle Ride for Charity from Lands End to John O’Groats – Martin gave the club a resume of the challenges he met and showed some interesting photos and video clips. The Club applauded Martins’ amazing feat.

Zone Chairs slot – Penny thanked the club for their continuing and amazing efforts at fund raising. In particular she acknowledged the 7 Melvyn Jones awards we have recently earned. Penny also talked about the Zone Quiz on 20th November and encouraged as many clubs as possible to take part. Penny also mentioned the upcoming Zone meetings, encouraging as many as possible to attend, and added that Contacts booklets can be downloaded but hard copies are obtainable via her. Penny agreed to make some enquiries about how LCIF are supporting the Syria crisis, and to discover if there are any Lions Clubs there.

On behalf of the Club, Trevor thanked Penny for her encouraging and helpful observations and contributions.

Social and other events:

·  Chester Arms – Tom has agreed a menu at £10 per head. The Pub has offered Monday and Tuesday nights as possibilities. It was agreed to make it Monday 21st September. Please let John know if you want to go. AP ALL

·  Racing Night at Carlton House – Derek to make some enquiries. AP DS

·  Ghost Walk – Tina to make some enquiries. AP TB

·  Bletchley Park Code Breaking Talk – Interesting talk organized by Stony Stratford Club on evening of 2nd September.

·  Clay Pigeon Shoot - Organized by Wellingboro’ Club during the day on 5th September – very entertaining and good value for money as food and drink were included.

·  DG Visit – Our meeting on 5th October will be a dinner meeting which will be attended by our new DG Meena, at which she will also present the Melvyn Jones Fellowship Awards.

·  Charter Night – Incorporation was granted on 30th April 1977. Our Charter night will therefore be held on 30th April 2015 at the Carlton House Club. Trevor will ask Emma if she is able to help with the calligraphy of the new Charter document. AP TA

·  Holistic Evening – Tina is planning to arrange this event at the Carlton House Club in May and it will include Tarot card readings, healing skills, Psychics etc. Time tba. AP TB

·  Xmas dinner – At Donzellas on either 8th or 11th December. Derek to confirm. AP DS

·  See social calendar on website for more information.

Membership: Nothing to report.

Correspondence:

·  Letter of thanks from Toby’s father for the £250 donation and informing us that they are using the money to purchase a buggy to help transport Toby and all the medical gear he needs to go with him.

·  Letter from Lions Clubs Int. Foundation enclosing a chevron to be attached to our Club banner.

·  Letter of thanks from LCIF for our £1000 donation to the Measles initiative.

·  Letter of thanks from Marie Curie Foundation for our £500 donation.

·  Letters of thanks from Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK for our £250 donations arising from Martins cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats.

AOB: Trevor mentioned that Lions International had been awarded an honour in the US for being recognized as the Charity which keeps back the least in overhead charges.

Next Meeting: 5th October 2015 – Venue TBA.