These were read and approved by the Committee

As was agreed at the last Committee meeting, Eleanor Bow contacted David Carson regarding the possibility of being co-opted onto the Committee. David Carson discussed that he was agreeable to this.

Ian Maxtone proposed that David Carson be co-opted as an Ordinary Committee Member; this was seconded by Eleanor Bow and carried unanimously.

Lesley Ovens proposed that John Mallon be co-opted as an Ordinary Committee Member; this was seconded by Ian Maxtone and carried unanimously.

It was agreed that all four Ordinary Committee Members shall effectively have no title as their remit can and should expand and decrease as necessary.

The Committee was informed that David Carson was currently working with Eleanor Bow regarding social events.

It was raised that perhaps David Carson could look at issues surrounding fundraising, grants and related aspects. He was willing to have this remit and would thus undertake this research and contact the relevant bodies.

David Carson was also asked to research the possibility of discounts from other organisations, thus creating more advantages to being a member. Further to this, the possibility was discussed of creating an information pack of relevant agencies and such like for members, issued upon joining FLAGS.

It was agreed that David Carson would research the support agency aspects of this; that John Mallon would research the health aspects of this (aspects previously covered by the role of "Gay Liaison" within the former Committee); Eleanor Bow would research aspects formerly covered by the previous role of "Lesbian Liaison"; and that Alan Varley would speak to the Student Association of Falkirk College (aspects previously covered by the role of "Youth Co-ordinator")

The Committee was informed that property had been retrieved from the former Treasurer, comprising a ledger book, numerous paper scraps, a folder of grant applications, a book on charities, 2 printed contact lists (therefore it is possible that the former Treasurer still retains copies of these in electronic form), 1 handwritten contact list (there is believed to have been 3 in existence, therefore there is still 2 handwritten contact lists unaccounted for.

The former Treasurer is unwilling to give up possession of the computer.

It was raised that the former Treasurer had arranged to give the computer back to the member who originally donated it (the former Social Co-Ordinator) at some point on a Friday, date and time unknown.

It was further discussed that it had been minuted that the machine was donated to FLAGS and not specifically to the former Treasurer. It was also raised that the data held on the hard drive of the machine was undoubtedly owned by the organisation.

The possibility of contacting the former Treasurer again regarding this issue was discussed. It was agreed that Lesley Ovens would contact the member who donated the machine in order to ascertain the exact details of this proposed handover.

At this point it was clarified (raised at the meeting of August 16) that the member in question wished to be removed from contact lists but not that his membership be terminated.

Eleanor Bow discussed that a disco had been arranged for the next social evening on September 15 within Bar Kudos; a venue she was ultimately unhappy with due to concerns the Committee has; specifically that Kudos is frequently closed, it has no apparent functioning telephone line, their selection of merchandise is severely restricted at the present time.

It was agreed that money will be collected from each person upon entry by the Treasurer and at least one other Committee member; amounts being £1.50 for members; £3.00 for non-members. A raffle will also be held during the disco and therefore two raffle books would require to be purchased.

It was agreed that David Carson would cover any financial shortcomings on the night i.e. should entry fees and raffle sales not cover the £40 required to pay for the DJ’s services.

It was agreed at this point that all Committee members should begin to actively research new premises for social events.

It was raised that perhaps all members should be asked what they would like to see organised for social evenings and when they would prefer these to be; this could be done by circulating a questionnaire at some point in the future.

It was raised that the committee should maintain it’s commitment to the core objectives and aims of the organisation – this could perhaps be facilitated by having presentations for a short period immediately before any social evenings begin. Iyahh from CTDU has expressed her interest in speaking to the group once again at some point in the future; it was agreed that she should be contacted in the near future as should Central Scotland Police to this end by the Secretary.

It was agreed by all that the web should be utilised more to give information to interested parties and perhaps maintain some safety aspects.

It was announced that FLAGS now has a mailing address care of CVS and at least one functioning email address.

It was suggested that a single mobile could be set to voicemail only and therefore used as an information line for those who wished to use it. A trial of this was discussed.

It was also suggested that perhaps FLAGS should begin to look for premises of its own; it was agreed that we should wait and find out about grants and such like to assist with running costs beforehand.

A statement of the Organisation’s most recent accounts was circulated.

The Treasurer informed the committee that the payment of the Pride bus had not been previously recorded and that a bill from Park St was still outstanding at the time of her examination of the accounts.

It was also announced that at the time of meeting, there was a total of £200.91 unaccounted for within the finances of the organisation.

Therefore, there is a total of £106.90 in the FLAGS bank account at time of writing.

The committee was informed that the former Treasurer had signed the mandate to remove him as a signatory of the bank account but that the former Chairperson had yet to sign the mandate and that he was proving difficult to contact.

It was agreed that a letter shall be sent to the former Chairperson requesting that he contact the bank to sign the mandate and therefore the mandate will be submitted to the bank as soon as Alan Varley provides proof of identification.

Ian Maxtone asked if there was evidence in existence that former committee members had stolen money from FLAGS. The Treasurer informed the Committee that she did not believe so.

It was clarified that the role of the Treasurer was to be ultimately responsible for the finances of the organisation and as such a letter should be sent by Recorded Delivery to the former Treasurer informing him of these findings (with a copy of the recent statement of accounts) and request any clarification that he may be able to provide.

It was agreed that all members should receive a modified version of this letter along with these minutes.

Thursday September 12 at 7:30pm; Location to be arranged.