UMEED PARTNERSHIP (UK)

Committee meeting:  1st July  2009

Present:    John Perkins (Chair), Clive Southerton,  Geraldine Sanders, Renee Taylor,  Stuart Elliott,  Ruth Goggin (Secretary).

Apologies:      Ann Horobin, Marion Southerton, Riffat Rizvi, Neil Evans, Jessica Clapham, Jackie Bateman, Mieko Yamaguchi

Welcome

Alys Hughes also attended, and  was welcomed to the meeting.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 30th April 2009 were confirmed subject to the amendment of Neil Evans as attending.

[1]    With reference to Minute 3[1] (Santa for All Seasons):  The Chair reported this event had been held on 1st June.

Chairman’s Report

The Chair informed the Committee of recent income including receiving two major grants, £8750 from BHP Billiton and a £1000 from St Andrew’s Church, Bedford.

In addition, members were informed of the following income received since the last meeting:

St Mary’s Church – Beaumaris £120.00
Personal donation – £50.00 and £70.00 per month Gift Aid by standing order from 10 supporters.
Bangor Rotary Club – £500 for furniture for the Middle School (sum not yet received)
Santa for all Seasons – £153

The need for regular income to be generated was emphasised, and this matter was discussed further under fundraising initiatives.

John up-dated members on the situation regarding the Rotary Matching Grants bid and the difficulties they were experiencing in arranging for the Lahore Cosmopolitan Club officers to complete their part of the form.

The 2008/2009 accounts have been audited, and advice has been given on how financial procedures should be tightened.
Following the last meeting letters were sent to the Bishops of St Asaph and Bangor, but no reply has been received from either to date.

Project Co-ordinators Report

The Committee received Yousuf’s report and noted his comments relating to improving the lives of participants in the project:
“After the training most of these men and women will be self-employed earning enough money to look after their families.  This will create a huge impact in the lives of many families”.

Members discussed in some detail the possibility of selling products made in Pakistan in the UK.  It was noted that the embroidery goods had not sold very well in the past.  It was agreed that Clive should bring back some examples of small wood products which would be piloted in the shop in Conwy.
Action: CS
It was agreed further that Umeed should try and secure a stall at a Christmas Fayre.  Both Renee and Ruth agreed to volunteer to run such a stall.

Financial Report

It was noted that this had been the best year yet in terms of the amount of money raised.  There was currently £728.29 in the bank.

It was noted that an internet account would shortly be set up which would reduce the cost associated with transferring money.

Due to Riffat’s continued absence from Bangor it was agreed that John discuss with her whether she would be willing to transfer her financial duties to Ged.  The Committee noted that Riffat’s strengths lay in literacy and women’s education, and that recent seminars in Pakistan had been a huge success.  The Committee expressed its gratitude to Riffat for her work with the accounts over the past 4 years, and for her endeavours in delivering the seminars to UPP members in Pakistan, which it was hoped would be continued in the future.

Action: JCTP

Fundraising Activities

Renee up-dated members on her work to date.  Four applications for funding had been submitted, a further 9 enquiries by phone had been made to potential donors, all of whom were not interested in funding projects in Pakistan.

It was noted that Stuart was also involved in trying to identify potential donors.  Comic Relief had recently released detailed information on the types of programmes they would fund.  There was a possible opening for Umeed through the “Street Working and Young People” element.  It was agreed that a bid be put together for submission in November 2009.

Fundraising Activities

[1]    Clive Southerton up-dated members on his proposals for fundraising over the next few months:

Fashion Show:  at Tweedmill (St Asaph) would now be held in Spring 2010.

Hairdressing Show, based on the Musical Hairspray to be held on September 21st.
SATURDAY August 22nd ScALA Gala:  Prestatyn stars “come back home to their roots”.  Tickets will be £25.00, 6.00 pm champagne reception, entertainment to start at 6.30 pm.

MONDAY September 21st Hairdressing & Alternative Therapies evening at the Scala Prestatyn – details to follow

MONDAY September 28th  SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW;  SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE….
An antiques evening at BODRHYDDYN  HALL at 7p.m. Tickets  £10. Theme for the food would be blue.

Tickets for all these events will be available from Clive.

Clive also up-dated members on the plans and progress for the International Joseph Production/Open Every Door Project.

[2]  200 Club

It was reported that it was aimed to launch this club in January 2010, Chris and Ged had agreed to help run this.  More information would be available at the next meeting.

Date of next meeting

September 9th, 7.30 pm in Prestatyn.