|
- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 111 posts
|
Hi, I'm Fiona, and for a year or so, I organised branch meetings in Exeter. I was able to do it as my practice was still quite small at that point - I was barely a member by the first meeting! I did try to encourage others to continue the meetings when I moved to Saltash a year ago, but there weren't those who felt able to take it on.
Firstly, I am going to the Summit in a couple of weeks - if you are travelling from Devon/Cornwall, please let me know and we can meet up at some point during the day.
Secondly, organising a branch would really not be onerous for a team. The work includes - booking a venue - choosing subjects - inviting speakers (HO are really helpful with ideas for this) - liaising with London for invitations - maybe running a Facebook page - keeping records of attendance/contact details. With 3 or more volunteers, this would be feasible. Now it's up to you to volunteer - both to attend meetings and to help organise - branches are run by members, for members!
So - if you could come to a meeting - or could help organise one - please comment below. It's time to put our counties on the map!
Many thanks,
Fiona
|
|
- Member
- Practice Licence
- 16 posts
|
Hi Fiona,
I will be at the summit too, I am travelling up on the Sunday and staying till Monday, I am travelling from Redruth.
I am willling to help in the organisation of meetings, I am a very new bookkeeeper who has only been running my business for 3 years but am willing to do what I can to help.
Hope to meet you soon.
Leanda Daddow
Edited at 06 Oct 2015 07:59 AM GMT
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 12 posts
|
Hi Fiona,
I would be very interested in attending a closer branch meeting then Somerset 
Unfortunatly at the present time I would not be able to offer any support on the orginising front for various reasons but would hope that would change in the near future?
Thank you for your time to this and putting a possible option out there.
Kind regards Rachel.
|
|
|
Hi Fiona
I have contacted you before, hello :)
I actually spoke to someone at ICB about organising a branch meeting a few months back and she told me she would call me back in a few weeks. I did not get a call back so e-mailed ICB again a week or so back but, again, have not had a reply!
My proposal is to organise meetings at the Dartmoor Lodge, Ashburton. It is on the A38 so very accessible and around halfway between Exeter and Plymouth, so pretty central too with free parking and a garage/sandwich outlet right next door. I would be happy to organise but I have found ICB to not be very responsive to e-mails as late and not been in thinking/calling mode during the dayl
ICB, is anyone there???
Would that suit other bookkeepers in the area. I am happy to organise.
Best wishes
Karen
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 36 posts
|
Count me in. I'd be happy to help set up a branch. Good setting choice as it's easy to get to for Exeter and Plymouth based. Hopefully, ICB will get back to you Karen.
I won't be attending the summit this year but will definitely try for next year. Perhaps the Summits could be more like political party conferences and travel round the country.
Let me know if I can help
Steph
|
|
|
Thank you Steph, I hope to meet you soon. I will update if I hear anything/sort something out re venue. Where are you based?
Edited at 05 Oct 2015 09:43 PM GMT
|
|
|
Hi Steph (et al)
I spoke to ICB today and I am being sent info through with regard to setting up a Branch Meeting. I will probably look to book a room early evening perhaps around 6.30 or 7.00 (as I think mentioned earlier, at a place - initially at least - between Exeter and Plymouth on the A38). I thought I would check days with you as it would be good to work around those most likely to attend. Please let me know if a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday would work for you, and would that time suit? My telephone number is 01803-863930 if you, or anyone else, is interested would like to contact me.
I beleive that the first meeting is for networking and seeing what everyone else wants from the meetings but I would also like to try and organise something soon in terms of a training morning or day specifically for start up Practice License holders (and students of-course) to ensure we are/I am fully ofay with, practice basics, (legal etc) requirements for being in practice and perhaps be inspired to sell ourselves too!!!
I am not bad at organising but not sure if I am a particularly good real-life 'Chair' but we could work it out amongst ourselves. Do get in touch
Best wishes, Karen
Edited at 06 Oct 2015 10:40 AM GMT
|
|
- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 111 posts
|
Hi All,
Thanks for your responses - and particularly Karen for chasing ICB. I spoke to Agatha at the Summit yesterday (and met Leanda), so we are getting closer to a solution - watch this space - and your email inbox.
Karen - I'll give you a call.
Fiona.
|
|
- Member
- Practice Licence
- 16 posts
|
Hi All,
Fiona was lovely to meet you at the summit. I am keen to attend meetings but being in Redruth in Cornwall - its an hr and 3/4 to get to the Ashburton location. I am not sure how often I could get there having 2 young kids 2 & 3 but will come along and see how it goes. Is everyone located the other side of Plymouth or are people closer to this side?
Look forward to meeting more of you,
Regards
Leanda
|
|
|
Thank you for your message and call Fiona.
I think you mentioned that your number was daytime, so I will hopefully try you tomorrow.
As meetings used to be in Exeter, Ashburton seemed central to Plymouth and Exeter and also perhaps north and south of this point. Although, yes, quite a distance from Redruth. Can ICB have a Branch in each county?
I know that being on the A38 it is more car access than train but I could always give anyone a lift from Totnes station should that be required.
Lets speak soon Fiona, thanks for getting in touch x
Edited at 13 Oct 2015 06:58 PM GMT
|
|
|
Hello,
I'm new here and would love the opportunity to meet up with fellow bookkeepers in Devon / Cornwall.
As for organising - not sure what it would entail, but please feel free to delegate my way
Thanks.
Hannah.
|
|
|
Hi Hannah
Thank you for your message and offer of help, that's very kind. Fiona and I had a chat recently about getting this moving. We are looking to arrange something in the latter part of November in Devon. Once I get a date I will post it and Agatha with notify members. I have not read the info that ICB sent yet, but I think sharing some tasks really help. Thank you for your message Hannah and hopefully meet you soon.
Best wishes,
Karen
|
|
|
Dear All
We have a date!
23rd November from 7-9 at the Dartmoor Lodge in Ashburton, TQ13 7JW (just off the A38 midway between Exeter and Plymouth.
Agatha will be e-mailing out to everyone. The basic cost is, I understand, £5 which is paid directly to ICB. This hopefully covers room cost. Tea and coffee etc can be purchased the hotel if you wish.
This first meeting will be to meet, decide what we want from the meetings (including training) and the regional branch manager, Ken Ball will be coming along to support. It's my first time of doing this so patience and support, if you can, is most welcome.
I look forward to meeting you all
Karen
Edited at 27 Oct 2015 09:34 AM GMT
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 36 posts
|
Excellent news Karen. Looking forward to meeting fellow bookkeepers
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 36 posts
|
I'm paid up for the meeting...just wondered if anyone else spotted that the email said £7 for ticket but the shop says £5?
Steph
|
|
|
I'm rather late to this discussion but I am in Mid Cornwall and would be interested if a Cornwall branch was set up at any point
|
|
- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 111 posts
|
Hi Jen,
It is still a possibility, but I'm busier than I was a year ago! A number of us talked at the Inspire event in March, and wondered about St Austell as a venue, and I got as far as finding out that the trains might be feasible for an evening meeting there.
In the meantime, the next meeting in Devon is in September - so keep an eye out on the branch events information here. You don't have to live in Devon to go(!), and if transport is an issue, there is probably something we can work out.
Kind regards,
Fiona
|
|
- Member
- Practice Licence
- 16 posts
|
Hi Everyone - just thought I would leave an update as we are closer to setting up a Cornwall ICB branch with a first meeting in June TBC.
I am talks with Agatha at ICB and will be hoping to have the meeting confirmed for the Truro area - close to train station/bus routes etc to guage interest and use this as an opppertunity to see if any other members/students in te area have suggesstions regarding location.
Would be great to see as many of you as possible I will pop a post up when I have confirmed the bookking.
Leanda
|
