There was a full house at Casa de Cultura on 31 January for the U3A Javea AGM.
Welcoming the attendees, U3A President Claude Grealy thanked all of the members
for their continuing support.
Claude said, “U3A Javea now has over 1,000 members of 15 different nationalities and almost 40 active Groups. With 17 Groups meeting weekly and another 18 meeting once a month, that adds up to over 80 meetings every month. On any measure U3A Javea is alive and well.”
Claude also took the opportunity to thank members of the team for their efforts during the year, “There are many people whose hard work keep this organisation going. The Committee, the webmasters, the Group Leaders, the Events Team and all of the people who volunteer to help out at our meetings. I am very grateful to them all.”
He continued, “We are always looking for others to help us. In particular, we really need an Events Co-ordinator and people to help us organise even more social events in the future. We also need volunteers to help with Travel events and anyone with IT skills who is willing to help our Group Leaders to publicise and report on their Group’s activities on the website.”
Changes to the Committee were also proposed:
- Sally Rush is retiring as Treasurer and will be replaced by Henrik Rasmussen,
currently the Membership Secretary. - Jim Short will become Membership Secretary.
- Steve Young will become Communications Officer.
- Claude Grealy (President), Margaret March (Secretary), Mike Frost (Groups
Co-ordinator) and Krystyna Stefanczyk (Vice President) will all continue in
their current roles.
The meeting approved the appointments to the Committee unanimously.
The new Committee: from left Margaret March, Steve Young, Claude Grealy, Henrik Rasmussen, Mike Frost – (Krystyna Stefanczyk (absent for personal reasons) and Jim Short (on holiday)).
The meeting heard reports from each member of the Committee. The highlights of 2024 were:
- Krystyna (whose report was read by Claude) commented on the many social events held during the year, including an Evening Ball at Carrasco, a Ukulele Concert, multiple coffee mornings and Wine and Tapas Event.
- Margaret reported on the success of the upgraded website and thanked Peter Bayliss for all of his work. The new payment system from Sabadell is being used by more members as they become familiar with it. Margaret reminded everyone that help with the website and the payment system is available at the Javea Computer Club by appointment on a Tuesday morning.
- Sally presented the Financial Report. U3A Javea remains in a strong financial position. It was proposed to set membership fees at €10 per person for 2024 and the meeting approved this unanimously.
- Henrik noted that there were now 1,082 members with 174 new members joining in 2023. The renewal process is now underway for 2024.
- Mike reflected on a year of two halves. At the start of 2023, we had 34 Groups some of which were not very active. In the second half of the year, 11 new Groups were set up including the New Members Group, Cycling for Softies, Cosmopolitan Cards, Getaway Walking, Water Colour Art and a Singalong Group. After a hiatus, the very popular Quiz restarted with 40 quizzers entertained at the Javea Golf Club.
As always, there were a number of formal resolutions put to the meeting:
- Minutes of the 2023 AGM – Approved
- Annual Report of activities – Approved
- Annual Accounts – Approved
- Committee Appointments – Approved
All voting was overseen by our volunteer auditor Roger Barclay.
Claude then took the opportunity to make presentations of flowers and wine to two of U3A Javea’s most long serving and distinguished members. Firstly Sally Rush, who is retiring as Treasurer has made an enormous contribution to the organisation and will be sorely missed.
Secondly Jacqui Rogerson who has provided invaluable assistance to the Committee for many years during both good and bad times. Reflecting on their achievements, Claude said, “Sally and Jacqui have both left indelible marks on U3A Javea. On behalf the Committee and all of the members, I
would like to thank them both for all of their tireless work.”
Steve Young, Communications Officer
