AGM 2020 Minutes

Not for Ourselves, but for Others

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MINUTES OF THE SA LEGION UK AND EUROPE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020
Venue: Virtual,  12th December 2020

Present:  C Kinnear (Chairman), A Bergman (Europe Chair), C Hendricks (Scotland Chair) R Mattushek (England Chair) S Robertson (England Vice Chair) C Esterhuizen (Chaplain), S. Moritz, J Lopes (Outpost Chairs), D. Funchall                                                

Apologies: Brian Parry, Karen Parry, Brian James, Grant Harrison

Minutes of last AGM were accepted. Proposed: RM, seconded: SR

    For action byDate
 Regional Chairman’s report:  See Appendix A    CK  12/12/2020
 Branch Reports:  To be submitted    All     
 Treasurers Report:  .Appended    CK    12/12/2020
 Election of Officers: 
Regional Chair: C Kinnear Regional
Vice-Chair: R Mattushek
Treasurer: K Poege
Secretary: S Robertson
Chaplain: C Esterhuizen
PRO: A Bergman
Ceremonial: B Parry
Awards: T Fernandes
Quartermaster: K
Parry Legal Officer: S McIlwaine    
  All   
 Matters Arising:  


Regional Conference 25th Jan 2021

SAL Centenary and Conference 2021

2020 Events Calendar

Adoption of SA Constitution to be reviewed.

Window and shop flyers  


RM, ALL

CK

Chairs

RM

SM      
 

Next meeting.  To be advised.

Chairman’s Report – AGM 2020

SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION

(United Kingdom & Europe Region)

                    England, Scotland and Europe Branches

  • Welcome
  • Ritual

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.”

Response (All): “We will remember them.”

  • Agenda Items
    • Apologies _ Parry’s Moving House, Brian James, Grant Harrison
    • Minutes of 2019 AGM Approval
    • Regional Chair Annual Report
    • Treasurer’s Report
    • Election of Officers
    • Matters Arising
      • 100th Centenary
      • Fund-raising
    • Date of next Meeting (To be advised)
    • Close

Not for Ourselves but for Others

I shall pass through this world but once.

Any good therefore I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.

Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

(Stephen Grellet)

Milestones to date:  We have had a quiet year due to the Covid Pandemic severely curtailing not only parades, but also social and fund-raising activities. This means the pressure is on for next year on the activity and fund-raising front.

  • We had our first Regional Conference / Bosberaad on the 25th January, and this event led the way for a further maturing of the organisation.
  • As part of that Bosberaad we raised the objective of a regional restructure, and the Outpost structure is in place, and growing, and this will help hugely with the crucial issue of retaining and growing our membership.
  • A few physical events did take place, including the Three Ships Parade on the 22nd February, and during the pandemic very well organised and socially distanced parades such as the Cannock Chase and Richmond events.
  • We ran a number of virtual events successfully, and this will play an important part in our parades going forward.
  • On the welfare front, the Brotherhood Initiative has proved its worth, and we now have a number of good contacts in other Veteran Support organisations. Dave Wiseman, supported by Lee Greed and Johan De Croc and a sponsor, completed a call to support a veteran with stunning results.
  • Our shop, under new management, has proven the process now in place, and we can rest assured shoppers will get their items in very short time. All we have to do now is enlarge the range, and improve the advertising. Some of you may have noted the Legion Shop now also appears on our Facebook page.
  • A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes, and again I applaud Russel Mattushek on producing policy that is not only for us, but is being adopted by South Africa. Thanks to Dee for assisting Russel, and thanks to all those who stand behind our Members.
  • On this point the website and membership hub have moved, thanks to Cary Hendriks, to a faster more secure environment, and training will begin on those who need access to the hub within very short order.
  • Let’s not ignore the fact we have had many disappointments this year. Not being able to attend in person parades, events, any socials and a year-end event is key, but significant disappointment was not being able to march as the SA Legion in the 100th Cenotaph parade, which as you are aware was a victim of the pandemic.
  • Our members also lost loved ones, and our thoughts are with them. We also lost Lt-Col Hughes, who some may remember was kind enough to attend our Medal parade at Chelsea.
  • Crucially we did not meet a deadline I had imposed on us achieving charity status. This despite Simon McIlwaine moving heaven and earth to finalise this. Simon is currently awaiting financial information such as forecasts and cash flow et al. We have a new Treasurer who is getting his feet under the desk, and this will be the first priority, in which he will be assisted by the Finance Committee
  • Frankly the lack of participants and office bearers has been an obstacle, and this year I look forward to the absolutely vital participation and engagement of more members. I look forward to the voting later today.

Treasurer’s Report

Due to the departure of our treasurer, we do not have a full report.

However, at bank we have the following:

HSBC Account Outgoing: 2552.08

Incoming: 2250.70

HSBC Balance : £588.57

PayPal Balance £2435.21

TOTAL Cash on Hand = £ 3023.78

We had been withholding our membership payments to SA HQ, and we have now used part of that fund to pay for an order for Centennial Ties for SA.

We now move to the Election of Officers.

We published posts and role descriptions on the website, and due to the current pandemic opened a virtual polling station.

There were three roles not available for voting, as they are appointed posts.

The appointed roles are Regional Treasurer, Chaplain and Quartermaster, and I am pleased to announce that those roles are as follows:

I welcome Ken Poege to the role of Treasurer, and look forward to him playing a vital role in moving us to Charity Status. I look forward to the work of the Finance Committee in assisting with this vital activity.

Padre Craig Esterhuizen has agreed to continue as Padre, and we will continue to benefit from him providing us with the spiritual help. In addition, Craig is also happy to continue as head of our Brotherhood Initiative, and him and I have completed formal training on mental Health and other ‘skills’ and we look forward to strengthening that process and widening our structure to support members.

Karen Parry, assisted by Brian, has taken our shop efforts to a new level of service, and is continuing in that role, so we expect to see more improvements.

Please join me in thanking them for their service.

We then have a number of other posts that were open to renewal, and consequently all officers stand down, and I thank you for your service.

The Roles are as follows:

Regional Awards Officer – Sole nominee is Theo Fernandes. He has received 24 votes so far, and is now remaining in post. Comments, Theo?

Regional Ceremonial Officer: Sole Nominee was Brian Parry, and consequently remains in post. Comments Brian?

Regional Public Relations Officer: Andrew Bergman. Sole Nominee, so remains in Post. Comments Andrew?

Regional Membership Secretary. We have been without this post for some time, so it is with relief that we have two nominees. Steve Moritz is hereby appointed to this post. Comments Steve?

Regional IT Officer: We have had three nominations for this post, and I am happy to report that Cary Hendriks will continue to work behind the scenes in this post, which him and I have been doing by default already for some time. Comments Cary?

Regional Secretary: We had two nominees for this role, and I am happy to announce that Stuart Robertson will perform this role.

Regional Vice Chair: It has been proposed that a Regional Vice Chair is appointed as a rolling post using the Branch Chairs on a yearly basis. This post will be initiated once the new Officers are in place for the next year. Proposed AB and SM RM now Reg Vice Chair

Regional Chair: There were two nominees for this role, and it seems I will be the regional chair again. I must stress this will be my last tenure, and that we need to ensure that our work is suitably apportioned.

Matters Arising

  • Regional Conference – 25th January 2021
  • 2020 Events Calendar
  • Branch Reports – These MUST be submitted
  • SA Legion Conference and Centenary – Who knows.

AOB: RM – Adoption of SA constitution. Doc to be reviewed. Precis documents and policies to be approached.

Window flyer? Steve to punt and manage.

Date of Next Meeting – To Be Confirmed

Where will we be with the pandemic?

CLOSE

Cameron Kinnear