Welcome to the Friends of St Mark’s (FOSM) section!

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FriendsofStMarks

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About Us

As a parent/carer of a child at our school, you automatically become a member of FOSM.  We aim to hold meetings every six weeks in the school hall, and everyone is welcome.

Our main aim is to raise funds to support activities in the school which are to the benefit of all pupils.

The funds provided by FOSM are an invaluable source of revenue which greatly benefit our school and our children.  In recent years we have funded the refurbishment of the boy’s toilets, new interactive classroom boards in Bluebell & Fern, coach trips and STEM enrichment days.

Our fundraising goal this year to purchase outdoor gym equipment specifically designed for primary school children, to provide all children with the opportunity to enhance fitness,  improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination as well as stimulate their emotional wellbeing. 

FOSM is a registered charity (number 1181519) which allows us to apply for grants and extra funding where available.

There is a PTA Committee which exists to run the various social and fund-raising events held throughout the year.  

The PTA Committee is decided at our AGM and updated here.

• Elizabeth Gorvett
• Sarah McLarin
• Saga Booth
• Joss Gaynor
• Dale Young (Treasurer)

We are also very lucky to have many volunteers who help at individual events.  If you would like to get more involved, please speak to any Committee member, or class representative.

FOSM Committee Roles

CHAIR

The Chair provides leadership for the committee sets the agenda for meetings and manages meetings in line with the agenda.

The Chair should ensure that issues are properly debated and an agreement is reached. Some committee members will be better at expressing themselves than others; it is important that the chair welcomes contributions from all members of the committee so that everyone feels involved.

The Chair will ensure that all new members feel welcome and their contributions valued. The Chair will introduce them to the other members and encourage them to play an active part in the discussions at committee meetings.

To ensure the smooth running of meetings the Chair must remain impartial and make sure that all parties have a voice and the opportunity to participate in decision-making.

The Chair will work closely with the Treasurer and Secretary to ensure that FOSM is run effectively. As an Officer of the committee, the Chair will be one of designated signatories and will sign cheques on behalf of FOSM along with other designated signatories.

Job function

To ensure that the business of FOSM is conducted in accordance with the wishes of the representatives of FOSM, to uphold the constitution of FOSM, and prepare and submit statutory reports to Regulatory Bodies

Main duties:

• Provide leadership
• Sign the approved minutes of the last meeting
• Set the agenda for meetings
• Get to know members of the committee
• Run meetings in an efficient and timely manner ensuring that everyone is able to contribute
• Agree a date for the next meeting
• Welcome and involve new members
• Write the annual report in cooperation with the Secretary
• Sign cheques for FOSM with one other committee member

Secretary

The Secretary ensures that FOSM runs smoothly and provides a link between Committee Members and FOSM, and between FOSM and the School. This requires good organisational and communication skills and being able to stick to deadlines.

Job function

The Secretary is a key committee member as they are responsible for ensuring effective communication links between committee members and between FOSM and the school.

The Secretary deals with all the correspondence that FOSM receives and helps the Chair ensure that committee meetings run smoothly. Building up a good relationship with the school Secretary will help make sure that correspondence, sent to the school, is passed onto FOSM promptly.

As well as dealing with correspondence, following a committee meeting, the Secretary will need to make bookings and other arrangements for events. Confirm arrangements made by telephone in writing (by letter or e-mail). The Secretary will make arrangements for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and help the Chair prepare the annual report. The Secretary may also be involved in co-signing cheques on behalf of FOSM.

Main duties:

• Deal with correspondence
• Arrange meetings
• Prepare and distribute agendas
• Take the minutes of meetings, type them up and distribute them
• Ensure that enough committee members are present to make the meeting quorate
• Sign cheques as required
• Write the annual report with the Chair
• Preparation and distribution of newsletters and other communications to parents
• Preparation of publicity flyers, posters, tickets, etc. for events

Treasurer

A key role for all committee members is to manage and control the funds FOSM raises. Although all the committee members have equal responsibility for the control and management of FOSM funds the Treasurer plays an important part in helping the committee carry out these duties properly.

Job function

To maintain up-to-date records of all FOSM financial transactions.

Main duties:

• Day-to-day management of accounts, including issuing bills and receipts on behalf of FOSM and making payments.
• To prepare and update financial ledgers on a regular basis.
• To complete banking transactions on a regular basis.
• To organise floats for fundraising events, collect and reconcile monies raised at these events and report totals raised to the appropriate stakeholders. Money raised at school events will be locked in the school safe after the event.
• To prepare and report financial statements at FOSM Meetings.
• To prepare a concise Financial Report for the Annual General Meeting.
• Charity registration.

Committee Members/Volunteers

Committee Members work alongside the Officers.

Main duties:

• Attends FOSM meetings
• Gets involved in planning, owning and running events
• Runs smaller projects
• Encourages participation and enthusiasm for the events organized by the FOSM
• We want representation across all year groups. New parents to the school will be warmly welcomed.

Meeting Minutes