N I Groups 24 & 42 Members Meeting held on Saturday 29th March 2025.

                                 Gibson Primary School, 64 Mountfield Road Omagh. BT79 7EG 10.30am. 51 members having produced membership cards, and signed into the Members meeting, were welcomed by the Chairman and thanked for their attendance. The Chairman asked for phones to be turned off. No recordings to be made. Informed Secretary was recording, to aid correct recall of the proceedings, for writing up the Minutes. The reason for the meeting is that the Committee would welcome feedback on how they are doing. It is your committee; you elected them and it’s what you want. You are the Club. 10.35am Having been given a months’ notice via webpage and Facebook group the meeting was duly called to order. The Chairman asked for a minute's silence. All have suffered the loss of loved ones and many of our members due to illness cannot be with us today. A Minute silence was observed. Since the last AGM and Members Meeting, we have had new members joining us. If you were not at the Members meeting, you must abstain from voting on the Minutes, which were read out by Secretary Irene Hewitt. Chairman asked for a show of hand to accept the minutes. A show of hands was put up. There were none who voted against accepting the minutes of the meeting. There were some abstentions. Minutes were duly carried. As there were new members present the Chairman took the opportunity to introduce his committee. Each in turn and what their rolls involved. Thanks were given to Billy McBride for fanning the flames at our recent barbeque, without whom, with Harry’s help it got lit and burgers got cooked. He suggested that the members along with himself were here for a bit of fun. All of us want camaraderie, entertainment and a cheap weekend, along with all the freebies, that the committee has been given back to the members. He wanted to ensure that the camaraderie, which exists in the club continues.  But that this was up to the members, who in the short time he had been a member, had given him such a warm welcome. Having a healthy bank balance has meant that the Committee, your committee, in this our special year, thought this was the time to splash the cash. The Chairman handed over to the Treasurer who explained that the biggest issue was how difficult it was to get access to the bank account. Taking over a year. As a treasurer she was only able to view the bank details. The thing that got it eventually sorted was threatening to go to the Ombudsman. Up until last week when she received bank cards and full access to the bank account it was very difficult. So up until the 15th of March 2025 the income was £7004.21p expenditure £5111.45. So, our balance is currently £17,148.75. However, we have since been able to bring in money for the NW200 of which, some monies will be paid to school for fees. We have written the cheque for last year’s charity, Dementia Ni, for £915.00. It was presented at the Rally at Downpatrick. The biggest expense was for Dinner Dance at Ross Park costing £917.18p which included Raffle prizes of Spirits, Cash, room and free meal for one couple. Also, this year the points system has been re-introduced. When you attend a rally, you get two points per night. Writing a rally report gets members ten points. When you reach forty points you are given a voucher for a free weekend. The number plate draw is for one night free at rally for every 25 vans attending plus one is given in lieu of there not being a quiz anymore. Also, free night vouchers are given to hosts to put into the raffle on a Saturday evening. Two vouchers up to 29 vans. Additional to this one voucher for every ten vans thereafter will be given. Additional to this, we did Mulled wine and shortbread at Christmas, dinner dance has been mentioned, burns night we gave out neeps and tatties, the barbeque at Magheramourne, Soup and rolls at Ballynahinch, tea and scones following this meeting plus Tea and coffee and biscuits etc at Coffee mornings on Sundays. Hopefully you are happy with the way we are spending your money. Giving it back to members who attend the rallies. The bank gave us £250 in compensation for the trouble we have experienced in getting us fully functioning. This was due to David who pursed this for us. Thank you. given to David. Final accounts will be done at the end of July. There were no questions re the accounts from the floor. Peter asked for a round of applause for the Treasurer. Chairman then asked for report from the secretary. She remarked that despite the amount the treasurer had just reported, in being given back to the members, that looking at the financial report from last year, there is not a great deficit, and the bank account remains very healthy. Membership, despite there being those who choose to leave, the club is still standing at 313 paid up members in group 24. And 11 members in group 42.  Out of the members who have cancelled, some have been due to illness, some deaths and some no longer having a motorhome and who are pursuing other avenues for their enjoyment. From November we have had 21 new memberships who I have sent handbooks and welcome letters to. The northwest 200 bookings are currently 53 vans. So, still plenty of availability if anyone wants to book. Secretary mentioned the webpage. Group news goes on our webpage first. The secretary lets members know to check this out when a new item is put on. Then the item is put on the Friends Facebook page. There is a link on featured to bring you directly to the webpage. Please see secretary if you are not familiar with this. There were no questions from the floor to the secretary. Chairman then asked the rally officer for her report. The Rally officer thanked the DJ’s who stepped into play music this year, when some of our live bands were cancelled. There are live bands booked for all our rallies. Appreciation was given to those who stepped up. The rally officer stated that she was continuing to work to find alternative venues and on occasions, when venues have increased, their fees, have tried to ensure good use of finances by securing alternative venues. She said she would keep everyone updated as things occurred. The home craft for the national is also a responsibility for her and if anyone needs advice, she can point them in the right direction, but can’t be involved in the process. Please see Marie, who is the coordinator here in Ireland. As the insignia officer is away presently anyone who wanted insignia particularly the sparkly snails, she had some with her. There were no questions from the floor to the Rally officer. The chairman reiterated his thanks to DJ Robbie, who now has two excellent assistants Harry and Albert, who had everyone up on the Dance floor at the St. Patricks rally. An electrical distribution box was offered for sale to the members. If no one wants it, we will be put it up for sale. There is no point keeping it as it has not been in use for some time. New ties have now been produced and if anyone wants any please see Selma. Selling at cost price at £15. Ties were passed round. Due to the banking situation no charity for this year had been decided upon. However, at the committee meeting last evening it was agreed that it would be Prostrate Cancer NI. An applause was given from the members in agreement. The chairman stated that it would be confirmed re the group, which will benefit as we want to ensure it is Northern Ireland people who benefit. Starting this evening, a large bottle of donated spirit will be used to raise money by £1 coins being thrown at it. Chairman asked that members would be generous and bring plenty of coins. As there were no questions forwarded prior to this meeting the chairman asked if anyone from the floor would like to ask a question. As there were none except a comment from Mervyn Ross noting the charity is obviously male dominated the chairman moved on to remind everyone of the free tea and scones and jam available to everyone. Also, that following tea a discussion, for anyone interested, in information about the National and the Haven deals will take place. Peter Johnston took to the floor to praise the committee for all their hard work. He asked the members to join with him in a round of applause. Meeting was duly closed at 11.02am. Dessie Ross then stood to say he was going to say what Peter had said and just wanted it reiterated. He wished the committee continued success.