The fifth annual general meeting for High Peak CVS was held in New Mills on 19th October, and was our most well attended yet, with 68 representatives from local voluntary and community group, including the full staff team in attendance.

The afternoon started with a buffet lunch, and the opportunity for people to meet, talk…..and to take part in the “talking heads” video booth (more of that later!).

Chair of High Peak CVS, Chris Woodcock, opened the meeting and welcomed members. The formal part of the meeting contained a number of resolutions. Firstly, the official change in name from “High Peak Council for Voluntary Service” to “High Peak CVS”. Secondly, a resolution to change our memorandum slightly to allow us to carry out work outside of the High Peak (this had been recommended by the Charities Commission). Finally, a third resolution to correct a small typo in the memorandum!

The annual accounts for 20 May 06, which show a healthy surplus and financial position, were accepted. As well as re-electing outgoing officers, we were delighted to have five new people wishing to stand as trustees of the CVS, and these were all elected.

Kevin Skingsley, our chief executive, then gave a “different” type of presentation – he started by putting on a pair of pink marigold gloves, to illustrate his first task as the first employee of High Peak CVS, four and a half years ago (it was to empty out our first offices in New Mills, for those that were wondering). Kevin spoke about the way the organisation has grown, developed and matured, and now has a reputation at a regional and national level as well as locally.

To illustrate the work we do, the AGM then heard from a number of groups that we have supported over the previous year – Kathleen Wharton from Buxton Wednesday Luncheon Club spoke about the way that the club has formed and developed to offer a much needed service for older people in the town. The small group project had worked with the organisation, and they had also accessed a range of our training sessions. The second speaker was Alison Hales, from Breastmates, another volunteer-run organisation promoting breastfeeding in the area. Alison spoke of the way that they had been able to access a range of the CVS services to help them grow and develop.

For the staff team, seeing the impact that our efforts have is a real boost! The AGM was then treated to some poetry from David Fine, who is shortly off to Australia to be the official poet on the Ashes Cricket tour! David’s “slot” was a useful illustration of our arts development project, designed to support arts development in the area.

Finally, members got to see the “talking heads” video. We wanted to illustrate the positive impact that ICT can have (without talking about computers!) and so set up the video booth where people could record their thoughts about the CVS – what we do well and what we need to improve. During the AGM itself, Andrew edited these together, with music and a title sequence. We then showed the final seven minute “edit” on the big screen – and it was fantastic, demonstrating the real power that ICT can have in promoting organisations. If anyone wants to see what they missed, go to our video page.

So, another AGM over. Next year we will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the CVS, so hope to do something even more spectacular – we do hope you’ll be able to join us.