Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Thursday, 11th March 2010

Corner House, Hotel, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Opening Prayer

1. The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford opened the meeting with the Opening Prayer.

Welcome

1. The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the committee to those present.

Apologies for absence were received from:  Alf Brown, Graham Marsh and Susie Wood.

Minutes of the previous AGM

1. Brian Wood proposed that these minutes be accepted as a true and correct record.  Adrian Woodcock seconded this motion.

Matters arising

1. Following the suggestion last year that the newsletter be sent out in A5 format to save on postage, Judith told the meeting that his had proved a false economy as the printing costs were going to be much higher.

2. Judith told the meeting that she had recently written to Andy Burnham, The Secretary of State for Health regarding the parking situation at Freeman Hospital.  She went on to say that she had received a reply stating that the Government is to look at all hospital car parking charges.

Chairman's report

1. The Chairman, Barrie Braidford went on to inform the meeting of some of our work throughout the year.  These included providing new computer and software for clinic, funding staff conferences, funding of equipment for clinic, wards etc and helping to finance competitors to attend British, European and World Transplant Games.

2. Barrie went on to tell the meeting that due to new Government  legislation, which is due out soon, we have been advised by our Accountants, Draycott & Kirk to defer our application to become a 'Company Limited by Guarantee'

3. Barrie told the meeting that the committee has noticed some points in the rule book that need changing and asked permission to do this.  All in the meeting were in agreement with this.

4. Barrie told the meeting that our committee member, Derek Airey has now taken on the role of looking after the flats.  He expressed his thanks to Derek for the sterling work he is doing.

Treasurer's report

1. Copies of the accounts, audited by Draycott & Kirk, were circulated to all in the meeting.

2. The Treasurer, Mrs Joan Whitney, gave her report and told the meeting that the accountants had only charged £117 for auditing the accounts.

3. Joan went on to tell the meeting that we have recently funded medical staff to attend the International conference on Heart & Lung Transplantation to be held in Chicago for which Professor John Dark has been appointed President.  He is the third doctor from the Freeman Hospital to hold this post and the Freeman is the only hospital in the world to have this honour.

4. The accounts were proposed by Brian Wood and Jim Carlin seconded this motion.

Sports Manager's report

1. Due to the absence of the Sports Manager, Graham Marsh, the Secretary, Judith Burgess gave a brief report on his behalf.

2. Judith told the meeting that 2 competitors from the Freeman Team had attended the World Transplant Games in Australia.  These being Craig O'Neill and Jamie Woodhouse.  Craig had gone on to win 3 medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

3. Congratulation were offered to Jamie Woodhouse for climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge whilst in Australia and congratulation were also offered to Susie Wood for her trek across Iceland

Children's report

1. Janet Long, the Children's representative thanked the FHLTA for their continued support.

2. Janet went on to say that in the Children's case not all events are sports events but centred on family to integrate children into other events.

3. Janet went on to tell the meeting that there is to be a Family Weekend held in Sunderland in May, incorporating the 25 years celebrations and the FHLTA are the main sponsors for this.  This will generate enormous publicity both for the FHLTA and transplantation in general.

Election of officers

1. Susie Wood had been co-opted on to the committee throughout the year and was duly elected.

Any other business

1. To celebrate 25 years of heart/lung transplantation at Freeman Hospital there is to be a Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday, 14th May 2010 at Tynemouth Golf Club.  This will be followed by an evening of celebration.

FHLTA/AGM/JB/11.3.10

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, 9^th December 2008
 Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend.

The Opening Prayer 

a)     The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford opened the meeting with       the Opening Prayer.

Welcome

 a)     The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the committee to those present and went on to say that the meeting was being held at the Lindisfarne Social Club due to the Postgraduate Centre, our usual venue, being fully booked.

Apologies were received from:  Adrian Woodcock

Minutes of the previous AGM

 a)     Brian Wood proposed that the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting be accepted as a true and correct record. Alf Brown seconded this motion.

Matters arising

 a)     Barrie Braidford informed the meeting that there seems no more we can do on this matter as after a number of meetings with Paul Brewis we are no further forward.

b)     Brian Woods went on to say that there had been an article on the BBC ‘Watchdog’ programme about hospital car parking. The link for this has been put on our website.

c)      Alf Brown pointed out the rule of the disabled parking bays, this being to park in the appropriate bay for your medical condition

Chairman’s report

 a)     The Chairman,  Barrie Braidford went on to inform the meeting of some of our work throughout the year, some of these being:

    i)      Providing chairs for Cheviot Court

   ii)       Funding Staff conferences

  iii)      Funding of equipment for clinic, wards, staff etc

Secretary’s report

 a)     The Secretary, Judith Burgess told the meeting that due to the limited numbers of articles she receives for the newsletter it has been decided to cut production to an annual edition.

b)     She went on to explain that due to CardioVations, the parent company of ‘Ethicon UK now being part of the Edwards Lifesciences we had to re-apply for sponsorship. 

c)      Our application was successful and they donated £400 towards the cost of printing the newsletter.

d)     Judith went on to thank all who had provided her with an email address to enable to forward the next newsletter by email but went on to explain that due to hackers getting into Barrie’s computer the decision has been taken to still send newsletters by post.

e)     Ian Hall suggested that we fold the newsletters in half making them A5 to keep the cost of postage down. 

Treasurer’s report

 a)     Copies of the accounts were circulated to all in the meeting and the Treasurer; Mrs Joan Whitney went on to give a brief resume.

b)     Joan told the meeting that we had raised £12,250 on the Justgiving site. The cost of this is £211.44 per annum.

c)      The accounts were audited and prepared by Draycott & Kirk of Guisborough and only charged £100 plus VAT for this. They have asked for us to consider this as a donation.

d)     Jim Carlin proposed that these accounts be accepted as a true and correct record. Brian Woods seconded this motion.
 
Sports Manager’s report

 a)     The Sports Manager, Graham Marsh stated that sport is an integral part of our work as stated in the constitution.

b)     There have been a number of sporting events this year which we have been involved in, namely:

    i)      Badminton

   ii)      Cricket

   iii)     Golf

   iv)     European Transplant Games – 27 competed from the Freeman    Team accompanied by 19 supporters.

   v)      British Transplant Games – 27 Adult competitors and 19 supporters plus 6 children competing accompanied by 13 adults.

   vi)     Volleyball

c)      8 competitors from the Freeman Team have been selected for the World Transplant Games in Australia next year. 

d)     Three;  Kaylee Davidson, Craig O'Neill and Jamie Woodhouse will be travelling to compete.

Children’s report

 a)     Janet Long, the Children’s representative introduced herself as their new Children’s Manager.

b)     She went on to tell the meeting that one of the children from the Freeman Team had been on Children in Need which was given national promotion.

c)      It I hoped to get more children involved with our work and activities and there is now a children’s link on the website.

d)     Under the guidance of the Chairman, Janet, who is a pharmacist, explained to the meeting that only those who have a condition where their body cannot produce a natural occurring substance can be medically exempt from prescription charges.

Election of Committee

 a)     Derek Airey, Janet Long, and Brian Wood had all been co-opted throughout the year and were all duly elected.

Any other business

 a)     The Chairman, Barrie Braidford suggested that we hold a draw with a £500 prize for our members bi-annually.

b)     Ian Hall suggested rather than do this we approach the medical staff to see what they need as there is presently a shortage of staff and we could perhaps offer paying for a scholarship.

c)      Judith Burgess expressed her concerns over the idea of the draw saying that we have to remember where our donations come from. Brian Wood seconded this and went on to say that any money spent should be to the benefit of all our members.

d)     Judith proposed that the matter is discussed at our next committee meeting in January. All were in agreement with this.

e)     It was asked what we could do about the overspill in clinic as the conservatory is now closed and there was some discussion as to who the conservatory belongs to.   Christine Brunton told the meeting that the gentleman who donated it gave it to Prof John Dark to do with what he wished.

f)        Jim Carlin went on to thank all the officers of the committee for all their hard work throughout the year.

g)     Being no further business the meeting was closed at 11.40 a.m.

FHLTA/AGM/JB/09.12.08 

The Opening Prayer

The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford opened the meeting with the Opening Prayer

Welcome

The Chairman, Mr Barrie Braidford went on to welcome everyone to the meeting and introduced the committee to all in the meeting and to update the members on some of the work that the association has done throughout the year and some of the fundraising work done by our members.

Apologies for absence were received from: Tony Armstrong, Jim Carlin and John Dawson.

Minutes of the previous AGM

Alf Brown proposed that these minutes be accepted as a true and correct record and Graham Marsh seconded this motion.

Matters arising

1.   Barrie told the meeting of the initial meeting the Secretary, Judith Burgess and himself had with the Operational Services Manager, Paul Brewis about the car parking situation. This meeting had seemed positive but due to no feedback from this meeting Graham Marsh (in the place of Judith Burgess) and Barrie met with Mr Brewis once again.

2.   This second meeting had not proved as positive as Mr Brewis told Barrie and Graham that at the initial meeting he thought that we had been talking about parking for pre-transplant patients.

3.   Graham had suggested to Mr Brewis that as a last resort the FHLTA pay an annual fee for designated parking spaces for their members.

4.   It was proposed by Derek Robson and seconded by Linda Riddel that Graham’s suggestion is acted on. All were in agreement.

5.   Alf Brown told the meeting that there is a meeting of the Members Council on 17th January 2008 where car parking is to be discussed. Alf agreed to act on our behalf.

Accounts

1.    Copies of the accounts were circulated to all in the meeting. The Treasurer, Mrs Joan Whitney went through these in detail.

2.    Joan pointed out that we are now have a page on the ‘Justgiving’ website and through this we have raised £790.38 since July.

3.    There have been two refunds from the Games expenditure. Firstly from the Children’s Team and secondly from Judith Burgess as she was unable to attend the World Games in Bangkok due to medical reasons.

4.    Alf Brown proposed that these accounts be accepted as a true and correct record. This motion was seconded by Derek Robson.

Games

 1.  The Sports Manager, Graham Marsh introduced himself to the meeting and went on to tell the meeting of the various sporting ventures that have taken place throughout the year.

2.   He went on to say that sport provides the association with funds through sponsorship etc and that the association has gained approximately £30,000 through sport since the last AGM. He also pointed out that sport raises the awareness of the need for donors and the transplant programme.

3.    Graham went on to tell the meeting that David Donkin had gone ahead with the Badminton Tournament in Gateshead without the backing of the FHLTA but had given a donation of £500 to the association from this event. Graham offered his thanks to David Donkin for this gesture.

4.    The matter of the Badminton Tournament and how it had been run had been discussed a t the AGM of the Transplant Sport United Kingdom (TSUK) and the Chairperson, Christine Evans had given her apologies on the matter and gave her assurance that this would not happen again.

Election of officers

 1.    Barrie told the meeting that all the officers were willing to stand again. Brian Wood proposed that this be accepted. Craig O’Neill seconded this motion. All were in favour.

2.    Barrie went on to inform the meeting that Tony Armstrong, our long standing Chairman and committee member of late has taken the decision to stand down due to ill health. Barrie went on to thank Tony for all his hard work and all that he had given to the association in the past. We wish him well.

Any other business

 1.    The parents of Lyndsey Saunders thanked the FHLTA for their support in helping Lyndsey attend the forthcoming children’s ski trip.

2.    Carol Hunt thanked all the committee for all their hard work.

Closing Prayer

Being no further business, the meeting was closed with the closing prayer.

FHLTA/AGM/JB/11.12.07   

Due to the absence of the Chairman, Barrie Braidford, the Vice-Chairman, opened the meeting with the Opening Prayer.

The Vice-Chairman, Barrie Braidford went on to welcome everyone to the meeting and introduced the committee to all in the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from: Tony Armstrong, Ken Burrell, Sue Cansdale, Gerry Jardine, Stuart Kaye and David Lyth.

Derek Robson proposed these minutes as a true and correct record and Bernadette Wilson seconded this motion.

Matters arising – there were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Copies of the accounts were circulated with the minutes to all in the meeting. The Treasurer, Mrs Joan Whitney went through these minutes in detail

Joan went on to give a brief resume of equipment we have purchased in the year and their costs.

Charles Plant proposed that these accounts be accepted as a true and correct record. Victoria Wilson seconded this motion.

The Sports Manager, Graham Marsh, introduced himself to the meeting and went on to give his report.

Before giving his report he told everyone that our website is there for everyone to use and he welcomes articles to put on this site. The address is www.fhlta.org.uk

Graham began his report by telling everyone of his success in winning £20,000 with the help of our Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Tony Blair. This was won in a competition run by Virgin Radio where members of the general public had to get a personality to phone in on their behalf. Graham contacted the Prime Minister who in turn contacted the radio station. The general public had then to vote for a personality and Graham and Mr Blair gained the most votes winning £10,000 each. Graham had already said that he would take out £3,000 towards the cost of the World Games to be held next year and the rest he would donate to the FHLTA and Tyne Youth and Community Centre. Mr Blair, in turn gave his £10,000 to those two charities. This means that the FHLTA will gain £8,500 because of this venture.

Graham then went on to tell the meeting of the dispute with David Donkin. He went on to explain that David Donkin had been approached to organise the annual badminton tournament on behalf of TSUK. The committee feels that this should be a team event as all other previous events have been organised by teams. David Donkin unfortunately does not see it this way and has chosen to go it alone so the committee has disassociated themselves from the whole thing.

Barrie Braidford went on to read a letter from Gerry Jardine regarding the situation followed by the reply Judith had sent to him.

Graham went on to tell the meeting the GB Transplant cricket team beating Australia at the re-match held during the summer and went on to ask for more cricketers for the next match to be held in Australia.

He then went on to say that there was 39 Freeman members had attended the European Games in Naples in June and 25 members had attended the British Games in Bath.

Graham told the meeting that various members had raised a great amount of money for the FHLTA through sport. Some of these being a Golf tournament run by Sid and Carol Lamb, the Great North Run, ran by Susie Woods, the 3 peaks ran by Jan Kempton and Whitehaven to Tynemouth cycle ride ridden by Tom Stevenson.

Graham went on to tell the meeting of the FHLTA members who had been selected to attend the World Transplant Games to be held in Bangkok next year. These were as follows: Judith Burgess, Kaylee Davidson, David Donkin, Stuart Kaye, Graham Marsh, Craig O’Neil and Adrian Woodcock although the latter two people have made the decision not to attend.

Barrie Braidford informed the meeting that David Lyth has sent a letter of resignation due to work commitments. He wishes the committee all the best in their future work.

Barrie Braidford, Graham Marsh and Joan Whitney are due for re-election and are prepared to stand again. All but one was in agreement with this and they were duly elected.

Barrie went on to ask for volunteers for the committee as we have four available places.

Barrie told the meeting that the 21^st Anniversary party had been a huge success.

Derek Robson asked if anything could be done about parking charges. Judith promised to that she would put this on the agenda for the next committee meeting in January.

The father of David Hunt introduced a book with stories of transplantation by Sue Cansdale. He said they were available if anyone wanted a copy.

Being no further business, the meeting was closed with the closing prayer.