Annual General Meeting


The Association Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday morning. President Liz Thomas introduced the Executive Committee seated on the platform, Past Presidents, Past Officers and the Members of Council (or their deputies) from our 29 Districts. The Executive and Members of Council represent the Governing Body of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in GB&I.


Office Administrator Melanie read the apologies for absence. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 5th April 2017 were proposed, passed and signed as was the Report of the Council. The members of the executive then presented their annual reports which are detailed elsewhere in this magazine.


The single Proposal and three General Motions were then considered. The Council had proposed that the Chairman of the Membership and Development Committee should be nominated and elected for a maximum of three years and that she should have previous experience of that committee. This proposal was carried.


The first General Motion, again proposed by Council was that annual capitation fee be increased by £1.00 per member. This was also carried.


The second General Motion, proposed by two clubs from District 24, that the conference urge Television Broadcasting Companies to reduce the volume of background music in programmes was agreed as well.


The third and final General Motion was also passed, the delegates agreeing with the motion from District 129 that clearer signage in toilets would reduce confusion for many people.


The AGM thus concluded. Fiona Marwick


Expenditure Exceeds Income!


Undoubtedly one of the easiest Treasurer’s reports to understand and one with a strong clear message -“decreased membership capitation + increased expenditure = general funds decreasing”. The books must balance said Terry Walters, Association Treasurer as she clearly explained that the present situation is giving concern.


The total General Account income for 2016/2017 was £222,874; the total expenditure at £253,932, a deficit of £31,058. As the audience listened intently, Terry explained, “The General Fund that runs Inner Wheel is decreasing at an alarming rate owing to reduced membership”.


Magazine expenditure was much the same, with some increased costs for postage and telephone calls, as some magazines had to be posted out from Warwick Square. Administration costs have increased by £6,254 to cover staff costs at Head Office and a part time cleaner. Whilst miscellaneous expenses were slightly lower, the travelling costs for committee members had increased owing to the distances members have to travel. The main increase in costs for travel was the Annual Assembly at Leicester University, but travel costs, Terry explained, are always going to be difficult to predict.


Despite Warwick Square needing some repair this year, the Maintenance Fund, Premises Fund and Office Equipment Funds were all showing a slight surplus of £3,744. The Nottingham Conference recorded a surplus of £28,219 and Conference Fares Pool showed a large surplus of £5,979 owing to the Conference venue. The remainder of the £15,000 subvention grant from Glasgow Conference also came back in to the accounts in 2016/2017. So it was not all bad news!


Terry encouraged everyone at Conference to visit the Association Sales stand where our specially designed Inner Wheel Friendship glass balls were on sale as well as scarves. She reminded us “we need more income”.


An increase of £1 to the capitation fee to £15.00 per member, per year was proposed and passed at Conference. Terry noted this is less than the average cost for one bottle of water (£1.50), or weekly TV guide (£1.30) and certainly cheaper and better value than a Costa latte (£2.45). If we take a utilitarian approach to this, paying an additional £1 is not that substantial.


Terry thanked the dedicated team of Executive members and District Treasurers for their support and in particular her Finance Committee, Karen Davies and Denise Mullarkey.


Ruth Riches Page. 12 Innerwheel


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