Message from the Chair (July, 2009)
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I would like to thank all those who helped to make Saturday, 6th June 2009 a very successful event. When the Trustees decided on a Saturday, we did have some questions in our minds as to whether a Saturday was the right day of the week to hold our AGM and our 10th Anniversary event, but the numbers attending on that day, both volunteers, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as representatives from other organisations, proved that we need not to have had any concerns. The refreshment team might have had some concern when they saw the length of the queue for lunch, but I was told that no-one went hungry!
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth attended, and the fact that they stayed so long, in fact almost to the end, showed that they had a genuine interest in the work we do. We were very sorry that Ann Wilkinson, the Director of the Racial Equality Council, Chair of Refugees First, and Chair of the Trustees of the Devon Law Centre, was not able to be our Chief Speaker due to family illness, but fortunately Julie Paget, who is the Senior Community Worker for the REC, was a more than adequate replacement. Our second speaker was the Chair of the African Community in Plymouth, Jean-Marie Ns'ana, who expressed the appreciation of his members, for the advice and support DCRSC gives.
I, as Chair of the DCRSC Board of Trustees, took the opportunity of high-lighting the dedication of our staff, Trish Baxter and Pat Joyce, whose commitment is amazing considering the type of work they do. Also, our Volunteers, without which we could not function.
I also mentioned by name, the small band of Trustees and the areas of responsibility they had to take on, as we still have no Manager. This change of role could be daunting and not what is expected of a Trustee, but as long as this is necessary, this is the only way we can function.
So, my grateful thanks to everyone.
Yours sincerely,
Lorna M. Sewell
Chair Board of Trustees
