The Minutes of last AGM and the EGM on 5th May 2005 were agreed as a true and
accurate record. There were no matters arising.
Apologies for absence have been received from Shane Campbell, Sunu Campbell,
Nicole Sauvage Utku, Victoria Short, Norman Stone, Rosemary Cordan, and Ümit Cordan.
Chairmans report
The chairman welcomed old friends and newcomers alike.
Newcomers were particularly good to see. He pointed out that it had been a
difficult year in many ways. Reconstructing the accounts, starting to raise
funds again for very worthwhile objectives, not only from a standing start but
from a negative start in many respects, had all taken up a considerable amount
of time. But he hoped we shall not dwell on the past tonight, but continue
looking forward, as your council has done over the year. The chairman said that,
with the permission of the meeting, he would just reiterate our objectives which
he saw as threefold.
The BCC provides pensions for our elderly people who in many cases have no
other source of funds, and are struggling to keep their homes together. There
are others whom we should be helping, but at the moment do not have the
resources to take on. This year we have latterly been trying to help lift their
morale and considering their social welfare, with a series of visits especially
to those who are bed-ridden. To those people who have volunteered for that I
know they are extremely grateful, and I am sure we are too.
The BCC helps an Istanbul charity in our host city each year. We paid the
outstanding 5,000 dollars to the street children project this year you will be
pleased to hear, and our project for this year is the Okçumusa Ilköğretim Okulu
which aims to catch youngsters from problem homes before they become street
children. The BCC has in the past helped the many Turkish victims of the
bombings, for many of whom the effects will never go away. As resources become
available this is something we should expand upon.
And the BCC is concerned with British-Turkish relations, which by practice
and extension becomes Commonwealth / Irish / European Turkish relations. This
is something that might be extended, he reported.
Treasurers' statement
The Treasurer reported that the 2005 accounts were
prepared from the available records, and Keith Smith had kindly agreed to
provide an independent review of them. Copies of the Accounts were available for
review at the meeting. The Treasurer reported that the BCC had raised sufficient
funds during the year to cover its obligations to support the pensioners, and
that there had been no material changes in the value of the BCCs assets during
the year. Efforts had been made during 2005 to streamline the number of accounts
and currencies held and that this process would continue in 2006. The Treasurer
looked forward to supporting the efforts of the Council and the community in
its fund raising activities in 2006 - 2007.
Relief Officers' and pensioners' activities
The Chairman reported that he had
visited all the pensioners over the Christmas period, with the exception of
Anita Szander who is proving impossible to contact. They are all living on a
shoe-string and very appreciate indeed of the help given them by the BCC.
Events 2005 and proposed for 2006
Since the last AGM in March 2005 we have
tried and we think been successful in carrying on with the good work done in the
past in arranging the events which have always been fundraisers for the British
Community Council. It was, however, a bit like being thrown in at the deep end
and trying to swim. During the period until December 31st 2005 the following
events have taken place:
A cocktail in the Consulate grounds
2 kitchen parties in the Ceylan Kitchens
An evening Boat trip on the Bosphorous with an open buffet and wine
A Black Tie Dinner with a concert at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel
An Agatha Christie Evening at the Pera Palas Hotel, Agatha Christie came
herself in her Rolls Royce courtesy of the Rahmi M. Koç Museum.
We have to thank Speech Bubbles for their theatre.
We held a jumble sale.
There was a Christmas party on Christmas Eve
The Pantomime was Hansel and Gretal and was held at MEF
The annual Fete was held in the Consulate grounds.
This year for the first time we had stands at the IWI Christmas Bazaar and the IWI enrolment day.
Monday Club was introduced for newcomers, meeting on the first Monday of every month.
In 2006 to date we have staged small social events :-
An anti ageing dinner
A games night with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
A Shakespeare play reading evening.
There will be a quiz night in April to coincide with HUG DAY Help unite
generations in the UK.
The Council would like to thank all those who have helped
in making all these events possible.
The Consul General
The Consulate staff
The
Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel
İbrahim Kaptan
The Pera Palas Hotel
The Rahmi M.
Koç Museum
Efes
Coca Cola
Kutman
Doluca
Kavakladere
The British International
School
Greenhouse
MEF
Corona Ladies
IWI
Christchurch
The Hash Harriers
Speech
Bubbles
All the helpers who gave so much of their valuable time experience and
knowledge.
The community without whom none of this would have been possible
The motion
This meeting accepts the changes to the statutes as proposed was
put to the meeting. The chairman pointed out that the change to the statutes is
to include a clause about English Law, as is required by the Charity
Commissioners as we apply to register a UK Charity, and a minor amendment
regarding officers.
After discussion the motion was passed unanimously.
The motion
This meeting authorises the Council to make an application to the
Charities Commissioners for registration was put to the meeting.
After discussion the motion was passed unanimously.
Election of members to the Council
Completed valid applications forms having
been received from Claudia Turgut, Shirley Öztürk (coopted members) Keith Smith,
James Gabriel. There being four vacancies they were elected unopposed.
There was a break for refreshments.
Meanwhile the new Council elected its
officers for the forthcoming year:
Chairman : Simon Cole
Vice-chairman : Michael
Asher
Treasurer : Shirley Öztürk
Events Coordinator : Gaye Hiçdönmez
Relief Officers : Claudia
Turgut and Victoria Short
There was no other business.
In accordance with practice the Council was authorised to fix the date of the
next AGM on a suitable day in March 2007.
