Our organisation was formed with the whole-hearted consent of all the members present on the 29th of October 2006 (please see the notes of the meeting in the ESS Supplement). At that meeting, the 'Rules' governing our body were presented and agreed in principle by almost all who were present. The Rules were finalised after input from members and the committee. The 'old' committee of four formed the 'new' committee of 8 by adding 4 new members (including a co-opted member). The new committee unanimously agreed on officer posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer at their first meeting.

Since then, the committee has worked in a democratic way with vigour, drive and commitment. We set out clear agendas, had informed discussion and debate, collective decision-making and effective note taking to ensure action. This way, we have made good progress in a very short time.

The ESS Supplement magazine showed total transparency in the accounts, democracy in its Rules and integrity in its leadership. The views of all the ESS members expressed at the Reunion on 29th October were taken on board and published. Personal profiles of new members were actively sought and published with accuracy and care. The photographs in the Supplement reflected the diversity of Year Groups, cultures and faiths represented in our membership.

A new system of membership subscriptions and regular donations for EHS Nairobi has been devised and put into operation - with encouraging results. The email communication with the membership is now effective and timely e.g. the news of the deaths of Mr SP Sood, Mr RL Khanna and of one of our old boys Abdul Hamid Chowdry. The construction of the new website www.OldEastleighBoys.org has further enhanced our work as you will all agree. More recently, we discussed and agreed to change our name to "Old Eastleigh Boys" in order to reflect more accurately what we are.

The needs of our alma mater, Eastleigh High School, were explored. They were discussed, agreed in committee and with the Principal in Nairobi. As a result 30 computers were purchased for the EHS Computer Laboratory and these were delivered to the school. Nisar Butt and myself together with Dr. Parvin Syal from L.A. (who happened to be there on holiday) and Rashpal Singh Devgun from Nairobi visited the school and made an official presentation of the computers. Our kind gesture was enthusiastically applauded by the whole of the Eastleigh High community who were present at the ceremony. These included the Principal, the Chairman and members of the Board of Governors, the staff, The PTA and other parents and the students.

The school accepted and appreciated the voluntary assistance given by Jayant Tanna, our Chairman, who is an Education Adviser/Inspector by profession. This included lesson observation and professional feedback, which they valued highly. The training given to all EHS staff on how to make their lessons more effective was rated very favourably. We also arranged a Dinner meeting with Nairobi's Old Eastleigh Boys with the assistance of Teja Singh Kalsi. 23 members attended and agreed to work with us to improve the quality of buildings and furniture at EHS. At that meeting we also had Mr. Pindolia and other representatives of the Kanbis Cricket Club who use the EHS grounds at weekends – and they too, pledged to work in partnership with us to support the school. For the school, they have already built the perimeter wall, provided a borehole for water supply and built the kitchen and the dining hall.

The Kenya Times gave us some very encouraging and positive publicity in their publication of 5th July 2007. A full report about the Nairobi visit has already been given to all members and is also on our website www.OldEastleighBoys.org

It was quite clear to us even before our visit to EHS in Nairobi that we would have to support the school further to get the most benefit out of using new technology for raising standards of all our students at Eastleigh High School. In a school with a student population of 750, the 30 computers will go only a small way! Ideally, the school would like another 60 computers. They would then be able to make effective provision for all students, as the subject is now a compulsory element of Kenya's high school curriculum. In order to raise funds for these additional computers, we have organised a Dinner Dance (which incidentally was proposed by our members in their feedback from the 2006 Reunion). This as you all know is on 20th October at Baylis House in Slough. We hope that you will be there in large numbers and support our cause with your generous donations.

For all this success, I am most indebted to all my committee members. Vijay Patel has been a valuable Secretary, Nisar Butt an effective Treasurer. Both have given me excellent advice and unswerving support. Ajay Jobanputra has been invaluable as our web designer and web master. Satwinder Dhand, Ishwer Solanki and Pradeep Luther have participated in meetings, given good ideas and shown strong interest and commitment. I am most thankful to them all.

We, however, feel that we need to seek a fresh mandate from our members and work with them in a more focused way to meet the aims set out in our 'Constitution'. We have therefore sent you nomination papers to enable you to put in your nominations if you wish. We invite you all to come to the meeting during the Dinner Dance on 20th October 2007 to give us your views and to vote in the new committee.

With every good wish!

Jayantilal Tanna - Chairman, Old Eastleigh Boys

Minutes of the Old Eastleigh Boys General Meeting
Sunday 18th November 2007 2:30 pm - Hatch End High School, Headstone Lane, Harrow

Members present: Jayant Tanna (JT) Vijay Patel (VP), Nisar Butt (NB), Ajay Jobanputra (AJ), Satwinder Dhand (SD), Varinder Kumar Seth, Dipak Patel, Kiran Patel, Nasrullah Khan Moghal, Pradeep Luther, Saleh Mamon, Harshad Joshi, Athar Chaudhry, Manohar Singh Kambo.

Apologies were received from: Karamjit Singh Matharu, Harish Luther, Zaheer Cockar, Hasmukh Haria, Kishore Thampy, Vikram Tanna, Prem Bandhu Sharma, Tarlok Singh Mandair, Tahir Lodhi, Kugi Vohra, Zafar Ullah Khan, Mukhbinder Chana, Santokh Singh Kithoray, Anil Lakhani, Tarsem Kalyan, Abdul Samad, Bashir Butt.

1) Refreshments were served before the commencement of the meeting.

2) The meeting started at 2.45. The Secretary, Vijay Patel, welcomed the members present and handed over to Jayant Tanna (JT) to preside over the meeting. JT thanked the members for their attendance. Although it was a low turnout, there were a large number of apologies. Almost all of them who gave their apologies had given their total support to the committee and the meeting in their letters. In view of this backing for the meeting, the Chairman asked the members if they were willing to continue with the meeting or go for an adjournment. The members unanimously voted to continue with the meeting.

3) Notes of the Reunion Meeting of 29th October 2006: These were agreed and approved.

4) Report from the Chairman: The Chairman, Jayant Tanna, went through his report which contained, among other things, the following main points:
• The Executive Committee held regular meetings in line with the Rules of OEB
• Membership fees and Donations were possible by Standing Order
• Website – now completed with the help of AJ
• Change of the name from ESSR to Old Eastleigh Boys - He explained that the name ESSR was originally merely the name of a bank account for the reunion function held on the 29th October 2006. The name 'ESSR' did not accurately reflect the nature and function of the organization, which was about a lot more than organising a mere reunion. We were keeping our members in touch with each other e.g. news of bereavements, successes, reports etc. We would help raise funds for the school for specific projects.
• JT further explained that the name change was to remove the confusion explained above. Old Eastleigh Boys was simply a far more appropriate name.
• Varinder Seth commented that the Ex ESS was the old name of the organization, which was later changed to ESSR. "Old Eastleigh Boys" had connotations of the area of Eastleigh, which was regarded by many as a place of ill repute and 'lower classes' that engaged in crime and prostitution. This was contested by others who said it was where most of the ex students themselves lived!
• There was a lot of discussion about the name. Whilst members were divided in the choice for a name, they all agreed that 'ESS' should be linked to any name we choose as it then reminded us of our schooldays at ESS.
• Ajay Jobanputra made a very valid point that we ought not to change the name just for the sake of it, as there was serious expenditure involved in the changing of the website, accounts etc.
• Finally, the membership agreed that ESS Alumni was the best choice for the name.
• JT went on to report that 30 Computers had been sent to the School.
• JT also mentioned that the Kanbis Cricket Club have done some very good maintenance work at the School.
• JT finished his report after stating that the Dinner/Dance evening had to be cancelled regrettably due to very poor attendance.
• He thanked all the Committee members for their support and hard work.
• Saleh Mamon applauded the chairman for his excellent work and effort.

5) Report from the Principal: The main points were:
• They were trying to get the wiring done for the computer room.
• There were problems in the area of funding.
• Some parents were unable to pay the fees. The Government's contribution towards the fees is only Shgs. 3000, from the total annual cost of Shgs. 17,500.
• They wanted 112 computers in two rooms eventually.

6) Report from the Treasurer: The treasurer stated that the report was only a draft, and that final accounts would be prepared before the next meeting. He gave a brief account of the monies received and spent. The main points were:
• Due to the cancellation of the Dinner Dance, donations were being collected through personal appeals. A fair number of people had made donations, and those who hadn't thus far were encouraged to come forward and help.
• Manohar Singh mentioned that it was inappropriate for old school boys to charge for providing music for our functions.
• Nisar thanked Varinder Seth for his effort in selling the DVD's of the Reunion.
• There was a request to provide details about the £200 in the 'Debtor' column. It was explained that £100 was for an advert and the other £100 was payment for two guests to the ESS Reunion – both at the behest of Jagjit Singh Gill. Although the committee had written two letters to Jagjit, there was no response. It was agreed that further attempts would be made to recoup the debt. The Chair requested seniors like Varinder Seth and Athar Chaudhry to talk to Jagjit Singh to resolve the matter. Nasrullah Khan's recommendation that the debt should not simply be written off was agreed.
• NB stated that there were two bank accounts; one had £2857; the other had £805. It was agreed to amalgamate the two accounts into one.

7) Election of the Committee 2007 – 2009:
• There was only one nomination for Chairman, only one for Secretary and only one for Treasurer. They were therefore elected unanimously.
• Similarly, there were only four nominations for the four committee member positions and all four were therefore elected unopposed.

Chairman: Jayant Tanna Secretary: Vijay Patel Treasurer: Nisar Butt
Committee members: Satwinder Dhand, Pradeep Luther, Ajay Jobanputra and Varinder Seth.

• The Chairman appealed to the members present to forward any names of any people willing to serve on the committee, as there were plenty of tasks where fresh people could contribute.
• Varinder Seth suggested that we should co-opt people all around the country. JT said that he would take this matter up in our next committee members' meeting.
• As the Chairman had already given his report, he did not address the members as the chairman-elect.

8) Proposal on EHS pupil support by Saleh Mamon: Jayant said that when he was at the School in Nairobi recently, he had encountered very disturbing scenes such as children milling around at the school gates as they had been sent home for not paying their fees. In response, Saleh Mamon made his proposals as follows:
• Saleh Mammon made a point that supplying computers and books was undoubtedly important for the general education for the students, but the real asset of the school were indeed the children, and something ought to be done for children from poor backgrounds.
• He suggested that we approach people/organizations that were willing to sponsor students through their secondary education; or alternatively, provide a general fund to support the poorer children. He went on to suggest that this would involve time and effort in conducting proper feasibility studies at the school to see if the idea was practical and workable. He cautioned the members that proper research would be needed and ideas would have to be discussed as to how to manage this project, perhaps entailing proper audits and controls.
• Harshad Joshi said this was a very good idea. He cautioned that if we took the route of direct sponsorships, then we would obviously be disappointing the very large number who would not be awarded the sponsorship. Therefore, he recommended the "General Fund" approach.
• Satwinder Dhand said that this was similar to what the Lions Clubs did, but again, monitoring would have to be done. NB suggested that sponsoring a child was a better idea, and that an ad hoc committee in Kenya could do the monitoring.
• Varinder said that this was a very tricky issue. He hinted at the nepotism/tribalism problems in Kenya. He further mentioned that by providing financial help from overseas, given the political situation, somewhat compromises the status of Ex-students still living in Kenya.
• Akhtar stated it would be helpful to have a contact in Nairobi to take on this project.
• Manohar Singh aired his view that we should first concentrate on the project on hand with our very limited financial resources. Akhtar agreed, stating that as it is the support from the general membership was very low.
• Saleh agreed that taking on such a project would be very complicated, and the political scene in Kenya did not help. He openly accepted the contrary views.
• JT thanked Saleh for his sentiments, assuring him that he will see if there are local people in Kenya who might be interested in the project.

9) ICT Project proposal by Nasrullah Khan: Nasrullah began his address by stating that he had a project, which, unlike the previous proposal, did not require means testing nor was it affected by the corruption in the country. He said his was a well-thought-out proper project, which, if undertaken, would lend credence to the standing of the OEB. The ICT project would require approximate funding of around £50k. ICT projects, in the present world had a lot to offer for the welfare of the local students. JT said that the report by Nasrullah had been circulated to the members and asked for comments.

• SD stated that it was a worthwhile project, which should be considered at a later stage, when we have the necessary funds.
• Saleh stated that the intention here was to facilitate the learning. But before we consider this project, we ought to be asking ourselves, "What are the other factors involved, such as the state of the building, or the library?"
• NB asked if it was at all possible to get 50 people, each contributing £1000 each to undertake this proposal. NB suggested that we put the proposal to the general body at the next meeting.
• Harshad Joshi said he would be happy to help Nasrullah.
• JT agreed that he would bring this up in the next meeting of the executive members. He felt that we should work in conjunction with a body in Kenya, Computers for Schools in Kenya (CfSK) - who understand the Kenyan context. CfSK work with Nairobi schools helping them with their requirements for computers, networking, teacher training etc.

10) Any other Business:
• Harshad Joshi stated that we should register ourselves as a Charity, so that we can get the Tax Rebate on charitable contributions – presently around 28%.
• NB said this was a very good point. He stated that the committee would work to try and achieve this status.
• Pradeep Luther aired his view that as an organization, we seem to be steering in the direction of collecting funds only, and that there was little done on the social front.
• JT responded that the whole point of the previous Dinner/Dance was to enhance the Social angle. In any case, he will now go for a cheaper venue primarily aimed at fostering social get-together of the members.
• Harshad Joshi suggested that his cricket club venue was available.
• JT stated that perhaps we should do something next year, during summer.
• The meeting came to a close at around 5.45pm.