Good evening everyone, it is a privilege to address you tonight as President of Methody Collegians and to reflect on another remarkable year for our Association.

Leading this organisation through a period of significant growth has been both an honour and a source of immense pride. Together, we have entered a new era for Methody Collegians - one in which we have evolved into a truly global alumni organisation, harnessing technology, social media, and modern communications to connect former pupils wherever they may be in the world.

None of this would have been possible without the support, commitment, and enthusiasm of my fellow Council members (all volunteers). I would like to sincerely thank each of you for the countless hours you have devoted to helping our association thrive.

As we look ahead, I am excited by the opportunities before us and confident that we can continue the momentum we have built. However, if we are to sustain our success, we must continue to work as one organisation. That means maintaining a joined-up, professional approach and ensuring that all member and prospective member data is held securely in one place. We have received significant positive feedback about this approach. People value a single, coordinated alumni association that remains with them wherever life takes them. Whether they live in Belfast, London, Sydney, or New York, they remain part of one Methody Collegians community.

There is much from the past year of which we can be proud. Our Collegians Choir showcased the choir incredible talent within our alumni network. The Annual Dinner in the Whitla Hall was a sold out success. Our new City Drinks in Edinburgh and London were well received, and afternoon tea with the senior prefects was a delight. It was heartening to see our long talked about Business Network get off the ground, creating valuable opportunities for alumni to connect professionally. While we have made an excellent start, there remains enormous potential to develop this initiative even further.
The diversity of events on offer has engaged many more Collegians, and our strategy of organising these centrally allows for lots of opportunities for those with overlapping interests to connect.

Looking ahead, we must make a concerted effort to convert prospective members into full members. Doing so allows us to better understand their interests, engage them more effectively, and ensure they can benefit fully from everything the association has to offer. We also have much work still to do. There are thousands of Collegians who, for one reason or another, have slipped through the net over the years. The encouraging thing is that our purpose is now clear. We have seen tangible evidence that people are buying into our vision of one vibrant alumni community, and we also have the IT infrastructure to engage our leavers at the end of Upper 6 and hook them in for years to come.

This AGM also marks the end of my term as President. It has been a tremendous privilege to serve in this role, and I am grateful for the support I have received throughout my tenure. It is clear, the progress we have made over recent years demonstrates what can be achieved when we have a clear vision and common purpose. I leave the Presidency confident that Methody Collegians is stronger than ever, with a clear direction, a growing membership, and has an exciting future ahead.

Thank you for your support, your commitment, and your belief in Methody Collegians.

Judith Cochrane (Class of 1994), President Methody Collegians 2024 - 2026