Minutes of the Torrevieja U3A Annual General Meeting. 24th February 2025 at the CMO Torrevieja.
Meeting started 11.25am.
- ... Peter Shaw the U3A President welcomed all members to the 2025 Torrevieja U3AAGM.
Apologies for absence have been received from Les Adams and Michelle Johnson. Unfortunately the Jam maker is unwell,.
Since the sad passing of a U3A member the importance of ICE (IN CASE EMERGENCY) cards have become very relevant. It is highly recommended that we all carry personal details, as well as the name and phone number of an emergency contact.
The President expressed the U3A's thanks to two members, Jean Wardle and Mary Gould who are leaving for the UK, for all their hard work and support over many years, which has contributed to the successful running of the association.
2.... Presidents report was read by Peter and was unanimously approved by the members present.
Proposer. Sue Kenyon. 262 Seconder. Bob Kennard. 683.
3.... Secretary's report and minutes of the U3AAGM 2025, previously circulated, was unanimously approved by the members present.
Proposer. Eric Berg. 260 Seconder. Kay Dolan. 1615.
4... Treasurer's report and Annual accounts of the U3A Torrevieja 2024, previously circulated, was unanimously approved by the members present.
Proposed Angela Moretan. 638 Seconded Jacqueline-Anne Garrett. 2736
5... Peter Shaw the current president stood down. Many thanks for his service to the association over the last year.
6... Election of new President. Peter Shaw has agreed to stand for another year and as there were no other applications Peter was unanimously elected for the following year.
Proposed Sheena Adams 2325 Seconded Karen Ames 2493
7..: Dissolution of current committee. The President asked the current committee members to step down.
8...Election of new Treasurer. Jean Tonge has agreed to stand for another year and as there were no other applications Jean was unanimously elected for the following year.
Proposed Gill Kennard 684 Seconded Penny Moore. 217
9... Election of new secretary. Roger Mccrae has agreed to stand for another year and as there were no other applications Roger was unanimously elected for the following year.
Proposed Karen Ames. 2453 Seconded Sue Kenyon. 262.
10 Election of Committee members, as there were no new applications for positions on the new committee. The following have been re-elected.
Les Adams. Social Media Administrator.
Michelle Johnson Groups Liaison Officer.
Beverley Hayes Finance Officer.
Diane Morris Membership Secretary.
Christine Granville Assistant Membership Secretary.
11..As there was no other business the meeting was closed at 11.45. and many thanks for everyone who attended and participated.
President Torrevieja U3A report 2024/25
Firstly, can I say a big thank you to everyone for being part of the association and attending the various monthly meetings, events and outings over this last 12 months and helping to maintain the ethos of the association. We have tried our best to continue to provide a variety of group activities, social act1vities and events and I hope you have continued to feel the benefit of your subscription.
I am extremely grateful to all those who have helped and supported me. To those who work unnoticed, not just the committee members, but everyone who has helped and assisted me, offered advice and help Meet and Greet, Sound Technician, Pres and Welfare officers, notice board arranger, raffle coordinator, books, First Aid, Data protection information and the list goes on. All these people need recognition. It's your association and that's how it should be. Your involvement helps its continued success and stability and enables us to meet our association objectives.
My personal thanks go to the members of the committee for this last year. The time and effort these members have put in to creating association stability, reviewing policies and in some instances the use of personal financial assistance due to banking restrictions and charity statute requirements has been amazing. I thank them all for their valued commitment and support. I would also at this point like to thank the partners of these committee members as without their patience and support a lot would not be achieved.
My chosen charity for this last year was slightly different and I am amazed it has taken so long to purchase, position and train personnel. Who would have thought that offering to buy a Defibrillator and position it in the CMO building would take so long. As it transpires it has, but finally we have got there and we have with your financial help and support bought and positioned a Defibrillator behind the caretaker's counter. We can now concentrate on training users of the machine from within the association membership and who will be available at meetings on each occasion.
Whilst the Defibrillator was the primary Presidents charity for this last year, we have been able to support and help many other charities within th:e area Helping Hands, Reach Out, Donaciones de Torrevieja, Finca de La Castellana, Movers and Shakers· and San Jose children's orphanage all of whom have benefitted from our monthly CMO collection and donations. The Bridge Group, Pilates and Line Dancing also made donations. Long may we be able to support those less fortunate than ourselves.
Our new welfare officer has continued to offer help and advice to members and in some instances non-members and we have acquired various pieces of equipment for members to use during periods of lack of mobility and those with continuous health issues. I am pleased that we have been able to increase the help available to our members through our committed welfare officer.
We have once again sadly lost some of our members and loved ones throughout this last year and I hope that the association has been and still is of comfort to those that remain in the time that you need it most. To those that have left our shores for other countries, whether it be the U.K. or elsewhere, let's hope that at some point they get th opportunity to pay us a return visit.
In October we watched the devastation that was DANA as Valencia felt the full force and devastation of water. The scenes were awful and yet as always people far and wide pulled together to help in many ways to provide rescue, shelter and basic essentials. Along with our association I am sure that you personally did your bit to help. The effects and size of this disaster will be felt for a long time to come.
Our group activities have grown over the year with more now than ever before and also for the first time "pop up" groups. Small one-off group activities, rather like a taster session. I hope you managed throughout the year to try one of the groups and even join one of the newer group activities. It is our intention to continue where possible to increase group activities for your enjoyment. The Groups Fair in January was very well attended and most group leaders felt it beneficial and successful.
It took a long time and a lot of hard work and patience but throughout the last year we have finally pulled together to finalise the "New Look" website. It has been completely reworked and I hope those who use it agree it has a bright, fresh and informative feel. More headings and information and the abitity to pay on line for membership and social events has I hope been beneficial to some. It has been a long hard and often frustrating road but with the involvement of all the committee I feel we have finally reached something that you can all use for association information.
At the end of December, we said farewell to our social events team Pauline and Jan. They have worked tirelessly over the years to bring us various events and holiday breaks. Most of us have enjoyed the opportunity to get together socially and the amount of time and work that they have collectively put in has not gone unnoticed.
In conclusion, I feel that the association is continuing to follow a path that was laid down many years ago by its founder members, some of which are still active with us today. I wonder if at the time you envisaged how it would develop and the success it would become today.
Thank you to everyone for being a Torrevieja U3A member, your continued involvement, your input and your support.
Peter Shaw
President - Torrevieja U3A 2024/25