Anthroposophy Hawkes Bay
MINUTES of AGM 25 July 2026
Present:
John Allison, Chris Bacchus, Diana Bacchus, Robin Bacchus, Elke Baublies, Mark Frear, Dan Freeman, Jocelyn Freeman, Angela Hair, John Jackson, Eva Knausenberger, Sophie Lankovsky, Michael Lawn, Andrew McGovern, Nic Parkes, Bernie Raichle, Gerrit Raichle, Linda Hill-Rennie, Sue Simpson, Jen Speedy, Marjorie Theyer, Eva Steinmetz-Urieli, Michelle Vette
1] Ascertaining that a quorum of 12 is present. Yes
2] Welcome by Chair.
3] Verse: Social Ethic (JJ)
4] Apologies received from:
Deryn Menzies, Claire Morgan, Francisca Obers, Ursula Reuter, Michael Sargent, Margaret Stevenson, Lesley Waite.
5] Membership changes:
New: Stephen Diedericks, Matthew Frear, Sabina Bacchus, Camille Iona
Deceased: Daniel Brent 26-Jun-2025; Robert Simpson 2-Dec-2025;
Kristina Friedlander 10-Jan 2026
Resigned: Carol Jones
Transferred out of HB:
Transferred into HB:
6] Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting on 26 April 2025. Approved
7] Matters arising from the Minutes of 2025 AGM. Nil
8] 2026 Annual Report from the committee and sub-committees taken as read posted on Website. Michelle Vette acknowledged the work of those people who wrote the reports. Fran Obers acknowledged for work completed in library. Eva Steinmetz-Urieli and Angela Hair acknowledged for Art@ Foyer
9] Treasurer's Report for 2025/6 (a) Annual Financial Activity and Financial Position. Projected, Discussed, Accepted.
It was suggested that the report should be checked by an independent accountant. Stephen Diedericks will be approached to see if he is willing to do this for us.
See attached.
(b) Budget for the year [1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027]. Treasurer’s draft budget projected for all to see. A more detailed list of expenditure was shown. Projected income from Room rental was reduced because two large users were both reducing their hours, and thus their rent, considerably in the coming year. We need to find more clients. The modified deficit Budget was accepted with the proviso that the Committee seek to reduce any unnecessary expenses and seek new Room hire clients.
Gerrit suggested considering starting to use Brian Butler’s legacy mor consciously for Spiritual/Cultural Events.
The money has been sitting in the account for a long time and is rapidly losing its buying power due to high inflation over the last 5 years.
After discussion, this was accepted with the proviso that it is clearly administered and visible what it was used for.
See Budget.
10] Trustee’s Report. Andrew McGovern spoke briefly about the Trustee expenses and their questions about how to manage the Brian Butler legacy.
The Trustees would like to clarify the role of the Trust. Tustees will join the next Committee meeting to discuss Trust and Committee roles as well as how to establish clear and transparent pathways in spending Brian Butler’s legacy.
Q: Is Ethical investment possible for Brian Butler Legacy? (John Allison)
11] Constitution. The Committee proposed, after consultation with members, to replace the 2008 Constitution with a revised version. Gerrit explained how Emma Ratcliff, Chair of the ASNZ Council, had contacted us with a number of suggested improvements based on their recent experience. He and Robin went through the Constitution with Emma, clause by clause and produced a revised version which was presented to the meeting by projection. Gerrit explained the changes and answered questions. It was pointed out that the Charities Commission expected registered Charities to regularly review and update their Constitutions. The Revised Constitution was accepted with two members abstaining (Nic and Elke), with the understanding that it was not yet perfect and further modifications may be necessary at future AGMs.
12] Fundraising strategy to meet the needs expressed in the Budget. After some discussion it was agreed that the treasurer send emails to Members and Friends outlining the amount of funds the Committee needed to raise from them and invite them to donate funds within a wide range. There was discussion about the eligibility of donations to AHB for Tax relief by IRD.
This will be followed up with IRD to clarify.
13] General business. Nic Parkes invited members to consider and discuss the long term future of the Centre at 401 Whitehead Road as a home for AHB. Were there alternatives that would not be so expensive ($25,000 per annum)?
Any interested people to work on this, please contact Nic.
John Allison asked why the old outside noticeboard was replaced. Gerrit explained that it was not useable anymore since the glass windows had completely seized and were not able to be moved. John Jackson and Angela Hair have taken on to improve the appearance of the new noticeboard to make it more “anthroposophically looking”.
14. Committee Elections
Elections are not required since no Committee members have completed their 7 years’ service cycle.
There are presently three Committee members, the legal minimum, which means if one is not available, the Committee cannot meet.
In order to boost Committee member’s numbers, it was suggested by Dan Freeman to go through the member’s list alphabetically and ask people to join the Committee for a period of time.
This suggestion will be discussed at the next Committee meeting.
Sophie Lankowsky was elected to join the Committee.
Angela Hair resigned from the Committee and her contribution over the past three years was acknowledged.
The meeting closed at 3.30pm.
2025-2026 Reports posted online https://www.anthrohb.nz/agm-2026