Chess Valley RFC – AGM 25th July 2012

Chairmans Update

ChessValley have enjoyed a great 2011/12 season with two teams achieving promotion. The Club also secured second place in the Herts. Points League.

The club has secured some additional sponsorship for the forthcoming season which will fund new post protectors, corner flags and also 4 new kits (2 for the seniors, 1 for the U15 and 1 for U13).

Junior Vase Competition

The membership was asked about entering the RFU’s Junior Vase competition next year. This was well received although some concern was raised about both the timings of the initial games and also the impact on the number of games for next season.

It was decided that Adam Farnsworth would find out some more details on the competition and that the club would enter it providing there were no consequences should we have to withdraw at a later stage.

Website

Doug Cooper and Alex Wodzicki were thanked for all their hard work in setting up an all encompassingChessValley site, covering all sections. The question was asked about spending c.196 GBP for the next season to add functionality around group e-mails and also the collection of subs. It was agreed that this was a good idea.

Doug raised the point that it important for all members to register on the site.

Also, the point was raised that we need to ensure match reports are sent to Doug for uploading onto the site.

Rickmansworth Festival

Chess Valley’s running of the car parking was seen as a great success by the festival organisers and we have been asked to repeat this for the coming years. Not only did this raise 1650 for the club, but it also gave us an opportunity to distribute flyers for the club. This money will go into the executive account and will be used to fund pitches next year for the benefit of the entire club.

It was noted that last year we did not have any ChessValley logos or branding anywhere in the car parks – the question was raised as to whether we could get some CVFRC hi-vis jackets for next year.

Third Team

The question was asked as to whether ChessValley should attempt to enter a third team into the Herts. Merit table.

After much discussion it was decided that this would be too much of a stretch at this time given the number of active players the club has.

It was decided instead to try and organise a series of friendly games for a third team every fortnight.

Executive Account

An executive account will be set up with an intial 5 GBP levy from all club members, both minis/youth and seniors. The account will be administered by the clubs executive committee and will be used to pay for pitches, joint equipment etc that are for the benefit of the entire club.

Club Accounts

The clubs accounts for the year ended 30th June 2012 were examined and discussed by the membership, and were passed.

Election of Club Officials

Chairman – Phil Coulter

Club Captain – Richard Harvey

Fixtures Sec. – Adam Farnsworth

Club Sec. – Craig Hocking

Treasurer – Andrew Warren

Social Secretary – Rob King (Jamie Adams to shadow and assist Rob for this season)

Recruitment Officer – Steve Ellis (Richard Harvey and Andy Ruffel Ward to assist)

Disciplinary Committee – Craig Hocking (chair)

Rob King

Andy Fawsett

AOB

Match Reports

The importance of having match reports every week, both for inclusion on the website and also for the local papers was noted. It was felt that these are often the best way of promoting the club.

Insurance

John Grey raised the subject of injury insurance and his recent experience of claiming against the clubs standard RFU insurance.

The upshot is that the standard insurance only provides cover for catastrophic injuries and loss of limb. It does not provide cover for time lost from work.

John strongly suggested that playing members, especially those self employed should look into taking out supplementary insurance. There is additional voluntary cover available from Marsh the RFU’s provider.

The question was raised as to whether this supplementary cover should be built into players subscription, but the cost of this was thought to be prohibitive.

It was decided that details of the standard cover should be included in the clubs yearbook and should also be displayed at the club. Also the club will look into the supplementary cover available and communicate this to the membership.

Club Handbook

Phil Coulter will work on creating a club yearbook for the forthcoming season.

Annual Subs

Annual Subs will remain unchanged at 120 GBP per year with 5 GBP match fees.

There is also a 30 GBP club membership fee that is available to minis parents or anyone else which gives both full voting rights and access to the top tier of international ticket allocations.

Charity Support

It was noted that the club raised several thousand pounds for the orthopaedic hospital where Sam Rob and John Grey were treated.

Not only was lots of money raised for a good cause, but this also has the effect of promoting ChessValley in an excellent light.

It was suggested that the club may want to decide on some local charities to support over the course of the next season.

Physio

Lauren Gick has agreed to continue to be the clubs physio for the next season

It was noted that the club should have another qualified first aider.

Minis / Youth Update

Andy Fawsett stated that the mini/youth section now has over 250 members, they have been mentioned in the Watford Observer twice over the course of the last season and have also appeared on the Sarries website twice.

Facilities are likely to be a struggle next season, however they are actively looking to rectify this situation.

The club offered its congratulations to the Mini Youth section both for a very successful season and also for all the efforts put in by all their volunteers.

David Stokes – Outgoing Club Chairman

The whole club thanked David Stokes for his service as Club Chairman. David was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the club in thanks for all his hard work.

Actions:

  • Adam Farnsworth to check details and timings of Junior Vase competition.
  • Mike Atkins to send Doug graphics for the new sponsor to go on the website.
  • Craig Hocking to draw up a suggested club policy on the disciplinary process.
  • Phil Coulter to speak to a local businessman re 500 GBP sponsorship.
  • Graeme Coles to transfer 64 GBP to the club that was left in the old Barclays account