edridge fund

Minutes of Edridge Fund Trustees Meeting
Held at Napo HQ on Thursday 25 September 2008

1. Those Present

Anne King, David Cox, Mick Brittain, Richard Martin

2 Apologies
Wendy Jones

3. Election of Edridge Chair for the year.

Anne King was nominated by David Cox, seconded by Mick Brittain, and was unanimously elected Chair

4. Decisions on the form of the meetings today

The Chair suggested that the existing edridge only items on the agenda be dealt with at 2 p.m. after the meeting with napo officers, so that planning for the noon meeting with officers can take place. Agreed.After full discussion, it was agreed that we should present the following plans to the napo officers as follows:-
1. That a short life sub committee of edridge be set up with the remit:-
a) To develop the strategy for publicising and marketing the fund
b) To fund raise, with the suggested targetting for fundraising to be :-
1. Deductions from Salary
2. Individual donations
3. legacy giving
c) To rebrand the Edridge image; it was suggested that we use real Human stories (agreed by applicants )

The suggested members of the committee to be David Cox, Richard Martin, A napo officer, An outside expert in Publicity and Fundraising

5. Election of Edridge Trustees

After discussion, it was agreed that napo be asked to re advertise the posts, with a particular addition that, for preference, we seek applicants who have PR and Fundraising experience.

6. Meeting with napo officers

Mike McLelland, Duncan Hume, Tim Wilson, and Theresa Boorman from napo joined the meeting. Jonathon Ledger gave his apologies.
The Edridge chair, Anne King, proposed the plans outlined above for a working party and election of new trustees in a detailed introduction. She also emphasised that the trustees were aware of the concerns that napo have regarding governance costs and the proposed costs to improve PR and Marketing.
The napo officers stated that they indeed had concerns about costs, and were pleased edridge was addressing them. David Cox explained the figures for this year, with greater grant making and less governance costs.
Mike Mclelland stated that there may be less applications in future as Trainees were to be recruited instead of TPOs. He was also concerned that the napo info included only 17 reps. Richard said this was incorrect, and will send Mike our full listMike also highlighted the forthcoming retired members meeting at napo AGM, suggesting that this may be of benefit to edridge. David and Richard will attend.
Napo have appointed 2 National officers to promote napo nationally, one being Mike McClelland, the other Mr Singh. Edridge may be able to benefit from this.
It was suggested that edridge should use Napo News and the Napo website more.
Napo Officers agreed with the suggested structure of the edridge sub committee, and Duncan Hume and Tim Wilson both agreed to participate fully at an email level, and hopefully attend meetings if possible.It was suggested that Judy McKnight be asked to become a committee member.
All present were also requested to look for a suitably qualified expert to join. Websites of Fundraising bodies to be contactedBriefing notes relating to the “Napo Fund” meeting and discussions were requested by napo officers, Richard to draft.The joint meeting ended, with both napo officers and edridge trustees agreeing that the bond between the two bodies had been strengthened by this meeting, and should continue to do so in future.

Edridge trustee meeting continued

7. Minutes of meeting 10.07.08

These were agreed and signed, having been amended by the deletion of the first paragraph of para 11.

8. Matters arising

a) TPO and ComputersTo be placed on next agenda
b) Trustee Policy documentRichard agreed to prepare this for the next meeting.

9. Applications

These were largely dealt with, however time did not allow application No’s 50 to 52 to be considered, and so trustees will do so as soon as possible outside of this meeting.

10. Treasurers report

David spoke to his written report, stating that a much larger amount of interest had been gained this year. He considers we have invested appropriately, although suffering with value fluctuations due to the international financial difficulties.
The trustees agreed a change of signatory for all bank accounts, deleting Wendy and adding Anne. David has obtained the documents for the Unity Bank change, and will contact the other banks to get the same and send the forms out for signature.
The trustees formally ratified the accounts for 2007, the chair on behalf of the trustees thanked David for all his hard work.Richard and David will meet before the next meeting to consider financial matters, including banking arrangements.

11. CAFCASS

Richard is to write to Paul Bishop, National Vice Chair, to encourage communication between Edridge and Cafcass.

12. Christmas cards

Richard reported that these were ordered, and will be available at Napo AGM

13. Napo AGM

Mick, David, Wendy and Richard will be attending. Edridge stand to be changed to emphasise the strengthening of relations between napo and edridge

14. Oral History project

No more information as to income to edridge

15. Charity Commission News

Nothing to report

16. Reps conference –review

This item should be considered by new PR sub Committee

17. Any other business

Next meeting 4.12.08 ( confirmed to be at GFTU)

Richard to draft list of next years meetings, adding a meeting in January or February to tie in with new trustee appointments

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NB : Copies of previous minutes can be supplied by e mail from the Secretary at edridge@btinternet.com
The minutes of the Fund's AGM on 10/7/2008 have not been published on this website previously, but as stated above can be obtained from the Secretary.