Girvan Canoe Club Annual General Meeting
Place: Carrick Sports Club, Maybole.
Date: 21st October 2009
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Present:
Kelt Saunders, Laura Bell, Paul Gregor, Isobel Thomson, Grant Thomson, Gregor Thomson, Chris Saunders, John Haston, Stephen Ball, David Wilbraham
Apologies:
Alistair Bruce, Alister Jardine
Introduction
Chris Saunders welcomed everyone to the meeting. We have one official meeting each year for constitutional purposes, but many informal meetings at pool sessions, or on beaches or river banks. These are all valid club meetings where topics are discussed and decisions can be made if enough members are present.
Minutes of last meeting
The minutes were accepted as being correct.
Chairman’s Report
Chris Saunders reported on the club’s activities over the last year.
The canoe club had previously been a healthy club, until the Girvan Pool closed last January. The council then gave us a slot in Maybole Pool. On the plus side the club has gained new members from the Maybole area, but on the minus side we have lost members from Girvan and further south who can not travel to Maybole. The club’s equipment store is still in Girvan, and that could change. The club might also change its name.
The club is still running though, with winter pool sessions and summer sea trips. It has been going since before 1987, nearly 25 years, and some clubs don’t last that long.
The biggest thing this year has been the move to Maybole pool for our training sessions, after Girvan pool closed. Also the new equipment has been a great help, especially for the junior paddlers.
We now need to look at funding, for different equipment to give members the chance to try alternative types of kayaks, and for training to develop new coaches.
Secretary’s Report
John Haston added the following comments to the Chairman’s report.
The club is fortunate to have Chris as chairman, a qualified senior coach, who also runs activity courses as a business.
The affiliation fee of £50 to the Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) is due in November. This includes insurance cover for club members and coaches while doing volunteer coaching.
Treasurer’s Report:
Stephen Ball presented the financial summary statement. See copy attached to these minutes.
The club has made a loss over the last year, and needs to increase fees. Several options were presented for this, either increasing the weekly pool subs or the annual membership fee.
The club is still renting a lock-up garage in Girvan to store the trailer and canoes, but this is relatively cheap. We could look at possibility of storage for the canoes and trailer in Maybole. We should ask the council planning dept if permission would be required to site a lock-up shed or container by the pool. It was decided that the rented garage in Girvan should be kept for now.
Child Protection Officer’s Report:
Alister Jardine was not present to give a report, but he had been contacted and was prepared to continue in this role.
Election of Office Bearers
Chris Saunders agreed to continue as Chairman, and was re-elected.
John Haston agreed to continue as Secretary, and was re-elected.
Alister Jardine had agreed to continue as Child Protection Officer, and was re-elected in his absence.
Stephen Ball also agreed to continue as treasurer, and was re-elected, although he would not be able to attend every week to collect subs. John offered to do this when Stephen was not there, and to make a list of those attending.
Dave Wilbraham was re-elected as meets secretary.
Kelt Saunders, Alistair Bruce, Paul Gregor and Isobel Thomson were also elected as committee members.
Membership Fees
The options presented in the treasurer’s summary were discussed, and option 3 was agreed on.
Pool subs are to be set at a flat rate of £3. This is a 50p increase for juniors.
Annual membership fees are to be set at a flat rate of £15. This is an increase from last year, which had seen a big reduction, but was required to avoid a further deficit in club funds.
Pool subs are therefore: £3.
Annual membership is: £15.
Annual night out
Dave Wilbraham agreed to organise a club annual night out. This would be a game of bowls and laser game with a buffet supper, at LA Bowl in Ayr. To be held on a Friday evening in January or February. This had been successful in the past, with little change in the price, although it had not been held this year due to the timing of the Girvan pool closure.
Change of Name
It was agreed not to change the club’s name at present, but not to include “Girvan” in posters for Maybole pool sessions.
Any Other Business
Future funding should be looked at for equipment, such as surf boats, slalom kayaks, etc., and courses for instructors.
A river kayak trip was agreed to be organised for a river such as the Tweed or Tay, which might require an overnight stay such as a youth hostel. Day trips would also be run at local rivers such as the Stinchar, Doon, Ayr and Nith.
The junior members were asked what they wanted, and they said more river trips.
The Club agreed to write to SEPA about the Doon water reduction proposed. Members can also sign a petition on www.savethedoon.com.
Posters could be put up in the schools pool, and library to advertise the pool sessions if attendance dropped.
The meeting closed at 7:40 p.m.
Note: After the meeting, Isobel said that the parents wanted to express their appreciation for the volunteer coaches.
