Open meeting minutes 17th October 2018 held at Jean’s house
Chair: Jane
Minute taker: Valerie
Present: Sue (255), Valerie (258), Jean (82), Jane (118), Bob (117) and Mary (264)
Apologies: Barbara (208)
Matters arising from the last minutes
1. Jane had asked Graham whether he was willing to be backup person for Cyclos, unfortunately he was not willing. Jane will ask Sean if he knows someone who could do this role.
2. Jane will continue to try to speak to Harvest Nature to update our collection box in the store.
Officers’ Reports:
Bob (membership) reported that we have no new or leaving members this month.
Valerie (buzzard treasurer):
|
Description |
Period 25.07.18 to 09.09.18 |
Period 10.09.18 to 16.10.18 |
|
Total Number of Trades during periods shown |
127 |
98 |
|
Value of ALL Trades during periods shown |
588 Buzzards |
315 Buzzards |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of trades, non-membership / officer fees |
23 |
40 |
|
Value of non-membership / officer trades |
458 Buzzards |
213 Buzzards |
|
|
|
|
|
Value of membership fee transfers |
99 Buzzards |
50 Buzzards |
|
Value of trades for Facebook / Hosts / Minute Takers |
31 Buzzards |
52 Buzzards |
|
Number of trades for Facebook / Hosts / Minute Takers |
5 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of Organisation Account |
-7,338 Buzzards |
-7,340 Buzzards |
In general trading seems to down this month with slightly less member to member trades and a lower value of buzzards being exchanged. Membership fee transfers were halved and members “expenses” claims were higher this month both in terms of claims and number of buzzards. The accounting period was 5 weeks instead of 7 weeks last time. The Organisation Account balance remains almost static.
TOP TRADERS
There were 18 members actively trading this month. Jane, Jean, Mary and Diana were our “top traders” this month, so well done you!
There were several large trades, with one being for 100B and another for 160B! There was a lot of trading activity generated by Jean’s Plant and Produce Trading event, a couple of our members are offering shiatsu and massages.
Jean (sterling) reported that there was £209.97.
Sue (social media) has continued to post regularly on Facebook.
Jean and Jane (coordinators) There had been no questions or issues this month.
Buzzard expense payments agreed
Valerie (258) 6 buzzards for work on accounts for October, 6 buzzards for taking minutes.
Sue (255) 2 buzzards for posting on Facebook.
Jean (820) 6 buzzards for hosting the meeting.
Directory
There was some discussion about how we can inform each other of our “Offers” and “Requests”. We currently have no plans to reinstate the Directory which was a huge amount of work. We discussed that we can all advertise on Cyclos, we can also use the email group and newsletter.
We agreed to ask Jane and Vikki to write pieces for the newsletter talking about trading.
Valerie agreed to send an email to the email group detailing her offers and requests and encouraging other members to do the same.
Future events
Saturday 24th November, 7:30 – 11:00pm Quiz at Linslade Community Hall (by St Barnabas church), we have 10 non-Letsbuzz and 5 Letsbuzz bookings, Hemplets plan to bring a team or two we felt this would be a reasonable turnout. Jean will send a reminder and ask that bookings are made by 16th November.
The hall has been booked from 7:30pm for setting up – quiz to start at 8:00pm.
The quiz is open to members and non-members and there will be a charge of 2 buzzards or £2 per person. Please bring your own nibbles and alcoholic/soft drinks. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided during the break and there will be an opportunity to trade at this point.
Janet (102) offered to bake 6 cakes and Jane may make a few cakes. Teams can be between 4 and 6 people and places should be booked with Jean (to ensure that we provide enough cake!) by 16th November.
30th November - Christmas Tree Festival, St. Barnabas Church. Jane and Jean will put up the tree on the afternoon of Thursday 29th November. Jane and Bob have an artificial tree that can be used and it was decided to make cardboard baubles with stories of Letsbuzz trades written onto each bauble with tinsel linking the baubles. We plan to make the baubles at the next Open Meeting at Jane’s house on 21st November.
9th December, 2 – 4pm - wreath or table decoration making workshop at Jane’s home, all materials will be provided, cost 2 buzzards for those making wreaths/table decorations.
25th January, 12:30 – 3:30pm – Jane has contacted Linslade Community Hall to book the hall for the planned bring and share meal in January as this has proved very successful in the last few years.
Any Other Business
Jean had found an email from Nikki on Cyclos, she will reply to Nikki and it was agreed that Jean and Jane periodically check Cyclos to check if mail has been received.
Jean will write a piece for the newsletter advertising that members should contact herself or Jane with any questions. She will also mention that translips can be sent to Valerie (Treasurer) either by email valgommon@gmail.com, posted to 4, Esmonde Way, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4HE or left at Nature’s Harvest in the collection box.
Sue volunteered to produce the next newsletter.
Dates and hosts for future meetings
Wednesday 21st November, 8:00pm at Jane and Bob’s house, 2 Victoria Road.
Thursday 8th January 2019, 8pm venue to be agreed, looking for a volunteer.
Meeting closed at 9:01.
