OSAmag87_library

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 7
OLD STATIONERS’ ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
costs were also higher as we embarked on a new website at a cost to date of £2,040. The annual carol
service had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions on the day and the committee authorised
a donation of £100 to the Hornsey Parish Church. The surplus on ordinary activities amounts to
££1,513 (last year a deficit of £205).
Other activities the Christmas lunch was attended by 97people and the 2017 annual dinner 90people (86
paying+4guests). The 3 lunch clubs during the year produced a deficit of £110 and the annual diner a
surplus of £20. A transfer of £90 has been made from the contingency fund to cover this deficit. As the
deficits are arising at the Imperial Hotel lunches it has been agreed by the committee that we increase
the charge from £35 to £37 for the Imperial and leave the two events at The Stationers Hall as they are
at £48 for the Christmas lunch and the annual dinner at £62. We will keep them under review. Other
activities produced a small deficit of £6(last year a surplus of £353) due entirely to the deficit this year on
lunches and dinner against a surplus last year.
The balance sheet is still in a strong position with a healthy surplus. The legacies that we received in
2015 of £2k have now been used to fund the purchase of a display cabinet £200 and the remainder on
new website.
The magazine costs will increase due to the rise in the cost of paper. It would be preferable if we could
keep the size of future magazines to 48 pages. The subscription to members remains the same for the
current year and barring exceptional circumstances I see no reason to increase it for 2019 as we can
manage a deficit on ordinary activities for a while.
Michael Hasler
Treasurer - 6th March 2017
Discussion at the AGM meeting then took place on the question of running a deficit on lunches and the
annual dinner. Such deficit effectively coming from the general membership. I think that I should
clarify the position. Firstly the contingency reserve arose from past surpluses on the Christmas lunch
and the annual dinner and after due consideration by your committee as to how best to return it to those
members who support these functions it should be used to cover future deficits.
For those of you who have members of the OSA for many years will remember that the lunches (
formerly called The Harold Smith lunch club) were off balance sheet but that the OSA paid for a number
of guests at these functions i.e. The Master and Clerk of The Company to attend one lunch and the
annual dinner. Now that these functions are included in the accounts we would expect to at least show
a deficit equivalent to the cost of 2 lunches and two dinners.
I would like to give my sincere thanks to the Hon. Membership Secretary who has worked tirelessly in
collecting the subscriptions. I would like to thank our President, who has been ever present and
proactive in committee. Also to my fellow committee members for their
support and conservative demands on our funds, and, finally, finally I wish
to thank our two auditors, David Cox who carried out a detailed review of
the accounts and Chris Langford who added an ex-Treasurer’s view to the
process giving me the comfort that the accounts before you are complete
and audited. David and Chris have indicated their willingness to continue
in office.
Michael Hasler
Treasurer
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