AGM 2025 Minutes

Minutes of the IMC Annual General Meeting

16 June 2025

Participants: 20 participants over 15 households, plus Nancy (joining from Germany). Trustees present: Clive Booley, Jenny Booley, Seren Boyd, Penny Callaghan, Leo Guzman Aldana, Leah Guzman Aldana and Charles Farr.

1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Clive Booley welcomed attendees to the Annual General Meeting of the UK IMC. He explained that Nancy from Colombia would join later to provide an update. He also noted that the agenda and a link to the minutes from the last AGM were available in the chat bar.

2. Opening Prayer
Seren Boyd opened the meeting in prayer. She offered thanks for IMC and for the team's faithfulness in Colombia, praying that the meeting would honour God and make clear His love for the vulnerable children of Colombia.

3. Official Business
Seren Boyd conducted the official business.
3.1 Approval of Previous AGM Minutes
Seren Boyd asked for approval of the minutes from the last AGM.
• Proposed by: Charles Farr.
• Seconded by: Dave Hall.
• Decision: The minutes of last year’s AGM were approved.
3.2 Confirmation of Trustees for 2025
Seren Boyd confirmed the lineup of Trustees for the coming year: Penny Callaghan, Leo and Leah Guzman Aldana, Clive and Jenny Booley, and Seren Boyd. Charles Farr is stepping down as Treasurer and Trustee this month. Seren Boyd thanked Charles for his gracious, diligent, and meticulous service over the past two years.
• Proposed by: Dave Hall.
• Seconded by: Laura Hauer.
• Decision: The Trustee lineup for 2025 was approved.
• Action Point: Seren Boyd requested that anyone interested in becoming a new trustee or who knows of interested individuals should contact IMC to discuss the role.
3.3 Appointment of New Treasurer
Seren Boyd proposed Jennifer Booley (Jen) as the new Treasurer, noting that Jenny is a bookkeeper by trade and is very well qualified.
• Proposed by: Charles Farr.
• Seconded by: Laura Hauer.
• Decision: Jenny Booley’s appointment as Treasurer was approved.

4. Treasurer's Report
Charles Farr presented the Treasurer’s Report, supported by a PowerPoint presentation run by Clive Booley.
• Accounting Costs: Links handles IMC’s auditing and ensures legal compliance. The cost for Links has risen significantly, almost doubling in 2023. This increased charge has dented the income IMC is able to send to Colombia.
o Action Point: The Trustees are continuing efforts to find a workable solution to reduce the costs of managing the finances.
• Income Trends: Income has slowly declined over the last six years, which Charles Farr believes reflects the state of the British economy. Specifically, ad hoc giving, particularly donations matched by corporations, has largely vanished. IMC relies heavily on a very faithful base of monthly donors.
• Gift Aid: Gift Aid remains a very significant part of the annual donation income.

5. Director's Report: IMC Annual Update
Seren Boyd presented the Director’s Report, noting that the written document is provided to the Charity Commission.
• Scope of Work: IMC (IMiC) supported 1299 children and 456 adults in vulnerable situations last year.
• Context: Colombia remains a deeply unequal nation plagued by deep class divisions. The team operates on a shoestring budget amid an increasingly volatile funding landscape. Security is a major concern; the husband of IMiC's accountant was killed due to rising extortion.
• Project Areas (in order of spending priority):

1. La Guajira (35% of spending): A rural, indigenous area suffering from extreme poverty (two in three people live in poverty) and insecurity. The region’s problems are compounded by hosting 2.8 million Venezuelan refugees. The infant mortality rate from acute malnutrition is high.

• Progress: A new church building that will double as a community centre as just been finished. Action Point: Seren Boyd/Trustees will share photos of the completed church building, especially with the donor. Livelihood support, such as materials for handmade mochilas (bags), continues.

2. Los Alpes (25% of spending): A slum area on the outskirts of Bogota. IMC previously partnered with the Oaks of Righteousness Church. IMC is now supporting Don Antonio’s educational project, providing educational resources, training, and setting up a children’s library. A sewing school is planned.

3. Fusa (22% of spending): An urban area where IMC partners with two churches to run activities for children and workshops for parents on topics like conflict resolution and positive parenting.

4. Tasajera: Involvement in this deeply poor former fishing community has halted for now, but a local church continues to provide support.

• Team Update: The core team in Colombia consists of Nancy (Director), Carlos (Deputy Director), and Jennyfer (Administrator). Maicol (Social Worker) stepped down to focus on his family's tailoring business.

6. Colombia Team Update and Q&A
Nancy joined the meeting from Germany. Leo Guzman Aldana and Leah Guzman Aldana facilitated translation between English and Spanish.
• Program Changes: Nancy reported that 2024 was difficult, but they were able to complete all projects. Due to the economic situation, they are now returning to their principal aim of evangelism, with or without money. They are building stronger alliances with local churches to reach more people.
• Focus on Services: IMIC is focusing less on material resources and more on services like training for micro-enterprises, supporting families in setting up businesses, and using the state’s SENA apprenticeship scheme. They are also providing psychosocial support. They encourage children and adults to save and invest in their own products to become more self-sustainable.
• Priorities for the Year Ahead: Increasing spiritual encouragement and church involvement; developing businesses to improve family economies; and supporting children’s studies (supplies and potential university funding).
• Funding and Property: Some programmes have been suspended (eg Tasajera) or reduced (eg Fusa) due to lack of funds. They are seeking wisdom regarding generating income from the farm (e.g. selling chickens) and potentially selling the farm and the office.
• Prayer Requests: For more funding. For the volatile security situation in Colombia, including violence, displacement, drug trafficking, and the resurgence of armed gangs, which affects the economy and people’s safety. For wisdom in managing resources given reduced personnel.

7. Fundraising Report
Jen Booley presented the Fundraising Report, emphasising thanks for prayer support.
• IMC Fun Day: Held recently, raising almost £1,300. Penny and John Callaghan were thanked for organising.
• Summer Serenade: To be held at the Ashfields’ home, raising almost £1,000 in 2024. The next event is scheduled for Saturday, June 28th, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
• Ongoing Support: Thanks were given for specific fundraising efforts (handmade cards, plant sales, wreath making, jam sales, and church donations). The Christmas appeal and the use of the Give As You Live scheme were also highlighted.
• Special Donations: Funds were generously provided for a proper wheelchair for a girl with cerebral palsy. Another supporter funded most of El Brasil’s new church.
• Action Point: Supporters are encouraged to contact IMC if they have any fundraising ideas or need support for their efforts.

8. Closing
Clive Booley invited any final questions.
Penny Callaghan closed the meeting in prayer, thanking God for the charity, its workers, and the supporters, and praying for Nancy and her team.

Posted on the 31st May 2026 at 10:24am.