GLOUCESTER AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF RUGBY UNION REFEREES LTD

MEMBERS MEETING

Minutes of a Members’ Meeting held at 1930 on 19September 2017at Hucclecote RFC, Gloucester.

Chairman’s Welcome/Attendance

1.Chairman, Ade Danks, opened the meeting at 1930 by welcoming members and our visitor RFRU Council Member Tim Miller. An attendance register was kept: 47members were present: 23 apologies had been received.

Minutes of previous meeting

4.The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record by Society members and will be signed off by the Chairman and Secretary as such.

New Members/Visitors

3.Ade announced a new method of meeting and greeting new members by the appointment of a duty committee member of senior member who would be responsible for the reception of new members on their first evening by introducing them to appropriate officers. There were 2new members: Guy Avery and Mitchell Renton. Tim Miller in a personal introduction stressed the importance of referees having a voice on the “top tables”. He was always prepared to take issues back to the RFRU.

Appeal for Press Officer

5.Ade made another appeal for a member to take on the committee position of Press Officer. In the meantime he underlined the importance of getting news from the Society out by means of the Gloucestershire Rugby News for example. Several members including Nathan Howarth and Alex Marsh had had interesting summer tours that would be perfect for a short article. Secretary Steve Bowen stated that he was prepared to edit such articles and transmit them to GRN. The requirement was not for lengthy sagas but short newsworthy, unusual or humorous pieces All members were encouraged to submit items of interest around the game on and off the pitch. The first deadline for articles to Steve is 15 Oct 17

Officers’ Announcements

6.The Chairman announced:

aThe GLADRef Scheme was in danger of becoming moribund. The scheme is simply for members to act as links between the Society and their associated or former clubs. Members to contact Vice Chair Barry Clark.

b.Late Cancellations. Rodger is to be informed when matches are cancelled after arrival at the Club. This will enable him and GRFU to build up data on unreliable clubs and allocate referees accordingly. Expenses were to be claimed from the Club. Member Billy Fishwick suggested that unappointed games be posted on WTR perhaps on a Friday eveningso that members could attempt to get a replacement game. Rodger would look at this.

c.External Appointments. Rodger is to be informed if an outside body offers an appointment to a member. This was important not only for insurance purposes but also to ensure Society appointments were not adversely affected.

7.Appointments Secretary Rodger Brennan announced:

a.Appointments. October’s appointments would be out soon apart from those for the cup games on 14 Oct which have to wait for the draw to be made.

WTR availability for November to be done by 23 Sep.

8.Secretary Steve Bowen announced:

a.Company Membership Applications. There were still some members who had not completed the Company membership form which was a requirement and needed for protection of members in terms of limiting indemnity.

b.RFU Voting Membership. The Society’s application for voting membership of the RFU had been ratified.

c.Attendance Sheets. Members were reminded of need to record their attendance as the sheets also recorded the additional training that members had received.

9.Finance Officer Les Newcome stated that less than 50% of members had paid subs thus far. Non-payment may affect the level of appointments members received.

10.RDO Geoff Cove announced:

a.Yo Yo Session. Would take place at 6.45 at Hucclecote RFC on 25 Sep and all were welcome to check their fitness level.

b.Appealing. Geoff reminded members about the new RFU protocols on players appealing for decisions a la football. The graduated response is: ASK TELL PENALISE.

Training

11.Geoff Cove RDO introducedthe Training Session for the evening in the form of a inter-active presentation by himself and Peter Brunt on the importance of communication for match officials. “Phrases for Phases.” A lively and interesting session followed much appreciated by members.

AOB

12.There was no other business.

Date of Next Members’ Meeting

13.The next meeting would be on 17Oct 17.

Steve Bowen

General Secretary20 September 2017

Distribution:

All Committee membersMembers via the Society website

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