Urgent appeal for new board members to help care for Maryburgh Hall
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Maryburgh Amenities Company (MAC) says without new board members the future looks doubtful for the community hall.
At the annual general meeting of the Maryburgh Amenities Company (MAC) earlier this month nobody stepped forward to join the board after current members had to step down, in line with the group’s articles of association.
While some board members are to stay on as trustees until a new board can be elected the public has been warned that the “stark reality” is that any lack of a functioning board means the hall cannot continue to be run for the benefit of the community.
An emergency general meeting (EGM) is now to be held in the hall at 7.30pm on November 10.
In a Facebook post outgoing chairwoman Jenny Maclennan said: “If no new board members are found, the Maryburgh Hall will ultimately cease to function and the charity assets will be given away.
“Subsequent actions would ultimately include demolishing the hall and return of the site to The Highland Council, to be retained or redeveloped as they see fit.”
She added: “Recent board members are more than happy to support new board members at the beginning, however we all feel we’ve done our share due to our long service and will not be taking up formal board positions: chair, vice-chair etc, which must be filled by members of MAC.
“The adjacent housing area, which MAC had tried to obtain and retain for the community is nearly completed by Highland Council. MAC responsibility only covers the hall and pitch which MAC lease from The Highland Council.”
She said: “It was interesting to note that after the volunteer day a few years ago our hall lets increased, allowing us to purchase the bouncy castle and new event seating with no outside funding.
“We believe the hall has an excellent future. We are in the middle of putting in a new accessible toilet and improving some of the heating and lighting with grants from Tesco and the Co-op, but there is potential for so much more.”
Anyone interested in joining MAC should email contact@maryburghhub.info for a membership form.
Any questions prior to the EGM can be emailed to the same address, or call 07970 010718.
