According to our Articles of Association the Chair only has three things to do:
chair general meetings
ask for votes and polls
to have a casting vote at general and trustee meetings.
The alternative view, is that the Chair should do anything and everything.
I don’t intend to attempt either of these roles.
The Chair is part of a group of Trustees, each of whom has a contribution to make to running the Friends and helping the organisation achieve it’s aims. With this in mind I’ve set out below what we aim to achieve this year and which Trustee to talk to if you want to know more. You will see that there are one or two question marks. Please feel free to volunteer to help with these areas or others you think we’re missing.
One of my major activities will be fundraising for the Friends existing organisational needs and activities. This may not seem urgent when we have just been given a grant for £50,000 by the HLF but unfortunately the bid did not cover our general office and admin costs. Fundraising is thus essential and an immediate need.
Hugh has volunteered to be Treasurer until October.
The Company Secretary has a vital role on the committee ensuring that we hold meetings and report to Companies House and the Charities Commission. Paul has taken these tasks for 2007.
Regular tasks such as renewing insurance and printing membership forms. I’m hoping someone will volunteer to take on this work.
Lydia is our membership secretary. She has created a computer based membership list, which she now regularly updates.
Along with our Articles and Memorandum of Association, our development plan and the Vision we have the following policies:
Equal Opportunities Policy
Volunteer Policy
Child Protection Policy
I plan to complete a Consultation Policy to add to these and make sure they are all on the website.
Currently we meet quarterly with our members. We also communicate with members and non members via our website (Anne) and newsletter (Becky) and of course we meet and talk with people in the Park and at the Art Hut.
We will be reviewing how we consult as part of our consultation policy.
Liason with Haringey
We participate in the Friends of the Parks Forum and message board. Paul and Sally are our representatives
Douglas receives and responds to Haringey’s notices of events in the Park and Planning Applications
Jim and Hugh are continuing to promote our Vision for Finsbury Park
Activities and Projects :
The Art Club is our meeting space and a major part of the public face of the Friends. We will continue to hold our popular drumming sessions and the regular Friends meetings there. I will also complete grant bids for a drum event, to develop the outside space around the building, to work more with the elderly and to set up a visual arts project.
I hope to apply for club status and finalising a lease with Haringey.
The garden is behind the Manor House Lodge in Finsbury Park,
A small friendly informal group meet regularly to enjoy gardening on the first Saturday of the month 10 am - 12.30pm. Everyone welcome
| Secrets and Lies (HLF) |
Hugh and Jim |
This project will celebrate Finsbury Park by involving the diverse local community in it’s relationship to the Park and raising awareness of Finsbury park’s historical and environmental significance. It is project is managed by Shiri Shalmy
We host an Easter Egg Hunt for Children in the Hope Playspace (the Pit) on Easter Sunday
We still have copies of Hugh’s excellent history of the Park available for £5
FinFest Becky
Finfest will be run by Finfuture this year. We need to agree how we will be represented on the working party and at the Festival.
Anne Barwick
Chair
The Friends of Finsbury Park |
