1st Wash Common GROUP SCOUT COUNCIL– ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Annual General Meeting 21st July 2022, via Zoom
Introduction & welcome Opening remarks.
Chair - Thanks to everyone for coming – I hope you all had a nice summer earlier this week. The Kennet District AGM was 22 minutes – so that’s our target to beat.
Apologies for absence
Jo Jane
To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 16th June 2021
The minutes have been previously reviewed by the Group Executive Committee and so I propose that the minutes are taken as read and ask the meeting to agree that they are a true record of that meeting. Proposed Jill, seconded Anita
Group Scout Leader’s Review of Scouting in the Group
GSL Annual Report 2022 This has been another year of challenges and successes. Coming out of lockdown; selling Battery End, receiving some incredible grants, moving out of our home of 64 years. Storing all our stuff – and trying to find it again! And after 5 long years of fundraising, battles with the planning department, climbing mountains, jumping out of aeroplanes and walking mile upon mile, we are now watching our new HQ being built! I do find it hard to believe what we have achieved. I can never say this enough, but I’d like to say a genuinely massive thank you to our volunteers. With pandemic challenges now mainly in the past, most Scout Groups have returned to their huts and are getting back into their regular programme. But we - for one more month! - remain homeless. The behind-the-scenes logistics of getting kit from one section to another, finding alternative venues, sending out fresh emails each week and another set of directions has been very hard. I continue to be blown over, chuffed and humbled to work with these amazing, dedicated people. Thank you. Thanks to our Quartermaster Dave and to Paul for co-ordinating the hut clearance and organising and reorganising the containers and good luck getting it to all fit in the new stores! Thank you also to you, the parents, carers and supporters who have become a weekly taxi service across West Berkshire for the past 6 months! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered at Ramblers Wood, clearing undergrowth, shifting logs and making it safe for our young people. It’s with great sadness we say goodbye to Richard Tiley who is stepping down after 10 years with the Group and 5 years as Cub Scout Leader of Dalby Pack. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with him and we thank him and Mrs Akela for their service. Into his role steps the brilliant Kate Westall who I have no doubt will continue to provide excellent Scouting and continuity for Dalby. Good luck to Kate and the rest of the Dalby team. I should also welcome our new volunteers David, Oliver and Nikki who have stepped into roles in Beavers Cubs and Scouts. Finally, a massive thank you to our Chair, Mike for his leadership, advice, and simple explanations of construction speak in getting our HQ project over the line - it remains an absolute pleasure to work with you even if you went to the grand prix instead of family camp! Despite the disruption with the pandemic and being homeless, the Group remains strong in terms of membership numbers and we plan to grow over the next year. We currently have a very long waiting list with 38 names on it. You may have seen earlier this year that Scouting have introduced a new section below Beavers for 4-6 year olds. This is called Squirrels. We will be looking to set up a Squirrels section in 2023. If you’d like to be involved, then please get in touch. A few plugs - Our grand opening will be on the 10th September to which you are all invited, it’s the same event as the Wash Common Community Festival and Garden and Craft show. Also, our friends at Clarke and Son Solicitors have very kindly offered to draw up your single or mirror Will. You donate the fee to our new HQ fund and Clarke and Son will do the Will. Please get in touch with me if you are interested. We are recruiting a new leader for Summit Explorers starting in September, please get in touch if you would be interested in that. Thanks also to Marsh Fuels for again sponsoring our Gas bottles! The amazing community spirit that we’ve seen over the past 12 months has been wonderful to see. Whether at Ramblers Wood or family camp we couldn’t do it without your help and support. I really look forward to the next few months when we move in to our new home! Thank you!To receive and consider the Annual Report of the Group Executive Committee including the annual Statement of Accounts
Chair - The Group Executive Committee, as Trustees, has approved the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts.
Chair - Accounts were approved by Exec committee last week and reviewed in detail Show of hands to approved - unanimous
To approve the Group Scout Leader’s nomination of the Group Chair GSL nominates Mike Goddard as Group Chair Proposed by anita, seconded by Kate
To elect the Group Secretary Chair The ‘Group Secretary’ is an elected appointment, we are in discussion to appoint someone but not yet ready to appoint.
To elect the Group Treasurer Chair The ‘Group Treasurer is an elected appointment , we also have a subs Treasurer to share the role, we are in discussion to appoint two people but not yet ready to appoint.
To elect persons to the Group Executive Committee The following names have been submitted by the due date:- Trustees – Mike Pyne - New Rob Mike Jill Jo – stepping down Chris Rich – stepping down
Exec Committee Alex Chris Anita Daniel Dave Gemma Kate Nick Mike P Jill Rob Mike Jo Jane Chair - requests a show of hands to approve their election.
Chair - thanks the Group Executive Committee for their work during the year and in particular those members who are standing down - Richard Tiley.
To appoint the Scrutineer / Independent Examiner / Auditor Treasurer to propose tax assist accountants Proposed Mike, seconded Anita
Video review of the year GSL
Closing Remarks Chair to close the AGM thanks everyone for attending and their help and support this year, couldn’t have done it without you.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Group Scout Leader