Last updated 10/01/2007 |
C l u b B u s i n e s s |
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Summary of main committee business (for the current year, 2007) (full minutes of these meetings are available through the Secretary): Friday, 29 December (i) The membership and structure of the Main Committee and the sub-committees was ratified. The Main Committee would comprise the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Club Captain, plus four others, each of whom would be the convenors of each of the four sub-committees (plus any working parties linked to a sub-committee). These convenors would ensure communication between sub-committees and Main Committee, though in general the sub-committees would be encouraged to be increasingly self-reliant. The four sub-committees are Social; Hosted Races; Training & Performance; and Development & Recruitment. In addition there were several officers (the Membership Secretary, Esholt SC Liaison Officer, and Communications Officer) who would act on Membership Matters and would report direct to the Main Committee. A draft document was discussed, setting down the responsibilities and goals for each committee and officer during 2007, in order to implement the recommendations approved at the AGM. This will be ratified at the next full meeting of the Main Committee and then allocated to the relevant people. (ii) The dates for the John Carr 5k series and Millennium Way Relay were approved and entry forms would be made available on the website, and some urgent action was decided concerning accommodation and other logistics for the overseas teams for the BMW Relay. (iii) The international training camp hosted by St Bede's in Belgium would be promoted at a meeting of coaches in the North of England at South Leeds Stadium on 10 January. (iv) A draft contractual agreement to establish a formal and permanent partnership between St Bede's and Bradford-Airedale had been drawn up by the chairman. This was agreed in principle within St Bede's and the intention was to have such an agreement signed shortly after the next meeting with Bradford-Airedale, who were examining the document in parallel. Once such a legal partnership were in place, other clubs could be invited in due course to join this new entity. Summary of main committee business, 2006: Thursday, 5 October (i) The chairman reported on positive discussions with Bradford-Airedale about forming a close partnership, and on similar discussions at the Bradford Athletics Development Group, the next meeting of which (8 November) would be entirely devoted to St Bede's plans. (i) The committee discussed at length a report on the year's activities, a series of recommendations to be taken to the AGM, and the likely vacancies in a revised committee structure. The text was agreed and once the end-of-year financial report was prepared the document would be circulated to all members in early November. The AGM was set for 21 November. Tuesday, 3 October - Special Open Meeting (i) A special open meeting was called after Tuesday training at Esholt, attended by 30-40 members. The chairman outlined the findings of the strategy group about a way forward involving local partner clubs. Members were invited to discuss and comment on this proposal. There was some scepticism about its likely success, but the majority saw clear benefits and agreed that the committee should take this matter forward. Monday, 4 September (i) The bill from Bradford & Bingley SC had been paid over the summer but appeared to be far higher than budgeted. This generated a loss of over £1300 on the BMWR. There was a long discussion about whether the event should be cancelled in future. However, it was decided that B&B had probably overcharged by £500 and the chairman was asked to negotiate for its repayment. Other savings could easily be envisaged for 2007. On this basis it was agreed that the BMWR could be held again, but with the sub-committee mandated to try to break-even in 2007. (ii) Subscription fees for 2007 were discussed, even though the national dues to Athletics England were still not known. It was agreed that a basic charge of £15 would be levied, plus the pay-by-use £1 training/showering charge for Tuesday nights. Reduced fees for students and juniors, and second-claimers were set. There was a discussion about members who had not paid and it was agreed to be stricter in the committee's follow-up of recalictrant or lapsed members. Clear rules should be more clearly conveyed to the Membership Secretary. (iii) There was a discussion about the response to Bingley Harriers who had applied for the waiving of the six-month embargo for Pete Pyrah who had transferred there over the summer. It was agreed to pass the matter to the relevant regional 'hardship committee'. (iv) The chairman had held discussions with Bradford-Airedale, who were soon to hold an EGM to discuss their future. In light of the strategy group's proposal for partnerships with local clubs, the chairman proposed inviting Bradford-Airedale to explore closer collaboration with St Bede's. The draft letter was approved. (v) A long discussion took place about the quality of training on Tuesday nights and how best to cater for the training needs of members. No conclusion was reached. However, it was agreed to compose a detailed questionnaire to members to investigate their needs, and the committee would analyse the results in due course. Monday, 10 July (i) The Tennants Arms trip on 30th June had been a great successwith a follow-up trip in September on a Sunday morning with lunch at the Tennants. On 11 July the triangular relay will this year be held between St. Bede’s, Baildon and Airecentre Pacers. (ii) Further discussions (in terms of strategic development) were held on the way-forward for a partnership strategy with other clubs. It was agreed that these plans would need to be presented to the full membership at a specially convened meeting in September. (iii) There would probably need to be new members elected to the John Carr committee for the next year. The initial costings for the BMWR envisaged a loss, but the bill from Bradford & Bingley SC was still pending. Monday, 5 June (i) The John Carr series has been extremely successful, with a financial surplus of about £2k, 75% of which will be allocated to the agreed two charities. To remain manageable, a likely limit of 400 runners may be set for 2007, and pre-entry will become compulsory. (ii) The BMWR Committee reported on detailed plans for marshalling and water-provision during the legs; and for entertaining the 49 international guests (3 New Zealanders, 14 Dutch and 32 from Belgium). Registrations were almost a third up on previous years, with 39 teams signed up. (iii) The Strategy Group reported on their deliberations. Organic growth (even at a net 10% increase a year would only generate 95 members by 2012) was considered too slow and too demanding on a few members. The Group recommended exploring other models for the club, drawing on a range of international experience. The two most promising models involved a network of satellite clubs, and working in close partnership with both running clubs and endurance sports clubs. Monday, 11 May (i) Participation at the John Carr series had been records: 364 for the first and 334 for the second. Entries had been closed at 7pm on the first night; even at the second there were 70 entries on the night. These numbers are considered the limit of what is manageable. (ii) Unattached runners are to be invited to a club handicap race on 6 June. The coach trip to the Tennants Arm run and meal on 30 June is oversubscribed; a second trip is scheduled for September. And the triangular relay on 11 July will this year feature Baildon and Airecentre. (iii) An international camp is being developed, taking place in Trawden in late July and Turnhout (Belgium) in July. After the first, experimental year, the club will explore formal hosting of it, or other involvement. Monday, 10 April (i) Paid-up membership (for 2006) currently stands at about 58; there are about 38 unpaid members, some of whom have moved or left, but 12-20 of them will be invited to renew their membership. The current membership contains about 15 new members (largely through the Greens' link). (ii) The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Council for Athletics (the new regional body under England Athletics) is now established and clubs will soon be invited to elect six council members, one of whom will become chairman, and who will then appoint five specialist members. St Bede's has agreed to second the candidature of the interim chair; and Mike Moss has been encouraged to stand for election. The committee supports both these candidates. (iii) Trial-runs for a new funnel for the finish of the John Carr 5k have been tested. Efforts are continuing to maximise the number of pre-registration entries. (iv) A donation of £500 had been made to Esholt SC, equivalent to £10 per head p.a. (for those St Bede's members who regularly use the Esholt facilities). (v) Hospitality costs (incl. accommodation) for the international teams in the BMWR would exceed £1000, but it was expected that all (or almost all) of this amount would be recouped by levying a €50 charge per visitor (incl. the registration fee). Monday, 20 March (i) The new manager of Greens is keen to foster community links through St Bede's. The benefits are mutual and we are grateful for Greens' support. The committee envisages making proposals of how this partnership can grow. (ii) Attention was drawn to possible shortcomings in the supervision and coaching of various ladies' training groups on Tuesday evenings. (iii) The social sub-committee presented an impressive calendar of activities for the coming year. (iv) Various, significant enhancements had been made to the club website. (v) The strategy group would invite club members via the website to contribute to a SWOT-analysis ('strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats') of where St Bede's stands now and the prospects for the future. This would be the first stage in building a development plan. Monday, 6 February (i) Esholt SC required additional financial support and would be holding an EGM, with the proposal that all members (and those of affiliated clubs) pay a £10 capitation fee for the use of the Esholt facilities. (ii) £240 had been spent on coaching courses which were then scheduled on dates which St Bede's coaches had notified would be impossible; the secretary would seek either repayment of this money or to ensure urgent provision of the courses to our coaches. (iii) A Strategy Group would be established to produce a five-year development plan for the club. The group will comprise Dave Armstrong, Diane Craven, Graham Eastell, Simon Forde and Jack Verity. (iv) Five international teams were expected for the BMWR (three from Belgium, one from the Netherlands and one from New Zealand). Arrangements for transport, accommodation and hospitality were agreed. (v) Despite uncertainty over fees to Esholt SC and the capitation fee to the successor of the NoEAA, membership fees for 2006 would remain as for 2005. |