The full Monthly Newsletter is emailed to members.
Your committee is meeting in April and will review the decision to change the time and location of the General Meetings. Those who were at the last general meeting will recall that I went through the parameters that govern the appropriateness of the meetings, so this is aimed at those who were not there. Essentially the decision hinges on location, time and format (the order of events), with a look at whether there should be any changes to the content.
It is hard to see a location other than Castle Douglas working, as the public transport system radiates from the town and making a journey from say the west through Castle Douglas to another town would require an early start.
The time of the meeting was altered to avoid the sun streaming through the window making the screen hard to see which could be resolved by choosing another location in Castle Douglas. Some alternatives have been suggested but most lack the capacity, including the hall of the current meeting place. The town hall was a possibility, but it has disadvantages: setting out chairs, ladies loos are down steps, no hearing loop and inadequate audiovisual system.
The change of time brought about a change in order, with refreshments being provided first, so that those not able to get there by 10:30 would not miss any of the presentation or be given a drink shortly before they would have their lunch. The feedback that I have gleaned from my visits to Groups has not been in any way conclusive with many saying that they don’t go to the meetings anyway, which brings me to whether we should vary what happens at them. I would be interested to hear from you on what kind of event would encourage you to come. Workshops giving information on all those things that worry us in the Third Age, cost of heating, health etc. have been mooted.
I would like your opinions to be represented in the discussion. So, if you could
send your suggestions to me I will bring them to the meeting.
Rob Mitchell, Chair