FRIENDS OF ST LAURENCE CHORLEY COMMITTEE MEETING SATURDAY MAY 25, 10.30 at ST LAURENCE Refectory AGENDA Present: Michael Welsh; James Laidler; Bernard Oakley; Alistair Morwood; Jane Morwood Apologies: Fthr Neil; Paul Lengden; John Davies; Anne Wray; Mark Baybutt; Margaret Shackleton Note: (1) John Davies was unlikely to be available to the Committee until later in the year. (2) Marjorie Hayward emailed Michael Welsh prior to this meeting stating her intention to resign from the Friends Committee due to her other longstanding commitments. Chairman’s Opening Remarks: Michael congratulated Bernard Oakley for his efforts in raising over £1000 in sponsorship for cycling between the West and East Coasts, from the Lake District through Yorkshire.
1.Minutes of Previous Meeting, April 13 2019
Acceptance: The minutes were accepted by the Committee.
Matters Arising:
Website and Social Media Platforms: Anne Wray had forwarded an amendment to the previous minutes. Alistair proposed acceptance and Bernard seconded.
“Hootsuite – originally, we wanted to use more channels but have restricted to three, facebook, twitter and Instagram for which there is no charge.
Biteable – we used for the launch and I don’t think we will need to produce a new video each month. We will edit the existing video and then cancel for now.”
2.Team Reports Secretary – Jane Morwood:
Communications received since April 13:
email exchange 04/05/2019, between Brian Clarke and Michael Welsh, regarding a Heartbeat Lottery. Whilst this was a Charity raising money legitimately, 30% of funds raised by this lottery would go to HL and the balance to the Friends. The Committee discussed the suggestion and commented there was the potential for ‘donation fatigue’ amongst FoSL members. It was felt by all that this form of lottery did not fit the Friends profile. Michael to write to BC and thank him for his suggestion, which would not be pursued by the Committee.
Chorley Community Funding Evening – 14 May – Feedback: Paul Turner, Mark Baybutt and Jane Morwood attended. The presentations made by the individual funders were interesting and relevant to raising money for the two current appeals. The three attendees to review the grants available for the next Committee meeting on 13 July. JM to apply for a small Community Grant for the new Affinity Group, the Standish Stitchers.
Treasurer – Mark Baybutt: Mark had been delayed and had offered his apologies. The matter of donations and their traceability was discussed by the Committee. It was felt that these could be identified within the Friends Bank Account by creating a line separate to that of subscriptions. Website and Social Media Platforms– Anne Wray: Facebook Boost – using budget previously approved; minuted April 13 2019. Alistair shared a report that analysed viewing figures, to the web/social media sites. There were over 200 people regularly viewing the Social Media Sites. The stained glass was popular amongst viewers. Alistair advised that images from around the Parish would be published on ‘Walkabout Wednesday’ as part of an ongoing Parish walkabout. This would focus on interesting Areas of the Parish. This appealed as a way of targeting a new audience of people who may be moving into the Town. Anne Wray had arranged for regular ‘postings’ to be undertaken by a company that she uses, at no cost to FoSL. This would free up her web/social media team to focus on content. Membership and Recruitment – To be reviewed at the next Committee Meeting of 13 July 2019. Local Affinities – Alistair Morwood: Chorley Building Society had donated £100 to the Friends, following the Launch Event. Letter of thanks to be sent to CBS. (note: identify donors to Committee/ AM/JM, to enable follow up and also thankyou letters). The Standish Stitchers, our new Arts and Crafts Affinity Group were to hold their inaugural meeting on 11 June 2019. The object was to attract new members to use the facilities. Alistair suggested setting out the meeting rooms and invite people/groups to view the facilities. Noted that Betty Kelly should be consulted over all potential bookings on [email protected]. Local Business and Sponsorship – Michael Welsh: Would like to invite Sarah Brian from Bees Country Kitchen to share best practise regarding running a business using a website. He suggested that Anne Wray might meet Sarah Brian to discuss further. Michael to pursue advertising on the website. Sponsorship/advertising to be approached with a one off or monthly donation. The appeals for the Church projects would need to resonate with the Community to attract interest. In addition to those identified some more socially minded projects might create interest for sponsorship/advertisers. Noted that making the Church facilities fully accessible would increase interest in, for example, the Upstairs Room. Potential for Brian 3.Progress Reports Charitable Status – Jane Morwood: No news on this matter. Michael to follow up. Newsletters – Michael Welsh: These had been printed and awaited distribution. MW thanked Paul Turner for his newsletter script. The Open Table video was a possibility with at least two people. Filmmaker was required. Ideas who may do this to be forwarded to the Committee. Projects Update – Mark Baybutt, Anne Wray
Just Giving - The just giving donations had not increased since their launch.
Chorley Flower Show – FoSL showing in the Themed Garden category. Theme: Mayflower 400yrs. AW to update. Supply literature about FoSL at this event.
Mayflower 2020 – Clarification of St Laurence’s involvement required. FoSL involvement, to encourage interest in St Laurence’s through the Myles Standish connection. Noted that Jamestown was showing on Sky TV. Also, Lovell connection.
Follow up Sound and Light Show, Including Myles returns to meet his Standish Descendants. Readings and Poetry. 9 November 2019 Launch. Fthr Neil to review his connections for an event in Church? Other contacts suggested – Alistair to engage with Lincoln Shields’s Committee; Drama Studio on Friday Street; Theatre Club? A project Manager is required for this engagement (note: not a Friends event)
Other suggestions included Christmas Lights; Guide Book for Church (Adam Cree). Encourage sponsorship.
Round Table – Opportunity for observations and or comments: Noted that Clare Hale appointed as Church Event Coordinator. Clarification about the Friends role at events. FoSL will support the Church at events however their main purpose was not as an Event Action Group as this would be a distraction from its main purpose as fundraising and outreach to Community.
AM – Walkabout Wednesday. MW – Sound and Light Show (Mayflower). Identify deliverer and budget (MB). JM – Privacy Statement on Website.
Any other business - none
Future Meeting Dates: 13 July - Refectory (Agenda to be issued 6 July) 17 August - Refectory (Agenda to be issued 10 Aug) 28 September - Standish Room (Agenda to be issued 21 September) 26 October - Standish Room (Agenda to be issued 19 October) 30 November - Refectory (Agenda to be issued 23 November)