Chairman's Report 2008

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 24TH SEPTEMBER 2006-10TH AUGUST 2008

 Magnus N. Cole (7607) – Chairman

 Fellow Regentonians,

On a personal note the above period has resulted in what can best be described as a worthwhile challenge. I     would like to take this opportunity in thanking my predecessor, Mr Johannes Fowler(5283) and the previous executive and membership for holding the fort through what were sometimes lean times but at the same time laid the  precedence and structural foundation for this burgeoning movement. Johannes and (from my perspective) “the council of elders” have always been available and willing to give advice, guidance and encouragment where necessary. Mr John Peters has also been of immense assistance and sharpened my insight into our traditional heritage and the activities of the alumni association in Freetown.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank executive members who have all been steadfast and diligent amidst the constraints of this formidable endeavour. Thank you Cyril Showers (7630), Carl Hotobah-During, Ivor Nelson-Williams, Katib Iscandari Jnr, Dr Radcliffe Lisk, Henry Showers (7670), Rowland Gordon and Lindsay Benjamin (6638) . Special thanks also goes to Walton Shooter, Umarr Sesay (6537) Coleridge Coker Jr (7814), Dejean McEwen (6252), Freddy Lawson, Jonathan John, Rev. Emile Jones (5805) and Ezekiel Tunde John (5110) and Abayomi Bright ( 5271) for their commitment, advice and assistance in various ways to date.

MEMBERSHIP & THE EXECUTIVE

Over the said period, we have seen a variety of new UK based Regentonians adding to the numbers, participating and attending events/meetings. At present we have approximately 80 Regentonians on our e-mail list whilst another 210 can be contacted by regular post. We continue to cleanse our data and update our records and need to be advised of any change in particulars of UK based Regentonians or any new arrivals in the UK. A recent cost of mailing the AGM notice was £85.00 recently as opposed to what would have cost over £300.00 a couple of years ago. This has been due to a vigilant costs reduction exercise.

Since our last AGM in September 2006, Bimbola Carrol (Publicity secretary) and Foday Sankoh (Treasurer) resigned their positions. Bimbola is now based in Freetown Sierra Leone and Foday’s resignation is due to work commitments and re-location to Mumbai, India. I have since asked Coleridge Coker Jr to act as Publicity Secretary as required and Henry Showers who was Assistant Treasurer is now Acting Treasurer.

FUNDRAISING & FINANCE

a) Fundraising Dinner & Dance (FD&D) This highlight of the alumni annual calendar was held at the Hilton London Kensington, Holland Park on the 3rd of May 2008 and reinstituted after a gap of a few years. Over the past few years our association had not been in a position to organise and market this type of event due to a lack of resources and manpower.

With reference to ticket sales, an operational loss was incurred as 161 tickets were sold as against the projected figure of 200 at £45.00 per ticket that would have ensured us breaking even. With reference to our guests and the general feedback it was a resounding success but a few fundamental mistakes were made and lessons have been learnt. On a more positive note our association is now in a stronger position now financially due to sponsorship, patron donations, the collection of revenue from outstanding ticket sales and pledges. From the last review we should now be expecting funds in excess of £5000. The majority of these funds has been collected or is in the process of being collected. It is our aim to make a substantial contribution to the new 6-classroom block project that was launched at the FD&D. It is estimated to cost approximately £10,000.

 b)Reunion & Social Evening (R&SE) - Gold Coast Bar and Restaurant, South Norwood Saturday 3rd February 2007 – This event was also a success and demonstrated what can be achieved when we are unified and utilise our range of talents and skills. By the 11th of March 2007 we had banked £2302.00.

c) Thanksgiving Services - March 2007 & 2008. It is evident to all of us that our annual thanksgiving service is not a commercially profitable activity but serves it’s own unique purpose and inspires us all as we give thanks to God and fellowship with other Regentonians, friends and family for the gift of education and the opportunity of attending our noble institution. Mr Crispin Cross’assistance as an organist this year was also appreciated.

It also needs to be stated at this juncture that the controversial issue surrounding Mr Adriano Aymer’s (6540) time in office as treasurer a few years ago needs closure as I have been approached and notified about this by concerned UK based Regentonians. It will be addressed over the next few months. I believe that is important that a finance committee is now established and that a general audit is undertaken.

SLGS FREETOWN

There has been regular communication between us here in the UK and Mr Akinwande Lasite (5606) in Freetown and on behalf of our UK association I would like to thank him for his diligent and excellent leadership through previously turbulent times which have now resulted in a privately managed institution with independent status. The board of governors and staff need to also be commended for their hard work and co-operation. Mr Ivan Carrol (5432), Chairman SLGS OBA (SL) has always perfectly timed his visits to the UK as he was present at our last AGM and was also in London for our recent (FD&D). I would like to thank him for his encouragement and for his provision and relaying of accurate information to and from our beloved alma mater. In this vein, I would also like to thank Dr Songo-Williams (Chairman Improvement Committee), Charles Campbell and Ebun Thorpe for efforts in communicating with us. At our last monthly meeting Dr Radcliffe Lisk agreed to liaise with Mr Ivan Carrol regarding the exact requirement and costs for the new project. He will report about this at our next monthly meeting on Sunday 14th of September. To date a donation of £200.00 towards desks and chairs for the re-opening of school was received by Dr Songo-Williams on behalf of the school in September 2006 when he was in the UK. Our association has also provided assistance through purchasing ties in the UK that were sent free of charge to the school and then sold on. I have also just been informed by Henry Showers that Regentonian, Mr Olu Coker of Manchester has recently donated 200 chairs.

CONSTITUTION

This is a very important and outstanding issue that still needs to be resolved. Mr Israel Parper (5617) a founder member and former chairman of the association has now found the documents to aid the discussion in this area that had been previously misplaced. A committee had been formed to discuss the issue but the documents were a prerequisite for Mr Parper to get involved. The committee will meet before the end of the year as there is need to consider acquiring charitable status due to the benefits to be gained.

VISION

My aim over the next 12 months in addition to strengthening our finances through more fundraising activities and the development of processes and methods to aid the collection of outstanding revenue incl. subscriptions and pledges is to articulate a comprehensive Regentonian vision for the 21st century. The paper will be entitled “ 21st Century Regentonia” which will require input from UK based Regentonians, our USA branch and the Regentonian community in Sierra Leone including present pupils too. It will be based on our past and unique heritage being transposed into the modern day to ensure that we all are aware of what can be achieved during this present age and for future generations. Areas to be addressed within the document and for implementation over the next 3-5 years incl.more scholarship provision, improved sporting facilities, optimisation of 50 acres of land at the Murray Town site (and Regent Square if it is still available) including the resurgence of the boarding school for sons of alumni in the western world and other parents); technological advancement including the use of solar power (The Prince of Wales School, Kingtom is now powered by solar panels financed by their alumni association) and improved lab facilities to name but a few… There is now an urgent need to ensure full subscriptions are paid or are in the process of being paid at £24.00 per annum and a reduced rate for pensioners whilst more pledges are received from the wider membership based on the project launch at our FD&D.

WEBSITE

Franklyn Wellington (6505) is doing a great job but there is a need for an editor/publisher who will commit to enhancing the content and creating stronger links with our alumni associations in the the USA, Sierra Leone and wider contacts. Please visit the website at www.regentonians.org An idea that has been floated that will galvanise Regentonians around the world is a newsletter suggested by Katib Iscandari Jr at a past monthly meeting. We should be able to raise significant revenue from it through the sale of school ties, bows, caps, t-shirts and other forms of memorabilia and accessories. We also require photographs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I also need to take this opportunity to thank the following Regentonians who have offered assistance in various ways- Christopher Balogun Lynch (5078) Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist who was our Grand Chief Patron for our D&D, John Gordon/SLTV for his audio visual services at events, Charles Kai-Kai/Paradise Restaurant for catering services, Franklyn Wellington/IT Professional and financier of website hosting 2008,Bimbola Carrol www.visitsierraleone.org and previous financier of our website 2007, Gwyn Allen/Entertainer & Singer, Ade Daramy/Broadcaster & Journalist for services as an MC, Charles Max-Macarthy (6612) & Junior Kallon services as DJs, Tunji Lightfoot-Taylor (6163)/Managing Director Mount Aureol Freight Services and sponsor of our Dinner & Dance and raffle prize donor, Winston Ojukutu Macauley/Journalist/ top prize raffle prize donor of £100.00 at our R&SE. Christopher Green/IT Professional for donations of computer furniture which were collected but not shipped to Freetown by Mount Aureol Freight Services Ltd due to a logistical impediment, Adesose Wallace/Internationally renowned musician and featured artiste at our (D&D), Cyril Showers (7630)/members of the choir & clergy (Rev Emile K Jones, Rev Lionel Thomas, Rev Ken Davies and Rev Ben Williams including Freddie Lawson (Director of Music) for his musical renditions. Vivian Venn did a great job as choirmaster at the 2007 thanksgiving service. Thanks also to Reggie Cole, Lancelot Edmondson, Albert Sesay and Pierre Songo-Brown for braving the elements of a rainy night by manning the door at our R&SE in February 2007. Thanks to Israel Parper for performing the Regentonian calypso at the R&SE. The cd is available for sale from him. To Dr Issac Greywoode for a substantial pledge of £1000 at our FD& D, Professor Franklyn Lisk for his patronage at our recent D&D and Dr Douglas Beoku-Betts of Leicester who has recently donated 15 computers.

The following are acknowledged: - Anifa Cole and my family for their support of my tenure as chair and supply of Regentonian ribbons at our social evening in February 2007, Nanette Johnson-Reid Chair AWOGA (UK) for her sound advice and donation of 34 computers to the school earlier on this year, Denetia Showers and Veronica Showers for their assistance in organising our thanksgiving receptions. Husai John, Manager Hilton Hotel Croydon for the donation of the top FD&D raffle prize which was a weekend stay at the Hilton Croydon, Margarette Stevens Nostalgia Nights/IT Consultant for her role as a sponsor, raffle prize donor and MC at our FD&D, Mrs Julia Lynch for assistance in the arrangements for our D&D Grand Chief Patron to attend, Ex-Mayor of Merton Edith Macauley for her patronage at our D&D and Sandra Decker for her exquisite and professional catering at our FD&D. She was also the personal contact for hiring the venue. I would also like to thank our Regentonian and Non-Regentonian guests at our FD&D who have made pledges and will honour them in due course.

OBITUARIES & WELFARE

Walton Shooter continues assiduously to ensure that SLGS OBA (UK) is represented at funerals of Regentonians and also where close relatives and family members of active UK based Regentonians have passed away. He also notifies our body about Regentonians who are suffering from ailments. With reference to bereavments, members make some financial contributions and donations of £100.00 are made to families in certain circumstances. Walton Shooter is fully aware that there is a need for us to clarify our policy on this issue… Over the past two years the passing of the following Regentonians have been brought to our notice. May their souls rest in peace – 12 yr old Andre Alan-Jarrett , Mr Charles Davis , Mr Mohamed, Mr Pateh Barrie , Justice Emile Thompson-Davies , Justice Sydney Warne, Mr Sylvanus Ojumarie Davies , Mr Balogun Scott, Mr Cream-Wright, Mr Kofi Gerber, Mr ASC Johnson (former Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone), Mrs Olive Francis (nee Johnson), Mr Harry Phillips, Mr Samuel Renner, Mr Claude Thomas, Mr Mohamed Turay, Mr Oladipo Venn, Mr Olu Nicol, Mr Abdul Macauley (founder member) and Mr Samuel Bruce-Williams.

MISCELLANEOUS

SLGS OBA (UK) recently donated £50.00 to Mrs Marion Morgan of AWOGA (SL) who will be embarking on a sponsored walk in November to raise funds for a construction project at the school.

MEETINGS

We now have a regular place to meet on the 2nd Sunday of every month in the Upper Room at the Masons Arms Pub, 51 Upper Berkley Street, London W1H 7QW at 4.30pm. The use of this facility is free of charge thanks to the efforts of Lindsay Benjamin who secured the venue. It is centrally located in the Marble Arch/Edgeware Road area of London and very accessible by all forms of public transport. There is also free parking on Sundays in Pay & Display parking bays and on single yellow lines.

Final Submission by Magnus N. Cole (7607) – Chairman, 14th September 2008