Thanks to AMG for these updates. If you would prefer to read these updates as a PDF, you can do so here.
We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the AI Glasgow West Group. Please come and join in our lively and friendly discussions and help us make a positive difference to supporting Human Rights around the world.
This update includes:
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Details of our forthcoming March 2023 meeting;
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A write-up featuring our recent Comedy Fundraiser;
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Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI groups;
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Minutes of our local group meeting held last month; and
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A note of all our local Group's meeting dates for 2023.
March 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting
Thursday 9th March, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm
The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 9 March 2023 at 7.30pm – 9pm at Woodlands International Church.
More details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e
We would love to see you there on Thursday!
Our activities for the March meeting include:
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Reviewing our recent Comedy fundraiser and discussing future events;
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Discussing the nomination of one of our long-time activists for a position on the AIUK Board; and
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Undertaking letter writing in response to recent Urgent Actions alerts from AI.
AI Glasgow West Comedy Fundraiser raises £3,500 for Amnesty
A total of just over £3,500 was raised for Amnesty International at a Comedy event held in Glasgow in February.
£2,800 in ticket sales went directly to the AI Charitable Trust, while £750 was donated via a raffle and collection tins to support the work of the local Glasgow West Amnesty group.
A cast of top comedians, including local legends Frankie Boyle, Mark Nelson and, host for the evening Chris Forbes, helped ensure that the event was completely sold out.
Other comedians appearing on the packed bill were local and international stand-ups Laura Quinn Goh, Marjolein Robertson, Liam Farrelly and Susan Riddell.
All performers gave their time free of charge in order to help raise awareness of Amnesty and raise funds to support AI's ongoing work.
The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow generously provided free use of its premises for the evening.
During the interval, Mal, one of the local activists with AI Glasgow West Group, provided the audience with a brief overview of the work of AI, and encouraged attendees to consider joining their local AI group.
Claire Low, Chair of AI Glasgow West Group, said:
“It was an amazing evening! We couldn't believe we also sold out all of our raffle books! People were incredibly generous despite local hardships. We have already fixed our date for next year's comedy event at The Stand, who we'd like to thank for their work in supporting and hosting the event.”
Extract Of Updates From AIUK
Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.
This month's update from AIUK features information on a Manchester AI member's efforts to raise the issue of ‘sportswashing' as a means of distracting from human rights abuses.
AI is also continuing its work in recruiting a series of activist representatives across the UK.
Amnesty Manchester'sletter
"Manchester United fans, let's fight takeover by Qatar"
Those are the words fromKathryn Fletcher, a*Manchester Amnesty*activist in her Guardian letter on 14 February.
She's saying thatUnited and City fans should pull together in protest against the "sportswashing" of human rights abuses in the UAE and Qatar.
She's calling onconcerned Manchester United fans to join the Manchester Amnesty group to campaign against this takeover.Read the full article here.
Activism Representatives
Activism Representatives are the voluntary lead activists who coordinate and support local Amnesty groups across the UK.
We are still recruiting for Activism Representatives. If you are interested in applying or know someone who would be great for the role please follow the button below to apply.
For full details of the latest AIUK Local Groups' update, please click on this browser link.
Updates from AI Glasgow West Meeting held on 9th February 2023
Present:Claire (Chair), Kirstie, Amanda, Christine, Jim, Silvia, Neil, Merle, Mal, Amjad, Andrew and Hala.
Apologies tendered: Sharon.
Welcome
Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Minutes of meeting held on 12 January 2023
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
Financial Update
Kirstie provided an update on the Group's finances. This included taking receipt of £26.25 from the Glasgow Daytime AI Group as their contribution to the Write for Rights postage; £49.31 in donations and £31 via the Paypal account. All contributors with contact details have been written to and thanked.
The quarterly bill for hire of meeting hall (£63) and the annual affiliation fee to AIUK (£72) have recently been paid.
A £25 donation on behalf of our Group to support AI's work in investigating human rights abuses in Ukraine has been made personally by Kirstie and she will reclaim this from the Group's funds.
The Group's bank account has a balance of £211 as at 1 Feb.
The link to the annual financial return to AIUK was briefly discussed and Kirstie and Jim will complete and submit that form. Action – Kirstie and Jim
AI Collection Tins
Two of the AI collection tins recently received from a former member of a now disbanded AI group will be passed to the Glasgow University AI Group by Hala. Action – Hala
Glasgow University AI Group Event
Mal, Neil and Hala had recently agreed to input to an event held by Glasgow University AI Group, which was aimed at supporting development of the group and helping bolster their recruitment and membership. Feedback received from Alejandra, the secretary of the Glasgow University group, on the input of our group members was extremely positive and the event was seen to have been very successful. The Glasgow University Group is keen to undertake further collaboration with our Group.
Social Media
Silvia provided an update on activities relating to social media, including publicity for the Comedy Fundraiser.
Urgent Actions
Merle circulated Urgent Actions and colleagues undertook letter writing on those cases.
Local Groups' Update
Claire highlighted some of the key items from AIUK's local groups' update. (Link to this previously circulated with the email for this meeting).
The article and photos submitted on the Glasgow Groups' Write for Rights event had been included in the AIUK mailing.
It was noted that, whilst the previous AIUK update had highlighted dates for AIUK's regional online conferences, no further details had been included in this update. (Subsequent to our meeting, AIUK advised that the Scotland conference would not be going ahead this year).
Update on Invitation to AI Scotland Director to attend meeting with Glasgow AI Groups
A third invitation / reminder had been sent to Naomi McAuliffe, AI Scotland Director, to attend a meeting with the Glasgow AI groups. As yet, we still await a response.
Resolutions for AIUK annual meeting
It was noted that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the AIUK AGM was imminent. Any member wishing to propose a resolution should circulate their proposal to the group activists via the Signal Group within one week.
Comedy Night Fundraising Event
Tasks and information for the Comedy Fundraiser, The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, G3 6NG
Doors Open – 7pm Wednesday 15 February 2023
Starts – 8pm approx.
Finishes – 10pm approx.
Arrive Early - Jim & Hala will arrive at 6.45pm
AI Input on the night - Mal will lead the Group's input on the night. This includes liaising with the host, Chris Forbes, and asking him to lead the raffle; Providing a brief overview of the work of AI during the interval; thanking The Stand, the performers and others giving freely of their time; and liaising with the host on buying the performers a drink (Kirstie to reimburse cost from raffle proceeds).
Raffle prizes – Candles and £30 voucher for Utopia for Hair or Massage treatment - Kirstie; Champagne – Neil; Wine – Silvia; Wine – Christine; Talisker whisky – Andrew; Ted Baker ‘His & Her Bath Sets' – Sharon; Other prizes? (Individuals to bring the prizes along on the night and hold onto them until the raffle is about to start during the interval)
Raffle Posters – Merle will draft posters stating that AI Glasgow West will be the beneficiary of the raffle and that the funds raised will be used in local campaigns, etc. Jim will email a copy of this to The Stand.
Raffle Ticket prices - £2 for 1 strip; £5 for 3 strips. (N.B. Do not detach individual tickets from strips!)
Raffle Ticket sellers – Amjad, Neil & Amanda.
Raffle tickets – Andrew has 3 sets of Mal's books of raffle tickets and will bring them on the night
Money collected – Sellers to give funds raised from raffle to Kirstie.
Photographs / Social Media - Silvia will take photographs at the event for use in publicity, including providing social media updates on the night.
AI publicity materials - Andrew will bring the AI Banner, Posters, Lanyards, Badges and Raffle tickets.
Collection Tins – Neil will bring two AI Collection Tins to provide an opportunity for anyone wishing to make cash donations.
Funds Raised - Once the final total raised for AIUK Charity is notified to Jim by The Stand, he will arrange for them to send an invoice to The Stand for that amount.
Publicity – Andrew will write a short article for the AIUK Local Groups Update on the Fundraiser and include some of Silvia's photos. Hala will seek to liaise with local press on getting publicity for the event.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 9th March 2023, 7.30pm - 9pm @ Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW.
Amnesty International
Glasgow West Local Group
2023 Meeting Dates
New Members welcome!
The Group meets every 2 Thursday at 7.30pm - 9pm.
The meetings take place at Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW
For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk
Meeting dates for 2023:
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Thursday 12 January 2023
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Thursday 9 February 2023
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Thursday 9th March 2023
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Thursday 13th April 2023
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Thursday 11th May 2023
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Thursday 8th June 2023
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Thursday 13th July 2023
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Thursday 10th August 2023
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Thursday 14th September 2023
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Thursday 12th October 2023
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Thursday 9th November 2023
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Thursday 14th December 2023
BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS