LOTUS EDUCATIONAL FUND LTD MINUTES OF MEETING HELD THURSDAY MARCH 17th 2011
Present: Cathy Hart, Marianne Heigh, Jono Finch, Dianne Gamage (Skype)
Apologies: Peggy West, Di Wheeler, Cathie Sawyer
Meeting opened: 7.30pm Meeting Closed: 8.30pm
AREAS OF TARGET DISCUSSION PLAN OF ACTION RESPONSIBILITY
1. Financial support for Lotus girls 2011-12.
The committee members present approved the sum of $1800 US for operational costs for the 2011-12 year.
(1) This amount will be used for the following:
• Mr Louie
• Uniforms
• Textbooks/writing books
• Pencils
• Backpacks
• Registration fees
• Classroom posters
• Teaching resources
• Sporting equipment
The treasurer will transfer this amount into Dianne’s account (this will therefore not incur any additional bank fees as Dianne has a US bank account).
Dianne and Phoudalay will again purchase these resources at the local market and receipts will be submitted to the treasurer.
Treasurer
Bal- Saver acc- $6460
Term deposit-
Dianne/Phoudalay
March 28th 2011
2. Fundraising for 2011
Donations have been received from:
1. St Mary’s Dubbo $300 (just received Cathy to deposit)
2. St Therese’s New Lambton $400 (Marianne deposited)
3. Dr John Schiller $1000 Cathy to follow-up and advise of bank details so bank deposit can be made.
4. Cathy is exploring the option of a fundraising dinner at the Blackbutt Hotel.
Those responsible will follow-up collection of donations and bank deposits where necessary and advise Peggy of the same.
3.Recognition of support
1. It was felt that a more formal means of acknowledging the generosity of donors be established.
Dianne will take photos of the girls and obtain quotes in Indonesia for printed thank you cards to be made for Lotus.
Dianne will then distribute to committee members for use. Dianne
4. Treasurer’s Report 1. After 3 years of doing a wonderful job as Treasurer, Peggy has asked that she step down. The committee would like to formally acknowledge and thank Peggy for the wonderful job she has down to keep the books in order, maintain the banking, pay accounts and collect mail from our box.
5. To facilitate the transition for the new role Xuan has asked that our mail be redirected to a New Lambton PO Box (Dianne will supply details to Peggy- and ask that Peggy arrange for the redirection fee to be paid and authorized at Dangar Park. Xuan has kindly accepted Peggy’s suggestion that she take on this role and the committee welcomes Xuan into
her new role.
Dianne will provide new mailing details to Peggy tomorrow (apologies but they are not in front of me at the moment). Peg
6. Future Directions For Lotus 1. It was decided that our focus would be best directed towards financially supporting the girls during High School rather than providing bicycles. It was acknowledged that the parents are very appreciate of the efforts of Lotus and had expressed a desire for the fund to move into high school.
Dianne will collect financial costing while in Laos next week.
An action plan for future fundraising will be developed at our next meeting.
7. Publicity 1. Marianne expressed the need for reporting back to sponsors about the background of the Lotus girls and the operation of our project. She suggested that photographs, videos be taken and used for educational and fundraising purposes to raise awareness.
Dianne will video the girls, their families and the teachers and send this information back to Marianne and the committee to use for both fundraising and educational purposes.
8. Partnerships 1. Dr Schiller will be delivering the student letters from the students at St Therese’s to Phoudalay and Dianne will distribute the same to the girls. It is hoped that Phoudalay will translate the letters and responses will be written so that the students at St Therese’s can become involved in our project. Dianne will collect the letters and work with Phoudalay to have them translated form English to Lao to English and then post back to Australia for distribution to St Therese’s
Dr Schiller
Phoudalay
Thank you everyone for your continued support in ensuring that the 2011-12 operational year is another successful one. I look forward to sending back another memorable photographic journey of the Lotus girls.
