robgul wrote:.... my e-mail addresses are "seeded" to be able to identify senders - I have replied to what I assume to be a "three line whip" e-mail asking how the individual that e-mailed me go my address ... we'll see what happens.
Perhaps Karen might cut and paste her message on this thread to see if it's the same as the message others have had.
Rob
This is the email from the two North West Councillors (one of whom is Chair of Counci)l:
"Dear Member
You will shortly be receiving your copy of Cycle magazine with a further instalment of the charity debate. We hope that you can spare a few moments to read this message.
As your elected North West councillors we felt it was important to let you know the position of the CTC National Council and of ourselves on this important issue. The National Council has been looking at this matter for several years and following advice from our own governance group, and two external consultants, Council, in October at its Manchester meeting, voted, with only one against, to recommend a unified charity . Your two councillors strongly support this.
We recognise that the membership will make the final decision at our AGM at Loughborough in May of this year. To support you in that decision we would recommend that you look at the CTC website where we have posted a series of frequently asked questions.
In the latest edition of Cycle you will see two articles ‘For’ and ‘Against’ the proposal. In the ‘against’ article the impression is wrongly given that the club have to support loss making charitable activities. The reverse is in fact the case. With our present charitable activities and the overhead costs, the CTC Trust has, in the latest accounts, saved the club £430k . In the accounts, monies transferred from the club to the trust are for member services provided by the trust.
Sounds complicated we know; and that’s one of the reasons why converting to a unified charity will bring greater clarity. Incidentally we have full confidence in the CTC’s financial management. As part of the accountability process our financial advisor and chair of a management committee, both of whom are highly qualified financial experts, have examined the accounts in detail and confirm the positive figures presented. None of our charitable contracts are ‘loss making’.
The financial benefits from becoming a full charity, partly with the opportunity of gift aid, will increase resources for the CTC to promote cycling. As your North West councillors we feel that this will provide increasing financial resources to our local member groups to support the excellent activities that they offer to you as members.
We do not hide the fact that we are excited by the opportunities ahead. Our membership is at a record level and there is real confidence in the organisation. As a unified organisation we will promote and campaign for cyclists nationally; distinct from other cycling organisations. We do hope that you will feel able to support the case for unification. If you cannot make the AGM then please use your proxy vote which will be available in the April edition of Cycle.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Welna Bowden and David Robinson
P.S. It is attached as a word document for printing".