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Minutes of AGM - 19th June Temple Bar Hotel
30 Jun 10
Please find summary of the IMBA AGM which was held in the Temple Bar Hotel on the 19th June. If you would like more information please contact us on info@imba.ie
Summary of survey results
Conclusions from survey:
• Respondents from outside Dublin account for just over half of all replies. Highlights ongoing importance of regional activities.
• Feedback from non IMBA members and IMBA members re payment process indicates that improvements could be made in simplifying membership process.
• Newsletter and discount scheme came out once again as the most valuable aspect of IMBA membership. Well done to Natasha and Judy for their ongoing work in this area.
Financial review 2009/2010
Thanks to Reinelde for doing accounts year on year free of charge. Very much appreciated.
Conclusions from financial review:
• 2009 was an exceptional year. Income more than double the year before which reflects the increased level of activity and efforts of all committee members in the year up to the end of 2009 so well done everyone.
• In terms of costs, these were also significantly up in 2009. Some costs such as newsletter printing and postage will increase in line with membership increases
• Large single cost of over €2k associated with the website revamp.
Outlook for 2010:
• Looking at the figures so far for 2010 IMBA are on course for another good year in terms of membership numbers.
• Income from fundraising however is down unsurprisingly in the current climate. However we have applied for funds through Dublin Bus but we could definitely do with more fundraising efforts.
• In terms of costs ongoing caution is advised. IMBA costs for 2010 are currently exceeding our income but this is due in particular to a front-loading of printing costs.
• However this does have significant implications for the budget for activities like events to be organised over the rest of the year and in particular the conference. The conference has to be self-sufficient if not revenue generating and all established clubs have to become self-financing.
• Clubs finances vary. Galway is very successful as there are no overheads associated with play centre in which monthly activities are held. Fundraising from mini-marathon and possible childcare grants also will contribute to finances and allow for events in the future to be funded. The play centre approach also works well in Midlands and Tipperary. In Cork, the financial situation is more difficult due to the cost of the room in which the meeting is held. This needs to be addressed.
• In the future, support can only be provided (if required) to clubs during the start-up phase until they get established (6 months – 1 year). The principle of any funding raised locally stays with local clubs is agreed.
Review of activities in 2009/2010
Regional branches (Galway, Cork, Midlands, Tipperary)
Dublin Twin & Multiple clubs
• 2 South Dublin clubs currently running – Rathfarnham and Tallaght – plans to combine both – 1 mid-week 1 weekend per month from October 2010.
• 1 club in Blanchardstown – running informally. Starting to run formally once per month – Ciara to lead.
• North Dublin – Lisa and team heading up – running successfully.
Dublin Hospital Information evenings
• Currently running 4 times per year in the Coombe and Holles Street (approx every 6 weeks).
• Good attendance, good feedback but room for improvement – powerpoint support, Expecting more than One handbook, full day antenatal class…
Membership
• Membership doubled between 2008 and 2009
• Membership process has been handed over to Karen in office. Very time consuming. Need for improvement
Discount Scheme
• Survey shows valuable service to members. Clarks most used discounter.
• Need for review of current discounter providers in the coming year
Newsletters
• 4 newsletters per year (plus Summer bulletin in 2009).
• Going from strength to strength. Listed in survey as most important service to members.
• Natasha doing great job behind the scenes!
Publications
• 2009 Buggy Review – well received to be updated in 2011
• 2010 Expecting More than one Handbook – underway
Events
• Many small events were organized through clubs to mark occasions like Easter, Halloween etc. Many picnics and excursions planned for the summer through clubs.
• Main events in 2009 were Christmas parties successfully organized in Dublin, Cork and Galway
• In 2010 main event planned is the IMBA Conference.
Website
• New website was launched in summer last year. Coordinated by Maiken, Ciara and Emer. New branding by Eimear Fogarty – very positive feedback – well done!
• Strengths – looks much more professional, good marketing and communication platform to attract sponsors, communicate with members. Easier to update by committee members.
• Weaknesses – no forum. Expensive to maintain. Expensive to update e.g. registration form for conference. New web manager needed.
Phoneline
• Going well. Plenty of volunteers so thanks to everyone for their support and Noreen for coordinating this and briefing newcomers.
• FAQ to be prepared for newcomers.
Fundraising/Donations/Sponsorship
• Thanks to the Irish Internet Association for their fundraiser last year and Anglo Irish Bank for their donation in 2009. Thanks also to everyone who raised funds through mini-marathon.
• In 2010 applied for grant for €2000 to cover cost of printing EMTO Handbook from Dublin Bus. Outcome unknown as yet.
Public relations
Main activities in 2009:
• Campaign against Bord Snip reductions to child benefit
• Campaign to inform PHNs and Maternity hospitals about IMBA services
• First multiple of new year press release and photo
• Several inbound enquiries from national media.
• In 2010 PR plans linked to conference.
Committee Update
Thanks to committee members who retired during year:
• Lisa Flynn (Clubs Coordinator)
• Maiken O’Byrne (Website manager)
• Sarah Harris, R.I.P. (Events coordinator/Blanchardstown twin club founder)
Welcome to new committee members
• Olivia Leigh (Conference Organiser/Outgoing Info. Evening Coordinator)
• Catherine McGovern (Events team/Co-organiser Rathfarnham Twin Club)
• Ciara McNally (Galway Multiples Club)
• Helen Hopkins (Midlands Multiples Club)
• Kimberley Varner (Tipperary Multiples Club)
Special thanks to IMBA ‘consultants’ who provide valuable expertise when required during the year:
• Reinelde (Accounts)
• Eimear Fogarty (Branding and graphic design)
• Sheila Hoare & Kevin McCaughey (PR)
Election of officers 2010/2011
• Chairperson (Siobhan Cullen) * on 6 month term, to be reviewed Dec. 2010
• Vice Chairperson (Judy Buckley)
• Treasurer (Emer)
• Web-manager (Open subject to acceptance by Kimberly Varner. Emer as support.)
• Membership Secretary (Karen Dunbar)
• General Secretary (role to be split between Catherine McGovern and Helen Hopkins for email follow up, Ciara O’Neill for printing and other enquiries)
• Newsletter Editor (Natasha Fitzmaurice)
• Information Evening Coordinator (Ciara O’Neill)
• Public Relations Officer (PRO) Siobhan Cullen for general press enquiries. Announcements/follow up Facebook (Judy Buckley), Twitter (Olivia Leigh), Rollercoaster (TBD) and Magicmum (Natasha Fitzmaurice )
• Coordinator Discount Scheme (Judy Buckley)
• Events Coordinator (Olivia Leigh)
• Telephone Support Coordinator (Noreen O’Keefe)
• Clubs coordinator (Munster-Valerie Maout, Connaght-Judy Buckley, Leinster – Siobhan Cullen, Ulster - open)
• Fund-raising coordinator (Olivia Leigh)
• Volunteer follow up & Membership survey results (Emer)
• Support groups coordinator
o Special Needs (Ciara O’Neill)
o Breastfeeding (Catherine McGovern/Olivia Leigh)
o Triplets (Chris Cowzer)
o PND (Valerie Maout)
o Bereavement (referral to ISANDs)
o Premature babies (referral to relevant support groups)
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