Policy Review

The Committee would welcome the views of Friends at the annual General Meeting on the following related topics that we have been considering:

  1. Recruitment of new members
  2. Programme of events
  1. Our association has about 700 members, which is satisfactory. However, recruitment of new members is slow, particularly from the younger age group. We have been discussing several ways of addressing the problem
    1. Recruiting visitors
      1. It is proposed that the Friends should provide coffee and biscuits for the congregation after the Sung Eucharist each Sunday. This would provide an opportunity for clergy and Friends to meet visitors and perhaps enlist their support.
      2. A 'Friends' Desk' in the cathedral, preferably staffed by volunteer Friends would enable us to provide visitors with information about the Friends and other cathedral organisations and events. A 'Welcome Pack' including the Guide Book, other mementoes and giving membership of the Friends might be available at an attractive price.
    2. Recruiting from the parishes
      1. Each Friend might be asked to recruit a fellow-parishioner
      2. The Friends might seek an invitation to the parishes to explain the purpose of the Friends, discuss our activities and seek members.

    [The committee has already written to the members of the cathedral chapter asking for suggestions as to how the Friends might strengthen links between the parishes and the cathedral.]

  2. The committee would greatly value comments from the Friends on our present programme. At present we offer:
    1. Two one-day visits to places of ecclesiastical interest in Ireland
    2. A 3-4 day pilgrimage overseas (This year to Durham)
    3. Three editions of the Friends' Newsletter.
    4. Friends' Evensong (Trinity Sunday).
    5. A salmon and strawberry lunch.
    6. A 'Friends' Dinner'.
    7. An annual Joe Coady Memorial Lecture.
    8. An annual sale.
    9. The Inner-city Carol Service (in aid of a local charity).
    10. Reserved seats at the Citizenship Service and the Diocesan Carol Service.

    The Friends are also responsible for running the Cathedral Gift Shop

We would like to know:

  • what you think of this programme
  • what alternative or additional events might be arranged.

April 1996

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