The Merdon Bowmen
Minutes of Committee Meeting Thursday 16th March 2017
Present:
Rob Norris Chairman
Mark Gowing Secretary
Roger Minors Treasurer
Sarah Davis Tournament Secretary
Jon Dawkins Equipment Officer
Andy Dawkins Records Officer
Bill Tubbs Field Officer
Trevor Chalk Training Officer
Apologies: Andy Cook
Minutes of the last meeting.
The minutes were accepted. Proposed by Rob and seconded by Trevor.
• Chairman’s report.
Rob mentioned the Winter Championships on Sunday went well and showed great improvement amongst the archers who participated. Rob mentioned that we could do with some club signage rather than just the Archery Range signs. Mark has a contact who could produce some signs with a QR code on. Rob will design a sign and will arrange for some new business cards. The idea of working parties was discussed and the expectation that committee members are the ones who undertake all jobs. Mark will add to the welcome email that members are expected to help out with jobs in the field and set up prior to tournaments. It was agreed that the committee needs to reiterate to members that they have responsibilities and that their help and contribution is welcomed. It was agreed that emails will be sent out by Mark asking for working parties and, where possible, giving at least two weeks’ notice.
Rob mentioned that a lot of actions from minutes aren’t always followed up. If you are allocated an action, it should be discussed/confirmed at the next meeting.
An ex-Chair of Brixham Archery Club has shown interest in joining and will email Mark about coming along.
• Secretaries report and correspondence
Mark confirmed that there were 2 new members since last month. He has confirmation from Archery GB of their AGM where they are proposing to increase adult fees by £2.00 and introduce voting by email. Rob confirmed that as a club, we are happy with both proposals. Mark has been looking at registering the range effective from 1st April and has also to email all members about the importance of locking the gate.
• Treasurer’s report and “Treegate”.
Currently there is £11,007.67 in the deposit account. The current account has £786.64 with 3 outstanding cheques totalling £316.30. Roger has paid Peter the tree surgeon £150.00. Roger will look at the cost of public liability insurance.
• Records Officer’s report.
Andy reported that the Frostbite turnout was great with an average of 14 archers each week and 18 eligible for the final. Chris Stutchbury won followed by Wendy Kennard and Heidi Cook. To date we have 14 new club records this year. Average turnout is 10.2 archers per week. Only 25 252 awards have been allocated. Andy is posting a handicap improver’s league on the club Facebook page but realises that members have to have been with the club for 6 months in order for their handicap to be recognised. Mark to advise Andy of starting dates for new members. Heidi is currently the best improver.
• Equipment Officer’s report.
The new foam boss is still outstanding at Tenzone. Jon has chased and they have confirmed that delivery of the boss and extra foam is likely to be at the end of next week. Delivery will be to Jon’s house and he will ask Rich to collect the redundant straw boss and take it to the field for disposal. Jon has been through the equipment shed and has sorted the bows and kit in boxes. He mentioned that some of the limbs on the training bows are affected by damp and age with lamination lifting. Rob mentioned that he has recently bought limbs at £34.50. Jon confirmed he will match up and number bows. He will consider branding or labelling them. Jon will look at side gates.
• Tournament Secretaries report
Sarah reported that the tournament is now full and she will create a waiting list. There are
47 entries plus Chris Stutchbury as winner of the Winter Championship although he has not
yet confirmed his desire to shoot on the day. Sarah handed Roger the cheques received to
date totalling £280 and confirmed that the rest of the entry fees will be paid in cash on the
day. Sarah confirmed that Rosie Minors has agreed to be Lady Paramount for the day.
Sarah has prepared a shooting list and will ensure that all of the paperwork etc will be
handed over to Heidi prior to the shoot. She suggested that it might be prudent to invite
Heidi to come along to the April committee meeting in order that any questions are
addressed before the event. Sarah also asked for confirmation of the number of medals
needed for the event.
• Field Officers report.
Bill confirmed that the mower has been serviced and is back in the hut.
• Training Officers report.
Trevor circulated the rota and confirmed that 5 beginners’ have recently completed their
course. He will email Andy Cook regarding the next course (1st, 8th and 15th April but to be
confirmed). Trevor has 2-3 beginners for that course and more for May. It was discussed
whether we should run more courses for smaller groups of people. Mark mentioned that
Archery GB is keen to grow the sport but conscious of the need to fund the future
Olympians. It was discussed whether new members are aware that they can come and
shoot on Saturday at their own speed and with the assistance and guidance of coaches.
Rob proposed that coaches have the contact details for each other in case of emergency.
Trevor will circulate. Jon suggested setting up a general email for communication to the
committee – Rob will action.
• Club Constitution
Rob circulated the new club constitution and asked for questions. Andy asked about the official club calendar and whether there are rules on what time archers can shoot. It was agreed that there need to be 2 archers shooting in order for records to count and score sheets need to be fully completed. Andy also mentioned archers shooting more than one 252 round on the same day. This is acceptable providing they are different distances. It was agreed that clarification is needed. Trevor confirmed that we can set our own rules for the 252. Jon will amend the website. Andy asked if we should be recording Portsmouth rounds as an outdoor shoot when technically it is an indoor round. Some archers will achieve indoor handicaps without shooting indoors. It was agreed that there was no advantage to shooting it outdoors and everyone was happy to continue. Rob will update and circulate the constitution for final sign off.
· Big weekend 2017 (16th to 18th June)
Rob will arrange and advise.
· Proposal for new members
5 archers have recently completed the beginners’ course and although none have yet applied, it was agreed that we would pre-propose their membership applications. Rob proposed, seconded by Trevor.
· AOB
Roger mentioned that he has received a rates bill which, with rebate, means we have nothing to pay. Mark asked if we want to cancel indoor shooting effective from the end of April and rebook provisionally from September. It was agreed and Mark will action.
Indoor shooting will be discussed at the AGM.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 13th April at 8.00pm at The Hampshire Bowman
The meeting closed at 9.23pm
4