Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting took place on Friday 20th May 2011 at Dewsbury Minster.
The meeting opened at 1.05 pm with Steve Watson welcoming all those in attendance and introducing the top table, Eddie Jackson (Treasurer), Mike Plumb (Vice Chair), Steve Watson (Chair), Karen Wilkinson (CEO) and John Walker (Company Secretary).
Thanks were expressed to the retiring officers Trevor Haigh, Tony Taylor, Mike Lloyd and Veronica Johnson.
The main item on the agenda was the election of new Committee Members.
These were:-
Rehana Seedat, John Reading, Claire Reading, Paula Duncan and Ronnie Sowerby.
Members up for re-election were:-
Nigel Kimberlin and John Walker.
They were proposed by Dr Mike Plumb, seconded by Anne Thornton and agreed unanimously.
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| Our newly elected Committee |
Front - left to right:
- Jeff Senior
- Eddie Jackson (Treasurer)
- John Reading
- Stephen Watson (Chair)
- John Walker (Company Secretary)
Middle - left to right:
- Nigel Kimberlin
- Pauline Lumb
- Ronnie Sowerby
- Anne Thornton (Housekeeper, Assistant Treasurer)
- Claire Reading
- Paula Duncan (Assistant Treasurer)
- Rehana Seedat
Back - left to right:
- Dr Mike Plumb (Vice Chair)
- Tony Kelsall
The next AGM will be held in April 2012.
Re-cycling IT
Huddersfield accountancy firm Simpson Wood have donated over 20 computers to The Disabled People's Electronic Village Hall, enabling us to continue to provide vital services to the local community.
Daniel McAllister, of Simpson Wood, said: "We recently replaced all our office computers and wanted to find an organisation which could make good use of IT equipment that still remained of good specification".
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| A few of the computers kindly donated by Simpson Wood |
"The Disabled People's Electronic Village Hall is a charity we know well and we were aware of the significant work they do within the disabled community and beyond, helping to provide people with IT skills to assist them with future employment.
This seemed an ideal opportunity to help a worthwhile local cause whilst at the same time improving the skills of people looking for employment, which would be of benefit to their future employers".
"As a charity, funds are always difficult to come by"
DP-EVH CEO Karen Wilkinson welcomed the donation stating " As a charity, funds are always difficult to come by, particularly for capital equipment. This donation not only allows us to replace existing equipment but to expand the service we provide. It is heart warming to recieve recognition of the work we do from the private sector ".
Work Stress Relief
To prevent pains in your eyes, neck, shoulder, back, wrists and arms, it is important that you relax and move your muscles for a few seconds every few minutes.
Each issue we will feature a different stress relieving exercise.
This month’s exercise, the ‘Shoulder Shrug’ is aimed at relieving tension in the shoulders, chest and upper-back area.
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| Shoulder Shrug Exercise |
- Stand or sit up straight.
- Shrug your shoulders up to your ears. Hold.
- Lower and repeat.
Community Learning Awards
The Kirklees Community Learning Awards took place at Huddersfield Town Hall on the 10th of May 2011.
The event kicked off at 6:00 pm with an opening keynote speech by John Edwards (Assistant Director Learning).
This was followed by the Awards Presentation itself presided over by John Edwards where 2 people from the DP-EVH won an Award, they were:
- Trevor Haigh for Most Significant Contribution to the Community
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| Trevor receives his award from John Edwards |
- Darren Earnshaw for Supporting Others
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| Darren receives his award from John Edwards |
The Award winners, as well as their certificates, received a £20 gift voucher for WH Smiths, a notebook, a mug, a memory stick, pens and other small stationery items.
Entertainment was provided by the Lab Project Proper Job Theatre Company and a buffet provided food and refreshments on the night.
Profile
Linda Atkinson - Learner
Linda worked part time as a receptionist/ trainer for Motorcise, an exercise company based in Dewsbury. Her hours were irregular and though not dissatisfied with her work she felt the need to better herself and improve her job prospects.
She describes herself as self-motivated and quite competitive with a desire to improve herself.
Linda says “at work I had used the in house computer systems to take membership details and also used PowerPoint presentation material to promote the company”. This taste of computers made me aware of the exciting possibilities that could open up through the use of ICT.
I eventually enrolled on an IT course at The Disabled People’s Electronic Village Hall after it was recommended to me by a friend, beginning with what was then New CLAiT Level 1.
The main barrier for me was my irregular working hours which affected my ‘course attendance availability’. However with perseverance and some flexibility and support from The DP-EVH we were able to find a working solution.
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| Linda Atkinson |
I don’t have a computer at home, so some weeks were spent recapping on my last visit. I invested in a notepad and pen and kept a learning journal which I now use in my new work after my job with Motorcise folded.
"I invested in a notepad and pen and kept a learning journal"
The course seemed to be going on forever but I was still determined to carry on and complete the New CLAiT diploma after which I decided to progress to the next level and take CLAiT Plus.
My newly acquired New CLAiT and progress on my CLAiT Plus course have contributed to me securing a better paid job in my own field, sport. My work has more responsibility is more ICT orientated and delivers better working conditions.
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