Board of Directors
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3 Fèisean nan Gàidheal A’ toirt ar dualchais do ar n-òigridh Meeting of the Board of Directors 111 Academy Street, Inverness Thursday 24 May 2012 @ 1.30pm Fèisean nan Gàidheal Taigh a’ Mhill Port-Rìgh An t-Eilean Sgitheanach IV51 9BZ Fòn 01478 613355 Facs 01478 613399 Post-d [email protected] www.feisean.org Fèisean nan Gàidheal Meeting of the Board of Directors to be held at Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Offices, 111 Academy Street, Inverness from 1.30pm on Thursday 24 May 2012 Agenda 2.2012.01 PRELIMINARIES (a) Present (b) Apologies (c) Minutes of the previous meeting of the Fèisean nan Gàidheal Board For Approval (d) Matters arising (e) Unapproved Minutes for the latest meeting of the Executive Group For Noting 2.2012.02 DEVELOPMENT ISSUES (a) Progress in implementing Fèisean nan Gàidheal Programme of Work For Noting and Discussion (b) Blas Festival 2012: Programme to date For Noting (c) Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma: Update Verbal for Noting (d) Còig Latha Gaelic medium residential event: Update Verbal for Noting (e) Proposals for a Gaelic Arts in Education Service: Presentation For Discussion (f) Application by Fèis an Rubha for membership of Fèisean nan Gàidheal For Approval 2.2012.03 FINANCIAL ISSUES (a) Income and Expenditure 2012-13 For Noting and Discussion (b) Bank balances and up-to-date information For Noting (c) Grants to Fèisean 2012-13 For Noting (d) Management Accounts to 31 March 2012 For Noting and Discussion (e) Draft Highlands & Islands Enterprise agreement 2012-15 For Noting and Approval (f) Local Authority Funding: Update Verbal for Noting (g) Overdraft Facility with Clydesdale Bank Plc For Approval 2.2012.04 POLICY ISSUES (a) Fèisean nan Gàidheal Grants Scheme: Presentation For Noting and Discussion 2.2012.05 OPERATIONAL ISSUES (a) Staff Progress Reports For Noting and Discussion (b) AGM & Conference 2012: Board members’ ideas for the programme For Discussion and Approval 2.2012.06 OTHER (a) Confirmation of date of next meeting For Noting (b) Meeting of Fèisean nan Gàidheal Executive Group Papers e-mailed for information 1 Fèisean nan Gàidheal Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held in Fèisean nan Gaidheal’s Offices, Inverness on Thursday 23 February 2012 from 2.00 pm Agenda Item: 2.2012.01(c) 1.2012.01 PRELIMINARIES (a) Present Catriona MacIntyre (Chair), Margaret Cameron, Bernard Bell, Duncan MacQuarrie, Janet MacDonald, Peigi MacLennan, Calum Alex MacMillan (Attending), Anne Willoughby (Attending), Moreen Pringle (Attending), Dougie Beck (Attending – translation), Maria MacInnes (Attending – presentation); (b) Apologies Arthur Cormack, Fiona Johnston, Norma Gunn, Uisdean Robertson, Elaine Spence, Agnes Rennie (CnES), Morag Anna MacLeod (Highland Council), Ann Marie Reid (HIE), Ian Smith (Creative Scotland) Anne Willoughby read a message from Cllr Agnes Rennie advising that she was sorry she had been unable to attend the Board Meeting today. She is not standing for re-election as a Councillor so will no longer be the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar representative on our Board. She wished Fèisean nan Gàidheal well for the future. Catriona welcomed Peigi MacLennan to her first Meeting of the Board. Congratulations were offered to Calum Alex MacMillan following the birth of his son. It was noted that Arthur Cormack had been signed off work for a fortnight. The Board Members wished him well for a speedy recovery. (c) Minutes of the last meeting of Fèisean nan Gàidheal Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2011 were circulated and approved as a true record of the meeting, proposed by Duncan MacQuarrie and seconded by Bernard Bell. (d) Matters Arising At the last meeting there had been some discussion about providing iPads for Board Members to use instead of Board Papers etc being issued in paper form. Bernard Bell enquired about whether this was still planned. Anne Willoughby advised that it was still hoped to provide the iPads but we were waiting until the end of the financial year to ensure that there was sufficient funds left in the budget to cover this outlay. 1.2012.02 DEVELOPMENT ISSUES (a) Progress in implementing Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Programme of Work A summary of progress to date in the implementation of Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Annual Programme had been circulated and was noted. This programme was based on 2011-12 contracts with HIE, Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local authorities. Work was progressing well in most areas. Anne Willoughby spoke about the items which were showing up as Amber or Red: Re ref. 1.3: Maintaining the number of young people participating in Fèisean and classes in the Highlands at 3,179 ~ this figure was based on the total from 2010/11. This year’s actual 2 total would be known by the end of March when all the information from Fèisean has been received. Re ref 1.15: Deliver training to 30 Fèisean per year and at least 75 tutors and community Fèis Organisers ~ we expect to achieve this target but will not have accurate numbers until March. Re ref. 1.19: Promotion and Marketing. It was noted that Fèis books are available for purchase via our online shop as well as by Fèisean. Our main buyer was Highlander Music. Comhairle nan Leabhraichean do purchase a few books but not many. Duncan MacQuarrie advised that he is due to attend their Board Meeting in the near future and will raise this with them as they would be a good avenue for book sales. We need to look at other ways/opportunities to sell them and also investigate other potential promotional material. Re ref. 2.1: Increase the number of young people who will receive Gaelic tuition from a baseline of 2,384. Again we hope to achieve this but will not have definite figures until the end of March. Re ref. 2.11: The proposal to undertake a review on function, appositeness and efficacy of Fèisean nan Gàidheal Board was a HIE target and was something that had to be initiated and carried out by them. It was unlikely that this was now going to happen. Re Ref. 3.2: Potential for Youth Music Initiative contract work in other areas ~ We have had an enquiry from West Lothian Council regarding assisting them with a project to introduce more traditional music into their YMI activities. If this goes ahead it will help us meet this target. The Board noted these matters and were encouraged that so many of the targets in the Programme were being met. (b) Blas Festival 2012 A report by Arthur Cormack had been circulated bringing the Board up-to-date with the current plans for Blas 2012. In his absence, Calum Alex MacMillan spoke about this project. Details of the Blas events planned to date were also circulated. Additional events were provisionally planned but would only go ahead if additional funding was secured. An application for £50k has been made to Creative Scotland and it hoped that we will hear the outcome of this application towards the end of March. Donna Macrae was busy working on the programme, liaising with groups and working on the Education Programme. Board Members noted the work to date. (c) Drama Projects 2011-12: Update A report by Arthur Cormack giving an update on progress with our agreed programme of Gaelic drama work in schools was circulated along with a timetable for the current Meanbh Chuileag tour which is underway. If any Board Member wishes to attend one of the MC events they should contact Dougie Beck or Calum Alex MacMillan who will make the necessary arrangements with the Schools concerned. Calum Alex MacMillan gave an update on drama projects taking place including the MC tour, workshops by Angus MacLeod in Skye and Lochalsh schools and plans for Sgoil Shamhraidh 2012. Dougie Beck has also been busy working with schools in Lochaber and Argyll doing workshops and assisting with play writing. The performances of the 11 plays will take place in Corran 3 Halls, Oban on 1 May and any Board Members wishing to attend would be very welcome. More information regarding this event would be circulated nearer the time. Dougie Beck advised that as it is the 10th year of Meanbh Cuileag being part of Fèisean nan Gàidheal it is hoped to have some sort of anniversary performances later in the year – but the final format of this has still to be organised. The Board Members thanked everyone associated with the drama projects for all their hard work. (d) Gaelic Medium Residential Event: Update A report by Arthur Cormack updating Board Members on the Gaelic residential event had been circulated and Calum Alex MacMillan spoke about the project. The residential event will take place from 9 – 13 April and will be based in Gearrannan, Carloway, Isle of Lewis. Information had gone out to High Schools at the start of the year and all the places had now been filled. A total of 16 pupils will take part (12 girls, 4 boys). They are mainly from 1st/2nd year with a couple of older pupils and come from all over the Highlands (including Tain, Dingwall, Inverness, Mallaig and Uist). The participants will take part in various activities such as crofting, fishing, cooking, art, peat cutting, music and song. There will also be events such as a Cèilidh and a quiz night. The Board members noted the progress with this project and were pleased with the interest shown in it by participants. (e) Gaelic Song-writing Project: Update A report by Arthur Cormack updating members on progress with the Gaelic Song-writing Project being run jointly with Watercolour Music was circulated. Calum Alex MacMillan advised that the closing date for places on this Project had been 17th February and four applications had been received.