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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING,  11^TH NOVEMBER  2005, MINUTES

1 Welcome introduction and apologies

Tom Cheesman, acting as chair for the meeting welcomed members of SBASSG and our many well-wishers from other organisations to the meeting

Apologies had been received from:

·        Swansea Council Asylum team (ASART)

·        Roger Warren Evans

·        Helen Clancy

·        Aled Singleton

·        Ali Bond SCVS

·        David Farnsworth

2    Minutes of Annual General Meeting 1^st March 2005

These were agreed as a correct record

There were no matters arising

4    Progress Report (Marilyn Thomas, Secretary)

Marilyn presented a report on the progress made since the last Annual General Meeting

SBASSG had maintained its regular activities and projects – e.g. drop-ins, anthology, special events, football team

In addition there had been some new developments. For example:

·        Volunteer language support – informal conversation and activities

·        Newsletter – widely distributed to faith groups, schools, colleges etc

·        Anti-deportation/Awareness Group

·        Development of the Welcome to Play project, including accredited training for volunteer helpers

·        Our new list of members

·        New constitution – presented to a meeting of members on October 7^th and provisionally adopted by the Management committee on October 11^th

As always we were grateful to our partners, many of whom were represented at the meeting

5    Financial Report (Tom Cheesman, Treasurer)

Tom Cheesman delivered our financial report. Although we had money in the bank we needed to take great care that we did not overstretch our resources as most of the money was in the bank was a grant from Communities First to fund the Swansea All-Stars. In reality we only had £300 at our disposal

As always we were grateful to donations made for specific activities such as outings and parties

Hafan books also makes a considerable contribution and he noted the fact that through such independent fund-raising we had been able to keep going and also to contribute £2000 to the Welsh Refugee Council Destitution fund

6    Vote of thanks (Max Kpakio)

Max thanked the many people who had helped and supported SBASSG, both inside and outside the organisation:

7    Launch of our new constitution (Marilyn Thomas, Secretary)

Since our last Annual General Meeting, and after discussions with membership and committee members the  SBASSG committee has provisionally adopted a new constitution. Marilyn explained the main changes.  For example the new constitution :

·        Has charitable aims, and is based on a charitable model constitution. This is the first step in applying to be a registered charity

·        Makes it clear that no committee members can gain financially by being on the committee

·        Has clearer arrangements for membership and elections

·        Makes sure that we keep our experience and skills by allowing 1/3 of the committee to remain each year

·        Opens the committee to new people by requiring 1/3 of the committee to stand down each year. (They can stand for re-election)

·        Takes away the need to elect the chair, secretary and treasurer at the Annual General Meeting. We want to build a way of working where people discuss the best use of their skills and talents within the committee. There is plenty for everyone to do.

We asked for questions and comments

Members voted to confirm the adoption of the new constitution.

8    Nominations and appointment of new committee

This was done following the new arrangement laid out in the new constitution

The following people have stood down and want to retire from the current committee:

Cristina Fuentes

Jackie Pany

Nesta Steffens

Amar Basim Salih

They were thanked for their work for SBASSG

The following people will stay as members of the committee

·        Josie Akhurst

·        Anahita Alikhani

·        Shahid Altaf

·        Latefa Guemar

·        Tom Cheesman

·        Shaun Gillespie

·        Denis Ndomba

·        Marilyn Thomas

·        Tony Young

The following people were nominated to be members of the management committee and were accepted by the membership

1  current member

·        Max Kpakio (from current committee, standing down and being re-nominated)

(Proposed Marilyn Thomas, Seconded Tony Young)

        9 new members

·        Andrew Muhangi  (Proposed Josie Akhurst, Seconded Max Kpakio )

·        Jacqui Aber (Proposed Max Kpakio, Seconded Shaun Gillespie)

·        Amani El Awad (proposed Max Kpakio, Seconded Anahita Alikhani)

·        Mahmoud Ahmadifard (Proposed Anahita Alikhani, Seconded Marilyn Thomas)

·        Maria Parisi (Proposed Max Kpakio, seconded, Tony Young)

·        Yacine Chaoubi (Proposed Sadhbh O’’Dwyer,(Pronounced “Sive”), Seconded Josie Akhurst)

·        Cristina Monteiro  (Proposed Marilyn Thomas, Seconded Tom Cheesman)

·        Atena (Proposed Marilyn Thomas, Seconded Gabriela Gatica)

·        Helen Clancy (Proposed Marilyn Thomas, Seconded Josie Akhurst)

9    Any other business

There was none and the meeting closed