A.S.A.P. Alonnisos Society for Animal Protection.

Held at the Pleiades Hotel, Patitiri on Wednesday 9th June 2010 Present: Julia Browne, Annie Green, Les Green, Michaela Kiriannaki, Dawn Kiriannaki, Dinah Sinclair, Dianne Lewin, Jill Donnelly, Sue Duckett, Kathy Kneen, Chris Browne, Pete Hillier, Jackie Fenton, Harry Greenwood, Carol Holmes, Mike Holmes, Jan Moon, Craig Sinclair, Jan Juan-Thomas, George Anagnostou, Dorothy Emery, Alan Emery. The meeting commenced at 19:15 Apologies. Apologies were received from Anni Bason, Rodney and Belinda Walton and Jane and Guy Routh. Chairperson’s Address Julia thanked everyone for attending. She thanked George Anagnostou for the use of the Pleiades for the meeting and she thanked the outgoing committee for all the hard work they had done on behalf of ASAP. She said that she regrets that Annie and Les have resigned from the committee. She thanked Les for all his work as Treasurer and Mike for his work setting up the website and keeping it running in spite of a few problems. Julia said that the web is important to ASAP for publicity and for keeping the members informed of what is happening. Julia then thanked Dianne for organising the raffles and said she had done an excellent job particularly with the raffle at the May Ball. Thanks was also extended to Nik and Lyn for their help and use of the premises for the Vet visits and to Craig and Dinah for the Membership, Feeding programme and just about anything they have been asked to do, which they have done without question. Julia pointed out that the committee fund raising events, the Pub Afternoon, the Barbeque on the Beach on New Year’s Day and the May Ball were very successful and well attended, raising a good deal of money, the May Ball alone raising €500. Thanks were also extended to the Edna Smylie Memorial Trust Fund who this year gave ASAP a grant of £2000. The Vet George Michael visited several times during the year and one gratifying aspect of his visit was that a vast majority attending the surgery with their pets were local people, which may mean that some of the things that ASAP is trying to do is at last being recognised. Julia said that nearly all visitors to Alonnisos say that the stray animals are looking well fed and in better health and condition than anywhere else, which must mean that we are doing a good job. There were also Charity Vets who were provided by Friends of the Cat and thanks were extended to these people who were incredibly successful on their visits. Thanks again to Guy Routh, Margaret Halliday and to Mike and Carol who provided accommodation, surgery space and food to one of the visiting vets. Some of the ASAP members feed feral cats in 15 feeding stations over the Island during the year. Unfortunately during the winter there have been a lot of losses due to cat enteritis and other related conditions. Vaccines could control it to a certain extent but it would be too costly at the moment to consider doing so. Julia said she would like to try to arrange sponsorship for vaccination some time in the future. Julia said that when visiting vets leave, members are left with follow up visits and since the last vet left Julia has made 29 such visits and Guy has made several as well. ASAP tries to answer all calls for help in respect of sick or injured animals. At this point Julia thanked Dinah for organising a clean up of the shelters at the various feeding stations, which proved to be very successful although it was a messy and unpleasant job. More shelters are needed especially towards the winter. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 23rd April 2009 Julia said that all members would have had a copy of these minutes and asked if everyone had read them. In the assumption that everyone had read them Mike proposed, Dawn seconded and all agreed that the minutes were a true record of the Annual General Meeting held on 23rd April, 2009. Matters arising from the minutes There were no matters arising. Secretary’s Report Annie said that she was once again disappointed by the lack of support in helping to run the stall, but was of course grateful to the faithful few who did help. She said that in order to sell goods and raise money we needed to be open a lot more, at least once a day and more evenings. Jan Moon confirmed that on the evenings she and Gerry Ivison ran the stall they had a good time and were quite successful. Annie pointed out that on the day of the Marathon the stall was open from 10 a.m. until 10.30 in the evening and she had little help, Jackie Fenton spent a few hours keeping Annie company and she and Michaela helped in the evening as did Dinah who managed to get more people to buy tickets for the Grand Draw. The Grand Draw was a success and Annie said that thanks should go to Mike who provided a very generous first prize and to the shopkeepers and Tavernas who, Dianne confirmed, were great at donating prizes. Julia had already mentioned the committee charity events and Annie also touched briefly on them as well. She also mentioned the annual swim from Peristera for which some of the participants raised money for ASAP. Annie said that she particularly wanted to thank the Fun(d) Raising Group for all their help in purchasing items such as cat carriers, a light for when the vet operates and other items which the Committee requested from time to time. They paid for the stall Licence and most importantly they paid for the substantial vet bills on several occasions. At Christmas they even gave a financial Christmas box to the cats. Without their financial help ASAP would undoubtedly have struggled to find the money needed for the food bills. Annie said that she does not know what the future holds for ASAP but hopes that somehow it survives and continues to provide the animals with the food and care they have been receiving until now. Treasurer’s Report Les handed out the end of year financial statement and asked if anyone had any questions. Chris Browne had a query regarding the Summer Ball but Julia explained it and Chris was satisfied with the reply. Les asked if everyone was happy with the accounts and as it appeared to be the case, Julia proposed, Craig seconded and all present agreed they were passed as correct. Propositions The Secretary had not received any propositions and none were offered from the floor, so there were no propositions. Election of Committee for 2010/2011 The secretary said that Julia Browne, Dinah Sinclair and Mike Holmes were the only ones willing to stand for the committee. She asked if anyone at the meeting would care to stand but no one volunteered. Annie said that it meant that the committee would only consist of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Chris Browne asked if it was possible to run the committee with just three and Annie said that it was not ideal and really there should at least three more committee members. However, as far as she knew it could be achieved as long as the committee would co-opt people on to the committee from time to time. Annie then asked the committee which job they wanted and each were reluctant to say so she pointed out that for the purpose of the Minutes and for when they wish to set up a new mandate at the Bank for ASAP funds, she would have to state who was doing what. After a hurried consultation an agreement was reached and the new ASAP committee are: Chairperson: Julia Browne Secretary: Dinah Sinclair Treasurer: Mike Holmes Committee members to be co-opted. Annie asked the members to vote their agreement of the new committee and Carol Holmes proposed, Chris Browne seconded and the majority were in favour. At this point Julia said that when she set up ASAP in 2005 it was solely for animal benefit and no matter what happens the Charity must not be compromised in any way. Any other Business Two visitors who attended the AGM said that they were disappointed that the stall had not opened this year as they were looking forward to offering their help, however, Julia said that the problem was with the Licensing Office, but there was someone on Alonnisos who she could approach. Annie suggested that perhaps Dinah could approach the Port Police to ask if the stall could be put in place even if it was not open yet as the various notices pinned to it are good PR. She also suggested that Dinah enlist Michaela’s help as she has been very persuasive in the past and has charmed the Port Police into letting us have a spot for the stall. The visitors said that they will be back later in the year and will still be willing to help. At this point Annie apologised to Dinah and Jeff and Jan Moon for not mentioning the great effort they put into selling books during the summer raising a lot of money for ASAP. The date for the First Committee Meeting for 2010 has been set for Wednesday 16th June 2010 and will be held at Cyclamen Cottage, Vouno. (Julia’s House), commencing at 19:00. There being no other business the meeting closed at 19:55