We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended The Welcoming Association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, 9th December, at Tynecastle Park. Your presence and participation were a testament to the strength of our community and the shared commitment to supporting newcomers in Scotland.
Reflecting on our AGM
The AGM is a vital event for The Welcoming Association, allowing us to fulfil our obligations under Charity Law, celebrate our achievements, and discuss the challenges faced by our service users and the organisation. It is also an opportunity to engage directly with supporters, members, and the wider public, which is essential for transparency and collaboration.
What were the highlights?
- Welcome and reflections: Our Vice Chair, Julia Albert-Recht, opened the event with insightful reflections on our performance over the past year from the perspective of the Board of Trustees. Following this, our CEO, Tesfu Gessesse, shared an operational overview and introduced our ambitious strategic plan for 2025-2030, outlining our vision and priorities for the next five years.
- Financial transparency: Graeme Gibson, our Treasurer, presented the audited financial accounts for 2023/24. The independent audit underscores our commitment to accountability and transparency.
- Guest speaker: We were honoured to host Max Altaras, President of Edinburgh Student Action for Refugees (STAR), who inspired us with his insights on engaging younger volunteers and building communities ready for the future.
- Open engagement: Attendees had the opportunity to meet our dedicated Board of Trustees and staff, ask questions, and share their thoughts on how we can continue to serve and support our community.
- The premiere of the new Welcoming Film: We had the opportunity to premiere the new Welcoming Association film directed by Hugo Hematti.
Celebrating our community
The AGM was more than a meeting; it was a celebration of our achievements together. We were also delighted to unveil our new t-shirts, designed by the talented Bob Still, which were a big hit at the event, as were the beautiful tote bags and badges with illustrations by Kate Osmond! We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic response from attendees and are pleased to say we raised £242.00 on the night!
Looking ahead
As we move forward, our focus remains on creating an inclusive, supportive environment for newcomers to Scotland. The insights and feedback gathered during the AGM will play a crucial role in shaping our efforts and ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our community.
Thank you once again for your support, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates, opportunities to get involved, and upcoming events.
