Message from the President: March 2023

This year’s AGM was held before the deadline for the February magazine so I was not able to report on it then. I will do so now. We had a very good attendance – even though so many of you also came to the EGM the week before. We were delighted to see everyone and so grateful for your support.

We had three suggestions at the end of the meeting and here was our response.

Question: This is regarding the very high single supplement charged by the hotels. Would it not be a good idea to arrange for single members to meet in the centre on a given day when a trip has been advertised with a view to doubling up, therefore saving a considerable amount on the cost of the trip?
Answer: This was thought to be a good idea and will be taken into consideration when trips are advertised.

Question: Have you considered sending out the monthly magazine to members via email, therefore saving costs? This would be particularly useful to those living a fair distance from the centre.
Answer: Lisa, the Editor, responded that we currently print the minimum print run so emailing and circulating a pdf file will not reduce costs. We have discussed this option several times but it would have to go out to members only and – believe it or not – some members do not have email. Shelagh added that we liked people to call into the centre to collect their magazine as sometimes this is the only time we get to meet them. However the committee will discuss the possibility of offering an emailed version under special circumstances and on request.

Question: What about having a suggestion box in the centre, particularly for those members who wished to remain anonymous?
Answer: Shelagh said this was a good idea and was something we had done in the past. We were not sure where the original box was now (since the move) but would organise a replacement as soon as possible.

The only other thing I have to report on is that our next event will be on Saturday 25 th March with an Easter theme. More details to follow.

Shelagh