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NGP President’s AGM Report 2023

Warm welcome to you all again and lovely to see you all here.

Many thanks to Mayor Nick Smith for coming along to speak with us all today. With your busy schedule it is very much appreciated.

This last week has given us a taste of what’s to come winter wise. Those winter energy payments will be a blessing for many.

The last year has been another busy one for your local branch as well as National Federation. A huge thank you to all our volunteers who cover the front desk, assist with getting our magazine out and helping with the Out and About membership renewal and drive. So far this year we have had larger number than usual renewing their membership early which is a good sign for our zone.

Your committee have been working hard on your behalf this year and a big thank you to them. If you would like to join us, meeting once a month then we would welcome you to come and help spread the load. At these meetings we discuss issues affecting you, our members.

Our Vice President Kevin is also on the Federation Board so we are lucky to have him. He handles the portfolio of Electricity. Remember that to be a member of Greypower Energy you must be a financial member. If not, your charges could well revert to normal. And remember if looking to change your supplier the Pulse Energy you find for comparison is not Greypower one. That is held confidential so you will need to call them for assistance.

We have committee attending A4A ( Accessibility for All) Pamela and Maureen, Housing (Nelson Tasman Housing Vulnerability Forum)Pamela and Maureen, Streets For People Working Group, Pamela, Submissions on Medicine Act 1981. Peter assisting our Federation Health person Jo Miller, Pat and myself attending meetings with Nelson Bays Primary Health and Nelson Marlborough District Health, finally getting numbers of seniors being discharged in early hours to go home alone reduced. We are watching closely the reduced number of beds that are planned for our new hospital. This with a growing city is a concern. We also have quarterly meetings with both Tasman and Nelson Mayors. Tasman still booked in but yet to get back into Mayor Nicks diary. Hopefully very soon.

Wonderful to see the sensor light has been installed on Stoke lights, extending crossing time for pedestrians. Nelson Greypower campaigned for this with our previous Mayor and CEO for the last 4 years.

I want to especially thank our new Treasurer Don Ambrose. He has done an amazing amount of work in bringing the branch up to date with everything. I think poor Kim, our Office Admin has gained a few grey hairs with keeping up.

We will be discussing membership increase as on agenda shortly and I will leave Don to explain this for you all.

Remember membership is from 50 +. If you have a family member celebrating their birthday, what about signing them up. The savings they can make from 50 to 65 is well worth it.

If you have something you would like us to look into for you, please call, email or drop in at the Stoke office.

Many thanks for all your support over the last year.

Sue Sara
President
Nelson Grey Power Association

2023

NGP President’s AGM Report 2022

Welcome to you all.

Wonderful to see you all here under current RED ALERT.

What a year we have all been through.

To those who have lost family and friends, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to you. Covid has sadly ruled our lives and I feel it will continue to do so for some time yet. We must look out for each other. Sadly so many of our seniors have shut themselves away. Fearful to venture out. Frightened by the media and so concerned with surroundings. Attending a Webinar on Senior Mental Health recently, this was one of the things discussed. I hope that if you are aware of someone that is frightened of the current times we are in, please support them and talk with them.

Moving on to a more positive note, you are probably aware that we have successfully obtained Charity status. A huge thank you to Christine Tuffnell and Linda O’Dea for all their assistance in getting this started. To Christine, Thank you for answering my call for help when the papers kept coming for more and more answers. At times I felt overwhelmed with it all.

Applications are under way to obtain funding through relevant organisations. Mayor Reese is looking at sourcing funding for a defibrillator for the office.

Of a big concern is our current committee numbers. Or lack of them. We have a membership to the of March of 5668 members. Meetings are once a month for a couple of hours. We are in serious need of a Treasurer, thanks to George Truman for stepping back in to do our audit and budget for the next year.

We are facing an increase in Capitation Fees that will put a strain on our budget so funding where we can will be most important. We have not moved to raise membership this year, so where $16,000 will come from is a big ask.

I welcome Maureen to the committee. Great to have her aboard, but still happy to open our arms to a couple more.

Big thanks to Kim our office admin who negotiated a change from DX Mail back to NZ Post for our magazine resulting in a substantial saving. Every little helps.

This may have to be looked at in the future and maybe move to 6 monthly editions.

So what is Grey Power ?

Membership is open to those 50 and above. Not sure what to get the kids for Christmas. How about a membership to Grey Power. During the current fuel price hike, the discounts offered meant an all-important saving to so many.

Important to note that in joining at 50 you have 15 years of savings until receiving your Gold Card. Someone recently cancelled their membership because they said they could use their Gold Card at Mega 10. That’s fine, but little did they realise the discount is greater with Grey Power than Gold Card.

Increase in capitation fees comes after Kiwibank withdrew their sponsorship. We need to support our National Federation in their continued battle on our behalf in Parliament.

Our regular meetings with both council Mayors have continued when possible. These are all important in putting your concerns direct to those at the top. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if there is anything you feel needs addressing and would like answer to.

We still have our all-important Handyman List available to members. If you are a retired plumber, builder, painter etc and would like to make yourself available, please contact us with your details so we can add you to our list.

This had been a Grey Power Nelson initiative for many years now and something we are proud of.

Also remember to use your discount book when looking for a service or business.

Finally I wish to once again thank my committee for their continued support. At times the work load gets a bit over whelming but there is always someone nearby to bounce ideas off and get assistance.

Kevin, Vice President and National Board Member. Pamela, Secretary. Pat for your great help with regards health board meetings and to Maureen who has stepped into her portfolio running with her first meeting being by zoom. A whole new learning curve.

Last but by no means least, huge thanks to our office admin Kim. She is the one that keeps the office functioning. With ups and downs of Covid she has put in a lot of additional time.

And to the volunteers who give their time, I can’t thank you enough. Those few hours each day sitting at the front desk and be the face of Grey Power is so much appreciated Big thanks to you one and all.

Sue Sara
President
Nelson Grey Power Association

2022

NGP President’s AGM Report 2021

Thank you so much to our guest speaker Sheree from the NZ Police. I hope you all found her information useful.

Nelson Grey Power continues to have the highest membership in the Federation. Currently standing at just on 6000. Our quarterly magazine is written and was sent out March, June, September and December. This remains a popular benefit to our members and is warmly welcomed.

Last year saw our monthly meetings with Nelson and Tasman Mayors ruled by Covid-19. Where possible these still went ahead either with Mayor or Deputy. There was also continued meetings with Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, CEO and key staff to raise concerns brought to us by you the members.

Our Board members represented you at

  • Accessibility for All Committee
  • Positive Aging Forum
  • Strongly advocated for maintaining Council owned pensioner housing. Sadly, this is one battle we lost.
  • Fought and were instrumental in getting a banking Hub in Stoke.
  • Following correspondence received, we have again submitted an application for Charity Status.
  • Our Vice President Kevin Gardener and Treasurer George Truman both represented us at the Federation AGM in Auckland.
  • Nelson Grey Power have been chosen as the host for this years Federation AGM. This will be held from July 13th to 15th.

Nelson Grey Power has a large amount of work undertaken by volunteers. We need you. Your ongoing support is gratefully appreciated.

I want to thank Kim Harding for her wonderful job in managing the office. Her assistance to me during changeover was gratefully accepted. I want to especially thank my Board. What a great team to work alongside. But once again we need more to help out. Just one meeting a month for a couple of hours. It’s not too late to step forward.

This year we see valued members of our board standing down. Linda O’Dea and Pauline Daly are stepping down from the board but are going to continue to report back to us on matters relating to portfolios. George Truman.  George has been our treasurer for so many years. He is hanging up his hat on that one but fortunately he is still staying on as our eyes and ears out and about. Especially watching closely our two councils.

Just an update re our Charities application. I received a call on the 30th March. Basically, I was informed we still have at least a 6 month wait for an answer with more questions to be sent out. So it looks like it is a watch this space sadly.

I want to say once again a thank you to our guest speaker, Sheree.

Your time given.

Sue Sara
President
Nelson Grey Power Association

10 April 2021

NELSON GREY POWER AGM – SATURDAY 6th APRIL 2019

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

2018 was another busy year for Nelson Grey Power.
Nelson Grey Power remains the Grey Power Association with the highest membership in the NZ Grey Power Federation.

Quarterly Magazine and “In Touch” e-newsletter
Our quarterly magazine remains our flagship for keeping members informed, not just of Nelson Grey Power and Grey Power Federation activities, but also of services and products available locally to older people. Thank you to our contributors for providing us with interesting articles.
The magazine is produced via a contract with Waimea Weekly.
Our “In Touch” e-newsletter has been sent out to members on email where required for communication between the hardcopy magazines.

Regular meetings with local bodies
We have continued to meet quarterly with the Mayors of Nelson and Tasman and their CEO’s
and with Nelson Marlborough District Health Board CEO and key staff and to raise concerns brought to us by members.

Participation in local body planning/policy development
* Committee members attended meetings on TDC Positive Ageing
Strategy
* Represented on Accessibility for All Committee
* Represented on Positive Ageing Forum
* Attended NMHDB Alcohol Harm Reduction Forum.
* Committee members (2) attended meeting of NCC Planning for
change Ageing Demographic and George Truman, Sue Sara, and Ian
Catto will represent us on the Steering Group for
development of NCC policy on ageing demographics
* Committee members (2) attended Elder Abuse Training
* Three committee members participated with NMDHB in planning End
of Life Care Pathway
We also met with NMDHB project manager to plan implementation
of the End of Life Care Conversations project and suggested
involvement of Marlborough, Motueka, and Golden Bay
Grey Power Associations too.
* Nelson Grey Power held two meetings for our members on End of Life
Care Planning
* Committee members (2) attended NMDHB Health Innovation Awards
* Committee members attended and continue to participate in the
Nelson Housing Forum

Submissions to local and national bodies
* Nelson Grey Power submission & presentation to NCC  on Top of
South Land Transport Plan
* Nelson Grey Power submission & presentation to TDC on Top of
South Land Transport Plan
* Presented to Mental Health and Addition Inquiry
* Meetings with Compass re change of Meals on Wheels contract
* Submission and Presentation to NCC on Long Term Plan
* Submission to TDC on Long Term Plan
* Attended NMDHB re Pharmacy Action Plan
* Met with Nelson Airport Manager to express concerns about lack of
participation in planning
for elderly and those with disability during new airport upgrade. Also
spoke to Mayors of TDC and NCC re this as they are the Nelson Airport
shareholders.
* Concerns re removal of post boxes in Nelson Tasman taken to NCC
Mayor (who wrote letter of support to NZ Post), TDC Mayor, and NZ Post. Interview and story on TV One news.
* Submission to Office for Seniors on population ageing strategy
* With support of NCC Mayor expressed concerns to Minister of
Consumer Affairs, Kris Faafol re Home Direct sales trucks
* Wrote to Minister of Building Jenny Salesa re need to upgrade
standards for toilets for people with disability.
* Submission to TDC on Age-Friendly Policy
* Joined in partnership with Nelson MP and Nelson Mayor to oppose
proposed closing of  Kiwibank branch in Stoke and contracting out of NZ Post service.

Nelson Grey Power hosted  a public meeting with around 230 people attending, started Petition to Parliament,  wrote MP’s, Chair Kiwibank Board. NCC, Mayor and President Nelson Grey Power met with
national retail managers of NZ Post and Kiwibank.
We had good media coverage via  TV One news, Newspaper reports, radio

Survey of Members
Nelson Grey Power undertook a survey of its members via our September 2018 magazine to find out how Nelson Grey Power members are being treated in their dealings with Government Departments, local Councils, community services, and businesses. The results were published in our December 2018 magazine.
Members identified agencies, services, businesses easy to do business with and those difficult to do business with. The majority of members used EFTPOS as a means of payment and nearly twice the number of people used cheques than those using on-line payment.

Meeting members
We celebrated our birthday with a mystery bus trip for members.
Your committee continued to make themselves available for regular coffee mornings but only a small number of members have taken up this opportunity to discuss issues.
We will discuss in general business at this AGM whether to continue to host coffee mornings.
Our Waitangi Day picnic was repeated again this year and was enjoyed by the small group of members who attended.

Our “Out and About” volunteers at the beginning of each year remain one of our major means of interacting in person with members, as does our participation in the Positive Ageing Expo each year.
Our office volunteers get to meet a large number of our members and potential members through the exceptional service they give to Nelson Grey Power, week after week, staffing our front office.
With the encouragement of the Minister of Office for Seniors we applied for funding a member social outing bur were then declined funding.

Nelson Grey Power was recognised with an Age-Connect Award by Age Concern for the work we do in helping to reduce social isolation of our members.

Application for registration as a charity with NZ Charities Commission
Our application for registration as a charity has been subject to several delays in analysis and reply by the Charities Analyst, each months long. Nelson Grey Power sent comprehensive information and evidence of our purpose and activities as requested  10 October 2018, and have recently received a decision of not to grant registration.

We have challenged their analysis of our purpose and activities and compared our organisation with similar organisations that have been granted registration. If the Charities Commission do reconsider our request, then it is certain we will need to change our constitution to better comply with their requirements. This will not involve major changes.

The Charities Commission have an aversion to advocacy and lobbying.
Registration as a charity would enable Nelson Grey Power to seek funding rather than having to rely on member subscriptions as its almost sole source of income and reduce tax.

Federation AGM
Nelson Grey Power continues to be an active association at the annual Grey Power Federation AGM.
This year’s AGM is in Wellington and Nelson has put forward a number of remits for discussion – copied to members in our March 2019 magazine issue.

Nelson Grey Power website upgrade
We are currently in the process of updating our website so that is more easily updatable and better reflects the activities Nelson Grey Power is now undertaking.

Thank you to all our volunteers
We have only one paid employee.  A great deal of the work for Nelson Grey Power is undertaken by volunteers and we are so fortunate to have them . Thank you to all those who contribute their time, expertise, and support to our organisation – your contribution is much appreciated.

Thank you to our Nelson Grey Power Committee
Your 2018/19 Nelson Grey Power Committee (also all volunteers) have put a great deal of time and effort into managing the organisation and representing members views to decision makers.

Thank you to Kevin Gardener, Vice President and Zone Director
George Truman, our Treasurer,
Linda O’Dea, our Secretary,
Committee members Pauline Daly, Sue Sara, Anne White, Pam Coltman, and Eric Davey
for being such hard working team members of our committee.

Thanks to Kim Harding, our Office Administrator, for her major balancing act keeping the wheels of Nelson Grey Power turning. There is so much work going on behind the scenes to make sure that we continue to deliver a good service to our members.

Christine Tuffnell
President
Nelson Grey Power

6 April 2019

NGP President’s report April 2018

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Since being elected as your President at the 2017 AGM it has been a busy and productive year.

Christine TuffnellThe Nelson Grey Power Committee and our Office Administrator, Kim Harding, have been a pleasure to work with.  

Thank you to Kevin Gardener, Vice President and Zone Director, for being an effective link for us to other Grey Power Associations in the Top of the South and with national Federation.

Thank you to George Truman, our Treasurer, whose particular interest this year has been seeking an effective bus service, and advising the committee on all things economic and financial.
George was instrumental in organizing the very successful political meetings at the time of the General Elections.

Thank you to Linda O’Dea, who as Secretary, has faithfully kept our minutes and handled correspondence. Linda also volunteers in the Nelson Grey Power office and has given a huge amount of time to our “Out and Abouts” aimed at keeping members and attracting new ones.

Thank you to Pauline Daly, who as a member of the committee, and a Nelson Grey Power office volunteer, has focused this year on documentation of office procedures, and at membership recruitment on the “Out and Abouts.”  Both Pauline and Linda have continued to represent us at the Positive Ageing Forum.

Thank you to Bob Hancock, who with the portfolio of transport and Nelson City Council, has been instrumental in maintaining our good working relationship with the Nelson Mayor and CEO and in providing sound advice on transport issues.

Thank you Pam Coltman, who as a committee member has liaised with Tasman District Council and
shown a particular interest in preventing elder abuse.

Thank you to Anne White, who has now completed her first year as a committee member. Anne
has held the aged care portfolio and has also supported community housing initiatives.

Thank you to Sue Sara, who has also now completed her first year as a committee member. Sue
has focused on the 50 plus age group and employment issues. She has also represented Nelson Grey Power on the Age Connect project.

Thank you to Nigel Bailey, who has continued to maintain our website as an off committee member.
We do appreciate Nigel’s contribution.

Thank you to Jo Biggs, our database volunteer and Fiona Collins, our filing volunteer, and a huge thank you to the twenty  office volunteers and our magazine folding volunteers who are so vital to the ongoing success of Nelson Grey Power.

Particular thanks to Kim Harding, our Office Administrator, for her major contribution to keeping the wheels of Nelson Grey Power turning. There is so much work going on behind the scenes to make sure that we continue to deliver a good service to our members.

Nelson Grey Power has maintained its membership and continues to be the largest Grey Power Association in New Zealand. We still need to give priority however to recruiting more members in the 50 -65 year age group.

We continue to be active in our Grey Power Zone, Zone 5, and in the national Grey Power Federation.
We will again be sending two delegates to Federation AGM later this month, and also, because the AGM is being held nearby in Blenheim , we are able to support a number of Observers from our Nelson Grey Power Committee and membership to attend as well.

One of our key strategies this past year has been to meet and listen to our members and to keep them well informed of our activities. This has included our implementing a monthly e-newsletter, increasing the Grey Power articles within our quarterly magazine, implementing weekly coffee mornings for members to meet with committee members, and undertaking a survey of our members via our magazine, providing opportunity for all members to participate. In February we held a new initiative for members – the Nelson Grey Power Picnic, on Waitangi Day.

Your Nelson Grey Power committee has continued to be strong advocates for members in meetings with the Mayors of Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, and in meetings with Nelson Marlborough Health Board Chairman, CEO and health providers, including advocacy regarding home care services and the meals on wheels service.  We provided written submissions and spoke to them on Freedom Camping and the Top of the South Transport Plan.
We also participated in workshops on Nelson City Council’s Strategic Population Plan and in Age Connect – a project aimed at addressing loneliness among the elderly.

Parliamentary Elections were held in 2017, and prior to the election Nelson Grey Power hosted meetings with political leaders so that members could listen and have questions addressed. We were pleased that National, Labour, New Zealand First, and the Green Party participated in these meetings which were much appreciated and attended by our Nelson Grey Power members.

This year we have sought to establish Nelson Grey Power as a Charity and improved our financial reporting and continue to make improvements to operation of the Association.

We have also been successful in providing a public profile to Nelson Grey Power through some items in the local newspapers and on radio.

A priority for this year is the development of an improved discount book process with the aim
of the discount book being published annually.  The discount book remains a vital attraction for people to join our Association.

Thank you to Nelson Grey Power members for all their feedback and support during the year and your Nelson Grey Power Committee, and last but not least, Kim Harding and all our wonderful volunteers who are the heart of Nelson Grey Power.

Christine Tuffnell
President
Nelson Grey Power Association

14 April 2018

NELSON GREYPOWER AGM 8TH APRIL 2017

INCOMING PRESIDENT CHRIS TUFFNELL’S  ADDRESS

Thank you so much for coming to this AGM
and Thank you to those who have volunteered to serve as your committee for the coming year.

MAKING A GOOD LIFE POSSIBLE

MAKING A GOOD LIFE POSSIBLE will be our mission at Nelson Grey Power

How do we make a good life possible?

Through LOBBYING decision makers:
– Members of Parliament,  City and District Councils, the Health Board, Government departments and  community services and businesses

To be effective lobbyists and advocates for our members we need  you to tell us
your needs, opinions, ideas and feedback to us your experience with government and local policies & services.

As your President I want to strengthen our communication, information sharing, and feedback LINK with You, Nelson Grey Power members and as a result
improve the coverage and content of our lobbying of decision makers

To be effective we need not only improved information flows between Nelson Grey Power members and the committee….but a committee and staff who WORK AS A TEAM.

I want each committee member to be in a position to use their knowledge and skills to Nelson Greypower’s best advantage.
Committee members will be taking up responsibility for portfolios  specific to their knowledge, skills, and aspirations.
The majority will be lobbying portfolios:-

Nelson City Council &  Tasman District Council
Superannuation and welfare benefits
Health
ACC and Health Insurance
Aged Care services
Transport – including Southern link, public transport, roads and footpaths
Energy
Civil Defence
Economy – including retirement savings, reverse mortgages, bank rates.
Law and order
Employment of over 50’s and over 65’s

There are also some administration portfolios:
GreyPower Zone /National representation
Membership recruitment
Front Desk services – including information/handouts screening
Nelson Grey Power website and newsletters

As President I expect to be the link between the committee and our paid staff,  and for Press and Public relations (involving committee members in these activities too).

We need to grow our membership.
The more our membership – the stronger our lobbying voice.
We don’t just want to be a voice – but a choir!

We need to know more about the needs of our pre-retirement membership – the 50 -65 year olds – soon to be 67 year olds!

As the largest Grey Power group  in New Zealand we need to maintain our relationship with Grey Power nationally and continue to influence national Grey Power policy and lobbying targets. To this end, I will attend the National Grey Power conference in May.

Your President and committee must be good employers of our paid staff and volunteers alike. I recognize how important that friendly volunteer face is to members when they drop in to our Nelson Grey Power office in Stoke.
A huge thankyou to our volunteers – you are valued and appreciated.

Thank you to retiring President Gordon Currie and his support to me in taking up this role as President. Gordon has made a significant contribution to Nelson Grey Power and I know he will continue to support us.

When joining any organisation people ask: What’s in it for me?
Why be a member of Nelson Grey Power?
I know many members join for the discount booklet and Grey Power electricity scheme…. But the real work of Grey  Power is ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING.

Nelson Grey Power is the only financially independent organisation lobbying on behalf of people over 50 in our area. Our funding comes from member subscriptions.  Because of this financial independence we do not feel the need to refrain from comment because of obligation to an external funder.
Nelson Grey Power is its own master.
And as such, it can be an effective lobby and systemic advocate for older people.

The age structure of the New Zealand population is changing.
We have all heard about the increasing proportion of our population being in the older age group. We now have 607,000 people over 65 years of age and 73,000 people over 85 years of age.
In 2061 (just over 40 years from now) there will be 1.5 million people over 65 years of age and 360,000 people over 85 years of age.

Life expectancy is increasing – around 87 years at present
Cost of NZ Superannuation is at present just over 4% of GDP
In 2060 it will be 8% GDP.

Rates of home ownership are declining and cost of insurance is increasing.
Presently 21% of over 65 year olds are in the workforce.
More people over 65 years of age will be in the workforce when the age for accessing National Superannuation is increased.
(Retirement Commissioner Report)

RATIONING is a central, often hidden, outcome of all Government and local government services. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services or an artificial restriction of demand eg. through booking systems or price controls.

Nowhere is rationing more obvious at present, than in the NZ health service where the definition of rationing has been blunted to:
“Withhold some health services from some individuals who would probably benefit from them because decision makers have decided not to buy those services for everyone who needs them.”
So people must MEET SPECIFIC CRITERIA in order to receive the service… and we, the people, have no input into development of these criteria.

Rationing will become more evident in all aspects of public services, not just health.

With your membership Nelson Grey Power can lobby to influence rationing and gatekeeping criteria which often result in discrimination, disadvantage, and isolation of older people and establishment of barriers to the older person being able to achieve or maintain a good life.

We want to see:
*Local Councils reducing debt and keeping our rates down, and well working
infrastructure given priority
* Older people able to stay in their own homes in the community OR
have fair contracts with retirement villages and aged care accommodation
* Continuance of universal superannuation set at a higher level as a percentage
of the average wage than it is now – 64%
* Suitable work opportunities available for older people
* Older people well informed and supported to make decisions about retirement
savings, insurance and other financial arrangements.
* Older people well informed and able to access social support and financial
assistance.

We want to see:
* Doctor fees and Pharmacy fees kept at a level older people can afford
* Better access for older people to first specialist assessment and elective surgery
* Older people who have access to ACC when they have an accident
* Adequately Government funded palliative/end of life care
Over the next 20 years over 8% more older people will die in residential care
so palliative care in residential care needs to be of a high standard

We want to see:
* Communities where older people are safe from burglary, home invasion,
and scams
* Footpaths and road crossings that are mobility scooter friendly
and wide access for older people to public transport
* Businesses who make it easy for older people to do business with them
* Older people able to afford to keep warm in winter
* Civil defense systems which plan specifically for older people and their needs
in times of crisis

So our success in  MAKING A GOOD LIFE POSSIBLE
rests with you and all people over 50 joining Nelson Grey Power.
Your membership makes the lobbying work of Grey Power possible.

Thankyou
I look forward to working with our committee, and YOU, the members over the coming year.