On Tuesday, March 13, the British Association Monaco (BAM) held its AGM at the Maisons des Associations. After four years as President, Vanessa Ilsley has stepped down.
Highlighting some of the events that had been changed or implemented during her tenure, Vanessa, a highly respected individual in Monaco, started with the Queen’s birthday cocktails, which have progressed into a successful fundraising occasion welcoming more government ministers and ambassadors over the years. “I believe this is very important to ensure that BAM’s contribution to the Principality is understood,” Vanessa said.
Vanessa, who is also involved with Outward Bound Monaco and the Monaco Air League, as well drew attention to the Hudson Foundation, of which BAM are administrators. Mr Hudson made his money in the production of soap flakes and as a result moved to Monaco and built the Villa Paloma, which is today a national museum. His Foundation is for the benefit of English in the Principality, and for the last two years BAM has awarded financial prizes each end of year to students in the three colleges: College Charles III, Lycée Albert 1er and Lycée Hotelier.
“Less obvious to members and something I am proud of,” Vanessa added, “is the implementation of a formal association with the Princess Grace Hospital. The BAM Community Support Team visitors are now formally accredited by the hospital authorities and hold badges to enable them to visit the hospital, the Centre Rainier III and Cap Fleuri.
“This is a welcome acknowledgement of the wonderful work the Community Support Team and their helpers are doing in the community. I would like to take the opportunity to thank these quiet volunteers for all their valuable time and unstinting support. Again this development by BAM in the community underlines my efforts to highlight BAM’s stature in Monaco.”
John-Luigi Megginson, who was educated in the UK from the age of 12 but returned to Monaco where he now runs a Family Office, has taken over as President. “I have very big shoes to fill. Vanessa has done such a wonderful job and I offer my thanks for her many contributions over the years and for being a source of inspiration to me,” John Luigi said at the AGM.
“I hope to continue building on the success of the previous year, to increase subscriptions and keep up the high-caliber events we have throughout the year with a view to organising more great events.”
Both Presidents acknowledge the importance of working as a team with their committees.
The British Association of Monaco, a charitable association registered in the Principality, was founded in 1935 “to provide a focus for British and Commonwealth citizens residing in Monaco and surrounding areas to meet socially, represent their views in the Principality and to provide a welfare service for those in need”.
The Association, which holds no political or sectarian aim, promotes and represents the British community within the Principality. Although Full Membership is open to British and Commonwealth citizens, all nationalities are eligible for Associate Membership.
The Community Support Team made up of volunteers was originally called the Assistance Fund Sub-Committee and it was formally recorded that “as a matter of principle the Relief Fund should not be used to assist gamblers”.
Article first published March 14, 2018.