Fermoy Branch MS Society North and East Cork Region AGM
The AGM of the Fermoy Multiple Sclerosis Society took place online via Zoom on Sunday last, 20th February. Twenty-five months post-Covid and we’re still here providing the supports our members need. While we are doing it differently, we are still here and doing the best we can as a committee to support the Multiple Sclerosis Community in the North & East Cork region.
The AGM commenced with Chairperson Joe Tobin welcoming everyone and introducing our guests: Triona Ni Rainne MS Ireland Branch Development officer, Ava Battles CE of MS Ireland, Gabriel Flynn, branch accountant/auditor.
He gave a report on Branch activities in the region for the past 12 months. Though the activities were limited, we still held our monthly committee meetings on Zoom and we held our Galtee Walk fundraiser virtually in June. We are very grateful to all who engaged with this online and supported the MS community. He asked all present to remember any person that has passed away over the last 12 months.
“It has been a very hard time for anyone who lost a family member or close friends in the midst of Covid-19. Our prayers are with you all,” the chairman said.
This was followed by the teasurer’s report in which our treasurer Marie Cronin outlined the finances. Our Branch like all in the charity sector has seen all fundraising impacted by the pandemic restrictions, our income is down over 90% in the past year.
Joe thank his fellow officers and committee members for all their hard work during 2021, also Betty Moore and Marie Cronin who have their 3-year term as secretary and treasure completed, also the staff of MS Ireland for their continuing support enabling us to have a relevant online presence and the Regional Community workers who continue to work from home providing support to all our members.
Joe encouraged people to visit www.ms-society.ie where there many supports and information. He also suggested people should sign up to receive the MS newsletter. The Information Line is also available on 0818 233 233 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm
Tom Cronin (Board member of MS Ireland & Council Delegate) presided over the election of officers: Incoming for 2022, Chairperson: Joe Tobin, Deputy Chairperson: Mary Sheahan-Lonergan, Treasurer: Majella Fitzgerald, Assistant Treasurer: Marie Cronin, Delegate & PRO: Mary Sheahan-Lonergan. The posts of secretary and assistant secretary are unfilled at present but in the coming weeks, we will actively be looking for volunteers to come to join us where they will be warmly welcomed and supported in the new roles. If you would like to get involved, feel free to contact us.
Ava thanked the Branch for the tremendous work done in this different year we have just come through, and thanked everyone for continuing to support the MS community in the North & East Cork Branch area.
We then had a Q & A session where people got the opportunity to ask questions on all topics.
Super ‘ Thank You’ to all who participated and a sincere thank you to all our supporters and sponsors who make it possible for us to continue to provide services for the Multiple Sclerosis Community.
We are always looking for people to join our energetic committee (and this is more accessible at present through the IT platforms like Zoom and can be done from the comfort of your own home) so if you would like to donate some of your time to the local Multiple Sclerosis group, please contact either Joe (087-3234436) or Mary (087-6682834).