Hinckley Canoe Club
Annual General Meeting
8th March 2019 Stanton Lakes 7.30 pm
Welcome – 30 attendees.
Phil Riley (Chairman) welcomed everyone to the 2019 AGM
Apologies
Apologies received from N Bashforth, N Aldridge, R Puttergill, R Newitt, S Jowett, D Swinburne, M Ward.
Chairman’s Report
It was asked if anyone had any comments on the 2018 AGM meeting notes. Paul Morgan advised his name was missing from the apologies as he was away. The notes will be amended. The notes were approved with the amendment.
Phil Riley reported that it had been a busy year.
River trips, weekends away, lake sessions, sea cadets and WW coaching, it was great to see them all so popular.
For all the Committee, Trip Leaders and Coaches, it was really great to see the members being so keen and getting involved in everything offered to them. As we all know enthusiasm helps the club grow.
As well as all the great stuff we’ve also had some challenges this year what with the separation of the Hammerheads Polo team, the fish dying at the lake and swimmers itch. I’m still scratching, but we’re still here and on a stable footing and I’m sure that the club will grow stronger and stronger next year.
It was my last year on the Committee and I wish all the new Committee good luck going forward and even though I’m no longer on it, I hope that I can support them if they need it.
It is a thankless job sometimes.
Hayley and Nikki are also stepping down from the Committee this year too, they’ve both been amazing members of the Committee and I’m sure you’d all join me in thanking them for their hard work.
Lastly and most importantly I’d like to say a really big thank you to the rest of the Committee, the Coaches, the Trip Leaders, the helpers & the shuttle drivers who have put so much work in over the year to make it such a fun & busy year for everyone.
Constitution Amendment to remove item 8.3.9 Polo Rep
There were no objections so it was agreed to remove 8.3.9 Polo Rep from the Constitution.
Development Plan
Phil Riley reported the plan runs on a four-year cycle it was created in 2016. The plan was displayed on the projector. It was explained that is coming to the end of its four-year cycle. It tends to be closely aligned to British Canoeing and also helps the Committee focus on delivering the aims of the club. Phil encourages everyone to review the plan and to offer input into the next one. It includes development of facilities, equipment and the relationship with the site Landlord & growth of the club.
Treasurers Report
Lesley March (Treasurer) advised that HCC were in more or less in the same financial position as last year which is quite good, as in the previous year we had the grant money. Lesley added that the club cannot offer the activities it does without the help of all the volunteers.
The first aid expenditure was queried and Lesley explained that there had been a meeting with the Accountant who had advised how the accounts be presented and they had also suggested we have a part year assessment rather than leaving it all till the end of the year. The Accountant had also charged less than last year. It becomes more difficult to manage the accounts due to money coming in from various different places due to modern banking making reconciliation more of a challenge. Phil Riley advised that the account balance is very healthy. It was asked whether the lake usage seems to be down while the cost has gone up. It was noted for discussion as the next committee meeting. The problem with the fish and swimmers itch had probably put some people off attending some weeks and it was pointed out some of the lake income is included in the misc section.
It was suggested that a Facebook flyer could be created, that members can share on their own accounts.
Equipment Officer Report
Paul Morgan (Equipment Officer) wanted to reiterate Phil and Lesley’s thanks made to all the volunteers and also wanted to thank everyone who has helped with the working parties over the past year.
Steps were added last year and permission has been granted to allow the addition of some more steps and decking. It is planned to hold a working party possibly 6th & 7th April TBC. Over the year HCC has purchased 4 new SUPS, 2 more child kayaks.
The middle container has been refitted. The lake had particularly suffered from weed so some weed clearing had taken place too.
There have been two recent break-ins that has resulted in some damage to the containers which has now been fixed. The doors have been modified and new locks added which will make the containers a lot harder to break into.
It is thought some neoprene spray decks and the new line for painters appear to have been taken. When all the kit is back a stock check will be done and then we will be able to confirm if anything else is missing. A new gate will be put in front of the canoes to provide more security.
It is planned to investigate reroofing the containers at some point which hopefully will cover the containers and the two gaps in between. Mice have done some damage to the buoyancy wedges in the canoes and they have now also been repaired.
Paddlesport Development
It has been another successful Summer at the lake with the 1-star and 2-star awards. This year the awards from BC are changing to Start, Discover and Explore. If anyone would like to help or volunteer you do not necessarily need to be a coach. If you are interested please contact Dale Clarke. The new awards are continual assessment rather than a single assessment at the end of a course.
Programme Coordinators Report
Another good year which has been packed with various trips.
Anybody can organise a trip if you would like to help contact Fraser Watson.
Election of Committee
None of the nominations are contested therefore the 2019 Committee is:
Chair – Paul Morgan
Secretary – Katrina Smith
Treasurer – Lesley March
Membership Secretary – Liz Owen
PaddleSport Development Officer – Dale Clarke
Programme Coordinator – Fraser Watson
Equipment Officer – Vacant which will be discussed at the next Committee meeting
Communications Officer – Rob Newitt
Vice Chair is a roaming role and held in addition to an existing role.
General Reps are co-opted by the Committee
Club Awards
Most improved Junior Paddlers – Olivia Moore, Jess Ablett and Ben Hardy
Most improved Female Paddlers – Katarina Compton and Alison Hardy
Most Improved Male Paddlers – Kenny Crane and Phil Burgess
Golden Paddle Award – Stan Crane
Rubber Duck Award – Ro Puttergill (unfortunately away but video presentation shown)
Gifted Membership awards – Fraser Watson, Alice Smith and Tony Kerr.
Hayley Clarke was presented with flowers and the Mick Smith Award for Endeavour plus Lifetime Membership for 10 years plus outstanding service to the Club.
Any Other Business
- Stanton Lakes are putting in a new gate near the new camping facility block. There will be a sign saying access only to caravans but HCC will be allowed access as normal but the gate must not be left open and be closed on entry and exit.
- Martin Stretton suggested if anyone was interested in the Equipment Officer position, they should make themselves known to the Committee
- Dave Clarke said thank you to Phil Riley for all his hard work as Chair over the last two years
Meeting closed 8.28pm
