News

Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 13 September 2023

The Annual General Meeting of Sailing for the Disabled (Charity 1333)

Wednesday 13 September 2023 at 7.30pm.

The Meeting will be held at

Sight Matters, Corrin Court, Heywood Avenue, Onchan, IM3 3AP

Please note:

The rules governing the charity require that at least twenty paid up members vote at the meeting either in person or via a proxy vote, If you are unable to attend please can we ask that you complete a proxy vote included in the email sent by the secretary 20 August 2023. If you need a copy of this email, please contact the secretary. The meeting cannot take place without 20 votes.

Marathon Fund Raising

On the 9th September 2023 Abi Brierley is running the Richmond Marathon to raise money for Sailing for the Disabled - an amazing charity based on the Isle of Man 

Her grandparents, especially her grandad, Stuart Brierley, was heavily involved with the charity for many years. Stuart organised and coordinated the collection boxes all across the Island, and in 2017 won an RYA Sailability national award, for Volunteer of the Year for raising over £30,000 for the charity.

Very sadly, we lost Stuart suddnely just before Christmas, and Abi would love to be able to raise money for the charity he loved so much, in memory of him.

Please be generuous of your support of Abi!

Crowdfunding to support Sailing for the Disabled on JustGiving

Disability Awareness Training

There are 8 places available on a Disablity Awareness Training ("DAT") course Saturday 21 October 2023. The course is a mixture of classroom and practical work on the boat and is mandatory for all crew. 

To book or with any questions please email Carole Quayle (carolequayle@gmail.com) 

Update from the Engagement committee

Chaired by: Carole Quayle

Note taker: Karen Leiserach 

Committee members: Neil Johnson, Gerry Morley, Diane Renton, Frank Rush

Current topics under discussion

Social media – website development

Tenders for re-vamping the website are currently being discussed with on-island service providers. 

The Board are looking for a Sponsor to cover these costs of redevelopment. 

Training

Boat-based training has been delivered this summer by Arne Dahn. Further sessions are being planned. Feedback from attendees has been excellent. Watch out for further sessions on the Sail Programme.

Disability Awareness training is currently being scheduled. The next session will be in the autumn we need a volunteer to take over the organising of new members to attend this well-established course.  Please contact CQ. 

Engagement and communications

Community Membership - Work with engagement continues,and committee members are working in partnership withindividual group members to ensure that their needs are being fully met. 

Interaction with SFTD membership - Communication platforms include the Website, Email, Facebook, and WhatsApp.WhatsApp use is currently being promoted with an opt-in service.

Publicity - The 3FM news and publicity video has been completed and has been well received. As a reminder, see it here. 

Membership support - This initiative from CQ and GM is a service within the charity that focusses on providing ‘keeping in touch’ with members who are experiencing difficulties and challenges. 

Social events - Boat cleaning volunteers are always welcome! – Contact SFTD by Email, Facebook, or WhatsApp.

All events are advertised on Website, Email, Facebook, and WhatsApp. 

Celebration! – we are currently planning the Endeavour Award ceremony.

Next year we will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of SFTD and the committees have a few thoughts. We would like to hear your ideas of how to celebrate this milestone. Please contact any of the Engagement Committee Members as above, or post on the WhatsApp groups.

Board Update

The board met Wednesday 3^rd April key points from the meeting were:-

• Financial position remains strong.
• Conversion actions complete and old charity deregistered.
• Transfer of assets from Pride of Mann Limited being finalised however asset manager Prudential seemed to be very slow in dealing with the matter.
• Members Communication showed the majority of members preferred communication via Facebook and email.

The board also met on Wednesday 10^th May.

• Progress is being made with HSBC to have electronic banking which will allow better access to financial records allow online payments.
• Assets transfer complete from Pride of Mann Limited.
• Reports from the Fundraising Committee and Sailing committee. Cavendish Trust have arranged sponsorship through local radio station 3FM of a corporate video and are due to sail with us shortly.
• As chairman of the Sailing Committee Bobby Moore has been co-opted onto the board until the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
• His Excellency the Governor and Lady Lorimer have agreed to sail with us on Tuesday 18 July.
• Andrew Evans is stepping down from the board and his role a treasurer with effect from the AGM on 13 September 2023.

 The next board meeing is Monday 24 July.