Laois RTAI AGM 11-12-2018
The AGM of Laois Branch RTAI took place in the Laois Education Centre on Tuesday 11th December (11.30).There were 28 members present. In the absence of Cathaoirleach John Mulhare (due to bereavement) Leas Cathaoirleach Mary Harte presided and welcomed all.
Before business votes of sympathy were passed with Sean Mullaney on the recent death of his sister Kathleen Mullaney-Lucey , Jean Treacy on the death of her mother Harriet Burke and Mary Fogarty on the death of her brother Gerry Ryan.
The Runai (Sean Mullaney) read the minutes of the 2017 AGM and the minutes of the last meeting Summer 2018-no matters arising.
The Runai then gave a brief review of the years activities-Social Meetings,Table Quiz,Golf Outings,Theatre Trips ,Scrabble Mornings,Tour of Lake District (with Galway).
The Secretary/Treasurer then presented the Financial Report for Sept. 2017 to August 2018 (RTAI Financial Year) showing a balance of € 1780 .( Footnote current account 11/12 € 760).
Current RTAI President Sheelagh Coyle gave a very comprehensive executive report covering issues such as
-Pension tax (only now paid by small number over € 39000 income)
- Pension/salary parity and recent increases
-Branch Funding -review underway
- Recruitment -big improvement nationally
- Teachins as sub INTO contribution from salary
- Household benefits for over 70s
-Counselling Services
-Travel Insurance
-Bursaries available
-INTOs first congress commemoration
-Carysford College History
-Membership Plus Card dis-continuation
Mary Harte thanked Sheelagh and again congratulated her on her achievement in becoming National President and wished her all the best for rest of her term.
Mary McCarthy (RTAI District Rep) spoke on Social matters and possibilities for 2019
Trip to Abbey Theatre in January
Trip to York
Golf Rathdowney March
Scrabble mornings
Mary was thanked for her work during year esp. In relation to Golf Outings (self financing and not on balance sheet)
The election of officers then took place with all officers returned unopposed as follows.
Cathaoirleach John Mulhare
Leas Cathaoirleach Mary Harte
Runai/Cisteoir Sean Mullaney
Leas Runai Mary Dooley
Auditors Joe Hickey & Anne Curtin
The following were proposed for National Positions
Vice-President Mary Kyne (Galway)
District Rep. Mary McCarthy
Standing Orders Catherine Coleman
Motions were presented as follows
Convention demands that greater prominence be given to branch websites on the RTAI web-site home page
Convention notes the difference in USC contributions made by retired teachers who joined the service pre 1995 as compared to those who joined post 1995 and demands that this inequality be addressed.
There was some general discussion before the meeting was closed
Paddy Bates was presented with a token gift showing appreciation for his work as Laois RTAI Website administrator.
A free raffle was held with 12 prizes given out
Lunch was served after the Meeting (from branch funds)
Seán Mullaney(Rúnai)