Gravesend AGM chair's Report

Chair's Report

I can hardly believe it has been a year since I took over the role of Chair. I can say in all honesty that I am very much enjoying it, and I am grateful to members for their warm welcome. I am particularly indebted to Sue for the wonderful support she has given in helping me to find my feet in the role. Sue will be stepping down from the Committee this year and I know all members will want to join me in thanking her for the very significant contribution she has made to the life of the society

In her report last year, Sue noted that the Arts Society at national level had faced significant challenges, culminating in a change of personnel on the Trustee Board.  The incoming team with Hilary Kay as President and Jeremy Thomas as Chair of Trustees have certainly steadied the ship. Supported by a new executive team they have made significant progress towards their stated aims of engaging in direct marketing, promoting local societies and providing an enhanced digital experience on the website. As evidence, some members may have noticed advertisements for the Arts Society on Boom Radio or seen some of the recent videos on their dedicated YouTube channel.

Turning to our own Arts Society Gravesend, over the last year we have:

•  continued to grow our membership, which now stands at 140 members.
• promoted our society through the website, a bookmark campaign and communication with the local press.
• procured new signage to go outside our venue at each meeting.  
• organised visits to Belmont House and the Gravesend Gurdwara.
• arranged a guided tour of the National Gallery.
• enjoyed a holiday in Derbyshire.
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Of course, none of these activities could take place without the support and commitment of our committee and wider team of volunteers. I am hugely grateful to Helen, Denise, Pam, Christine, Gloria, Lynne, Sue, Hazel, Val, Joan and Heather who between them ensure that:

• we have a varied and engaging programme of lectures and visits;
• our members are greeted each month with a warm welcome;
• our website is always up to date;
• our membership records are accurate;
• we support the arts in our local community;
• our finances are on an even keel;
• all our proceedings are carefully recorded.
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I would also like to thank Yvonne, Julie, Bob, Lois and Hazel who arrive early every month to set up our equipment in the hall and Joy who handles the payments for tea and coffee.

We are also grateful to the staff at the Masonic Hall, Emma and Salt, who cater for us and help with our occasional IT problems.

Looking ahead, we aim to continue to:

• offer a varied, entertaining and informative programme of lectures and visits;
• provide a warm and welcoming environment in which members enjoy both the activities we provide and each other’s company;
• support the arts in the wider community;
• encourage more people to join our society and benefit from what we have to offer,
• through marketing campaigns, word of mouth recommendations and our website.

In addition, we aim to:

Provide more opportunities for members to get involved in the work of the society, both by taking an active role as committee members or volunteers and by sharing their views about our activities more systematically;

Upgrade our audio-visual equipment so that lecturers and members have the best possible experience on lecture days. 

Several lecturers have expressed to the committee how much they enjoy coming to Gravesend because of members’ warm reception and strong engagement. This is surely the sign of a thriving society. It is always a joy to see a full hall on the second Tuesday of each month and to know that there is such enthusiasm for the arts in our community. Thank you for your support and long may it continue!