Newtonhill & District Village Association

Old Folks Party is deffo 28th Feb. Any one eligible who has not been contacted and would like to be involved, Joy Towler is taking the lead - 731492.

Any donations to charities outwith the village could only be made following a successful proposal to the next AGM. If a proposal were made it would be TO DONATE TO A NAMED LOCAL CHARITY i.e. CLAN, MRI etc, ONLY WITH MONEY RAISED FOR THAT SPECIFIC PURPOSE. (I know capitals is normally regarded as shouting, here it is merely for emphasis!)

200 club is and will remain for the purpose of funding events in the village.

Common Good Fund is monies already raised and can only be used for grants/loans to village groups whose purpose is for the good of the village.

The views expressed are welcomed and will help to ensure that IF a proposal is made it will state very clearly its intentions - thank you.

Eilz

Ok Mel, thanks for confirming

I know the NVA200 Club is only £1 a month but if it was to be used for a charity outwith the Village I would no longer take part [- it's not the money value]

I'd like to echo that I think Common Good Funds should be spent within the village / local area. I'd also like to add I think the people involved do a great job of organising pensioners events, annual fireworks etc.
However, Eileen/ Melanie, I think you've stumbled on a bit of a minefield here, and were doomed to get a pasting with the postings (sorry...couldn't help it :)
To be fair the initial topic did seem to indicate using general funds to support a nominated charity.
From the various responses there does seem to be a strong opinion that Common Good Fund monies are used for local purposes - however a few posts on this forum doesn't properly represent "the views of the village".
It's very noble to suggest supporting other charities, however as had already been commented, people do this already in other ways.
My recommendation is to keep it simple - the Common Good Fund is exactly what it says on the tin, and everyone understands what that is.
If the problem is there's a lot of money in the fund not being put to good use, then perhaps more people should be aware the fund is there. I don't mean to be critical on this point, I know it's frustrating getting the message out there.

Topic under discussion - NVA "may" nominate "A N other" charity on an annual basis to make a donation of monies raised in the name of that charity.

Well if that's the case that's not at all apparent from your original post, and is at complete odds with Melanie's comment about money "sitting there, not being used" (not trying to catch anybody out here, but highlight the differences in what's being implied).

If you want to hold a fundraising event separately and clearly in the name of charity X, then I can't see any reason why anyone could object, or the need to ask on here, and it certainly ISN'T the topic which has been under discussion on this thread. Whether that is due to backtracking or miscommunication, I don't know.

There is a tab on the left hand side titled Common Good Fund. The CGF a/cs are provided to the NVA AGM each year. Copies are readily available to any one who may wish to see them. And I am sure Penny Hartley would be glad to answer any questions.
Not sure of the exact amount in there just now but at 30.09.09 the balance was £4521.88. plus we got a £1000 donation from Tesco in December.
In 2009 grants were made to buy a new tent for the Skateraw Fair beer tent and Centre Stage had a grant.
If Newtonvale were in need of a bingo machine then they were entitled to apply for funds, it is up to the trustees to determine if the request would be for the good of the village as a whole. As the NVA uses a borrowed bingo machine for the Skateraw Fair one might suggest that this could have been a successful application in that there are other uses for a machine in the village.
The ideas you have raised are worth consideration. However, may I reiterate, the idea of making a donation to a.n.other charity is not aimed at money already in the coffers, but as described in my response to other the post using the word fraudulent.
Thank you for your views.

Melanie and Eileen, how do people find out how much is in the fund and where the money goes every year and do the various clubs etc in the village know how to claim?
I remember some years ago the sheltered housing wanted to apply for money to buy a bingo machine, they were told it was a very long process and would probably be turned down any way, so held a coffee morning and raised the money that way.
Should more be done to advertise to the clubs that there is money there and grants can be had, but all applications will be considered carefully.
Could we not come up with ideas to improve the village? New benches at the braehead in the parks, crocuses and daffys planted at the entrance and in other locations round the village? A bus trip for OAPS?
Perhaps the committee could make something up to show how much money there is in the kitty, how it was raised and how it was spent this year? This would show everyone where the money comes from and where it goes, I don't think this is actually advertised anywhere at the moment, but feel free to put me right on that.

I am a bit bemused by the suggestion that any donation outside the village would be fraudulent and would welcome an explanation.
Surely to have requested feedback on what is just the germ of an idea at this stage indicates that the intention is to be totally upfront.

Personally I think any money fundraised under the name of the village association should only be used for improving facilities in the village, as the people making donations or attending charity events that the NVA have organised are doing so to raise money for Newtonhill.
As far as the needy and starving etc are concerned there are numerous large charities and multi national government organisations who fund raise and provide aid and assistance as required.
I think it's really a matter of choice and I'm sure that many of us also donate to the larger charities as well as the NVA.
Perhaps some money could be pumped into the Bettridge Centre to improve multi gym/keep fit equipment to save us having to drive into town to use a decent gym.

I'm just wondering if people actually know how much money is in the kitty at the moment? It seems mad that money is literally sitting there, not being used, when we see such desperate need in the world. Even to give a small amount of it away would not be unreasonable. I for one would be supportive. Yes, charity begins at home, but in Newtonhill we're not feeding or clothing people in dire need, we're using the money for things which would be considered luxuries by many.

I agree with R.

Charity begins at home, it should stay there.