Eighteen members attended last night, and we had a very good night. Plenty of laughs and actually completed some business. It is difficult to have more than 20 members in attendance when you add those on leave, both sick and approved, those that do not attend regularly and our honorary members. This combined group totals about 40% of our total membership.
Sergeant Noel opened the meeting and introduced President Peter who outlined the evening’s format and then advised dinner was to be served.
Although the meal was excellent you could not say the same for the venue, no pictures, no microphone, bar not initially open and even then we had to go to another room. The meal was served on time but no cleanup was done, not one of their best efforts and I will discuss with Darren this week. I believe as our numbers stagnate so does our importance to the hotel. My opinion only..
Somehow Bruce (who was a welcome returned member managed, by default, to win the raffle. He didn’t have any tickets but there were two left on the entry table and the assumption was they were his so he claimed the prize. Tony won the heads and tails.
Sergeants session was different but a lot of laughs and Noel raised around $40 with equal contributions from each member.
Neil then presented his Financial report and as you would expect covered all aspects year to date on the club's financial situation. We have managed to meet our commitments and keep a little bit in kitty so a job well done. His PowerPoint, which I urge all members to read will be on club documents in a couple of days but some of the highlights were:
◘ Fixed Administrative costs per annum total $5k excluding membership dues to RI, District & RDU. Club membership fees were set to cover the latter while the former are funded by a weekly dinner fee surcharge and profits from our monthly meeting at The Hub. Fines & Copper Pot income are directed to TRF Annual Fund and PolioPlus. Year to date we are in line with budget.
◘ On the Project side our fixed commitments total $11k made up of Hub costs $3,100; Van costs $2,900; Audit Fees $1,000 and base costs after donations for our signature Scooter Project $4,000. These costs need to met before we consider any other projects. To fund this our budget this year is for 20 sizzles generating net income of $12,300 and $1,500 from donations making a total budgeted income of $13,800 to meet fixed commitments of $11,000
◘ In the first half year we conducted 8 sizzles for a net return of $6,587 (53% of full year budget) and received donations totaling $2,185 (145% of full year budget). On the expenses side; Scooter repairs and maintenance $2,779 already exceeds our full year budget but on the positive side so too do donations $1,580 and we have received other related income totaling $2,913 which was not budgeted.
◘ Overall we are well ahead of budget and our financial position much better than initially envisaged. As a result, we are well placed to meet our current and future commitments.
After a very interesting question time the session and meeting closed on time.
