AGM 2025

Summary

The Annual General Meeting for 2025 took place at the Jardin de Cadix in Eymet on 22nd May. Sixty five members were in attendance.

The minutes of the 2024 AGM were accepted and approved with no queries arising.

Key Points

Membership stands at almost 800
The financial position remains strong
Membership fees and concessions unchanged for 2025/26

Officers and Committee

Claire Riley was re-elected as President
Nicola Lack re-elected as a Committee Member
Sally Blackman stood down as member of the Committee

The minutes of the 2024 AGM were approved without comment, followed by verbal reports by the President, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Language Group Coordinator. The Vice President presented the Social Committee’s report.

The roles of President and one other committee post were due for re-election. Claire Riley was voted in for a third term as President and Nicola Lack was re-elected to the Committee for another term.

ACFAA’s financial situation was confirmed as stable, and membership numbers reached a new high this year – almost 800 – of whom 16% are French, and 14% are from more than 20 other countries.

Claire said: “We’re delighted that our association is so diverse in its membership. It truly reinforces our underlying purpose, of forging French-Anglo relations, but clearly more than that, we are bringing people together of so many other origins, to share and enjoy the best of our respective cultures.”

One key member of the committee, who has served for five years, stood down. Sally Blackman brought years of teaching experience to help develop ACFAA’s language courses, which are increasingly popular.

Many groups created special displays of their work for the assembled visitors to enjoy, and also took the opportunity to give a brief verbal rundown on their activities, including John Simmonds, who announced he is stepping down after five years of leading the Photography Group.

Alison Broder presented a report on behalf of Margaret and David Cowan’s Social Games Group, which celebrated its 10th year in September. She also reported on Poetry Group’s activities.

Mary-Ann Boudreau talked about the Art for Pleasure group’s successes this year, while Florence Simmonds discussed her Relaxation group, and Caro Hartridge spoke on behalf of the Line Dancing group. Finally, Peter Taylor – who with Sarah Allsopp, stepped up to lead Singing for Pleasure this year – entertained us with an impromptu musical rendition of his report.

You can read the Minutes of the AGM in French or English by clicking on the relevant link: