iSightCornwall AGM 2022 a huge success

iSightCornwall Annual General Meeting 2022

iSightCornwall’s Annual General Meeting made a triumphant return this month as the charity held its first face-to-face event since the pandemic began.

More than 70 people attended the meeting where members voted on the future direction of the charity as well as heard the reports of what the charity has achieved over the past year.

Filled with cheer

St Erme Community Centre was filled with cheer as iSightCornwall members and guests filled the hall and had a long-overdue catch up with fellow members and staff members. Many of the charity’s affiliated clubs were represented as well as a large number of their team of volunteers.

Following a lively introduction by iSightCornwall Chief Executive, Carole Theobald, the first order of business was the Annual General Meeting voting which saw members raising their voting cards to decide on motions set in place by Chair of the Trustees, Ian McCormick.

There was also the opportunity for questions to be put to the iSightCornwall team and table of trustees.

Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall

After the voting, as well as another round of teas and coffees, the attendees were delighted to be joined by iSightCornwall Patron, The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE. Dressed in his uniform, Colonel Bolitho spoke to many of the members before making his way to the stage to present the inaugural iSightCornwall Volunteer Awards.

The volunteers had not been told these awards were set to take place and so many of them were surprised to be presented with a certificate, thanking them for their hard work and dedication to helping people with sight loss as iSightCornwall volunteers.

Some happy tears were even shed as volunteers were called up to accept their award before posing with Colonel Bolitho for a photo.

iSightCornwall Chief Executive Carole Theobald said: “It was lovely to see how much these awards meant to our volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without them, and this was our way of thanking them for the time they give helping others. We have so many fantastic people who help in so many ways whether it’s at a club, as a driver or one of our other varied roles and we are so grateful for every single volunteer.”

Entertainment

Following the award ceremony, a pasty lunch went down a treat with everyone and also left some time for those in attendance to browse the shop items on display.

Next to take the spotlight were the members of Oll an Gwella, a Newquay-based singing group who kindly gave up their time for free to support iSightCornwall. They put on a brilliant show of Acapella singing which included a wide range of styles and songs from classic shanties to classic pop. Some songs included actions which the audience happily joined in with creating a fantastic atmosphere that all could enjoy.

The afternoon’s entertainment continued with an exciting round of bingo led by Paddy from BUGS (Blind Using Guides Sights) Shooting Club and was brought to a close with a lively dancing session led by the members of Townsend Dance Club.

Fantastic Day

Carole said: “It was a fantastic day and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so successful, including our lovely kitchen volunteers who kept the teas and coffees flowing, our club and driver volunteers who helped get everyone to the event, the members of Oll an Gwella and our Patron Colonel Bolitho OBE.

“This AGM was particularly special not only because it’s the first one we have held in person since 2019 but also due to the introduction of the Volunteer Recognition Awards. We look forward to doing it all again next year!”

To secure your place at future iSightCornwall AGMs, become a member today for an annual fee of £15 by clicking here or by calling us on 01872 261110.