Northampton Fencing Club

Committee meeting minutes

MINUTES OF NFC COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD 1st February 2006
Present: Paul Willmott
Chris Holt
Steve Rowntree
Fay Carpenter
Graham Beech
Paul Drake
John Norrie
Linda Norrie
Mark Bampkin
Natalie Turner

1. Apologies
None received - all committee members present.
2. Actions from the Previous Meeting
MB/FC - write & distribute agenda for GM 26/01/2006 - Completed
PD - to provide 'armourer tips' for website inclusion - Ongoing
Advertising material to be provided to Committee members - Ongoing
GB - to look into team competition for the Club - Ongoing
MB/FC - to organise copy of new kit regs to all Club members - Ongoing
PD - to look into posting advertisment in village magazine - Ongoing
MB - to provide posters to NCC for supply to Libraries & inclusion on electronic noticeboard - Ongoing

Agenda items to cover any ongoing action points.
3. Matters arising from Previous Meeting
Website Matters Committee questioned if MR still constructing website - felt generally that more info could have been Posted. LN - felt competition dates and results could have been included. PD - still to provide a 'condensed armourers tips' for inclusion. SR - volunteered to take over website maintenance & construction, felt able to undertake this role as well as Club Treasurer. SR to speak to MR regarding hand over, obtain info previously passed on & passwords. SR to confirm with MR that technical advice can still be sought as/when necessary.
Action: PD, SR
Club/Inter Club Competition
Agreed this should be taken on & organised by one individual suggested Captain & Vice Captain - JN/GB agreed. GB - suggested a multi weapon comp, scoring points throughout the year LN/JN - have spoken to other clubs for ideas. Suggested a competition for members that have previously won nothing. SR - Suggested Club members fight 2x bouts during the evening having agreed weapon & number of hits (suggest points: win = 3, loose = 2). Idea to accumulate points throughout the season. Confirmed similar run by Bedford Club, will obtain copy of Matrix used and adapt. MB - suggested 'themed' Club nights (1x weapon per evening) Agreed only members present that evening to be included in competition draw, similar idea to a pooling matrix. Noted start time could be problematic as not all members present at 8pm - suggested a 'report to' time be agreed prior to Competition - 8.30pm? Suggested Competition to be run in 2 week gap between beginners course, potentially starting at 7pm, pool 1st week, DE's 2nd wk? CH noted too distracting for beginners otherwise. LN/JN - Suggested using 5x unused Club shields/trophies, currently unused. Suggested Competition could be opened up to County, subject to a) having won nothing at county or regional level. b) admission fee (£2?)
Action: SR, JN, GB
Club Publicity
SR - has been approached by organiser of Castle Ashby Country Fair regards to organising presentation/demonstration. PW - questioned if covered by public liability insurance for such events. CH - noted not an issue providing enough space allocated to Club. Committee members suggested taster session/demonstration. SR - to confirm date. LN/JN - suggested Hollowell Steam Rally (to confirm dates) as a means to raising Club funds; any helpers can request money for a local charity: Club members to help out & provide a free demonstration/taster session providing prior agreement of donation to Club. GB - suggested 'Steam' demonstration.
Action:SR, LN, JN
Safety Regulations
Information was to be handed to all members along with AGM agenda - not actioned. FC - suggested spot checks on plastrons at Club meetings. Suggested to be actioned by CH & PD at next Club meeting (Thurs 02/02/2006)
Action: CH, PD
4. Proposal for Constitution amendments
SR - currently working on. Distributed 'CASC status, Charitable status and Gift Aid' handout. CASC - felt non beneficial as currently don't declare corporation tax. Refer to handout. Charitable Status - noted much work to be done to gain this status; felt issues regarding how the sport is perceived by the community (elitist rather than available to all). PW - suggested Club to be presented in community more. FC - noted certain schools promoting sports more, could present club in community in conjunction with this. SR - noted that although Club encourages members to buy own kit, would have to buy breeches & plastrons to make kit readily available. Constitution would have to be amended, if this avenue to be pursued, to say a) membership fees provide membership to the club and nothing else b) equipment is available on demand. Also noted that the current constitution does not state that there will be a charge for use of club kit. SR - felt if Charitable status persued, ideas of how club is run would have to be changed, to investigate if status is realistically achievable. FC - asked if other clubs had taken this route. Gift Aid - noted that Club member could be asked to pay membership on gift aid: requiring ticked box and date on relevant form; members would have to be informed prior to membership payment. SR - questioned if able to do 'gift aid' legitimately for beginners courses due to 'access to community' issues - suggested ignore for beginners courses. Refer to handout. Agreed issued need to be investigated further. Although still work to be done, position is clearer due to SR explanations. JN & PD - to discuss with legal friend/neighbour.
Action: SR, JN, PD
5. NFC 60th Anniversary
Ideas previously discussed at AGM 26/01/2006. GB - questioned if had date in mind. PW - suggested agree event then organise date. Suggestions to link an evening 'do' to a fencing event/competition during the day. FC - suggested evening buffet. Noted possible venues - Lings/UCN/Moulton College; venue to be able to accommodate competition as well as evening event. Points to note - a)venue to have facilities to change. b) some venues free if guarantee numbers. c)ability to apply for a temp alcohol license. Theme' suggested - 60's or 60 years ago. Noted summer months should be avoided due to holidays & other noted summer functions. MB - to speak to Robbie (Moulton College) regarding Saturday availability for both am & pm venue, possibly September/October 2006. Once venue confirmed MB to sort temporary license and check details on local accommodation for previous & current club members. FC & Sharon Levett also volunteered to investigate local venues
Action: MB, FC, SL
6. Box Timings
PD - confirmed Club has: 1x Leon Paul 3 weapon box with new timings & 3x Leon Paul 2 weapon boxes with old timings (one of which is untested & possibly does not work) & 2x Allstar/Merlin 3 weapon mains powered boxes with old timings. PD to clarify with Allstar if boxes can be upgraded: Also to speak Ian (PBT) & Leon Paul regarding costings & possibility of 'rechargeable battery' boxes. Noted not cost effective to upgrade 2x weapon boxes (LP quote £293 per box). Confirmed Club ideally needs 3 foil, 3 epee & 3 sabre boxes aspiring to 4 of each with a view to hosting competitions. GB - noted East Midlands Region keen for NFC to host competition.
Action: PD
7. Beginners Course
Dates for next 4 courses confirmed (commence 16/03/2006, 25/05/2006, 03/08/2006 & 12/10/2006). Each course to run for 8 consecutive weeks with a 2 week break between. MB - confirmed cost £60 each inclusive of glove. LN - asked if could be arranged for kit to be washed between beginners courses, possibly laundrette as difficult to keep a track of kit if various people take home. MB/NT to get quotes laundrette quotes for wash every 10 weeks.
Action: MB, NT
8. Millfield Summer School
PD - confirmed dates as 13/08/2006 - 18/08/2006, Somerset. Will announce at Club meeting to see if members interested. NT - spoke to organiser and once definite numbers known are willing to negotiate a discount, details to be sent in post.
Action: NT, PD
9. Any Other Business
JN - Questioned if NFC had been informed of the East Midlands Region Competition as a Club or individually. Informed by Committee members Norman Randall (organiser) had emailed results. PW & MB to forward any forthcoming competition information, suggested club advertise competitions more. Noted SR has email expansion list to forward information. Noted idea to compile flier/visible calendar to encourage competition entry.
Action: JN
PW - Suggested flag purchased by Club to advertise Club presence at competitions. MB - suggested car stickers also. NT & PD - to get quotes
Action: NT, PD
GB - Noted that Wellingborough School in process of purchasing own kit - potential loss of £60 to NFC each time kit borrowed. Wellingborough School keen to continue with Saturday am half day sessions.
FC - Noted Unity College currently updating paperwork - awaiting bill for £7.70, also awaiting potential Trinity bill for 2 terms.
SR - Noted Club signatories to be updated to current Committee members. (1st SR, 2nd NT, 3rd PW)
Action: SR
Noted Club member contact numbers should be updated.
Action: NT, SR
PD - wishes to express thanks to all out going committee members, in particular FC. Committee agreed.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING WEDS 5TH APRIL 2006<

Actions Summary:
Action By Date Completed
Website construction & maintenance SR Ongoing
Armourers tips PD -
Organise inter-club/club competition/s . Matrix example SR, JN, GB -
Organise Club publicity/demonstrations at forthcoming events/fairs SR, LN, JN -
Safety regulations/kit spot checks CH, PD -
Investigate further proposal of constitution amendments SR, JN, PD -
NFC 60th Anniversay venue quotes FC, SL -
Temporary alcohol license MB -
Quotes from respective companies re box timing upgrades PD -
Laundrette quotes re beginners kit wash MB, NT -
Compile flier/visible calendar re forthcoming competitions JN -
Quotes re: NFC flag & car stickers NR, PD -
Update signatories SR -
Update Club member contact details NT, SR -