BUSK, News.

2009 AGM. We held our AGM at the Ashford International Hotel this year. It was well attended, with 15 BUSK members plus their relatives or partners.

Anne Bewick, one of our Patrons kindly came, with her husband Malcolm, she is very supportive of our work locally and nationally. Sadly Damian Green, MP, and Michael Claughton, our other Patrons had a previous commitment to attend another charity AGM.

We would also like to thank Andree Saumtally, Hospital Sales Specialist with Cochlear Europe, for attending and answering any queries that Baha users had.

Lyn Kolsteren, Current Chairperson, Sandie Phipps, Secretary and Frances Hazell, Treasurer, were voted in unanimously to remain in office. (We tend to find peoples enthusiasm at this point a little disconcerting!!)

Dave Baxter, and Julia Smith, Specialist ENT Theatre Sister, were also voted in to remain on committee.

No one stepped forward to join the committee at this time.

We also discussed the future of BUSK. Last year’s AGM was very sad, as it was felt that this year we would be having to wind up the charity.

But it was explained to members that BUSK would now be working alongside the Ear Foundation to enable BUSK to do so much more.

While helping them to develop education and information resources for implanted bone conduction systems, they will offer us administration support.

With such a small committee, all of whom give their time voluntarily, BUSK was not able to “move forward” and grow by promoting itself widely as we would not have coped with the extra administration this would entail.

The members felt very happy to continue to support us in this new venture.

After the boring bits were over, 14 of us went on to have a meal at the local Beafeater just off Junction 9 of the M20, where we were very well looked after and the food was lovely!

AGM 2010 is being held on Saturday April 17th. Venue and details to be confirmed. Watch this space.