Chief Executive’s report on Trustees Meeting, 25 March 2006

The Trustees of the Fellowship met at the Multiple Sclerosis Society Headquarters on Saturday 25 March 2006 at 10.00 am for their Trustees meeting. All the Trustees were present with the exception of Mary Guild, who unfortunately could not make the journey for health reasons.

The first main item on the agenda was the issues arising from the profile of Trustee, Christine Lumb, in the last issue of the Bulletin. This is further explained in my article in the Bulletin. The next item was the format of the 2006 AGM and again this is dealt with more fully in my Bulletin article. The Trustees then considered the rules of our regional committees. This follows their look at the national rules. Mike Egan has kindly brought the regional rules up to date with the changes from our Memorandum & Articles of Association following incorporation. However, this led to further discussion on the rules of our Regional Councils and it was decided that we would ask the regions if there were any further changes of rules or procedures that need to be covered before coming to a final decision on this. At the same time we will ask the branches about their rules as we intend to bring the branch rules up to date at a future Trustees meeting. Trustees then discussed the staff reorganisation paper which was prepared by the Chief Executive. The main aim of this review had been to look at Central Office in depth to ascertain whether the organisation and the number of staff at Central Office was appropriate to our needs and for the work that needs to be accomplished on behalf of members. This was a thorough review of our organisation and like so much of what is present outside the Fellowship it identified that we need to keep changing to keep pace with the changing times we live in and to ensure that we can continue to respond to the wants and needs of our members. After a good discussion the Trustees decided that the head count at Central Office was right and appropriate and that it was very cost effective and that an enormous amount of work is being achieved by Central Office staff. However, there was a need to change some roles but an overall increase or decrease in staff was not recommended.

Trustees then discussed the format of the Trustee Board and the issue of regional representation. As you know the 2005 elections were based on four Area Trustees with no Regional Representatives and the 2005 AGM felt that we should revert back to the old system of nine Regional Representatives and eight General Trustees. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive had previously met at the wish of the Trustees to formulate some ideas on this. Again, this is further outlined in my article in the Bulletin. The Burnham bungalow was then discussed with a report from Mr Bill Finch who is dealing with bookings and the premises at our excellent and extremely well located bungalow. A considerable discussion was held regarding the fact that we had to decline to accept a booking from a member due to the severity of her disabilities. There are many major adaptions that we could make to the bungalow to ensure that she could be accommodated in the future, however, these would be extremely costly and might not suit someone with other severe disabilities. This provoked discussion on our policy and whilst we obviously want to ensure the bungalow is available for all members it was deemed to be impossible to convert it so that every single member, irrespective of their disability, could use it. As a result the Trustees decided that the bungalow would continue to cater for the level of disabilities that can currently be accommodated but that further work on improving the bungalow would take place, funded by the profit that the bungalow now makes.

Trustees then heard a report from the Honourable Treasurer on our finances and he was very pleased to report that the year has got off to a good start and promises well for the future. The Chief Executive reported on various issues or interest to the Trustees. A report was received the Information and Benefits Manager on the very busy work of this department and from the Fundraising Manager on the success that fundraising is currently having. Under ‘any other business’ Trustees heard about the progress of the National Games and some of the issues facing the committee and offered their support to the approach the National Games Committee is making. Pam Jones raised the issue of the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions and our need to ensure we are involved with this and campaigning about it and it is most important for our members but is currently under funded. It was agreed that her and the Chief Executive would take this campaign forward.

The Trustees then closed the meeting to reconvene on 20 May 2006 at the MS Society.

Graham Ball
Chief Executive