AGM 2025
KCWEA AGM 2025 and NOMINATIONS
KCWEA 2025 AGM 16 APRIL REPORT
The formal part of the 2025 AGM of the Kāpiti Coast WEA was preceded by an interesting talk by local KCDC Councilor, Nigel Wilson, on issues facing the Kāpiti District. Nigel focused mainly on the housing shortage, the quality of “intensification” in Waikanae and Paraparaumu and relations between local and central government. There was a lively discussion with his audience. 15 members and one guest registered as attending the AGM. This is a small proportion of our membership and the committee would like feedback on how we can encourage more of you to attend your organization’s AGM in 2026.
The meeting received reports from the President, Treasurer and Co-convenor of the Education Sub-committee. Our retiring President, Brian Geary, gave a comprehensive overview of KC WEA’s activities in the past year, thanking everyone who made a contribution to a successful year whether as speakers and tutors or as committee members and event “minders”. He described a steady increase in membership from 100 in 2023, 116 in 2024 to 113 so far in 2025. Brian has been a committee member for four years and President for two years. A vote of thanks to Brian for his service was passed. Brian has coordinated the writing this year of the new constitution of KC WEA, a very big task for which the meeting carried another vote of thanks to Brian by acclamation. The AGM approved the new constitution unanimously.
Treasurer Gordon Cameron reported on what he said was “the healthy financial position” of the association. Revenue from courses and members in the past financial year of 2024 was over $20,000. Direct course costs were $15,000 generating a surplus from courses of $5,000. There were administration costs of $13,000 and the books were balanced by the all-important grants and other income totaling approximately $7,000. In response to a question, Gordon said that grants were likely to continue. The bank balance at the end of the financial year (31/12/24) was just over $11,000, which is our contingency, he said. Gordon concluded by pointing out that the $10,000 bequest from Andy Blaikie, used to pay for free Open Days, has been spent.
The Co-convenor of the Education Sub-committee, Kevin Clark reported on a varied, interesting and well attended programme in 2024 including 19 Saturday seminars, one bus trip and four mid-week courses. There were also Pick ‘n Mix trips and an end-of -year members function.
A new committee was elected: Natali Allen, Jocelyn Brace, Gordon Cameron (Treasurer), Kevin Clark, Jill Hudson, Ricardo Palma, Bruce Taylor (Secretary).
The meeting concluded with general business. There was acknowledgement of the huge improvement in administration and communications since Joanne Buck has taken up the role of paid Administrator. Outgoing President Brian said we were fortunate in the grants that we receive and we have sufficient reserves in the bank to enable us to continue with our activities.
Bruce Taylor, Secretary
Documents thats were discussed at the AGM are available to download below.
Minutes from the AGM 2025
Minutes of the Kapiti Coast WEA Inc. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at the Waikanae Presbyterian Church Lounge
The meeting was chaired by the President, Brian Geary, and commenced at 2.00pm.
Preceding the formal business of the AGM, Cr Nigel Wilson of the Kapiti Coast District Council addressed members on “Current Issues facing the Kapiti District”. There was lively discussion with the audience. Bruce Taylor introduced and thanked Nigel for speaking to us.
Present: Natali Allen, Jocelyn Brace, Robert Brace, Gordon Cameron, Blanche Charles, Kevin Clark, Brian Geary, Jill Hudson, Terry Kennaway, John Le Harvel, Lore Leseberg, Ricardo Palma, Roger Pitchforth, Bruce Taylor, Rochelle Wilson
Apologies: Stephen Lewis, Liam O’Shaughnessy, Joan Pitchforth
Guest: Cr Nigel Wilson
Administrator: Joanne Buck
Brian welcomed members to the formal AGM which commenced at 3.05pm.
Minutes of 2024 AGM: The 2024 AGM was held on 14 May 2024. The minutes had been emailed to committee members and were available on the KC WEA website. Hard copies were available at the meeting.
There was no discussion of the contents of the minutes.
Motion: “That the minutes of the 2024 AGM held on 14 May 2024 be accepted as a true and correct record.” Gordon / Blanche Carried
Matters Arising from the Minutes:
These were covered later in the meeting.
President’s Report 2025: Brian read his report. Copies of Brian’s report were available at the meeting. A copy is attached.
There was brief discussion of the part of Brian’s report covering the new constitution.
New constitution of KCWEA
In his report Brian described the review and writing of a new constitution required under legislation governing Incorporated Societies passed in 2022. Copies of the proposed new constitution were available at the meeting and had been available to members prior to the meeting on the website. Initially, there was a show of hands which unanimously approved the new onstitution. Members also signed a register containing a copy of the following resolution:
The Kapiti Coast Workers Educational Association Incorporated (‘the Society’) now RESOLVES to comply with the requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and its Regulations 2023 by ADOPTING the ATTACHED CONSTITUTION as approved by Society members at its AGM on 16 April 2025, the form and content of which comply with the said Act and Regulations. A copy of then registered Constitution shall also be registered on the Charities Register in compliance with the Charities Act 2022.
Robert said that he knew from his own experience that there would have been a tremendous amount of work put in by Brian in reviewing and writing the new constitution. “It can’t have been easy at times”, Robert commented.
Motion: “That the President’s Report be received and a vote of thanks conveyed to Brian for his service as President.” (Bruce / Ricardo) Carried by acclamation Motion: A vote of thanks to Brian for his work on the new constitution of KCWEA was proposed by Robert, seconded by Bruce, and carried by acclamation.
Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statements 2025: Gordon presented the “Kapiti WEA 2025 Treasurer’s Report”, which included the statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2024, the Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 and a letter from the Reviewer, Roger Pitchforth, to the Committee dated 3 April 2025. Copies of the Treasurer’s Report were available at the meeting. A copy is also attached to the minute book.
Gordon reported on what he said was “the healthy financial position” of the association. Revenue from courses and members in the past financial year of 2024 was over $20,000. Direct course costs were $15,000 generating a surplus from courses of $5,000. There were administration costs of $13,000 and the books were balanced by the all-important grants and other income totaling approximately $7,000. The bank balance at the end of the financial year (31/12/24) was just over $11,000, which is our contingency, he said. This year a similar result was expected. Gordon pointed out that the $10,000 bequest from Andy Blaikie, used to pay for free Open Days over the past 5 years, has been spent. He finished by thanking Roger Pitchforth who has again reviewed our financial accounts and records and reported accordingly.
Discussion:
Jocelyn asked are grants likely to continue? We are dependent on them, she said. Gordon’s answer: yes, over at least the next two years. Robert asked what does the catering amount of $2,545 in the Income and Expenditure statement cover? Answer: this is mostly for the Open Day lunch and also morning teas at seminars. Kevin commented that it won’t be as much this year as we only provided free morning tea at the Open Day 2025.
Roger asked if we have provided feedback to Canterbury WEA about what we have done with the Blaikie Estate bequest? Answer: “it is on my (Gordon’s) list”. Motion: “That the Kapiti WEA 2025 Treasurer’s Report be received.” Gordon / Ricardo Carried
Education Sub-Committee Report:
Kevin, Co-convenor of chair of the Education Sub-Committee, presented the “Report from WEA Education Sub-committee to 2025 AGM” by Co-convenors Kevin Clark and Natali Allen. Copies were available at the meeting. A copy is attached to the minute book. Kevin added to his written report by commenting on the niche which our courses successfully occupy in the local adult educational environment. Our bus trips are well attended also, he said. The number of seminars, trips and mid-week activities is about the number which we can manage as an organization. Kevin noted that there are a large number of local people with expertise and we are increasingly using such people as speakers.
Discussion:
Brian congratulated the Co-conveners of the Education Sub-committee on the endless amount done to deliver the programme and the excellent speakers who have been organized.
Motion: “That the Education Sub-committee Report be received”.
Bruce / Roger Carried
Election of Officers:
Nomination forms for officers had been received for seven members. These members had been duly nominated and seconded and acceptance of nomination signed by the nominee. The following were elected to the committee:
Natali Allen
Jocelyn Brace
Gordon Cameron (Treasurer)
Kevin Clark
Jill Hudson
Ricardo Palma
Bruce Taylor (Secretary)
Motion: “That those previously named be appointed members of the committee.”
Roger / Brian Carried
It was agreed that specific positions on the committee would be shown in the list of
committee members recorded in the minutes.
General Business:
There was acknowledgement by Robert of the “huge improvement in administration and
communications” since Joanne was contracted in March 2024 to provide
Administrative Services. He would not like to lose Joanne’s contribution due to budget
constraints. Gordon said that we have had a paid administrator for five years. Everyone
has seen a great improvement in performance since Joanne replaced Stacey (who had
been working remotely in recent years). He commented further that within the overall
budget adopted by the committee there are decisions to be made – for example, the
Open Day contributed to a loss in 2024. What form will it take in future?
Outgoing President Brian said we were fortunate in the grants that we receive and he
was confident that we have sufficient reserves to enable us to continue with our
activities.at their current level. “We are trying to keep the costs of courses as low as
possible”, Brian concluded.
In reply to a question from Rochelle, Roger (a past treasurer) said the free Open days
started with the receipt of the Blaikie Bequest. Robert asked whether the free Open
Days have led to an increase in membership. Bruce and Brian replied that this had
occurred. Rochelle suggested an Open Day charge of $5 a person which would mean
that there was no deficit.
Robert suggested changes to the Membership/Enrolment Form to include categories for
“Superannuitant” and “Waged”. There should also be a space for donations.
Finally, John said that a younger person should be co-opted onto the committee and
asked if speakers were compensated financially. Answer from Gordon: yes.
Brian thanked members for their participation and closed the meeting at 4.05pm
approximately
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