Minutes 2020 AGM Taj Ganj Welcome School Incorporated

Taj Ganj Welcome School Incorporated Minutes 2020 AGM

Taj Ganj Welcome School Incorporated is an Australia-based support group for the Dr Ambedkar Primary School in Teli Pera, Agra, India.

Dr Ambedkar is an inspiration for our school…his values align with this primary school. The school provides basic primary education to about 100 local children, Prep to Grade 5 level. The school is managed by members of the Ahmad family (who live in/near the school). www.tajganjschool.org

Tenth Annual General Meeting LIVE or by ZOOM

Date Friday December 4th, 2020
Place: at 750 Landscape Road Tallarook Vic and Your Living Room Time:7.30 Meeting .
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86132147943?pwd=SmJiWDMrQkdUNlhTOTQ4ZGN4NjZzQT09 Meeting ID: 861 3214 7943 Passcode: 759289

Present: Jenny McInnes, Sandra Bowkett, Lisa Warn, Greg Parkinson, Phil Bourne, Kate Lewer, Scott Emerson, Tanya Robinson, Ann Ferguson, David Clarey, Peter Lockyer.
Also on ZOOM Jacinta and John Agostinelli in Reservoir, Mark Perrin in Perth and in Agra …Naim Ahmad but he couldn’t hear that well…by phone audio only.
Phil chaired the meeting as President. Kate Lewer took the minutes as Secretary.
Phil acknowledged our Taungurung country.
1.Confirm the minutes of the previous meeting (2019 AGM). Separately circulated by email. Minor amendment, then accepted Tanya/Jenny

2. Receive the Treasurers Report of the transactions of the TGWS Inc.
Treasurer’s Report. Presented by Sandra Bowkett the very able treasurer
1.Main Operating Account. with funds are withdrawn from AXIS bank in Agra
Account opened Feb 10th, 2010.
Bendigo Bank Ltd BSB 633000
Account Number 139200299 Account Title: Taj Ganj Welcome School Inc.

Total Income: $19,190.82 ($13,987 2016, $14,878.95 – 2017, $18,076.52 -2018/19, 2019- $14.099)
Total Withdrawals: $19,421 ($14,132 – 2016, $14,687.14 – 2017, $18,205.48 -2018/19, 2019-$13,800)
A NETT LOSS of $230

FEES. $396 Card fee $36, TT fees $360 ($3/mth Debit Card, and $30/mth Telegraphic Transaction Fees)
INTEREST. 76 cents…a couple of rupees
We have established a bank account in the school’s name in Agra. Funds from the Australian Bendigo Bank account are Telegraphic Transferred once a month since nov 2016, fee of $30 each time.

All of the available funds deposited have been withdrawn by member Naim Ahmad for the sole benefit of the operating costs of Dr. Ambedkar Primary School in Teli Pera, Agra, India. This is in accordance with the aims of the Incorporated association.
[NB. Dr Ambedkar Primary School is the actual school name , and Taj Ganj Welcome School Inc. is the support organization]

2.Building Account This account operates as a “top-up” to the main operating account and attracts irregular donations.
Bendigo Bank Ltd BSB 633000 Account Number: 144114154 Account Title: Taj Ganj Welcome School Inc.

Total Income $ 4,909.47 (incl. interest of $1.35)
Total Withdrawals $ 4,450.50 (a Nett Reserve of $459)

3.Other Income $900 $75/month from Julie Wilson. Transferred irregularly.

Sponsorship is $1030 per month. (Last year $930, previous $1,070 per month). Usual outgoings are $1000/month minimum, plus $30 TT fee….$1030 [on the face of it, neat, no savings.]

We had 22 sponsors Last year 23 BUT they are not all known to PL! One has dropped off, known. We need to adjust our website so that donors email me about their deposits….and I can then email them into the loop, thank them. The same comment last year.

ACTION Mark has offered to update our website early 2021

Taj Ganj Welcome School Inc has no assets and no liabilities outstanding.

As the Taj Ganj Welcome School Inc. is a Tier 1 association under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (revenue below $250,000) the Financial Statement must be certified by two committee members only, and does not need to be audited. Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (revenue below $250,000) the Financial Statement must be certified by two committee members only, and does not need to be audited.

Certified. Scott and Anne. Received: Scott/Ann

3. Receive a report from the Public Officer.

Public Officer’s Report

[the Public Officer is the Secretary and official the point of contact for the legal and operational business of the Incorporated Association.]
A tumultuous year, moreso in Teli Para and the Dr Ambedkar Primary School.

The “note later”. Naim has severed ties with Nevermind Adventures from earlier this year, and has plans to run his own motorcycle tours with support from others in Australia. Naim has learnt his new tools from Nedvermind, but the parting is a bit acrimonious.

As Nevermind Adventures relied a lot on tourists for bike tours, and there were none possible, they too have struggled- liquidated the business, relationship tension. Matt is employed with Nevermind in Geelong. [Matt and Anna met the school through Sandra and I in 2012?] . Good luck to M and A.

WE have made some really good friends out of this collaborative journey, however, and the school is most fortunate. Jason in Griffith, Roni, Reese, Mark….many people linked by motorbikes and a caring for the Teli Para kids’ education. Many more not ever been on a bike, but joined this school “ride of a lifetime”. (I couldn’t resist that) Good  on us all.
Who knows what the future holds for the school. We have steady sponsorship, with a few new faces (Mark, Reese, Jacinta) and some losses (Matt, Anna, Sara) and the unexpected death of our good friend Shelley Frawley in Seymour….but the “system” we have with the support for the school endures . Until the Secretary karks it??

Open day earlier in 2020.
This elder watches his child write,

He probably can’t.

Sponsorship. Sponsorship support from Australia remains strong, despite losing a couple of strong sponsors last year. We still need to adjust our website to request new sponsors/donors to email the Secretary and be recognised, thanked and kept in touch. Do we have an offer for this website task?

We currently have 22 sponsors, the foundation supporters of the school. Regular sponsors of the Dr Ambedkar Primary School raise some $1030/month which just covers our regular commitments. There are no savings in this model. …hat around when it comes to school uniform time.

To each and every one of you, thank you. The school continues to “thrive” due to your interest and generosity. We get very little feedback from sponsors, so two emails OUT each year may be just enough contact. Maybe everyone is happy with 2 per year? Who knows…..

New School Jumpers. As with last year, the $1100 school jumpers’ bill was half-funded only (from occasional donations) and the balance split between the Secretary and Naim. Where does Naim find $250 in a lock down? . We had funds enough for jumpers and no socks and beanies, and Naim continues to insist new jumpers, socks and beanies each year is needed. I no longer argue.

Donations. Rob Sutherland $200, Julian Pearce $100, Mark Perrin’s mates in Perth, Waster Hanlon $500, Walter Wright $200, Jeneane McKissack $500, Kluzek P/L $200, Kim Bowen $100, DPSL Investments $100Jules $100, Rob Sutherland again $500, S Verburgt $200, Peter D $200, Chris Reeves and Shane Miller $100 each……and many more. Many are friends of Naim’s responding to the Covid cash crunch. Thanks all. [Now these good folks may become sponsors, go the extra mile?]

Accountability. Ruksar sends a Monthly Claim of Expenses of about $1000, and the Public officer then forwards $1000 by Telegraphic Transfer. It is working.

Each month we get a story and a picture about one student, written by Ruksar. This is my requirement for monthly funds. The students’ stories have been posted on Facebook most times, or appeared in Newsletters. The stories are an important insight into the difficulties faced by each student, and their family structure.
Ruksar is using emails more this year. I correct her fragile English and return the email, usually, but it IS a good development. She has about run out of stories, and finished a couple of months ago with stories about the teachers.

[I have a sister that looks a bit like Deeksha, now that I look at it]

Teacher training remains a priority. But I’m not sure where this is at. Suffice to say, Ruksar (head teacher) has completed her 2 year course, and now is on a further short training course. Her younger sister Iram has completed teacher training .

However, I discover whilst composing this gem of an agenda, that two teachers in in the pictures, both Deeksha and Deepali are both studying for a B.A. This may mean their days are numbered at the school? I know not. There are no guarantees with our school, other than the students who get to Grade 5 have education adequate to allow them entry into a higher school elsewhere in Agra, and that’s the success story of the Dr. Ambedkat primary School, and where your money goes.

Last year I wrote…..”Sofiya has commenced training and nearing graduation. Sofiya has been at the school since 2009 when Sandra and I first came across the school….this is a success, as Sofiya is married… and still working. Unusual”. Sofiya has since left the school. 9 years on….

Geelong teacher Ben Price …I have lost contact, and don’t know where he is up to. Almost certainly not in India on a motorcycle.

Deepali, teacher  july 2020

My name is deepali.
My father’s name is motilal.
My mother’s name is kashmeera.
I live in tajganj at my pura.

I am studying b.a

My father is a shoe maker.
And I am happy to do job in school teaching.

I decided to teach in school proper.
And school paid me on time. Deepalli is paid Rp 7,000 monthly

Thanks to all

Students. Student numbers are still about 100, but fluctuate. Too many, and overcrowding is a school reality. The senior students (Grade 5) have the computer room as their separate classroom. The separation from the rest of the bedlam is a great thing. …The other children have classes visually separated but not sound isolated. It is challenging.

Upstairs (the family space) is used for morning exercises and prayer, mealtimes and some classes (sit on rugs that a sponsor helped out with).
Saturday afternoon is art class time. Beyond the rote learning, the school has introduced some creative time. Saturday afternoons (school is 6 days a week) is art class time, and upstairs gets some class use. Iram arises for this tuition, teaching dancing.
Food. Children have access to a banana a day, every day (in lieu of a cooked meal). Fruit is relatively expensive. Fresh fruit is a rarity. This equates to about $20 each week. It appears that most children still bring their own play-lunch though.

Acceptance of new members to the Association. New sponsors are automatically new members…so long as they email the Secretary.
THANKS to those other Committee members unceremoniously turfed out in the (s)election last year, this year. Your past work is acknowledged, and your future engagement with our school support TGWS Inc. is welcomed, at whatever level you are dobbed in for.
Ours is a small contribution to educating a needy part of humanity. We have a stable ship, awaiting some teaching opportunities coming from outsiders…in due course. Thanks for being “on board”.
That’s it. Peter Lockyer Secretary….still

ACTION Website. Mark Perrin has offered to assist with a revamp of the website. PL has since spoken with Mark. This may be a website job when visiting Perth

ACTION Employ another teacher- a male ? Makbool is available. This will cost an extra Rp12,000 each month. $240. This is 50% more than Ruksar gets. It was agreed that the employment of a male will be good for the children (currently no male teachers at the school) and Makbool comes with 10 years of teaching experience (so no training needed). He is the brother of Naim’s wife Rihana, so “all in the family” provides a level of stability in the muslim way, and stability for the school going forward (won’t get married and drawn away, as often happens). We discussed this cultural reality- we fund the school, we don’t control it. Concern was expressed that Makbool as a male doesn’t dominate the school, and override Ruksar. WE can afford an extra teacher, but will have to wait on training for two teachers, and bananas for children every day. We have previously expressed support for fruit for the children (this is not seen as funding their survival, but a fruit health benefit)
IT WAS DECIDED to employ Makbool, and to fund one banana for each child for 1 day each week.

ACTION Sandra to look into food options for the children. Funding of food for kids should not be at the expense of the teachers.
Received: Kate Lewer / Sandra Bowkett

4. General Business The Terrace Floor. WE have no funding program for funding the desired Terrace Floor. We need approximately $20k. Scott commented that this could be built to Indian standards, and in a staged funding approach. General agreement. Peter to develop a budget for the Top Floor Terrace, and circulate for perusal.
ACTION The Committee will meet in a few months time to discuss a funding strategy

5. Election of Office Bearers for 2020-21

President Phil Bourne returned unopposed. Tanya/KL V-President Tanya Robinson SB/SE Secretary Peter Lockyer (11 years!!) KL/SE Treasurer Sandra Bowkett KL/TR John Agostinelli offered support to SB if required
General Committee Scott Emerson Ann Ferguson Jenny McInnes Kate Lewer

6. Other business for which notice has been given (7 days) None.

Peter Lockyer Public Officer Dec 4th 2020

Rooftop garden at Hotel Saniya Place.
This remains still the dream for the Terrace Floor, plus a roof and monkey cage.

my name is Ronak.

my father’s name is Mahesh.my mother name is asha. my father is a blacksmith.and I live in basai kala tajganj agra. I read in 2nd class. and my father live me school daily. my favroute subject is hindi.

because I spoke hindi easily. I am 7 years old .i wanna good doctors. my father is very happy. then i wanna be a doctor. my father love so much. and my mother also.i am daily present in school.

I love my school.[Ronak ji….correct answer]

My name is Sana.

I am 12 years old and I am reading in 5th class., My father is a shoe maker and his name is Shehzad Ali. My mother is Najma Begum and we live in Purani Sabzi Mandi (the old Vegetable market) in Taj Ganj, Agra.

I want to be a teacher like my mother, to teach others.My father cannot afford my study fees that’s why I read (study) here at Dr Ambedkar School. My mother supports me here- I love my mother so much.

My favourite fruit is mango, and my favourite colour is pink. At school, my favourite subject is hindi, our national language. (PL’s translation)

my name is Ishana.

my father name is jamaluddin.my mother name is nagina begum.my father is a took took driver.he drive the auto.

i live in telipara tajganj agra.i read in dr.ambedkar primeri school.i am 12 years old i read in 4th class.but this school is only 5th i read further here.

i love this school.my favroute subject is hindi.hindi is my mother tongue.i wanna teacher.

as my mam and then i m teacher so i can teach more children.

i love heena.i learn heena of eram mam.heena is my passion.my father is so busy man.

nobody educated in my family.thats by my mother father and my big brother want to i m stoody here.

my family in many problem in nobody educated bill of light and more problem thats by i m stood.

Now I have resisted this for years, and some people may wish I should still resist, but I want to “name” all of our sponsors. As Donald J. would have said, “these are very good people”. Donald who?
Deb Sanders, Cynthia+Nick, GMCU unknown but maybe Kate, Jamie, Steve S, Rob Hinton, Mark perrin, Reese Driscoll, Sandra B, Bank First 15567, PL, Mark Sanders, Jason Dossetter, Roni, Scaott and Tanya, Jacinta+John, Melinda, JJ McI, Glen+Steph, Ali Beamish, Ann Ferg and Tony+Julie.

Our statement of purposes is

To create a support group for the Taj Ganj Welcome School in Agra, India, including
• create a bank account and attract regular contributions of funds from members in Australia to forward to the TGWS in Agra;
• establish a blog site to keep members informed of the activities of the group, and to report progress in the TGWS from the funds of the group;
• require the TGWS to contribute to the site;
• facilitate Australian teachers to visit the school in Agra and assist in program development and the strategic development of the school

And just in at the time of writing….

Monthly Account for the month of december 2020