Peter Wright
The Countdown Is On
With just three weeks to go till the big challenging adventure, the anticipation is surely building; a sense of anticipation is already...
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NEWS
Throughout 2025 we will update you with reports and news on events and activities which will mark out the year. We`ll update you on fundraising achieved, as we go along. There be testimonials that we`ll want to share and feedback on the Education Outreach to share with you too. Ezekiel`s visit will be a highlight.
We start with a sold-out Burns Supper in Belper on 25th January - how much support will this generate, do you think?
January: the Burns Supper went exceptionally well, and everyone attending had a great event.
Fundraising exceeded all expectations and with donations still coming in, watch this space to hear more . . .
The board meeting which is always held as close as possible to Joseph Thomson`s birthday on 14th February, took place in Sundial Cottage, Penpont on 13th. Great turnout of trustees from far and wide. Big agenda, with plenty of positive planning for action in #JT130. Events, promotion, fundraising for MGE, amd lots more. Also a visit to Joseph`s grave following the meeting. Watch this space for more . . .
february flourish
#JT130, aka 2025, has got off to a cracking start following the very productive board meeting and that fabulous Burns Supper in Belper. The recently created bespoke Powerpoint was given its first public outing at the Penpont Friendship Club on 20th February. Treasurer Maureen Halket provided her eager audience with a new journey into the living heritage which Maasai Girls Education Project demonstrates so well. After the slides and talk, plenty of questions followed, showing that the members of the local club had appreciated the talk - giving a new-take on things.
Maureen was duly thanked for her lively colourful presentation, and a generous donation for our Maasai Girls Education Project was gladly received.
Oh, and we got a QR code specifically for this website.
So what`s next for #JT130?
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The Joseph Thomson Maasai Trust
Charity No: SCO46831
Founded: 2016
Standing Orders (this draft August 2025)
Documents and Media
Constitution: This is the document that underpins all governance, having been approved by OSCR. It is likely to have a timespan followed by review, of about 10 years. It can only be altered following due review process with OSCR.
Website: This is the shop window for public engagement and generating support for all key activity www.maasaigirlseducationproject.com .
Memorandum of Understanding: This governs our partnership with Across Maasai Land Initiative and the nature of its operation, in particular fundraising and grant-giving processes for the Maasai Girls Education Project. It may require review from time to time.
A further MoU may be created to formalise the relationship with Joseph Thomson Group which runs the Penpont Heritage Centre.
Social Media: Facebook page is Maasai Girls Education Project and should form the online portal for widespread interaction with the public. The aim should be to continually grow membership and followers. In time, it may link with Instagram and other media. It should be used by all Trustees and supporters for the dynamic public face of events, projects and partnership development.
Five Year Plan: This sets out all plans, priorities and key operational objectives for the ensuing five-year period.
Operation and Administration:
Maasai Girls Education Project: With advice from Ezekiel Katatao, Maasai Elder, the most valuable form of support the Trust can give is to enable chosen girls and young women to receive secondary, further and higher education. For this, we will provide the necessary funding, based around a detailed Five Year budget.
Education Outreach: With support from www.adventura-scotland.co.uk it has been possible for highly experienced self-funded volunteers to visit the Maasai Girls Education Project. This has generated invaluable professional feedback and information for the Trust`s effective delivery of the Project. It has the promise of creating networking amongst the girls, with all of the benefits this brings.
Drought Aid: The area in which the Maasai live in Kenya is subject to severe drought from time to time. It has been possible for the Trust to provide aid in these circumstances. In future it will be necessary to fundraise specifically for this in order to be able to a rapid response when called for. It is however not a top priority.
Expenditure: Particular Trust projects for which funds have been obtained, will include direct spending and what may be seen as clearly related project administrative on-costs,
Fundraising: This underpins all possible activity by the Trust. It will come from events, appeals, donations, membership, and legacies, etc. It should always be clear which activity or project a particular form of fundraising is being carried out for. All Trustees should be actively involved in this core activity.
The Trust will operate the main public focus of its fundraising through a relevant fundraising platform which also offers donors the opportunity to add a Gift Aid option. It is acknowledged that some such platforms may levy a small fee for this.
Accounts: The Treasurer is responsibly for maintaining on-going and the annual set of accounts. These will be formally verified prior to submission to the AGM and to OSCR. Some funds may be held in restricted budget form, in order to reflect the purposes for which they have been obtained or donated.
Minutes: All formal meetings will be recorded and a set of minutes kept, ready for subsequent approval.
Reporting: The main reports each year will be those submitted to the Annual General Meeting, from the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Requisite annual reporting to OSCR will then be submitted to meet necessary deadlines.
Trustees: These together form the body that is collectively and legally responsible for the administration and operation of the Trust. They are nominated and registered individually as per the relevant section of the Constitution. It is essential that they function as a coherent body and foster a high level of active engagement in order to carry out the work of the Trust.
Insurance: The Trust will hold standard public liability insurance cover. This will also set to protect Trustees.
Google Docs: The Trust has agreed to move towards keeping all documentation on this secure platform.
Peter Wright, General Secretary
19th August 2025
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