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Our Annual General Meeting
Mary Frances Trust is made up of a Board of Trustees, paid staff, volunteers - and most importantly, the people we support.
As a Membership organisation, our structure ensures that Members play a central role in shaping our future. It is our Members who elect the Board of Trustees, who then guide the strategic development of the charity.
As both a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, we are legally required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. The AGM gives Members and stakeholders the opportunity to:
- Review the organisation’s financial statements from the previous year, presented in our Annual Report and Accounts (ARA).
- Hear about our services and projects.
- Elect Trustees.
- Approve the financial accounts.
- Consider and vote on any other formal resolutions.
The AGM is not just a legal requirement – it’s a chance for our community to come together, celebrate achievements, and influence the direction of Mary Frances Trust.
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Register to attend our AGM and become a Member!
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Our 2025 AGM will take place on Tuesday 21 October 2025, 4pm-6pm, at Bookham Barn Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. You can register to attend, become a Member, or both, using the form below by 21 September 2025.
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What is a Member?
As part of our AGM process, we have to draw up a register of Members of Mary Frances Trust.
As part of our AGM process, we prepare a register of Members of Mary Frances Trust. Membership is open to anyone who registers either before the AGM or at any point during the year.
Registered Members have important rights and responsibilities. They are invited to:
- Vote on the Annual Report and Accounts from the previous financial year.
- Consider and vote on any resolutions put forward at the AGM and throughout the year.
- Elect the Board of Trustees.
Each year, at least one third of our Trustees step down and stand for re-election, giving Members the opportunity to help shape the leadership of the charity.
You don’t have to be a Member to attend the AGM. Everyone is welcome to come along and learn more about Mary Frances Trust. However, only registered Members are entitled to vote.
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Members' Roles and Responsibilities
What Members can expect from us and what we expect from our Members
By becoming a Member of MFT, you will receive:
- An invite to our Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Documents that you will be voting on at the AGM 14 clear days before the AGM
- Our newsletters
- Invites to events/forums
- Information about Co-Production at MFT and the work of our Advisory Group
- Information about joining our Advisory Group.
By becoming a Member of MFT, we expect you to:
- Sign up for Membership of MFT annually
- Attend our AGM in person, if possible
- Vote at our Annual General Meeting to oversee our accounts and approve our Trustees (either by voting in person at the AGM or by proxy).
- Support us when we want to hear from you about developments throughout the year
- Spread the word about our services and becoming an ambassador of MFT.
For an informal chat to find out more, please contact us at:
📧 info@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
📞 01372 375400
📱 07929 024722 (SMS service)To a full list of roles and responsibilities, please read our Membership Rules below.
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How do I become a Member?
Anyone can become a Member of Mary Frances Trust if they meet the following criteria:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have experience of emotional or mental health issues, either currently or in the past, or are caring for someone with emotional or mental health issues
- Live in the UK
You do not need to have used our services previously. Clients and volunteers are not automatically made Members, but we warmly encourage them to register.
You can sign up as a Member when we publish our Notice of AGM each year (shared via our newsletter, website, and social media). The Notice will include everything you need to complete your registration as well as some helpful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Membership lasts for one year. If you registered at the last AGM, you will need to renew your Membership this year to keep your voting rights and remain involved.
Outside of AGM season, you can still register your interest in becoming a Member of MFT, by contacting us at:
📧 info@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
📞 01372 375400
📱 07929 024722 (SMS service) -
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Proxy vote
You can still become a Member and vote at the AGM using a proxy voting form. When you register, let us know your preference, and we will send the proxy form to you by email or post.
Please ensure you:
- Fill in your details
- Indicate whether you are voting For or Against each item on the agenda
- Sign the form before returning it to us by the deadline
Incomplete proxy forms cannot be counted.
If you have any questions, please contact us at:
📧 communications@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
📞 01372 375400
📱 07929 024722 (SMS service)Even if you don’t attend the AGM, there will be other opportunities for you as a Member to engage with our work. Becoming a Member is still a great way to stay involved! For more information, see our Membership Rights and Privileges in the Membership Rules.
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