Minutes of General Meeting 5th January 2015

The president

University of the Third Age Moraira-Teulada

Minutes of the Meeting held on

5th January 2015 at Salon de Banquettes, Teulada

It is confirmed that the President and the Deputy Secretary attended this Monthly Meeting as voted in at the AGM on 1st December 2014.

The President, Jill Cole, wished everyone a Happy New Year and welcomed the 32 new members. Jill went on to remind the members about the Emergency Procedures and asked them to use the main stairs and those through the kitchen, and that the lift should not be used in the event of an emergency.

 Jill asked everyone to turn off their mobiles and said there would be no raffle today as the committee had expected to be very busy with Renewals.

David Haxon read out the Synopsis of the Minutes from the Monthly Meeting held on 1st December 2014. The full Minutes had been posted on the Website. These Minutes were proposed by Don Roberts and seconded by Eileen Hodson. The Minutes were then approved by the members with a show of hands.

There were no Matters Arising from the Minutes

 President’s Address

Firstly Jill thanked Pat Clarke, Shirley Baehr and others who had been involved in arranging the Dinner/Dance, which had been thoroughly enjoyed by all those who had attended.

Jill said that although in the main the festivities had finished today would be the Three Kings Celebration who arrive by boat in Moraira and Float in Benitachell. All the surrounding areas have their own parades and the excitement of the children is great to see.

There have been a number of comments from the members who hadn’t received the E news bulletins, and from Group Leaders who had some emails bounce back from their Group Members. Jill asked that anyone who had changed their address, phone number etc, to complete a Change of Circumstance form which the Membership Secretary had prepared.

There was still a vacancy for Newsletter Editor which need not be a Committee Post, and Jill appealed for someone to take over this position.

Jill had received an email asking if a request could be put to the members for offers of people to host one or two Spanish students, who want to learn the English language, for a couple of weeks during the summer. Anyone interested should email Jill who will pass this information on.

A serious note regarding a “Key Ring Scam”; Jill had received an email warning about (usually attractive) women offering key rings in Petrol stations, car parks, bars and restaurants. This appears to be a genuine warning and they should be destroyed as they carry a tracker device in them, so that criminals can follow you and learn where you live.

Jill introduced the new Treasurer, Carin Derksen, to the members as she had been away when the AGM was held.

Reports

Treasurer

Jill said she would read the report this month, as it was the new treasurer’s first meeting.

Since the Monthly Meeting on 1st December there had been expenses of €9088.18 made up as follows:

Stationery, Copying & Printing 42.95
Room Hire   90.00
Donation for Meetings at La Senieta 1000.00
Website Fee 105.18
Payments to Groups 285.45
December Meeting  (includes coffees, mince pies, raffle prizes, gifts to retiring Committee Members) 428.10
Dinner/Dance 7137.50
Dinner/Dance Income was (283 tickets sold) 7075.00
Sandwiches etc for the band 62.50
Black Glitter Band 400.00
DJ  160.00
Total  7697.50
Therefore total subsidy for the event was 560.00

There was no income received at the December Meeting either from New Members or the Dinner/Dance.

Therefore as at 31st December 2014 the following amounts were held:

Contingency Fund 4000.00
Current Account  9503.32
Cash in Hand  119.86
Total  €13.623.18

There were no questions regarding the Treasurers Report.

Jill asked the members to let the committee know what events they would like arranged during 2015 whether it be a Summer Ball, something at Font Santa or another Christmas Celebration.

Group Coordinator

Shirley Baehr reminded the members that there was a new layout and design to the Website and encouraged everyone to check it out.

Shirley said that the Pilates Group, whose instructor has a shoulder injury, is on hold at the moment and Shirley was seeking a replacement teacher.

Ruud, the Leader of the Guitar Group, has said that he would like to hear from anyone interested in an Intermediate Guitar Group, and that there were a few places available in the Beginners Group.

Audrey Germann who was the Group Leader of the Sunday Solo Group is taking a break after 6 years, and Shirley said she would really like to try and keep this very popular group going, therefore she asked if anyone could come forward to do this.

Also the Scrabble Group needs a new Group Leader, and Shirley said she would offer to help get a new Group Leader started.

After several months the Walking Football has enough people interested to be able to move forward and hopefully there will be a meeting at the end of the month.

The Smart Phone & Tablets Group would be meeting the next day at 2pm in Café Relax, and the Coffee & Cake Group has its next meeting on 19th January at Café Bellisimo.

Shirley said that anyone who wants more information can contact her or refer to the Website and, as always, she would love to hear from anyone with any new ideas for Groups.

Travel

Carol Mantle said there were still places available on the Day trip to Ikea in Valencia on 10th March, also on the Day Trip to the Valencia Bioparc on 29th April. Places could be reserved directly with the Travel Desk or by email.

Both the Cartagena and the Prague trips are full but names can be registered on the Reserve Lists as there are always cancellations.

Full details of all trips can be found on the Website.

Cultural Arts

Beverley Stewart said that now the festive season was over the cultural news is much quieter than usual. Members were told that further details could be found on their Notice board at the Meeting or on the Website.

12th – 16th January. The Only Way is Downton. The Javea Players are repeating the sponsorship of a professional actor from the UK, namely Luke Kempner.

15th – 18th January. The Careline Theatre , Alcalalí is presenting Alice in Wonderland, a panto directed by Candy Wright.

24th January. The Teulada-Moraira Lions are presenting the Blues Brothers. This however is Sold Out.

1st February, Concerts Costa Blanca are presenting a piano concert by Daniil Trifonov at Palau de la Musica in Valencia. Tickets will cost €50 including transport.

13th February. Concerts Costa Blanca in association with Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Valencia Opera) are presenting Don Pasquale, and tickets will cost €82 including transport.

15th February. Competition of the Choirs at the Salon de Actos in Teulada. Doors open at 5.30pm with the competition starting at 6.30pm. Entry fee per choir is €30, with entrance fee of €10.

Member/Committee Liaison

Brian Nicholls introduced himself for the benefit of the new members and explained his role. He said that the committee members would be encouraged to wear their badges so that they could be easily identified.

A Notice Board had been requested by some members and from February’s Meeting it would be displayed near the entrance. Brian said that if any member had anything to display he would be pleased to receive it, with the proviso that it was not religious, political or of a …. nature, and didn’t clash with any of the U3A Groups.

A few members had asked about a Summer Party and Brian said he would be pleased to receive any ideas that could be discussed at committee.

The Notice Board on the Website, which will display items for Sale or Purchase or Recommendations is still being worked on and will be available soon.

Brian said that last year had seen the discussion of many items from the members and he hoped that this would continue in 2015. He would be happy to take suggestions or questions via email or via the Suggestion Box.

There were no questions relating to any of the Reports.

Any Other Business

Colin McNae asked whether, now there have been changes on the Committee, would there have to be a change to the Constitution. Jill replied that this subject is on the Agenda for the committee to discuss. The first thing that needs to be established is how far Alicante Council have got with processing the one they have. When this has been established any necessary changes can be dealt with.

Sue Lawson said that she thought that the Dinner/Dance had been the best one yet. The food was better, the entertainment was excellent and the time went very quickly. Jill agreed that there had been a very nice atmosphere, and this is why the committee are keen to establish what is wanted by the members for 2015.

Jill reminded members that if anyone knew of someone who wanted to renew their membership, there would be a further chance this week on 8th January in the theatre at La Senieta in Moraira.

There was no further business.

The Meeting closed at 11.15

The next Monthly Meeting will be on the 2nd February 2015

 

Â