SROC Committee Meeting Minutes    Thu 5 February 2009

 

Present : Martyn Roome, Alex Finch, Rowena Browne, Chris Roberts, Steve McLean, Dave Hargreaves, Julian Lailey, Tony Marlow, Dick Collins, Quentin Harding, Gavin Smith

 

 

Apologies: Matthew Nash, Karen Nash, Sarah Watkins

 

  1. Minutes of last meeting
  • The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record

 

  1. Matters Arising
  • Not all job descriptions written as yet ACTION MR, DH
  • Calendar (created by QH) can now be uploaded to Google docs ACTION CR
  • Arrange 1st Aid courses ACTION SW
  • Update Mission statement ACTION MR. Bob Nash a new SI recruit
  • SI card hire free for CATI, otherwise at discretion.

 

  1. Events / fixtures
  • Fixtures update list to be emailed to committee ahead of meetings in future
  • Events not yet decided for the Autumn, usual problem of finding organisers and planners
  • TWT “up in the air”, no permissions in place as yet – waiting until after the March event. AF does not foresee any problems. Could the Campbells (or other outside team) plan? ACTION MR will put to the NW CDM
  • JL asked whether the club has a list of who can plan, and at what level. Only the volunteers list exits; this includes some information. ACTION JL RB, compile a more useful list of experienced planners and organisers
  • Nicky Nook – all in place for the event on Sunday 15th Feb
  • Farleton event (CSC) – map done, car park sorted, planning well under way, permissions in place except a connecting strip, but we can use a footpath.
  • Currently putting on an event a month. Next after CSC will be at Roeburndale. Peter Edge planning, TM organizing
  • May event at Gt Tower. DC planning, need an organiser
  • Summer series of 4 events, planner/organisers in place (provisionally)
  • Club picnic in Eaves Wood in July. RB planning/organising
  • British Sprints 2010. Meeting on 13th Feb with Chorley Council (SM, TM) to discuss details of areas etc. Astley Park for qualifiers and assembly. Astley village for the longer courses. MEROC want their event on Sunday, we need to run on Sunday to avoid Chorley traffic (cars and people). Much depends on the outcome of the meeting with Chorley. Mike Forrest has offered the possibility of combining the age class champs (!) with the elite sprint champs. Committee agreed that this should be progressed if possible. ACTION TM
  • LOC have asked for Arnside Knott for a summer event, turned down
  • RB said that she has experienced problems with the new BOF fixtures database. This may be a computer  compatibility issue.
  • MR thanked all involved for the Handicap and NYD

 

  1. Treasurer
  • Forecast is still to break even on the year
  • Equipment costs are greater because of the Buffs and AOD extended licence
  • No money from BOF in January – more expected (hoped for) later
  • Competition income has exceeded expectations, overall an encouraging sign
  • Current reserves are £14500 on deposit with the Halifax

 

  1. Mapping
  • Farleton map is almost complete and is excellent. Dalton Crags possibly to be brought up to the same standard for TWT. ACTION AF to ask Malcolm Campbell
  • Rusland – Carol McNeill says that orienteering has not been encouraged for many years. Waiting for the go ahead from LDNP. Last used in the 80s
  • Hyning Woods  - Mike Haward is mapping. This is a Woodland Trust area
  • Longridge – Mike Ormerod has begun the map. AF has a proof copy
  • Ocad 10 is out, not needed as yet
  • Clougha – a good area but needs professional re-mapping. ACTION AF to get a quote
  • Caton Moor – ACTION JL to look at the maps of Caton Moor and Tarn Beck to assess the possibilities

 

  1. Secretary
  • Club League – should there be a minimum number of events in order to qualify for a trophy? DC argued for the status quo, i.e. winners must have completed one event. Agreed by the committee to stay as we are

 

  1.  Club Captain
  • JK and BOF relays entered
  • SW taking CSC entries, and will enter SROC members
  • Steve Vernon has been asked to speak at the dinner
  • SW asked for £5 adult, £2 junior fees for the relays, club to pay the rest. Agreed

 

  1. Membership Development
  • TM has reviewed the list of jobs given to him by MR
  • New members should be given more personal attention. TM has drafted a welcome letter to send to new members. ACTION TM to circulate around the committee. This will be accompanied by a simple fixture list. Other ideas: offer to share lifts, invite to Ripley, join the forum
  • SM said that we should have a social venue linked to events where possible
  • TM asked about having a club member profile. This used to be in the newsletter regularly. DC to reinstate. ACTION TM to submit his profile
  • QH remarked that the Ripley sessions still need to be developed to include a more social element
  • MR commended Ian Selby for his article in the Garstang Courier. Plea from CR to use the correct website address. ACTION MR to check with the Courier. Flyers have been distributed around Garstang for the Nicky Nook event
  • MR has been chosen to speak on Radio Lancashire on Sat 7th Feb

 

  1. Juniors
  • Nothing to report as there has been no response to the Explorer badge scheme as yet

 

  1. Social
  • Club dinner is at Thurnham Hall
  • JK dinner. A suitable venue has been booked at Bamburgh
  • MR complimented GS on his quiz after the Handicap
  • We could join in with the tennis club for another ceilidh, as they would have welcomed more from our club at the last one

 

  1. AOB
  • The CRB system is going to be changed, info from SM’s running club. Need to be aware of any changes in good time
  • WCOC night events attended by several club members. QH suggested that SROC could put on say 4 night events, alternating with street leagues, for next season. Aimed at juniors as well as adults. Agreed this should be done

 

  1. Development
  • Ripley has had about 76 different people attending. Some are regulars and others have only been once. The format has remained the same throughout, at a level sustainable by QH.
  • Steve Vernon is keen to advertise the activities outside the club
  • QH concerned about organizing it all himself, though there is a group of people now willing to share the work.
  • Juniors need more activities to suit them. They currently do about 2 circuits then have an orienteering exercise
  • Outside orienteering is possible, when the weather improves and there have been other sessions e.g. the Torver debrief
  • There could be interest shown by Ripley students after Q’s efforts in the school this week and next
  • Suggestions: a series of talks – e.g. nutrition, injuries, but not on the same day as the circuits. After say 3 circuits, some could split off to discuss past/future events. AF suggested replacing circuits perhaps once a month with another activity. Most want to do both physical exercise and whatever else is on offer.  Perhaps a longer session would allow time for more choices of activity.
  • Outside advertising could be in a low key way to existing adventure racers, or members could be encouraged to bring newcomers along
  • 23 new membership units (67 people) resulted from the first O-zone. About three quarters have renewed. JL said that those type of events are the best way to attract young families
  • AF identified a gap in that not everyone wants to take part in circuits. What can be done to attract these people?
  • The hall can be divided as required. Maybe a series of games for younger children
  • Another possibility – meet slightly earlier for map discussion etc, circuits starting at 7
  • MR proposed trying starting at 6 for a month, using the extra time for non-physical activities
  • Chorley O-zone – ACTION SM, TM, RB to discuss ideas before the Chorley meeting, by email

 

NEXT MEETING   Thu 2 April at Martyn’s