A.G.M 12th December 2017
Hi Members Laois RTAI,
We had an attendance of 30 at our AGM in the Laois Education Centre on Tuesday last (12th Dec.)
Chairman John Mulhare welcomed all and complimented all on attending in such difficult conditions (snow,ice).He welcomed recently retired Bernadette Clear (Clonaghadoo NS) who was attending her first meeting.
He extended sympathy on behalf of the Branch to those who suffered family bereavements since last meeting (June 1st)-- Maureen O Keeffee (her husband Phil O Keeffe-Portlaoise, RIP),Sean Mullaney (his father Pat Mullaney-Castletown, RIP),Mary Miller (her son Eoin Miller-Westmeath,RIP) and followed with a silent reflection time.
Secretary Sean Mullaney read the minutes of last year's AGM and the June General Meeting.
The Secretary gave a brief outline of the years activities (mainly social),
JANUARY. - Informal Meeting in Maldron Hotel.
FEBRUARY. - Informal Meeting in Maldron with Table Quiz by Michael Linehan.
MARCH.-Informal Meeting in Maldron Hotel
- Golf Outing in Rathdowney Golf Club / sing -along
- National Convention in Gresham Hotel; Laois delegates John Mulhare & Sean Mullaney.
APRIL- Informal Meeting in Maldron with Table Quiz by Michael Linehan.
MAY - Informal Meeting in Maldron Hotel.
-' I Malvolio' in Dunamaise
JUNE- General Meeting in Laois Education Centre attended by Billy Sheehan (Group Lunch)
JULY. - Afternoon Tea in Durrow Castle.
AUGUST - Afternoon in Emo Court.
SEPTEMBER.-Golf Outing in Roscrea Golf Club / sing-along
-Bridge Classes commenced in Laois Ed. Centre.
-Secretaries' Conference in Gresham Hotel attended by Mary Dooley (asst. sec).
OCTOBER. - Trip to Derry with Carlow RTAI group.
- Informal Meeting in Maldron.
NOVEMBER.-Informal Meeting in Maldron with Table Quiz by Michael Linehan.
DECEMBER- Golf Outing in Mountrath Golf Club /Christmas sing-along
- Joined in march to save Portlaoise Hospital.
- AGM ,raffle,Group Lunch
The Secretary/Treasurer then presented the Financial Report (Details in next e-mail).
RTAI Vice President Sheelagh Coyle and NEC District Rep Mary McCarthy informed the meeting of things national re. pensions,parity,USC. etc. inc news that INTO is marking its 150 th anniversary with a book called Kindling The Flame which should be of interest to all teachers active and retired (see INTO website for details).
The outgoing officers were all returned unopposed
Chairman - John Mulhare.
Vice-chair - Mary Harte.
Secretary-Sean Mullaney
Asst. Sec.-Mary Dooley
Delegates to Convention (March 6th Dublin)- John Mulhare & Sean Mullaney
Branch Auditors- Anne Curtin & Joe Hickey
Nominations for National RTAI
President Sheelagh Coyle (Laois)
Vice-President Matt Reville (Dublin)
District Rep- Mary McCarthy (Laois)
Standing Orders Comm. -Joe Hickey (Laois)
The branch decided to forward 2 motions for National Convention re Membership Recruitment and Branch Finances.
Among proposals for 2018 activities.
- Continuation of Bridge Lessons from mid-January to Easter (more details later)
- Golf Outings to Abbeyleix (March) and Portarlington (September)
- Trip to Lake District in September with Galway RTAI. (details on website).
The chairman closed the meeting by wishing all a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and there followed a free raffle for Christmas fare and lunch followed by mince pies.
****As the next First Tuesday (for informal meetings) is the 2nd Jan and too close to New Years Day the first SOCIAL MEETING of the year will be on TUESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY in the PORTLAOISE MALDRON at the usual time of 2.30PM.
Thanks to all for your support during the past year - my first as secretary.A special thanks to the 2016 Chairperson & Secretary Catherine Coleman and Mary McCarthy and our national Vice-President Sheelagh Coyle for their assistance.
Also I am very grateful to our IT Co-ordinator Paddy Bates for his great work in promoting the Branch through his web-site and also to the Golf Outing organisers and Bridge Teachers and all who helped out in any way.
There was a vote of sympathy to Phil O Brien on the death of her husband Jack O Brien,RIP (Kilcavan/Clonaghadoo).
The Branch is mindful that one of our members was badly affected by the recent floods in the Mountmellick area and we wish him and his family a speedy return to normality.
WISHING ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2018
Sean Mullaney(Hon.Sec)