Minutes of Rossallian Club Annual General Meeting

in the Richardson Room on Saturday 1st April 2023 at 17.00hrs

Attending: Gillian King (President) David Gee (Vice President) Phil Brown (Treasurer)

Ian Preston (Secretary) David Crye Tony Carter John Harrop David Talbot Andy Mitchell Josh Lee

Apologies for Absence: Roger Walker, Jim Cowpe, John Whitlock, George Ayres, Simon Thomas, James Preston, Hazel Trapnell and Charles Crossley Arthur Stephenson .David Gee.Josh Lee.

The Chairman asked those present to stand for a minute silence to remember those Rossallians who had passed away during the last year.

Minutes of the last AGM 2nd March 2019 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed by the Vice President.

Matters arising: There were none.

Election of Officers: The Officers of the Club for the ensuing year had been approved by the Committee and were as follows:  President, Gillian King, Vice President David Gee, Secretary – Ian Preston, Treasurer – Phil Brown. Those present were asked to approve these nominations. Approved by all.

GK

Election of the Committee: The Chairman asked those present to approve the nomination of the present Committee, All Past Presidents (who had served their full term of office), The Head, all Branch Secretaries, all games Secretaries, and any other Member of the Rossallian Club that the Committee deem appropriate, who wished to stand for the ensuing year. Approved by all.

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer presented the accounts as published and asked if there were any questions. In response to the question on what we spent our money, the Treasurer reported we supported various sporting activities such as the cricket tour and the Halford Hewitt Competition and contributed towards the cost of archiving. Additionally we had supported the School by funding the £9500 required to install a new sound system in Dining Hall as well as the purchase of a number of tables that had previously been rented for events held in Dining Hall. We had also contributed £1800 in respect of the purchase of war medals that had awarded to an Old Rossallian and had become available and considered worthy of inclusion in the School’s archives.

The President and Treasurer explained that whilst we were receiving some funding from School, which was based on the submission of an annual budget, this was not as per the agreement reached with the School some years ago; that our funding be based on a small % of the school fee income, to be paid annually to the Club. We still maintain, in view all the documentary evidence, that this should be the way we are funded. It was reported that during the Covid period we had received no funding, which the Club had accepted in view of the fact that our expenditure had been minimal in that period, and it was clearly a very difficult time for the School.

The President explained that it was considered prudent by the committee that we explore additional sources of funding to bolster our reserves and enable us to be more proactive. One option being considered was to develop the sale of Old Rossallian merchandise through our website, which in addition to providing an income, would give us more control of what was available to members. Additionally we were considering inviting parents of students to join the Club, at a fee yet to be decided, so that they might maintain the bond with the School that many feel strongly.

The question was asked if the Branches were financially supported by the Club, and it was explained that whilst branches were no longer as active as previously, they remained self-sufficient, with the exception that the Club subsidised recent leavers attending events.

AOB.

It was asked how the relationship between the Club and the Development Office was working. The President please to report that the relationship was excellent and that there was a clear understanding as to our respective roles in supporting the School and Rossallians. The President was particularly pleased to report that having lost the support of development office some years ago, Emma Johnson, who now works as the Foundation Director and Allumni Relations Manager, was doing an exceptional job on our behalf and we were already feeling the significant benefit of her efforts.

The question was raised as to how many members there were in the Rossallian Club and whether it might be possible to make an appeal to them in the event that we required additional funding. No one knew the actual number, but it could soon be checked and it was explained that we would be very reluctant to approach Rossallians for funds, as this was a function of the Foundation, to raise money for the School, and we would not wish impinge on their efforts.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 5.50 pm.