AGM 2003

SECRETARY’S REPORT 2002 - 2003

Our last AGM, on 18th October 2002, saw us meet in a new venue, at a different time and with a new format. Thinking perhaps that the AGMs were a little too formal to entice members away from their Saturday morning routine, the Committee felt that a Worship Service, followed by supper, on a Friday evening would provide a relaxed atmosphere in which members could praise God, be encouraged and have fellowship together.

Calvin Jones, welcoming us to the Belfast Bible College, mentioned that an increasing number of young people are taking up a course at the College during a gap year. Worship was thoughtfully led by a group of teachers (and one Adviser!) from the Ballymena area and our Guest Speaker, Derick Bingham, encouraged us from Isaiah Ch. 40, emphasizing how influential ones schooldays can be. He reminded us of God’s greatness, His Shepherding care and interest in every detail of our lives. “He measures the universe in the span of His hand” - the same hand that holds and sustains us.

Those present enjoyed the evening, finding it uplifting, but were disappointed that so few members were there to benefit from it. With this in mind the Committee decided to survey our membership in an effort to ascertain their preferences in regard to an AGM. About one third of our 75 members responded but with no real concensus in favour of a particular time, venue or format.

Some suggestions, however, were made as to how NIACT might be of service. While many of these are already in place, it was felt that the way forward might be to develop NIACT as an electronic support for Christian teachers. In this way members could be updated on current educational issues, receive pointers for prayer and share with each other their expertise and experiences of pilot schemes, new initiatives etc.. If members were agreeable to a Constitutional change, which would remove the need to hold an AGM, election of the Committee could take place via e-mail or voting slips.

To maintain contact with existing members and to meet potential new members a presentation with buffet lunch is planned for Thursday 31st July at the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster. Hopefully this will be convenient for the many teachers who attend the New Horizon conference during this week.

In the incoming year we hope to extend awareness of NIACT’s work through contact with the majority of churches / fellowships in NI - via a publicity pack in the Autumn term and prior to Education Sunday on the 8th February 2004.

The Committee continues to meet at the end of the Summer and once during each term, the Spring meeting taking the form of a half-day review and planning session. The past year has also given us opportunities to secure links with Christian teachers outside the Province - Act magazine and our local publication, “Action”, continue to be mailed to many teaching abroad, we have applied for Associate Membership of EurECA (European Educators Christian Association) and we have been able to mark the retirement of Richard Wilkins as General Secretary of ACT by making him a gift of a print of the Giant’s Causeway.

As a Committee we would value both prayer and input from members as we try to bring the Association forward in a way which will be most beneficial to us all. Beneficial in that it will help each of us to fulfil our God-given role in education in a Christ- honouring way.

Helen Bonar
16th July 2003.