Friends of Leith Hall
Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday 14th July 2010 at Leith Hall, 7pm

Present: Grainne, Tina, Linda, Dinah, Catharine, Stephen, Jim, Eileen.
Absent: Stewart, Nigel, Carys

1. Welcome
A welcome to all new committee members and to our new chair.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
There were no minutes of the last meeting as we did not have a quorum. Welcome to new members of the committee. Still 2 positions available on the committee (Communications Manager and committee member).

a. Eileen – update on where we are, following on from Eileen’s original meeting with Tina and Steve. Two parallel groups working towards same goal. Suggestion that we should just be running as one body rather than two. Would be great to eventually have some of the Friends trained up and working as Guides in the Hall. Now a much stronger link between the two groups.

b. Circulation of the Minutes – it was agreed that the minutes from each meeting are to be taken to the next meeting to be agreed by the committee before they are published on the website. The Date and Time of each meeting to be published and to be open to Members. Notices are also to be put out via the website/local villages.
c. The EGM Minutes are still outstanding and need finalising with comments added and approved.

3. NTS Update
Project moving as scheduled. Kerry Smith, Conservation Architect has been appointed and first draft report due at end of July for full costed report due at the end of August. There was the query about at what point in the Project that there would be the chance for consultation, Tina agreed to check this with Steve Callaghan and also what the risks are of the project not being approved.

4. Membership
67 members to date. Membership Forms for Sunday openings to be available. Need to look at maybe a poster etc/Perspex notice. Consider printing little cards with website and where to go to find information. Also look into the possibility of getting our own notice board for Friends information. Tina to investigate what we have other properties/Laings store/Interpretation department. Look at putting roadside signs out to advertise we are open on Sundays (Stephen to be told where we think are the best spots and he will put them out for us).

5. Finance
Bank account with the Bank of Scotland. Tina and Grainne have been sent a mandate to verify identities, and Grainne will check with Stewart if he has been sent one and also call and check if Eileen will be sent one. Grainne has £425 ready to be deposited into the account. Grainne has been looking into us getting charity status.

6. Report of all Friends Initiatives to date
June picture was judged by Robin and Jan from Touched by Scotland. Mr Scott from Inverurie was the winnder. Posters have been re-done and re-distributed. Not getting any Junior entries.
Touched by Scotland have also expressed an interest in supporting the development of a destination management forum. This is something that will be followed up on during the autumn/winter season led by Tina and anyone else who wishes to help.

7. Report on Sunday Openings
Two good Sundays so far. First Sunday 71 followed by 68. 1 new Membership to the NTS. Very encouraging and positive feedback from visitors. Tearoom – donations £29 first Sunday, £79.80 second Sunday.

8. Events
a. Bel Canto – Tina needs help for the two upcoming concerts. Also a tour for a couple from Australia.
b. Eileen has the list of all the upcoming entertainments for Sundays.

9. Volunteer Staffing
10-12 volunteers to help with the Sundays. Let Eileen know when people can manage.

10. Newsletter
Grainne has kindly volunteered to compile the newsletter so all contributions to be forwarded to her.
Tina to send Linda’s piece for the newsletter electronically.

11. AOCB
a.) Committee details to Jim to post on to the website.
b.) Tony’s wife Norma has indirectly volunteered to join the committee and to take on the Communications Manager role. This needs to be clarified with her before it can be taken forward.
c.) Members of the committee expressed an interest in finding items of the collection that appear to be ‘missing’. Tina to investigate further and guides will make informal checks as part of the Sunday openings. In parallel to the NTS project, the curatorial team will take the opportunity to do a full inventory of the collection.

12. Date and time of next meeting
29th July 2010 7pm Planning for last Sunday meeting.
Tuesday 17th August 7pm (committee meeting and update of planning).

Meeting closed at 9.10pm.