To open the evening President John Knight welcomed everyone to the AGM and thanked them for showing their support for the work being done by everybody present.
The event took place at the GSPCA Animal Shelter where we have been based since 1929.
A number of supporters, volunteers and staff attended the event which looked back at the previous year and also the plans for the future.
John Knight gave a report and said "We have again had a very active and successful year at the Shelter and outside."
"An extended special thanks to Mr. Steve Byrne, Shelter Manager, staff and volunteers, committee and supportersfor making this possible."
John went on to say a farewell to two of the committee members that have stood down over the last year.
"Sam le Tissier has been on the committee for almost a decade. She has helped with accounts, salaries, administration and been a solid and fantastic member of the committee. She hopes to return sometime. Alistair Clark has been a member for about 1 year and may also return sometime soon. Thanks to him also."
John then talked about the increase of the volunteer support which now exceeds 600 active volunteers that help every year and gave a special thanks to those that support the GSPCA and care for animals in Guernsey."
"There have been tremendous efforts by Steve Byrne and all the staff fundraising across the island."
"The one major project this year has been the new animal welfare building, the most expensive project of the year and of the decade. It has been made necessary by the new animal welfare legislation which will eventually come into force and because the Shelter needed up-to-date facilities. A few things still need tweaking otherwise it is a brilliant new facility."
John went into the details of the project and how well it has been run, on budget and on time.
John continued "Thanks must go to Alex Darvill of ADC, to A C Maugers and their team, and to many local contractors who have worked on the project."
"The GSPCA is still involved in the development and implementation of the new animal welfare legislation, as it has been from the start."
John finished on the new animal welfare ordinance and the benefits it now provides animals in Guernsey. He then handed over to GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne.
Steve Byrne said "The GSPCA is a valuable resource helping over 3000 animals a year."
"We have had a very busy year and some of our team have achieved some fantastic awards."
"Congratulations to Helen Holmes, John Knight and Yvonne Chauvel for winning awards some on international levels."
Steve also thanked the fantastic volunteers, staff, welfare team, dog trainers, night wardens, supporters, businesses, companies, groups, States Departments, local media and the countless others that help the GSPCA every year.
Steve continued "It costs £2000 a day to run the charity and without the hard work of the team and our support network we couldn't achieve so much."
"Work on the new legislation is ongoing and we continue to be involved as John has already mentioned."
"Our work in Education has been another huge success and we now visit every school in the island."
Lorna Prince Animal Welfare Manager confirmed even the children from Herm benefit by visiting the Shelter for a trip each year.
Steve also said "Also we have extended our education work in training and from Dog training to animal care courses they flourish and benefit owners and those caring for animals in Guernsey."
"We are also proud to announce that this year marks 40 years of a 24hr. animal warden service and we are currently looking to recruit additional wardens for anyone that would like to help us continue this valuable resource."
"This has been an exciting and landmark year and we are all excited about the new multi purpose animal welfare building."
Steve finished thanking everyone including the committee for helping the GSPCA achieve so much in the last year.
The Treasurer Steve Coe then gave a report. He thanked Richard Chandler and Helen Holmes for all of their work in connection with the accounts and the administration and noted that accounts would be published on the website in the next few weeks.
He went on to note that the Society had about £2.5mn of assets at the end of 2013 and a bit less at end of 2014, comprising about £1mn of property and the rest in cash and investments.
Steve Coe then added that with the new-build costing £1.3mn it was necessary for the committee and Steve Byrne to keep a close eye on costs and the Society had been working hard to ensure the smooth running of the GSPCA.
The treasurer added that the running costs were currently around £2,000 per day and that receipts through bequests, donations, boarding and fund raising helped achieve this cost and that we continue to appeal for support to raise the essential funds which help so maany animals each year.
The AGM moved onto elections of which the committee will remain comprising of John Knight, Steve Coe, Adele Malpas, Tom Le Pelley, Steve Ford and Andrew Birnie. It is hoped to recruit some additional committee members this year with key skills to help the team and goals of the Society.
The next item on the agenda were the certificate of thanks and this year there were 5 awards for outstanding performances
Helen Holmes for outstanding performance and commitment to GSPCA
Sarah Ozanne for outstanding commitment to GSPCA running the flag day etc.
Corinne Connelly leading volunteer fund raiser
Joe Streeting an amazing young helper appreciated by all the team
Credit Suisse and their team for their support in many ways and donations
Helen, Sarah and Joe were all in attendance and Tom Le Pelley Vice President said some kind words about each and John Knight presented the framed certificates and confirmed those unable to attend would be passed on to them.
Before the meeting finished John Knight expressed the sadness of all at the death of Enid Campbell-White this year and thanked her for her lifetime work in animal welfare, which was felt by everyone in the room.
Tom le Pelley then thanked Steve Byrne for helping in the presentation for St. Andrew’s Floral Guernsey Competition.
Finally Adele Malpas Vice President and Secretary finished extending our thanks to John Knight for all the work he does as President.
John closed the meeting with a finally thank you.
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An AGM of thanks and celebrations http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/agm-thanks-and-celebrations
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