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>>Annual General Meeting, March 17th
Despite a slow start, the free Tibet Society has had a successful year. One of the fundamental problems at the start of the year was our lack of financing, which meant that the main focus for our meetings was organising Tibet week. People turn out was low and the meetings were not well thought out and poorly structured. It was a steep learning curve for the committee as well (none of us had any experience in running a society). However, constructive criticism helped us regain our purpose and direction. The major turning point was the Nuns talk where we received almost 200 people. We had publicised it well, and linked up with LUU Amnesty International, who helped us with planning and publicising it. This was not only a moral booster but also a platform for us to work from. Tibet week can also be viewed as a success with good turnouts to the talks and the talks going smoothly bar an uninvited guest speaker and a protest from Chinese students which ended in handshakes and hopefully a bit of understanding. Talks and campaigns all help to build awareness and also attracted new people who were interested. The conference that Julian and Luke attended in London was also a turning point, not only on a personal level but also gained valuable experience and tips from people heavily involved in the campaign. We also have direct support from people involved in SFT (Students for a Free Tibet) and the
Tibetan Youth, both of whom we hope to do further work within the future.
The society’s website www.whatabouttibet.com is coming on in great leaps, with frantic sporadic improvements which have halted for much of the past month due to all the other stuff going on. We would also like to say a massive thanks everyone who helped out during Tibet week to make it what it was. Without these contributions it would have been very difficult to put on. This society is all about contribution in its many forms and this is what keeps the society functioning, from flyering and petitioning to working out how we can improve how the society is run. There has been great improvement the quantity and quality of ideas being thrown about, and we think the society will continue and further our work in raising greater awareness of the Tibetan issue.
Finance
In the first term, we received no funding. Although we had registered as a society in the Third Semester of 2004/2005, there had been a mix-up at the Union where they had no record of our registration. Due to the Union’s rules that meant we were ineligible for funding. We received £72 in members fees. Many of the people who turn up to our events are not paid-up members, but of course they are just as welcome. Next year, membership fees will again be £3. £1 of this will go to helping Tibetan Refugees in India & Nepal.
In the second semester, we received a large amount of money and funding from the LUU, £486 to be exact. We also became aware of existing money left over from the previous
Free Tibet society. This came to a total of £197 pounds. We came up with the idea of using this spare money to sponsor a child in Tibet. We have used the well so far having invested in badges to sell and also paper for the fliers and posters. We only have £15 of that left, which will be used to buy a DVD for the society. Other expenditures include the conference and the cost of the talks. We have spent over the budget of £50 on publicity, but as this is essential, we think that using the society’s funds for this, and the various other paper work (Letter guidelines, petitions) etc. is worthwhile.
The New Committee
The following people were voted unanimously into the designated positions.
President: Luke Ward
Treasurer: Ali Knight
Secretary: Steve Perry
Fundraising coordinator: Jenny Sim
Social secretary: Iva Djokic
Campaign manager: Suzi Hale
We would like to welcome our new committee and say thanks to those who are
leaving (Julian- you’ll be missed mate).
Future ideas
Panchen Lama's birthday – Tuesday, 25th of April
There have been many ideas mentioned and all have potential to be a great success. As it is the Panchen Lama's birthday on Tuesday the 25th of April, people suggested ideas such as having a card writing session where people write cards to the Panchen Lama for his birthday. We hope to also have a cake stall as these are often very popular and would provide us with some income. The society will be putting more focus on human rights next year, and with Ali being our Treasurer and Amnesty’s President, I’m sure we will do more work with them in the future. Many people still have little or no knowledge about the awful human rights record of the Chinese Government, and we really need to spread this awareness, particularly with the Beijing Olympics approaching in 2008.
Teddys for Tibetan Refugees
Our new campaign manager, Suzi also had another excellent idea- to send old Teddy bears to Tibetan children. Teddys and other toys can really help as an item of comfort for children who have been separated from their parents. This will be organised in greater depth in subsequent meetings.
Once again thanks for all the hard work and lets keep it up!
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Tibetan girl with a Teddy bear
Relevant Websites
The Website of the Drapchi 14
Students For a Free Tibet
Free Tibet Campaign
Amnesty International
Leeds University
Leeds University Tibet Soc
Gedhun Choekyi Nima, the boy recognised in 1995 as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama.
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