Dear Friends of Ireland Members
The Committee is seeking to hold a Special General Meeting to consider the voluntary winding up of Friends of Ireland Society. Please see Special the note and information below on why the Committee has opted to take this course of action, sad though it may be. We know the Society has been going for more than 40 years and we do not take this decision lightly. However, for the reasons outlined in the attached, we believe this to be the correct course of action.
We propose to hold this Special General Meeting on Thursday, 15 May from 6.30pm at the Canberra Irish Club Weston Room, 6 Parkinson Street, Weston Creek.
Our understanding is that we need to have at least 75% of eligible (financial) members to vote. You can vote in person, via proxy or email, details also attached.
Please consider the information we have provided and vote as requested below or, if you intend to join the meeting, please let us know by email (blancoe420@gmail.com) if possible before 8 May 2025 as we plan to provide finger food (snacks) for those in attendance and the club will need to know approx numbers.
Many thanks
Maire
President, Friends of Ireland
Friends of Ireland Society ACT Inc.
(Cairde na hEireann)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held on 15 May 2025 at the Canberra Irish Club, Weston Room from 6.30pm.
The Committee are calling for a Special General Meeting to consider the following:
Proposal 1:
To voluntarily wind up Friends of Ireland Society (Cairde na hEireann).
The Committee make this proposal for the following reasons:
Due to the declining age of our members - many of whom are between 70 and 80 plus years of age
Few members attending events, for example:
- The Christmas function this year had only 51 attendees
- Bloomsday events in recent years had seen less than 50 attendees
- St Brigid’s Events held at the Federal Golf has been dwindling, in 2024 we had
less than 60 attendees despite several advertising and major assistance with
funding from the Embassy
- Ecumenical Service has also had declining numbers. While in 2024 we had well
over 100, this was due to the advertising we had done along with the St Brigid’s
Day. Unfortunately, this year had less than 60 attendees
- Low attendence at the AGM, over the past number of years. It has been attended mainly by the
committee and perhaps 3-5 others
Lack of volunteers to join the Committee. This year (2024-25) we have only six on the Committee. In the past this has been eleven plus to share the workload
Lack of new members despite the website, advertising to outside agencies, radio interviews, various events and hosting a stall at the Multicultural Festival over many years
With the lack of new members, particularly younger folk, the membership continues to dwindle and the future of the Society is looking grim
By voluntarily winding up the Society, this allows us to put in place the necessary paperwork and ensure any remaining debts/funds are managed correctly.
Proposal 2:
If this above resolution is passed, we propose any remaining assets be gifted to the Canberra Irish Language Association (funds and a small digital camera). We make this proposal as the Canberra Irish Language Association has similar values and like-minded objectives to Friends of Ireland Society.
Winding up of a Society is quite complex and ongoing enquiries continue to be held with Access Canberra to ensure correct procedures are being followed. As advised by them this is the notice of the Special General Meeting providing a minimum of 21 days notice.
Friends of Ireland Society ACT Inc.
(Cairde na hEireann)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held on 15 May 2025 at the Canberra Irish Club, Weston Room from 6.30pm.
To discuss the following proposals by special resolution:
Proposal 1
The Friends of Ireland Society be wound up before the end of the financial year 2025. See attached information sheet.
Proposal 2
That any outstanding funds/asset be gifted to Canberra Irish Language Association by the end of the financial year 2025. See attached details on information sheet.
Attendance at the Special General Meeting is not required in order to vote, as the rules allow voting by proxy.
The resolution requires voting by 75% of financial members
Voting:
If you are unable to attend in person, proxy vote will be accepted (see proxy vote form below) please return this form by 8 May 2025 OR
You can also vote by replying to email: blancoe420@gmail.com by 8 May 2025, see details below:
Email reply needs to say:
I accept proposal 1: Yes or No
I accept Proposal 2: Yes or No
Please send all emails to: blancoe420@gmail.com
Emails need to be received by 8 May 2025
Friends of Ireland Society ACT Inc.
(Cairde na hEireann)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
PROXY FORM (If not attending)
I _______________________________________________
Members Name
NOMINATE:
__________________________________________________
Print the name of the person you are nominating to vote as your proxy.
OR allocate a Committee Member as follows:
o Maire O’Callaghan (President)
o Paul Collins (Vice President and Secretary)
o Martha McEvoy (Treasurer)
o Mary Verghese (Ordinary Committee Member)
o Hilary Honey (Ordinary Committee Member)
o Elizabeth Blanco (Ordinary Committee Member)
To act as my proxy in voting on the following Special General Meeting proposals. Please indicate as follows:
Proposal 1
The Friends of Ireland Society be wound up before the end of the financial year 2025. See attached information sheet.
I accept proposal 1: Yes or No
Proposal 2
That any outstanding funds/asset be gifted to Canberra Irish Language Association by the end of the financial year 2025. See attached details on information sheet.
I accept Proposal 2: Yes or No
Please send all emails to: blancoe420@gmail.com
