More than 600 BARP members attended the Association’s Annual General on July 19th at the Sherbourne Centre. Following the welcome and prayers, BARP President Kathleen Drayton gave a summary of the activities during 2007/8 including a detailed update of progress on the various items listed in the BARP Manifesto; the final winding up of the former Medical Assistance Fund; full details of the new BARP GoldenHealth Insurance Plan which had been launched in June 2008; the ever rising number of BARP Concessionaires; the busy social and educational events calendar, and finally, she drew attention to the then current membership of the Association which had just exceeded 17,000.

The meeting was then thrown open to the floor with points raised including the need to increase the strength of the Consumer Protection Group.  The Group’s Chairman, Jai Jebodhsingh, said more members needed to respond to calls for action, whilst others pointed to the need to keep up lobbying pressure, particularly in relation to taxes in general and Land Taxes in particular.  Concern was also expressed at the practice of banks who only provide 6 monthly statements on savings accounts, making it difficult for members to keep track of their investments.  Members were invited to make their concerns known to BARP either by snail mail or email so that the Association could attempt to act on behalf of members in finding resolutions to their difficulties and anxieties.

After the financial report was presented confirming the Association’s sound financial shape, the drawing of 16 door prizes generously donated by supportive businesses and organisations took place.  An appeal by Grace Pilgrim, Chair of the Social and Educational Activities Committee for expressions of interest in and support of various BARP activities was followed by a short presentation by George Johnson to ascertain potential interest in setting up a meeting to look more closely at Reverse Mortgages.