Minutes can be read here as a word .doc

A committee meeting was held on the 8th May 2005 North Staffordshire Rowing Club

COMMITTEE MEETING 8th May 2005

PRESENT Len Clowes, Graham Seweryn, Dave Bruce, Jim McCabe, Alex Strickland, Simon Faulkner

Apologies Dave Mellor

BACKGROUND We are now 7 months into “new boathouse business plan” – how are we doing??

AGENDA Ø Review of Previous Actions Ø Club Finances Ø Equipment Strategy Ø Publicity/Advertising Ø Safety Ø Competition Ø Clothing Ø Maintenance Ø Social

Previous actions All Complete, except no news from Leek Sports Council & we still need a club member to join the lake league of friends.

Club Finances Club current account stands at approx £1000 Main expenses are rent & insurance Membership fees are just about covering these outgoings but there is very little to spare. We need another 5-10 paying members to build some confidence. We also remain dependent on continuing racking fees from the Uni & Trentham

Equipment Strategy We have completed phase 1 with a new 85kg 2-/2x and New wave operational

Next priorities are A newer 4 + & blades Safety Equipment & Coaching course fees

With club funds now exhausted, we require multiple sources of funding (ie match funding + something else to match it with!) Main focus is lottery, SB5 & any other “gov” funding We have lots of opportunities for sponsorship of boats too.

Publicity & Advertising We now have a website linked to the ARA site which is bringing in a steady trickle of interest. We had an article in the Leek Post from the Novice Mens 4 entry at Northwich.

Key Aims - Attract new members (primarily adults, mix of experiences) - Create awareness of club (that can be attractive to sponsors)

Need to have a more visible presence at the boathouse (exterior sign), include phone no onto website, ensure participation in lake event days

Safety & Insurance Boat insurance is now up to date and covers all the club equipment We may not have paid ARA affiliation fees – Mark has a letter!!

Incidents 1 Swamping of the quad in rough water between the lady and the sailing club. 2 Stuart falling in from landing stage 3 Numerous minor collisions with buoys

Observations 1 Novice coxes steering between the lady & the moored yacht 2 We have an epileptic member (Trish)

Senior members are now all showing; Good management of what is safe to go on the water (wrt conditions) Good discipline in lifejackets for coxes

NB the April coaching course did not go ahead in the end, keep looking out for opportunities

Competition Well done to the novice 4 for competing at Northwich head For the regatta season lets try to get: Novice mens 4, Mixed 4 & some small boats racing!

Clothing, Logos etc Racing vest Emerald Green with 2 gold hoops on chest Racing “T” White with green & gold striped rippon on collar & button neck Oars Emerald Green with Staffordshire knot stencilled in Gold/Yellow Logo Staffs Knot above crossed oars over N.S.R.C

Maintenance Priorities Quad & New Wave Front & rear decks, missing footplate (for getting in/out) White 4 Rigger repairs & new footplates & adjustment nuts & toothed strips General Putting up noticeboards, general tidy up into overhead locker.

Social Making a day of it one Sunday in June/July Picnic/BBQ after rowing for family & friends!

New Actions Who What When Status Jim Get ARA letter from mark & let Alex know what we need to do ASAP

Dave B Set of club accounts for Len to use in funding applications End May

Len Chase funding opportunities for new 4

Len Formally note with burgashell the poor gelcoat finish on the new 2x in case of future problems Asap

All Explore any commercial opportunites that you come across As & When Len Discuss with Ray how we could benefit financially by advertising for training camps etc to use the lake. (we pay the lake ltd , rowers pay us?) End May

Simon Join League of friends – find out how lake activites are scheduled to avoid clashes End May

Jim Advertise in Regatta for private scullers, & use of the water for rowing Dependent on outcome of discussion with lake

Jim Get link to ARA working on website, link to Simons site, add note about space for private scullers1 End May

All Maintenance on New Wave, Quad & White 4 ASAP

Simon Presence at opening of centre on Friday 13th May (does Ray know it’s a Friday the 13th!!)

Alex Chat to Trish about what simple practical measures we can take to be prepared for managing her, crew & boat in the unlikely event of her having a fit while at the lake 15th May

Alex/Simon Sort out a kit list and supplier ASAP

Simon List of events to go on website to drum up interest for competition! ASAP Alex Circ dates for Sunday social ASAP

Alex Strickland 09/05/05