Minutes of 28th Annual General Meeting of Bethany Bereavement Support
Held on Zoom at 10.00am 30-04-2022

Aine Lavelle welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the ethics of Zoom. Aine explained how the questions and answers section would be managed by using the hand function. Aine mentioned that there would be time for questions after each report from Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson.

The Secretary Ann Hunt convened the meeting and ascertained that there was a quorum. Shirley confirmed the quorum and the meeting commenced.
Shirley Scott welcomed everyone and lit the Bethany Candle.
Secretary read out apologies to the meeting.
Elsie McGuinness Malahide, Anne Clarke Clondalkin, Stella Mullen Melifont, Sr. Eilish Whelan Donore Ave, Kathleen Doherty Carndonagh, Annett Finn Balinteer, Bernadette O’Donnell Clontarf, Joyce Moynihan Mallow, Hugh Harkin N/town Park, Bridget Murphy Firhouse.

Minutes of 27th AGM
Minutes were taken as read as they were circulated in advance of meeting.
No matters arising.
Proposed by Mary Alsabti and seconded by Mary Dillon

Treasurer’s Report.
The Treasurer’s report was circulated in advance of meeting.
Liz Ronaldson presented the report on behalf of Marie Carroll (Treasurer) who had difficulties connecting to meeting. Liz explained the income and expenses for the year and announced that there was €23951.56 in Bank at end of December 2021.
Phil O’Neill asked if there was a breakdown of costs for last year’s AGM expenses.
Liz explained the costs were due to holding AGM on Zoom and using a professional company to host the meeting for us because of volume of attendees and length of meeting.
Proposed by Alan Kelly and seconded by Claire Missen

Secretary’s Report;
Ann Hunt presented the secretary’s report outlining the work which was undertaken by the GEC during the year. Ann acknowledged the year was challenging for all groups and mentioned that some parish centres had opened to allow Bethany members back to meet people while other parishes had not fully opened yet and members were finding it difficult to begin to work with the bereaved in their parish. Ann mentioned that during the year training was arranged on Zoom for members, Enda O’ Dorothy presented a motivational talk for members, and how the GEC had tried to meet with all group chairpersons on zoom. Ann mentioned how the GEC had fulfilled all their obligations to government agencies.
and acknowledged the participation of Bethany collaboration with other groups. Policies and induction pack were developed and reviewed and will be ready for groups soon.

Chairperson’s Address
Shirley presented the chairperson’s address.
Shirley thanked Liz Ronaldson for her nine years of voluntary work on the GEC.

Tea Break
Shirley announced a ten-minute tea break and invited to have a candle ready for the remembrance service.

Election of GEC Board
Ann Hunt proposed by Mary Dillon and seconded by Margaret Kehoe
Shirley Scott proposed by Josephine Fitzgerald and seconded by Adrianne Flood
Marie Carroll proposed by Winnie Kehoe and seconded by Moira Staines
Aine Lavelle proposed by Joanne Roche and seconded by Alan Kelly
Andrea Hayes proposed by Siobhan Bardon and seconded by Kay Curran
Martin Walsh proposed by Ann Hunt and seconded by Winnie Kehoe
Claire Missan proposed by Pat Towmey and seconded by Olive Galvin
Caroline Lundy proposed by Andrea Hayes and seconded by Ann Hunt
Muriosa Prendergast proposed by Mary Dillon and seconded by Marie Carroll.

Questions and Answer session
There was time given to a session for members questions and answers
Breakout room with a member of the GEC in each room to ask two questions and get feedback from members and share within the main meeting.
Remembrance of Deceased Bethany members and family;
Andrea led a prayer service and called out the name of all those who were deceased. Andrea read a reflective passage and acknowledge Fr Myle’s sister.

Shirley thanked everyone for their attendance and brought the meeting to a close.