Present (at the Plough, Whitchurch): Phil (Chair), Steve (Vice -C.), Les (Treasurer), Hywel (Sec.), Andy R. (Memb. Sec. & Equipment Off.), Grant (Training Off.), Richard, Rob, Matt, John N., Andy P.
1. Minutes of last AGM accepted.
2. Reports:
Chair: none.
Treasurer: had had to dip into reservce acct. for the first time to settle recnt pool bill as recent pool attendances had not been covering costs. The situation was not sustainable in the long term. Agreed discussion to be added as AOB.
Sec: had been contacted by CBBC Xhange who wanted to film us. (Richard agreed to liaise with them).
We'd had an e-mail from Sid Sinfield WCA following up on Nige Robinson's visit to club at the beginning of the year. In particular, he asked who had been nominated to deal with Child Protection.
The web site was now being updated regularly, and we have a blog. Unfortunately, as the www.dragonpaddlers.org.uk URL redirected to the new site it was no longer coming up in web searches. As a result few new people were finding us and pool attendances and membership were being affected as a result. (In discussion, Richard agreed to try to find a solution to the redirect problem).
Memb. Sec.: we had 29 paid-up members in the past year. 2004/05 membership fees were now due.
Equip. Off.: reported on equipment bought during the year: new spray decks, paddles, air bags. Noted that an equipment assessment was due.
Training Off.: explained that planned 3* training/assessment sessions would now be arranged for Spring 2005 as clashes had occurred with Autumn 2004 dates. (In discussion it was pointed out that those people who did their Canoe Safety test 2 years ago would need to be reassessed by this time next year to maintain their validity).
3. Appointment of Officers:
As noted against names above but Phil stood down as Chair and Andy R. elected in his place. Matt. agreed to take over as Memb. Sec. and John N. as Equip. Off.
Nominations were sought for a Child Protection Officer but none were forthcoming. The Sec. was asked to respond to Sid Sinfield (WCA) explaining that the Club felt that legislative requirements were becoming too burdensome for volunteers, none of our members was willing to take on a role which could put them in a position of bearing responsibility, and as such we would not even seek to appointto such an office in the future.
4. AOB:
General discussion about the future. It was felt we were in a bit of a dip at the moment in terms of membership and pool activity, though in terms of river trips we had been, and still were, more active than we have been for years. Some actions were identified to improve the pool situation:
i. Participation in CBBC programme could give us a boost. Richard to pursue.
ii. Richard to try to find a way of improving hits on the club site from web searches.
iii. Some visits from youth groups/scouts to be arranged, by Grant and Andy respectively. Andy would circulate a proposal as to number of pool visits planned and charging/membership arrangements.
