These notes cover the main points that were discussed at the meeting, the full set of minutes has been posted in the Clubhouse.

Priorities for 2005/6

The Committee set the following goals for the year:

• Increase membership: having sufficient coaches and launch drivers was noted as a key requirement
• Fund raising
• Double membership of 200 Club
• Open the Bar on a regular basis
• Run the Long Distance Head (in October 2007)
• Finish off negotiations with City Council (land purchase) and BW (canal access)
• Strategic Plan and Funding Plan in place by end of March
• Initial implementation of Funding Plan before the next AGM

Committee Operation

It was agreed that the Committee would operate with the same sub-committees as in the last year.

Treasurer's Report / Budget for 2005/6

Caroline presented a draft budget for 2005/6. The main element missing was an estimate of how much would need to be spent on spare parts, repairs and new equipment. Mark suggested holding a boat maintenance day during which we could take stock of current holdings of spares and estimate requirements for the year.

There was a discussion of how income from Fund Raising should be split between current expenditure and the boathouse fund, several members felt that we should be making a contribution to the boathouse fund. It was agreed that bar profits would be ring-fenced for the boathouse fund (as per the Club's constitution).

Caroline reported that the deposit paid for marquees for this year's regatta would be held over for next year. However, the price has risen and the marquees will not be guaranteed until we pay an extra £60. It was agreed to delay payment until there was more certainty about our ability to stage next year's regatta.

Club duties

When the rules were changed at the SGM, the Club accepted that every member should expect to undertake occasional duties to help with the running of the Club. It was agreed that during normal training hours the Club should be open but not left unattended. Coupling this with having the bar open to serve food and drink would help generate some income. A rota will be set up for members to man the bar for 2 hours on a Saturday or Sunday mornings between 8am and 12 noon.

Captain's Report

Wins: Evesham Head J16 2x (R Sansum, J Brown), J15 2x (L Cook, J Pendry), WJ14 4x (L Springham, L Bowler, J Ashworth, L Heyman, P Pollard (cox)), J12 1x (J Febery). Wallingford LD Sculls WS2 2x (N Ross, S Cook).

Deirdre reported that Rich and Helen are to be her Vice Captains. The men's squad is beginning to take off and there have been meetings with the Ladies and Junior coaches.

The damage to Roger Stephens was more extensive than anticipated and will cost £600. A new rigger is also required.

The number of bikes in the boathouse is becoming unmanageable and Deirdre is asking members to identify their bikes so that she can remove any unclaimed and unusable bikes. Provision of bike racks at the rear of the Club was also discussed.

Deirdre said that she would like to resurrect the idea of building external racks for the Pub&Club boats to create more space within the boathouse.

The insurers agreed to pay for repairs to the damaged engine. A new engine has been ordered but 15hp engines are temporarily out of stock. A&D Marine stopped charging us rent on the borrowed engine from the end of September.

Membership

A member had written expressing concern about the way that non-payment of subscriptions had been policed in the last year and the member's feeling that they had been had not been treated in the same way as other members. The Committee had previously identified the need to handle new members differently and ensure that they paid their membership fees. The new scheme to allow monthly payment by Standing Order had also proved more difficult to manage than anticipated. There is a balance to be struck between offering members a convenient method of payment and the amount of work that it causes the Membership Secretary. It was agreed that any member whose Standing Order payments stopped would be expected to pay the remainder of the year's subscription in full. A list of current members will be posted at the Club and updated regularly. The leaders of each squad will be asked to help check that only paid up members use Club facilities.

Safety

A meeting had been held with the Ladies College, it had been very positive. The Ladies College will abide by our Junior policies and use the launch signing out book. If their crews are found to be unaccompanied, Club members can send them back to the Club.

BW called a meeting with the Club and Wycliffe College to discuss safety on the canal and in particular the question of crews passing red lights at the bridges - they had received a few complaints about us and wanted to hear our side of the story. Mark and Deirdre attended. BW were impressed with our safety policies and navigation rules etc. They will consider what we said and plan to develop a policy for rowing on the canal.

As a result of the meeting we do have the official forms for registering a complaint about other canal users.

Regatta

The Long Distance Head is booked for Sunday 22nd October 2006.

WAGS

The WAGS Executive had offered their resignation in protest at the way that the ARA has handled some recent issues and the way that the ARA is becoming less supportive of the regions and expecting volunteers to take on increasing workloads. Mrs Squire had attended an Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the resignations. Following the meeting, most of the Executive agreed to remain in post until the WAGS AGM in late November. In the intervening period they will work to turn the expressions of support received from other regions into effective pressure on the ARA to change the way that it operates. It is still possible that after November there will be no Executive to handle WAGS affairs and it is not clear what effect this will have on clubs in the region.

AOB

Brian reported that the gas appliances will be serviced on 28th October.

Rupert had attended the Waterways Users Forum at which there had been a presentation on the new road. The canal will be diverted in late March / early April 2006 but will be open at all times. A new wharf will be built for RMC at the top of the straight and gravel barges will come from the docks to unload there. The stub end of canal at the top of the straight might be suitable for stakeboats. The new bridge will be completed in early 2007 and is likely to open once or twice a day.

Rupert also said that he would be attending the Coaching Conference in January and suggested that other coaches might wish to attend.

Future Committee meetings

It was agreed to start future meetings at 7.45 to allow Deirdre to attend the whole meeting. The proposed dates for the coming year were agreed and have been posted on the noticeboard.

Date of next Committee meeting: Monday 12th December 2005 at 7.45pm.

Sub-committees and other posts 2005/6

See here

Keyholders: Mr Price, Mr Williams, Mr Charley, Mr Boakes (day); Dr Hook, Mr Cheeseman, Mr Boakes, Mr Charley (other times) plus Mr Rose.