Member

P/Absent

Member

P/Absent

Jan Halford (Chair)

P

Peter Braybrook

P

Stephen Carter

P

Cath Forshaw

P

John Forshaw

P

Fergus McCloghry

P

Andy Smith

P

Gill Speight

P

John Speight

P

Item

Details

Action

1

Welcome and Prayers
Jan opened the meeting in prayer

2

Apologies for absence – none

3

Declaration of conflict of interest
None declared. It was noted that Graham Pope was present at the meeting as an observer.

4

Approval of minutes from last committee meeting (7/7/2025)
The minutes were approved with correction in 13.1 to Kim Hutchinson

5

Matters arising from minutes and action review
• Contractual position (GDPR) with regard to data transfer to be clarified for the magazine distribution and printing of the membership directory
• AGM – Photo montage – Chairmail request for photos to be sent
• Bridges Leaflet – Original artwork cannot be found. Printers to be asked if they can work by taking copy of existing leaflet & possibly modifying

SC
JF
SC

6

Safeguarding
(GP not present for this item)
• Peter took the committee through his report and advised that the policy will need to be revised in January following legislation changes. Mark Macaulay will do this with Peter
• Circulate amended report to committee
• Agreed not to continue contract with 31-8 as use other source for DBS checks and have not had need of their services – advice can be obtained from other sources if necessary

PB
JF

7

News
Jan updated the committee on various items:-
• Zoom weekly meetings are going well
• Mission to Burnley was very successful with support from 9 churches & invitation to go back next year.
• Stephen provided comment on the accounts – showing we are in a good position

8

Crick – reason for BCF attendance, purpose of service & stand manning during service
It was noted that the Sunday service had overrun with a very long sermon and was not “inviting” in terms of music/songs (different to other years). It was agreed that it needs to be inviting and relevant to the event audience. It was agreed that the service should continue or there would be a risk of losing the opportunity altogether.
Committee comments to be fed back to Mark Macaulay

JH

9

Arrangements for Fellowship Weekend
30 people signed up to attend, plans all in place

10

AGM
Around 20 people have, so far, indicated they will attend
• Liaise with Margaret over catering
• Present for Margaret and family (eg plant and box of chocolates)
• Organise name badges
• Cake and decorations
• Photo montage
• Sign-up sheet
• AOB – see point 11

CF
FM
JS
GS
JF
JF
JH

11

Trustees and Committee membership
It was agreed that it is better if committee members are trustees but it was recognised that there may be some situations where a person would be willing to join the committee but not be a trustee. To put this in place would require a Constitution change which will not be possible (due to time) by the next AGM. The AGM should be told that this will be incorporated for the 2026 AGM to ratify the Constitutional amendment.

JH

12

Chair Replacement
An offer had been received from a member to join the committee and chair in their second year. However, the committee were not happy with a rotational chair and after much discussion, no one felt they had the necessary skill to take on the Chair role in its fulness. A way forward in the event of no chair being elected at the AGM could not be agreed. It was agreed that the matter required more prayer.

PB

13

Magazine Editor
Simon Stephens has agreed to take over the magazine editing and has already produced a draft framework for the next issue. The committee were very grateful for this. A magazine-specific BCF based e-mail has been set up. theword@boaterschristianfellowship.org.uk

JH

14

Events
Proposed events for 2026:-
• Winter Lunch – Wooton Wawen in January
• Day out in North West – February?
• Potentially Spring fellowship day

GS
JH

15

Seniors Coordinator
No one has come forward to fill this position. One person to be approached

JH

16

Change of admin e-mail address
Stephen is proposing to use an “official” BCF address for membership and treasurer work – Stephen said he would like an admin address to be: admin@… need to decide if one or two addresses are required

SC
JF

17

Any other business
• Microsoft are withdrawing free licences for charities. Look for best paid alternative to get Office tools
• Agreed to purchase new 3m Gazebo as old one is failing
• Trustee report to be circulated to committee prior to AGM

SC/JF
SC
SC/JH

18

Date of next meeting
Monday 5 January at 7pm on Zoom

The meeting closed at 16:53