The committee met today (Friday, 4th July) for one last meeting before the summer break at the Hotel Ifach. Attending were Jo Cockshott, Julianne Stall, Dorothy Warner, Guy Meester, John Stafford, Shirley Forster, Dairong Hu, David Stockton, Clive Dean, Freda Croasdell. Regrets from Peter Purvey and Alan Chuter.
President’s Report: Website: Alan Chuter has been working to update the web site which now has events listed on the front page. The President explained that Alan and herself have contacted group leaders for updates but several have not yet replied. On 6th September there will be a group leader assistants event. We decided to hold it as a tapas and wine event in the evening. We voted to hold it at the Calpe Tennis Club if possible. The format will be organized by Dorothy and Clive. In February 2025 there will be a group leaders’ working lunch like the one this year.
Treasurer: Reports that our financial situation is stable.
Membership: We have 298 members. Now members can register and pay online.
Web site: Guy and Alan have been separating events and travel and working well together. New members can register and pay for membership online. Some contacts have asked questions through the website. Trip reports are now published on the website, and when David does the press reports he will also put them on the website.
Group coordination: The website groups list is being thoroughly updated but we are still working on it. Clive also is having difficulties getting responses from some group leaders. Mark Sanderson wants to give guitar lessons (Guitar Lessons Group). We will invite him give a guitar demonstration and speak at the coffee morning meeting on 20th September.
Events: At the monthly meeting on Monday, 23rd September at Yodel, Matt Mason will be performing and the theme, suggested by Jo, will be 60s and 70s music with a flower power and hippy vibes. We will be having a Yodel event every two months.
Press: Costa Blanca News and The Post no longer exist so the Euro Weekly and Olive Press will now be our publicity channels. We can and should use the Internet more, the website and Facebook (the Calpe Rocks and Calpe Connect groups are good for advertising on Facebook).
Venue for the November AGM: President is investigating venues.
Events and Travel: Christmas Three-Day Trip: Freda is working on finding a hotel. For the Mallorca trip in October, 34 people have booked; a good response. Also arranging the Three Night Spa Break in Murcia.
Day Trips: Last Friday’s trip to the l’Albarda gardens was a big success. The guide was great . Many requested to repeat and go to the concerts there in the future. The President thanked Shirley. Shirley has completed the arrangements for the Cirque de Soleil trip. Some members were not happy with the pick up points being the Hotel Ifach and the bus station. Because of it being summer these were the two best spots and we are charged extra for more than two pick ups. The Tabarca trip has 12-14 interested so far. There have been some expressions of interest for a trip to Gandía in November.
Meetings: It’s a good idea to have a theme for the Yodel events. The cost was higher (€15) to cover the cost of the singer, Matt Mason. Shirley has done a wonderful job organizing the day trips. Men’s Dining – waiting to hear from them.
Any Other Business: We will discuss charity donations at the next Committee Meeting. Possible partners include Project4All, Paws Xaló Dog Rescue, Calpe Cat shelter.
We will have our next committee in September.
