Meeting notes, AGM 2002
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
GENDER IDENTITY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SOCIETY
On Sunday 15th September 2002
At Melverley, The Warren, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2SP
The Chairperson welcomed and thanked the 38 members and 4 guests for attending.
- Appointment of the Executive Committee
All existing members of the Executive Committee (Jennifer Gradidge, Emma Martin, Linda Packer, Bernard Reed, Terry Reed, David Willis and Janeen Willis) were re-elected. (Proposed by: Nic Bray Seconded by: Gordon Coton Agreed by a show of hands. There were no objections and 8 proxy votes in favour.)
- Approval of the minutes of last year's Annual General Meeting
(Proposed by: Janeen Willis Seconded by: Linda Packer Agreed by a show of hands. There were no objections and 8 proxy votes in favour.)
- Review of the charity's past year and approval of its report and accounts
The Chairperson gave a brief overview and answered questions on the report as follows:
It was noted that the reason for the low subscription fee is to make membership available to everyone. The Membership includes people from all walks of life, some who are directly affected by Gender related conditions and some who are not.
The Medical Advisory Panel comprises professionals who advise the Executive Committee what research is or would be relevant and useful and help the charity to prepare sound literature.
Research is is conducted in collaboration with other groups eg The Gender Trust, Gendys, FTM Network and PFC as appropriate. GIRES would particularly like to thank all those who assisted in its large-scale survey of the way trans people are treated in the workplace...
This year's research prize was awarded to Dr Frank Kruijver and his associates for "Male to Female Transsexual Individuals Have Female Neuron Numbers In the Central Subdivision of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis" published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Terry Reed was thanked for her considerable efforts preparing and sending the framed certificates for each member of the team for the prize winning article.
GIRES has assembled a team of specialists who, in conjunction with work undertaken by the Parliamentary Forum, are establishing a definition of the condition which does not describe it as a mental illness.
GIRES has produced considerable amounts of literature this year, including leaflets (to guide people to self-help/counselling groups), and information packs, and much of this is also on the website.
GIRES, in collaboration with Mermaids and Depend, has now held 8 educational workshops for families in cities throughout the UK, the next will be in Nottingham in November. Ongoing support is then provided by Depend. Also, some of the people attending have set up their own groups locally for mutual support and education.
GIRES has presented to many groups including the Harry Benjamin Association, Citizens Advice Bureaux, South Yorkshire Police. Later this year, others will include the Royal College of Nursing and the Samaritans. GIRES has a scheme for re-imbursing expenses for people doing educational work who earn less than £200 per week, and this facility has been used this year.
GIRES is NOT a self-help group, nor is it a political campaigning group. It IS an education and research group.
GIRES is financially sound. The policy is that a piece of research or an education project is identified, and the money is then raised to cover the cost before the work is undertaken. This does not mean that ongoing financial support is not required. It is essential that the membership continues to provide a stream of subscriptions that will cover the charity's operating costs. These subscriptions (by standing order is most cost effective) of at least £5 per annum are very important to GIRES. Furthermore, the greater our membership is, the more seriously will policy makers consider the issues that the charity raises. Members are thanked for their loyalty and support. Members who pay tax can increase the financial benefit by completing a gift aid form.
GIRES is not primarily involved in intersex issues. However, one of GIRES' previous research prizes was awarded to Professor Milton Diamond, for an article, one aim of which was to encourage professionals in America to adopt appropriate surgical standards in respect of intersexed infants. GIRES persuaded the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS) to examine the situation in the UK. A working party was formed, including two members of GIRES' Medical Advisory Panel, that, after consultation with the UK intersex groups, produced a statement to guide surgical practice. That document is now available on the BAPS website.
The Annual Report was accepted.
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