By Medic DaveÂ
Main Issues were:
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Freshers Fair
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BCU Symposium
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Pool Sessions
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Polo
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Membership
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Finance Grant
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Sponsorship
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External Lectures
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Equipment
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Private Sheds
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Socials
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Any Other Business
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Dates for your diary
Liverpool University Canoe Club Committee Meeting Minutes 21/09/06
Present: Rosie, Tom, Rachael, Laura M, Moley, Laura G, Vanny, Tony, Kim, Lloyd, Jimbob, Pete, Kayleigh, Andy, Helen H, Martin, Naomi, Alison
Apologies: Cath, Matt W, Matt C, Ade, Will, Rob
Main Issues
-
Freshers Fair
-
BCU Symposium
-
Pool Sessions
-
Polo
-
Membership
-
Finance Grant
-
Sponsorship
-
External Lectures
-
Equipment
-
Private Sheds
-
Socials
-
Any Other Business
-
Dates for your diary
Freshers Fair
With an 11am start on Sunday and a 10am start on Monday, a maximum of two people are required on the stall. Others are welcome to come along, hand out flyers, and talk to freshers about the canoe club. Flyers and membership forms will be printed by Vanny, and an electronic version should be up on the website soon. A TV, a projector, 2 laptops, and a printer are to be brought to the fair. Laura M and Laura G are making cookies for the event. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to obtain use of the pool for the fair as the sports staff has allocated that time for the pool to be available to all Sports Hall members. The fair will take place in the Sports Hall on Sunday and at Mountford Hall on the Monday. Check the website for further details. (www.lucc.info)
BCU Symposium
British Canoe Union Safety and Good Practice Seminar Plas-y-Brenin 14th and 15th October 2006 (more details on the website)
So far, Vanny and Laura G have confirmed that they will be going, and Cath has expressed a strong desire to go although was unable to confirm as was not able to attend the meeting. Although the trip is for the benefit of the individual, the club will also hope to benefit from the trip. Therefore, it has been agreed by those present at the committee that the cost of the fuel will be paid by the club and the cost of the seminar will be paid by the individuals.
Pool Sessions
The first pool session is to be organised by Si Lewis, and the second by Will. For the first session, Moley and Jimbob have agreed to stand fully kitted out by the two entrances to the sports hall to direct newcomers. The pool sessions 3, 4, 5 and 6 will see the addition a game or two of freshers polo in the last 30 minutes. The possibility of having an additional Friday pool session is yet to be confirmed by Vanny.
Polo
It has been agreed by those present at the committee that there is to be a women’s and an open team this year. There appears to have been problems over the past year with the pool staff denying Mike Moffat entry to the pool, even though he is a registered coach with the AU. Vanny is to speak to Pete Sampara from the AU about this to make sure this problem doesn’t happen again. The problems with the polo goals in the pool will be discussed at the next committee meeting when our financial position is a little clearer.
Membership
Our club will continue signing up members in the usual way (Fresher’s Fair and AJs). Club members, both students and non-students will now be required to gain an Athletic Union (AU) membership card before filling in a Canoe Club membership form. Currently the cost for AU membership is £14 for students and £20 for non students. It is possible to buy AU membership at The Base (formerly STA travel, ground floor of the Guild) or to pay for AU membership directly through the club. The cost for joining the club remains at £15 for the year and £10 for those joining after refreshers fair.
Finance Grant
The grant received this year from the AU is £1000, the same as last year.
Sponsorship
Currently, the sponsorship letter and a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of (mostly local) businesses have been written up. Over the next couple of weeks, the letters should be posted, and the letter should be available on the website. If you have any connections with businesses that you feel may benefit from sponsorship please do not hesitate to get in touch with either Laura Gould (fallingspiral@hotmail.com) or Vanny (vannystick@bxproject.co.uk)
External Lectures
Rachael has been looking into the possibility of bringing some professional canoeists in to give a few talks. Those present at the committee agreed that this was a good idea, benefiting club members and people interested in kayaking in the local community as well as raising the club profile. The club will be committed to host a series of three talks, taking place on Wed 24th January, Wednesday 14th February, and Wednesday 7th March. The first speaker is Alan Ellard. There is a potential for around a £400 loss (£100 per speaker, money for a meal for each speaker before the talk and cost of refreshments). At £5(3) a head, it was agreed the potential for this loss is very small, as there appears to be a lot of interest in the talk. Advertising through canoe centres, other clubs and at other talks will hopefully generate interest. Sponsorship to help pay for the talks is being looked into. It was thought at the meeting that it may be an idea to advertise what we will be allocating the money towards (e.g. a boat).
Equipment
Cath has reported a crack in the H2 and should not be used for any higher than grade III water, even when fixed. The H3 is reported lost, as is the yellow creek boat. As far as boats in this genre, we are now left with the spud and the microbat 240. When more boats are purchased by the club, this will be in mind.
We currently have 3 lost/broken paddles. These obviously need to be replaced at some stage. As there is only one usable left-handed paddle, it was suggested that when paddles are bought, a few 90 degree paddles should be bought.
Buoyancy Aids for river trips, although tested every year, are generally suffering from wear and tear. The committee decided that BAs more suited to white water rescue should be left to the purchase of the individual, rather than the club, as inexperienced paddlers may find them more of a hindrance than a help. The committee members also recognised a need for a greater number of small BAs to better fit some of the club’s smaller members. When our financial position is clearer, we will be able to determine whether or not it is financially feasible to buy more buoyancy aids.
Information on what to wear is on the website. Although some information is in progress, if you have anything to add, this would greatly appreciated. Email Vanny or Helen with your suggestions.
It was suggested that tuition should be given on how to choose the correct kit for members new to the club. This should ideally take place as a group session before the first couple of trips of the term, and therefore extra time should be allowed before setting off on a trip.
Private Sheds
Yet more club members have complained about the (lack of) security when signing out keys for the sheds. This includes being able to take the keys out without either showing any form of I.D or without signing them out. This is being looked into again. Please tell the club captain if you have any issues after signing keys out.
A position for the fire extinguishers is to be made in each shed. Please make yourself aware of the new position of the fire extinguishers when entering the shed.
The rack system in the private sheds is almost complete after work started this summer, with just the slalom boats and the paddle rack to complete.
Be aware that the light in the private sheds is currently always on. This is being looked into, and the electricians will be sorting the problem soon.
A club member has reported slight damage to their boat in the private sheds, possibly as a result of members standing on it. This is a reminder to all members that boats, club or private, are to be treated with respect.
Socials
The Raz- 28th September 06
Smithdown Ten 20th or 21st October 06
Pub Golf- date TBC
AU night- date TBC
Xmas Dinner- 8th or 9th or 10th Dec 06
Any Other Business
FOA club affiliation- The cost of club affiliation with Friends of Allonby (FOA) for this year is to be looked into by Vanny. The decision to join for the next academic year will be discussed at the next committee meeting.
BCU star awards- It has been noted that there are changes to the star awards, particularly regarding qualifications in the ability to coach towards a level and qualifications to assess that level (star). It appears that much of the changes affect 3 stars and above.
Minibus- We currently are using the two minibuses used last year. It has been pointed out that we may, in the near future, have a problem with numbers of club members eligible to drive the minibus. In order to be able to apply to drive the minibus, you must be 21, have held your license for 2 years, and have a maximum of 3 points on your license. Let Vanny know if you are interested in applying for a minibus license. It may be possible to borrow the minibus for a few practice runs. So far, Kayleigh has expressed an interest.
Teifi Tour 2006- taking place 28th-29th October- Kayleigh is to look into the possibility of doing this.
Dates For Your Diary
September
24 Freshers Fair 11-5pm Sports Hall
25 Term starts/ Freshers Fair 10-2 Mountford Hall
28 First pool session (organised by Si) followed by AJs then the Raz
30/01 Oct Burrs/ Chester (organised by Jimbob)
October
5 Second pool session (organised by Will)
6-8 Lakes including treasure hunt (organised by Will)
13-15 West Tanfield (organised by Martin)/ Student symposium
20/21 Smithdown 10
27-29 Possibility of completion of BCU Star Awards and a first aid course/possibility of Teifi Tour
November
3-5 Tyne Tour (organised by Vanny)
11-12 White Water Race (organised by Laura G)
December
8/9/10 Xmas Meal
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