Committee meeting minutes
Committee meeting - 02/02/2005
Highfield House
Creaton
Present : MB,FC,GB,JN,LN,PW
Apologies : CH,MR
Items to discuss : EGM format, Proposed change to membership fees
Discussion re venues, generally agreed that the new venue should have adequate storage to allow beginners classes and use of the electric kit.
Also large enough to accommodate fencers and electric fencing.
Each venue was then discussed : pros and cons
Unity : No storage, felt that electric kit needed to encourage members to enter competitions.
Also not available during exam times for foreseeable future.
Caroline Chisholm/Wooldale : Issues of Health and Safety regarding use of two rooms brought up.
Would need Club Leader/Coach in each room at all times.
Storage available but not near to venue.
Also because two rooms there will be two floor types.
Moulton College : Storage available, also lot of investment in the area.
Issues regarding times available at present.
However MB had been emailed today with message that times should be sorted by May/June
Lings Forum : only available on a Friday.
Half hall only available.
Secure storage would need to be provided by the club.
Discussion then took place regarding the proposed ballot, whether this should be "secret" or an open show of hands.
It was decided that the ballot should be an open show of hands.
Also that members should be made aware that a decision MUST be made Thursday night and that if no clear decision is made then the committee would look at all the options and make a decision for the club.
GB raised issue of finding a smaller venue as this may be cheaper.
It was generally felt by the rest of the committee that the club requires a larger venue to allow growth and use of all facilities ie electric kit etc.
Also is option available to stay at present venue and keep looking.
Kingsley Park is only available till Dec 05 at the latest when the club would again be in the same position as it is now looking for a venue.
Better to decide now when time is available.
FC provided rough calculations based on current adult membership, two hours hire of hall for 39 weeks a year based on average cost of the three venues.
This came out to be £102 a year.
A move to a venue providing a full year of fencing (based on 50 weeks) would work out to be £130.
This ONLY included cost of hall, not any extra for replacing kit etc.
It was decided that this new costing would take effect from September and the club would absorb any difference if moving to the new venue earlier than September.
This would then be reviewed at the next AGM to bring in cost for replacing equipment etc.
MB had received information that the opportunity may be available to “fix” cost of hire of the hall at Moulton for up to three years, with an option to opt out after a year.
This would allow the club to know how much the hire costs will be and adapt accordingly.
FC did calculation based on costings for Moulton which came out at £120 a year or £2.40 a week for adult members.
Student and children costs were then discussed, MB suggested 50% of adult yearly fee plus £10.
Committee agreed.
GB asked why he had not been informed or consulted re the current beginners course as he wanted to be involved.
It was explained that due to the late nature of the decision to run the course only MB,FC,CH,SL knew about it.
Apologies were given with the assurance he would be informed in future.
FC raised issue of content of the beginners course and whether this needed to be altered or changed.
General decision was that the club leaders and coaches would need to be consulted together and agree any changes.
Information was provided from MB and GB that appeared to show that Club Leaders could run beginner courses without supervision from a coach.
This may allow more flexibility with beginner courses.
FC reiterated that beginners need to take part in beginners course and that experienced fencers were required to join after two free weeks.
FC raised issue of kit and new regulations coming into effect.
PD also required to safety check equipment.
He is aware of this and will make arrangements.
Dates for next competitions 20th March and 10th April.
Venue already booked, to be Moulton College.
Moulton is providing the venue at much reduced cost as all proceeds are given to charity.
Meeting closed at 10:25