AGM 2017

Sunday 5th March 2017

PAPERS FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017

Letter from Chair & Notice of AGM.......................................................2

Agenda.................................................................................................4

Minutes of 2016 AGM...........................................................................5

Chair’s Report......................................................................................7

Minister’s Report..................................................................................9

Chapel Elders Report.........................................................................11

Staffing Committee Report.................................................................12

Worship Group Report........................................................................13

Children’s Chapel & Crèche Report....................................................15

Stewarding Co-ordinator’s Report .....................................................16

Wheel of the Year Group Report........................................................17

Membership Committee Report..........................................................18

Communications Group Report..........................................................19

Social Action Committee Report.........................................................21

Care & Support Group........................................................................22

Flower Group Report..........................................................................23

Rosslyn Hill Choir Report...................................................................25

Car Parking Report ............................................................................26

Long Term Finance Group Report......................................................27

Property Group Report.......................................................................28

Proxy Vote Form................................................................................30

Nominations Form..............................................................................31

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AGM 2017

LETTER FROM CHAIR & NOTICE OF AGM

Dear Member,

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Rosslyn Hill Chapel Congregational Communitywill follow the morning service in the Chapel on Sunday, 5th March 2017, at 12.25pm.

Please find an agenda, minutes of the March 2016 AGM, annual reports for 2016-17 and theindependent examination of our accounts (as a separate document).

There are several vacancies on the Board to fill from the Board. Having served three yearsas Chair, Kerry Reid resigned as did Steve Thompson and Nick Holywell-Walker during theyear. Ken Levy and James Sefton are retiring on completion of their terms. Jane Crispin isretiring on completion of the maximum two consecutive terms. During the year, Ed Fordhamwas co-opted to the Board but has subsequently moved out of London. Hillary Ratna wasco-opted and wishes to stand for election. The remaining officers include: Trevor Slack, ZoeGerrard and Deborah Frankel.

Will Hopper and Tanya Morrison have come to the end of their five year terms and do notplan to re-stand. We are indebted to their long service. Camino Eguren has been co-optedonto the Elders and needs to stand for election. The remaining three Elders are JohnLawrence, Margaret Perry and Roger Harrabin.

Election to the Board offers interesting challenges including the chance to understand howour organisation works from the inside, and to have a hand in its success. The other benefit,besides a satisfying volunteer opportunity, is the chance to forge deeper friendships withother members of our community.

Forms for nomination to the Board, the Elders, two delegates to the General Assembly and aRepresentative to the London District and South Eastern Provincial Assembly of Unitarianand Free Christian Churches are attached and will be available on the day. Please givethem to the Chair at the AGM remembering to obtain the consent of the person(s)nominated. If you have any questions, please contact the Chair of the Board.

Please use proxy ballot papers if you are unable to attend the AGM and want someone tovote on your behalf. Each fully paid up member may hold up to two proxy ballots. Only paidup members are eligible to vote at the AGM. Please ensure that your membership is current

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either making the necessary arrangements with your bank or, if necessary, contacting ourAdministrator. Special dispensation is always a possibility by discussing this with ourMinister.

The meeting may take one and a half hours. A light lunch will be provided before themeeting. For parents, we hope to be able to provide childcare. We must have a quorum forthe meeting to go ahead and your votes count, so please make every effort to attend thisimportant meeting. Everyone who has been a member for at least six months has a vote.New members, who cannot vote, are welcome to attend and join the discussions.

This is a chance for us to review the year that has just passed, to consider our directions forthe coming year and to affirm our confidence in those who give their time and energyvolunteering to serve our Chapel community.

With best wishes,Dr Jane CrispinChair, Board of TrusteesROSSLYN HILL UNITARIAN CHAPEL

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AGM 2017

AGENDA

AGM Agenda.

Sunday 5th March 2017 after the morning service.

12:25 1. Devotional

12:30 2. Welcome and introduction to the meeting (Chair)

12:35 3. Establish a Quorum (Secretary)

12:40 4. Approval of minutes of February 2016 AGM

12:50 5. Chair’s report

13:00 6. Presentation & Questions on the committee reports

13:30 7. Presentation of Financial accounts for approval

13:45 8. Endorsement of GA delegates and LDPA rep.

13:50 9. Election of Elders

13:55 10. Election of Board members

14:00 11. Any other business

Close of meeting

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ROSSLYN HILL UNITARIAN CHAPEL

MINUTES of the Annual General Meeting

held on Sunday 28th February 2016

Chair: Kerry ReidMinutes: Steve Thompson

MINUTES:

Devotional delivered by Chair.

Welcome and Introduction delivered by Chair: Kerry Reid, Board Chairman

Establishment of Quorum certified by Secretary. 32 members with five proxies

Item 4: Approval of 9/15 SGM minutes: accepted without corrections.Approval of 3/15 AGM minutes: accepted with corrections

Item 5: Chair’s Report

Item 6: Presentation of reports & Questions from members to the Board and Activity Leaders on annual reports

Children’s Programme Report by Holly Vandermolen (no questions from members) Worship Group presented by Zoe Gerrard (no questions from members) Search Committee presented by James Chiriyankandath (two questions from mem-

bers) Staffing Committee presented by James Chiriyankandath (one question from mem-

bers) Comms Team presented by Ingrid Tavkar (no questions from members) Choir Report presented by Margaret Perry (one question from Chair) Flower Group presented by Roly Harris (no questions from members) Social Action Committee by Leighton Cole (no questions from members) Membership Group presented by Claire Julian (one question from members) Stewarding Committee presented by Jim Burtles (no questions from members) Estates Group Report presented by Jane Crispin (no questions from members) Elders presented by Tanya Morrison (no questions from members) Car Park Report not available (two questions from members)

Item 7: Presentation of annual report and financial accounts for approval by congregation

Summary presented by James Sefton

Account questions from members addressed by Trevor Slack

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Accepted and approved

Item 8: Endorsement of delegates to the AGM of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches and representative to the LDPA

Julie Wakefield and Ed Fordham approved

Christopher Mason approved

Item 9: Election of Elders

John Lawrence elected unanimously

Item 10: Election of Board members

Nick Holywell-Walker and Steve Thompson re-elected

Zoe nominated and elected to The Board

Tony Carrick requested to join The Board. He was invited to observe some board meetings.

Item 11: AOB

Motion has been made and carried for the Board to consider abandoning the bride’s entrance.

John Lawrence: Motion made and carried for the Board to consider changes to protect reserve funds through changes to the standing orders. (SEE DRAUGHT FOR SPECIFIC LANGUAGE)

John Lawrence: Motion made and carried for the Board to update the Standing Orders for authority limits on spending… (SEE DRAUGHT FOR SPECIFIC LANGUAGE)

Leighton Cole: Expressed thanks to Kerry Reid for his work as Board Chair.

Kerry Reid: Thanks to individuals…

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AGM 2017

CHAIR’S REPORT

The Management Committee or ‘Board’ is the executive body of the Chapel. It derives itsauthority from the congregation. Officially we are a company limited by guarantee (CLG) andthe members of the MC are Trustees and Directors of the company with limited personalliability. Our activities and procedures are determined and guided by Articles of Associationand Standing Orders that set its parameters and scope for action.

The main topics that concern the Board include: ensuring continuity of worship, appointingand ensuring the continued functioning of the settled Minister and other staff, caring for theproperty, being responsible for the prudent running of the Chapel’s finances includingnegotiating agreements with the two schools (the Academy School and Rona Hart School ofDance) who use our property during the week and generate income for the Chapel.

At the beginning of the church year the Board met for an away day. This included anorientation to review our legal obligations under charity and company law, a review of keydecisions we hoped to take and an opportunity to engage in team-building exercises led byRev Kate Dean. With the Elders we also discussed the two most compelling issues facingthe Chapel which were: the potential development of our property and the need to strengthencapacity in our administrative/governance structure. These topics were introduced and ledby Roger Harrabin and Camino Eguren respectively.

Over the year we have attended to the ongoing issues that keep the chapel functioning andslowly progressed the strengthening of our governance structure by the writing of the officemanual led by Camino. This exercise has set out the financial procedures by which ourChapel is governed. Other areas to be set out in the office manual are currently in the handsof the Administrator for our review.

Another challenge we encountered over the year was that the Administrator, as noted in thelast Chair’s report to the AGM, had been on sick leave from June 2015 to February 2016.This was followed by further leave in May/June. The Board approved the hiring of an outsideHR consultant to help bring this increasingly complicated employment situation to resolution.We continue to be advised by them. Unfortunately the Administrator has taken a disabilitydiscrimination action against the Chapel.

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Despite this obviously disappointing aspect of the year, we have been pleased to welcomeRev Kate Dean as our new settled minister in September and to celebrate her induction inNovember. Our newly-formed ministerial support group of James Chiriyankandath, TanyaMorrison and I drew up the contract and job description and meet regularly with Kate to helpher settle into a role she is taking on for the first time.

On many dimensions we have had a good year. We have our a dynamic new minister Katewho has initiated programmes that reach out into the community with energy and whoenlivens us with her services. The worship committee led by Zoe reliably keeps the flameburning ensuring the quality of our worship services. Jim has proven himself unreplaceablewhen it comes to being the head of the stewards. We rely on Erich to fix things. Ourchildren’s church is flourishing under Kristin and Holly’s capable leadership. John andNathan produce the most wonderful music. Our cold weather shelter led by Leighton hasbeen gratifying and gives us all the opportunity for hands-on social action. Ingrid edits OpenMind and, with Mohan, feeds us. Along with others, including Margaret and Hillary, Ingridalso brings special spiritual leadership to many of the evening services. Janna and Kieranhave conscientiously done the tasks of chairing the communications and membership groupskeeping a weather eye on our overall good function, as have our Board members and Elders.James has ably steered the Staffing committee through some difficult waters. Roger worksfaithfully on property issues which could secure our future. Overseen by our two abletreasurers, James and Trevor, assisted by John on the long-term finance group, our financesare strong. Indeed we have a core group of truly extraordinary people who have used theirintelligence, compassion and energy to make things happen.

To all of you, I would like to express my profound gratitude on behalf of the Chapel for yourenthusiasm, commitment and hard work and my personal gratitude for your loyalty, supportand friendship.

Jane Crispin

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AGM 2017

MINISTER’S REPORT

I joined the ministry at Rosslyn Hill as the Temporary Minister in March 2016 on a part timebasis. I was honoured to be called to serve as Settled Minister and began my appointment inthe following September.

Worship Services

I lead most Sunday services, morning and evening, and work with the Worship Group to findguest speakers for those times when I am unavailable. We have been lucky to welcomesome excellent preachers, including members of our own community.

Some of the many memorable services have made use of links with our community partners,for example, the ballet dancers of the Rona Hart School of Dance who performed during aservice to celebrate their anniversary; and the pupil from the Academy School who sung atour Carol Service. We also welcomed members of the London Black Atheists group to speakduring Black History Month. In February, we marked the GA’s Youth Sunday with an all-agesservice of storytelling that attracted a record number of children. Over the past year I conducted a number of child namings, weddings and funerals/memorialceremonies in the Chapel.

I have also provided formal and informal pastoral care to members of the congregation.

Events and Highlights

In September, we began a trial of holding monthly groups on a Monday night. Along with thewell-established Poetry Group, we now have a ‘Living with Integrity’ group which discussesthe Unitarian book of the same name; a week-night circle service called ‘Heart and Soul’; anda Book Group. We will review the success of these groups after one year.

I have also run two spiritual development courses: Shared Pulpit in May 2016 and Soul Deepin January 2017. Both met weekly for six weeks and served to deepen the connectionbetween participants as well as to help them to reflect on their own personal spiritual path.

During the month of August, we tried ‘Open Chapel’ where we kept the chapel open onSunday afternoons offering refreshments and tours. We had a lot of visitors, some of whomwere local and asked to be added to our mailing list. My thanks go to the Communications

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Team for producing a number of leaflets and information sheets, which continue to be useful.We plan to do an ‘Open Chapel’ every two months throughout the year.

I have enjoyed attending regular meetings with various groups and committees and havebeen able to provide an overview and opportunity for cross-pollenisation between the groupsfrom which has developed several new initiatives. I have begun to establish my network of local faith contacts and develop interfaith work, byattending meetings of the Churches Together in Hampstead, and Interfaith Matters. I havealso made contact with the Mitzvah Day Jewish social action charity. The chapel hosted theannual meeting of the Brahmo Samaj, a liberal Bengali group with historic links withUnitarianism and our chapel in particular. I was proud to attend my Induction Service in November, which included appearances by theGA President, Channing School Chamber Choir and our Chapel Choir. It was conducted bythe District Minister Rev Martin Whitell.

Along with new groups and events this year, we have welcomed a number of new faces.John Evans returned, after many years, to be appointed as Organist and Director of Musicand has established a new Music Committee. It has also been gratifying to see the numberof newcomers that have begun to attend services and events. Many chapel members havealso commented on the number of younger people and children at Chapel.

Looking forward In the year to come, I hope that we can capitalise on renewed energy and continue todevelop our spiritual community in different ways. As well as trying out new events andprogrammes, it’s also important to establish regular gatherings. I look forward to the – nowannual – Anniversary Service in June which will recognise our charity partners, our All-Weather Picnic in July and the well-established choir performances at Easter, Summer andthe Christmas season.

Thank you

I am grateful for the support of the Management Board and our many committees, groupsand individual volunteers and members. It is an honour to serve a liberal community whichhas so much to offer others. Let us reach out to others through our work together and ensurethat our open-minded and open-hearted approach continues.

Respectfully submitted by Rev Kate Dean

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AGM 2017

CHAPEL ELDERS REPORT

The Elders of Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel are individuals elected by the membership touphold the spiritual and civic values of our community. Established when RHUC updated itsConstitution in 2006. Their role is to ensure that the continuity of our Unitarian tradition, asexperienced by generations before us, is carried on into the future. Elders are long-standing members of the congregation who have played an active role over the years, andcan support the Board and others with “corporate memory” to support further development ofthe Chapel community.

The current Elders are: Tanya Morrison, Margaret Perry, Roger Harrabin, John Lawrenceand Will Hopper. Camino Eguren has been joining recent Elder meetings as an observerand potential future Elder.

The Elders meet quarterly to discuss long term issues with the Chapel. One member of theElders attends the monthly meeting of the Board. Our role is to provide advice when it issought, and to give guidance to help the current Board understand decisions made by pastBoards.

During 2016, the Elders met with Rev Kate Dean as part of her candidating week. TheElders plan to meet regularly with the Minister in the coming year. The Elders organized anddelivered a service on the theme of “Our Legacy”. We will happily take another service in2017.

Will Hopper’s term as an Elder will end at the AGM and he will not re-stand. On behalf ofthe Elders and the Congregation we would like to thank Will for his many contributions to thelife of the Chapel over the past 20 years.

Tanya Morrison’s term will also end at the AGM.

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AGM 2017

STAFFING COMMITTEE REPORT

The Committee was constituted by the Board of Trustees in 2013 to assist with oversight ofthe employees of the chapel. It consists of James Chiriyankandath (chair), Tanya Morrison(Elder) and Ken Levy (Board member), Tanya having succeeded Deborah Frankel in July2016.

During the year the Committee advised the Management Board on a range of staff relatedissues. Building on material developed by James Chiriyankandath in 2012 when he waschair of the Board, the staffing committee provided the Board with updated ideas on staffingarrangements going forward, to complement potential developments in RHUC’s strategic andgrowth plan for the next 5 to 10 years.

In September, the Staffing Committee carried out annual reviews with RHUC’s staff: theAdministrator, (Sharron Conduit), the Assistant Administrator (Erich Wagner) and theCaretaker (Hugh Leaver). During these discussions, the Assistant Administrator indicatedthat he intended to retire in 2017 and the Caretaker noted that he planned to leave Londononce his house has been sold.

The Administrator, Sharron Conduit, had a phased return to work as office administrator inearly 2016. She had been on sick leave recovering from the operation to her spine at the endof May 2015. A professional HR Consultancy has been providing RHUC with professionalHR advice on next steps. A dispute with the Administrator arose during 2016 which resultedin an Employment Tribunal claim which is pending.

The Committee helped undertake the appointment of two new staff in 2016-17. In May 2016interviews for an Organist/Music Director and John Evans was appointed. This was followedin January 2017 by the appointment of Sarah Berriah as crèche leader following KojoBaffour's resignation.

James Chiriyankandath

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AGM 2017

WORSHIP GROUP REPORT

The Worship Group currently consists of Rev. Kate Dean, Leighton Cole, Ingrid Tavkar,Margaret Perry, James Chiriyankandath, Martyn Watson, Sally Somerville and Zoe Gerrard(Chair)

During the year Nick Holywell-Walker has resigned but we are pleased that Sally Somervillehas agreed to join the group.

We are of course delighted that Rev. Kate Dean was appointed as our minister during theyear and is therefore also part of the group.

Over the past year Leighton, Sally, James, Martyn and Zoe have regularly been acting asworship assistants for the morning service with Margaret usually acting as worship assistantin the evenings.

The Group plans the Worship Calendar some weeks in advance, ensuring that there isalways someone to act as worship assistant and that there is a worship leader for theservices. Now that we once again have a settled minister we have a greatly reduced need tofind visiting preachers to lead our services but when this has been necessary we have beenfortunate in having interesting and thought-provoking services led not only by qualifiedpreachers but also on occasions by members of the chapel.

The group has liaised closely with visiting preachers, ensuring they are made welcome andalso putting them in touch with the teachers of the children’s chapel beforehand so that theteachers can choose a story relevant to the theme of the service. We also liaise with JohnEvans, our Music Director, so that he can provide appropriate music.

The Group made the following proposal to the Board, concerning payment, which has beenagreed:

Outside people taking services will be paid £100

On the rare occasion that they take both morning and evening services, and thesewere different services, they will be paid £100 for each service

If the evening service is a repetition of the morning one the fee will be £150

Members who take services will be paid £50 and can choose to donate this money tothe chapel if they wish.

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Our evening services have continued to offer a regular cycle of services, these being arepetition of the morning service’s theme; Live Music and Meditation; the Wheel of the Yearled by Ingrid and Hillary; occasional dances in aid of charity. Other members of thecongregation have continued to lead services on the theme of Spirituality and a topic.

All services are special in some way but there have been some highlights: a servicecelebrating the 70th anniversary of the Rona Hart Dance School in which the dancersperformed; a collaborative service held with Rev. Roberto Rossi of the Italian Unitarians heldon New Year’s Day; our Remembrance service and a successful and well-attendedcelebration of Christmas Eve. We also had a service on Christmas Day, which has not beenpractised for a number of years. The number of people attending made this worthwhile.

In recognition of the diverse beliefs of the congregation we now alternate the Call to Worship,either including or omitting the word “God”.

We have been concerned about the quality of the sound in the chapel and we are thereforeseeking to have this improved.

Zoe Gerrard (chair)

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AGM 2017

CHILDREN’S CHAPEL & CRÈCHE REPORT

Holly and I are happy to be continuing as volunteer Children’s Chapel Co-ordinators. Sincethe induction of Kate Dean as permanent minister, we have been even happier with ourroles, as consistency, communication and involvement with the main chapel have increased.

This fall, we followed a UUA Tapestry of Faith curriculum entitled Moral Tales. Through thestories, activities, games and art, the children explored their inner resources such asconscience, intuition and empathy and spiritual resources such as faith, prayer andforgiveness. Starting in mid-February, we are beginning a new curriculum looking at storiesfrom the Old and New Testaments of the Bible through a Unitarian lens of love, enquiry,conscience and learning. The attendance at Children’s Chapel varies and is approximatelysix to twelve children, aged from five to twelve. Recently, we have welcomed new regularlyattending families into the crèche and Children’s Chapel and are excited to see our coregroup grow. With these new families, we hope that an advisory group to Holly, Sarah and Imight be take momentum and be set up again. The crèche is now run by Sarah Berriah whohas taken up the role since being hired in February this role for eight years. We are alsohappy to now have an area set up at the back of chapel for families with babies under twoyears old.

In addition to our regular lessons in the Children’s Chapel, the children had severalopportunities to interact with the larger chapel community since September and we hope thatthis integration happens with some regularity. The children successfully publicized the ChalkFarm Food Bank in November. They also sorted and sold items for a Bring and Buy sale tobenefit the Cold Weather Shelter in late November. In December, they shared a song at theCarol Service and in February shared a story at the Youth Sunday intergeneration service.

Holly and I plan to once again to be away for the summer months, so plan to end ourChildren’s Chapel unit in mid to late June and be on hiatus through August as in years past.If the chapel would like to see lessons continue into the summer months, we recommendcontacting other parents in the chapel to organize.

Report from Kristin Howe

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AGM 2017

STEWARDING CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

I have now been in post for just over 4 years and have managed to recruit, instruct andremind stewards for Sunday mornings during this period. There have been a few hiccupsalong the way but somehow the team has managed to muddle through.

In the past year, about 30 people have volunteered out of about 70 congregants for whom Ihave contact details. This suggests that less than half of the congregation are able or willingto help with the stewarding. Some do not attend our morning services, others have youngchildren and there are those who are elderly or frail. Currently, as at 10 th February, I havethe next three weeks covered and am still looking for volunteers to cover most of March.

All soliciting and recruiting is done via email using the Blind Copy facility to ensure that thestewarding program does not reveal any individual addresses to others. Obviously, thereare other possible recruiting methods but this is the one I am used to and comfortable with.

At last year’s AGM I reported that concerns over my fragile health and fading memory led tomy request for the board to seek a replacement. However, it seems that no progress hasbeen made in this connection. Meanwhile, I have had to undergo two further surgicalprocedures during this period and I am still under regular observation.

So far I have managed to attend to my duties, but I am not at all sure how much longer I cancontinue without letting the side down. There is the constant threat of a relapse and the riskof urgent hospitalisation.

Jim BurtlesStewarding Co-ordinator

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AGM 2017

WHEEL OF THE YEAR GROUP REPORT

This earth-based spirituality group has been celebrating the changing seasons according tothe Celtic calendar since 2006 in the chapel. The festivals are the summer and wintersolstices, spring and autumn equinoxes and the important ‘cross quarter days’ which are:Candlemas in February, Beltane or May day, Lammas in autumn and Samhain (Hallowe’en).

We start our ritual by casting a circle and calling in the four directions, with their associationsof air, fire, water and earth. We do a meditation, share a poem or other reading, sometimeschant, and sometimes dance, as we share reflections on the meaning of the seasons. Thesize of the group has grown steadily, as word spreads, with an average of 16 peopleattending. Some people come especially for the Wheel of the Year who do not come to otherservices.

Hillary Ratna

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AGM 2017

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

The membership committee has been involved in a number of areas to help grow themembership of the Chapel.

The committee is involved in the process of welcoming potential new members to the Chapelthrough following up those who sign the Visitors’ Book, welcoming visitors when they attendservices and helping them through the membership process when they express an interest inbecoming a member of the Chapel.

The committee supported the Minister in running a successful new member’s service on 25 th

September 2016.

Our main other piece of work has been to develop a membership procedure that sets out thecorrect approach to be taken from an initial expression of interest, through to full membershipof the Chapel. This has included the development of a set of template documents to be sentout at each stage of the process. That is not as simple as it sounds given the complexities ofthe Chapel’s Articles of Association and Standing Orders. The procedure is currently in draftand will be more widely circulated when it has been finalised.

Kieran SealeChair

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AGM 2017

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP REPORT

Our Aims: to raise the profile of the Chapel through improving:

internal communications with the membership and visitors

external communications with the local press and public at large

and by strengthening the channels of communication between the widerdenominational movement and the Chapel

Members: Ingrid Tavkar (editor of ‘Open Mind’), Ed Fordham (acting chair), Margaret Perry,Erich Wagner, Janna Williams. Ed has now moved out of London. His inspiring ideas andcommitment are much missed. We are very grateful to our Minister for all the work she doeswith the Comms Team.

Activities: The team provided publicity for a number of Chapel events. For the Induction ofour new minister, Ed Fordham put together a short history of the Chapel; an extended editionis planned. During August, the Chapel was open on Sunday afternoons: afternoon tea wasoffered and visitors invited to look round the Chapel. A vigil was organised to remember thevictims of the shooting in Orlando, which the Mayor of Camden attended. 'Open House,Open Door, Open Mind': to coincide with the London Open House weekend and our Harvestcelebrations, the Chapel was open on the Saturday and Sunday with this theme. Wepublicised the Pride in London parade and this was well attended by Chapel members andfriends. Additionally, the Chapel held the annual Remembrance Day Service and celebratedShakespeare's 400th anniversary in June.

‘Open Mind’: The Chapel’s monthly bulletin, ‘Open Mind’ is distributed to all members,colour-printed copies are available in the Chapel and it appears on the website. Thanks toIngrid Tavkar's wonderful work as editor, 'Open Mind' is a powerful organ of communicationto members, visitors to the Chapel and online searchers. It carries not only detailed listings ofthe services and other Chapel events, but a thoughtful editorial and a message from theminister and also poems and images and readings, the whole reflecting Unitarian values.

Website and other publicity: We are grateful to Erich Wagner for keeping the website up todate with Chapel announcements, recent services and ‘Open Mind’. The website is a vitalmeans of communication and we are hoping to revise and improve it this year.

Local Press and communications with our area: Major events like the Christmas Eveservice, the Book Sale and Open Chapel events are advertised in the local press. We havealso distributed Chapel leaflets to house and flats in the local area.

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Internet Communications: Ingrid Tavkar looks after the Chapel’s Facebook page (RosslynHill Unitarian Chapel). On the website there a slot for a Minister’s blog and we have a Twitteraccount (@ RHUnitarianC). Ingrid compiles the weekly Notices, a list of forthcoming eventsin the Chapel and this is circulated to members and anyone on the mailing list via the mailingservice, MailChimp.

Notice Boards: Rosslyn Hill: The notice board on Rosslyn Hill catches the attention ofpassers-by. It is always kept up to date with Chapel events and is informative and engaging.

Car Park entrance: Approval has been given for a Notice board at the entrance of the carpark on Kemplay Road.

The Future: With every sort of media shouting for the attention of the public, the Chapel andUnitarianism needs to have a louder voice. With more help, we will be able to make morenoise.

Janna Williams(Communications Group Committee Member), February 2017

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AGM 2017

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE REPORT

Activities this year - We took part in the Pride March in June, held a cake sale which raised£134.40 for the Clara Barton Fund for Syria, the congregation gave the Sunday collection of£333 to the Clara Barton Fund for Haiti, the Children’s Chapel raised £162 for our shelterwith a Bring and Buy Sale, we took part in the Showcase of Activities on 25 September andin January the congregation wrote cards to prisoners of conscience for AmnestyInternational’s campaign.

Membership - in June the Committee said good-bye to Julia Reid (although not able toattend meetings, she keeps a watchful eye on Social Action) and said hello to Kristin Howe.In September Rev. Kate joined the Committee.

Food Bank - this continues to be supported by the congregation. On 30 October theChildren’s Chapel raised the congregation’s awareness of the importance of the Food Bank.

Good causes - a share of the Sunday morning collection and coffee/tea money has beengiven to a number of good causes: Irie!Dance Theatre, Amnesty International, MaryleboneWomen’s Shelter, Combat Stress, our cold weather shelter, Pathways to Dementia, LondonFriend, soup kitchen at the American Church, Centre Point, Simple Gifts, Womankind, Senda Child to Hucklow. The Social Action Committee would like to thank the congregation fortheir generosity throughout the year in supporting so many good causes, and also thank theManagement Board for allowing us to have half the collection each Sunday.

Cold Weather ShelterThe shelter had another successful season from 4 November to 13 January. Volunteers weregenerous as always giving of their time, donations and good food. Our evenings are alwayslively and pleasurable with games, chat and delicious food. We would like to give a specialthanks to Margaret Perry who organised the volunteers so ably, to Pat Cobb who was incharge of the shelter evenings and to C4WS who supported us throughout the season. Weended with a party for the volunteers which, in the spirit of our evenings with the guests, hada lot of good food and lively conversation. We also talked about ways we could volunteer inthe future.

Leighton Cole

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AGM 2017

CARE & SUPPORT GROUP

The Care and Support Group was re-established in August 2016. It consists of chapelmembers Deborah Frankel and Emily Jackson. The Minister attends as an ex-officio memberand the Administrator attends occasional meetings.

Remit: Along with our open minds and loving hearts, the RHUC community strives to use ourhelping hands to support others – including those within our community.

The Care and Support Group’s goal is to identify those within the congregation who may beexperiencing a particular need and connect them to someone who can assist. In the past,members have helped out with assistance such as transport to Chapel and medicalappointments, visits at home, shopping, or phone calls during times of loneliness, illness orbereavement. These are but a few examples, and we are sure there are many, many otherways in which we can care for each other.

Activity: The CSG is currently hoping to identify more of those within the community who maybe able to offer their helping hands in the care and support of others. Initially, this would notinvolve making a huge commitment. It would simply allow the group to contact someone if asituation arose in which they may be able to help. The group is seeking those who couldprovide regular, on-going assistance and also those who may prefer to be contacted whenone-off, incidental needs arise.

The group is therefore very keen to establish a pool of volunteers to help and to hear fromthose who might require assistance. For more information, contact us:

Deborah Frankel: deblizfrankel@gmail.com

or

Emily Jackson: jacksonemilyanne@gmail.com

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AGM 2017

FLOWER GROUP REPORT

Aims: To provide flowers and decorations for Chapel services and special Chapel events.

Membership: Roly Harris, Helene Howard, Janna Williams (Acting Leader) and wewelcomed new members this year, Shelly McKevitt and Anne Harrabin. We would like tothank Louise Hepburn who has stepped down after being a key member of the group formany years. Helene Howard has a special role in that being a professional florist, shecreates dramatic arrangements, gives advice and looks after the supplies. We have a greatteam, and are very grateful to all the kind people who cheerfully help with decorating at thefestivals. To make the Chapel beautiful all over, many willing hands are needed.

Finances: The Flower Group finished the year with a healthy balance. Our funds come froma grant from the Board, for which we are very grateful, money from the flower sponsorships,and donations (for example, the flower arrangers often do not claim for the cost of the flowersthey buy). We do not have a treasurer but Roly Harris is kindly keeping an eye on ouraccounts and the record-keeping system.

Our news: The Flower Group has provided flowers for the Chapel for the 52 Sundays in thisreporting period. As mentioned in last year's report, the Group had to find a way to maintainfresh flowers in the Chapel within the limits of our small number of members. As many of youwill have noticed, we now have silk flowers on the Chancel table, changing with the differentseasons of the year. Helene Howard has selected and arranged these wonderful displays.There is also a rota of FG members who ensure there are fresh flowers in the Chapel everyweek. For the main festivals and special events (Winter/Christmas, Spring/Easter,Autumn/Harvest, Open House) the Chapel is decorated throughout, with the help ofenthusiastic helpers. In June there was another Flower Communion, another happy andcolourful occasion.

The Group is keen to hear from anyone who would like to bring a bunch of fresh flowers toput on the Chalice table of a Sunday or would enjoy lending a hand with the festivals

Thank you: We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed in any way the flowerdecorations which help to make our Chapel look lovely and cared for and we thank Sharronfor her hard work and patience with the accounts and sponsorships.

Janna WilliamsFor the Flower Group February 2017

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FLOWER GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Made by Roly Harris, Flower Group Member During the last year the flower group has been running with depleted numbers and Janna, with Helene’s help, has taken almost completely responsibility. In the absence of a treasurer for the group, at her request I have tried to make sense of the group’s finances. The balances for the years in question were as follows;

BANK PETTY CASHOCTOBER 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . £1.690 £83.60OCTOBER 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . £1.606 £36.00 EXPENDITURE The Festivals were the main source of expenditure; all sums include materials and equipment such as oasis, glass vases and additional decorations.Christmas 2015 . . . £280.00Easter 2016 . . . . . . £405.00Harvest 2016 . . . . .£493.00 (this includes autumn flowers purchased by Helene.) The artificial flowers and the preserved foliage which Helene bought to produce the large permanent display were kindly purchased by the Board.

The Sunday flower arrangers seldom claim for the flowers they use e.g. only two claims weremade in the period August to October. INCOME Individual members of the chapel sponsored flowers on Sundays throughout the year. I am exceedingly grateful to Erich Wagner for the meticulous records he has kept of these transactions.2015 December £10.002016 February £20; March £45; April £70; May £150 July £80; September £50

Which makes a total of £425.00 There is an obvious discrepancy between income and expenditure but neither James Sefton nor Paul Vivek were able to uncover a grant of £500 which we thought had been made by the Board.

Clearly the Flower Group depends on such a grant and the Board has generously provided one for next year.

I want to thank Sharron, Helene and Erich for the help they have given me in producing this.

Roly HarrisFor the Flower Group February 2017

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AGM 2017

ROSSLYN HILL CHOIR REPORT

Rosslyn Hill Choir meets weekly in the chapel during school term times. We sing duringSunday morning services once a month and at special occasions, like the July Anniversaryservice, and Rev Kate Dean’s Induction Service. Four times a year we offer longerperformances at Easter, Christmas, Remembrance Day and in July, the latter marking theend of the choir’s year. Last July, we performed Shakespeare’s words from ‘The Tempest’,in musical settings by Parry.

Each year, in March, we hold a fund-raising evening, the proceeds of which, finance visitingmusicians working with the choir and also enable us to make a contribution to themaintenance of the chapel’s two fine instruments.

We appreciate the support received from the chapel, in various ways. In September 2015,Nathan Mercieca joined the chapel’s staff as our Choir Director: we meet with John Evans,the chapel’s Music Director, also Rev. Kate Dean to consider the choir’s place in the largerchapel scene. A wide range of music is performed throughout the year: the following listgives a flavour of that range:-

Brahms: “ German Requiem”, parts 1, 3 & 5.Spirituals: “Oh Lord what a morning”.Parry: “I know my soul hath power”Haydn. “St Nicholas Mass”Howard Goodall – a setting of Psalm 23.Rachmaninov – songs. …………….and more.

We are a non-auditioning choir: we improve as we sing, we believe, so anyone is welcometo visit with a view to joining our thriving choir.

Margaret Perry

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AGM 2017

CAR PARKING REPORT

The revenue from the car park was steady last year. However, due to a cut back in stafffrom 1st February 2017, Foxtons will only be renting three spaces instead of seven, whichmeans at this moment in time we will have spaces to rent in the car park.

As normal moving in to Spring/Summer, the gravel will need replenishing in parts of the carpark and around the Chapel grounds, however, we are able to use our Caretaker withperhaps another person/helper for this job, which means we substantially keep costingsdown.

Sharron ConduitOperations Manager & Administrator

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AGM 2017

LONG TERM FINANCE GROUP REPORT

The LTFG did not feel the need to meet in 2015/16 but that is not to say that we did notconsider the long-term financial health of the Chapel. During the period, the equityinvestments made from the proceeds of the sale of the Willoughby Road site grew, wereceived a windfall gain of c£70,000 resulting in a bonus share of the eventual sale of theWilloughby Road property and the operating performance for the year suggested a smallsurplus was likely, and the board did not propose any material plans for propertydevelopment that would have required our input.

However, members of the Group have been active in the ongoing plans for propertydevelopment, in negotiations with the Chapels largest tenant and also in consideration ofplans for the ongoing management of the finance and administration activities.

In the coming months we will meet to review the future of the current equity investmentssince they have benefited from recent market growth and exchange rate softness, and westand by to contribute to any tangible investment plans as they emerge.

John LawrenceChair, Long term Finance Group

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AGM 2017

PROPERTY GROUP REPORT

The property committee comprises Jane Crispin, Margaret Perry, Mohan Takvar, RogerHarrabin (chair) and Trevor Slack. Mohan oversees routine maintenance issues.

IMPROVING THE SITE AND FINANCES:

Most of the committee’s effort has been assessing proposals for a comprehensive siteimprovement which will also consolidate Chapel finances.

We face many problems with the property, including:

The hall is in need of major costly renovation, including upgrading to comply withaccess requirements;

The Manse is poorly built and badly insulated;

Our historic cottages currently used by the Academy School would be betterpreserved and more profitable as residential rentals if the AS were otherwise housed;

The cold weather shelter organisers would like a shower installed;

Our Bride’s entrance doorway would be improved if the electric substation weremasked;

The congregation wants to attract new members and could benefit from an improvedpresence on the high street.

The congregation has already agreed that funds should be spent to redevelop the dilapidatedhall, but the Property Committee fears throwing good money after bad, as there is only costand no profit in simply making good the hall.

If we can redevelop the hall with an uplift in value it will help the chapel to increase its capital,rather than decreasing it.

The committee has been seeking a solution that would address all of the above problemsand more.

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Our architects are drawing up a comprehensive scheme for us to consider. It would involve anew Manse and hall for our use; a second storey added to the existing hall building forschool use; and a liberation of the cottages for residential use – all funded by an archwaybuilding on the high street to create a framed view of the chapel, and act as a “shop window”for Unitarianism.

These ideas are still under discussion, and the committee will bring forward a formalproposal when the chapel’s overall vision for its future is clearer.

The committee has been assured that with the help of a professional manager a project ofthis nature need not over-stretch the human capacity in the Chapel. It welcomes the effort tobuild capacity within our administrative organisation.

Roger will be offering tours of the site to discuss possible opportunities over the Spring and Summer.

LOFT: The committee advised on the refurbishment of the old organ loft - above the toilets. Itis now a lovely room, which could be used for meetings or a study.

STORE: The board has agreed to rent a car park space for a container shed for Huggy’shouse development on Kemplay Road. This will be retained for storage by the chapel if it iswanted when Huggy’s building works are finished. It will sit to the south side of the gate onKemplay Road.

Roger Harrabin

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ROSSLYN HILL UNITARIAN CHAPEL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2017

PROXY VOTING PAPER

Voting by proxy is permitted at the A.G.M. for those fully paid up members of at least six months standing who cannot attend the meeting. No member may hold more than two proxy votes. If you wish to vote by proxy please complete the following form and pass it to the person you wish to cast your vote.

I ____________________________________ fully paid up member of

Rosslyn Hill Chapel hereby authorise:

_____________________________________ to cast my proxy vote at

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2017 SIGNED:_______________________________________

ROSSLYN HILL UNITARIAN CHAPEL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2017

PROXY VOTING PAPER

Voting by proxy is permitted at the A.G.M. for those fully paid up members of at least six months standing who cannot attend the meeting. No member may hold more than two proxy votes. If you wish to vote by proxy please complete the following form and pass it to the person you wish to cast your vote.

I ____________________________________ fully paid up member of

Rosslyn Hill Chapel hereby authorise:

_____________________________________ to cast my proxy vote at

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2017

SIGNED:_______________________________________

ROSSLYN HILL UNITARIAN CHAPELRegistered Charity 1131346

To be elected at the Annual General Meeting on 5 March 2017

Candidates must be members of the Chapel for over six months at the time of the election. They must be proposed and seconded by fully paid up members of the Chapel.

You can write in additional candidates if you want to make more nominations than there are boxes. Please PRINT names clearly.

Nominations for vacancies on the Board of Directors

Nominations for vacancies on the Elders

Nominations for vacancies on the LDPA (London District and South Eastern Provincial Assembly)

Candidate Proposer Seconder

Candidate Proposer Seconder

Candidate Proposer Seconder

Candidate Proposer Seconder

Nominations for delegates to the General Assembly