AGM 2020

Hinckley Canoe Club

Annual General Meeting

6^th March 2020 Stanton Lakes 7.30 pm

Committee Attendees

Paul Morgan (PM), Liz Owen (LO), Katrina Smith (KS), Martin Stretton (MS), Lesley March (LM), Neil Smith (NS), Dale Clarke (DC).

Attendees:

Alice Smith Mark Hardy Ben Hardy Jonathan Pope Chris Hill Richard Matthews

Mike Dallaway Davis Priest Neil Everall Salim Sidat Robert Harrison

Gemma Pollock Dave Clarke Paula Clarke Dale Clarke Hayley Clarke

Phil Riley Mark Summers Emily Summers Martin Cattell Alexander Cattell

Marc Corbett Ewan Corbett Fraser Watson Susan Booth Joy Thompson

Welcome

Paul Morgan (Chairman) welcomed & thanked everyone for coming to the AGM.  This evening we will give details of what the Club has done over the past 12 months and what is currently planned for the next 12 months.  HCC Club Officials will be elected and the all-important yearly Club awards will be presented.

Apologies

Apologies received from Alison Hardy and Rob Newitt.

Chairman’s Report

For those that know Steve Jowett who was suddenly taken ill, HCC wish him a full & speedy recovery and would like to offer Steve and his family any help and support.  PM thanked the Committee for all their work over the year and is sorry to be losing those who are stepping down.  Thanks to all the Leaders, Assistant trip Leaders, Coaches, Helpers and Volunteers.  They do a wonderful job throughout the year and the Club would not be so successful without your help.

The introduction of the new Personal Performance awards last season was initially a bit of a challenge to begin with but as a Club we successfully negotiated that with a large number of members.  The new awards are craft specific which is resulting in less people having a go at open canoeing, we hope to see more people trying different craft this coming season.  SUPs go from strength to strength and if they continue to be proving popular our fleet of 6 will need expanding.  It has been a very busy year with various trips for all abilities being organised with some being oversubscribed.  There were some very interesting trips with one finishing just as it was getting dark.  Hopefully over the next 12 months the Club will be as successful as last and grow and offer help, support & develop members old and new on their paddling journey.

Constitution Amendment to replace BCU with British Canoeing

This change was agreed

4 Year Development Plan

A copy of the Development plan was shown on the projector.
Over the last four years we have mandated to increase our fleet of craft and equipment.
Improve lakeside access.
We are supporting 3 Paddlesport Instructors on their Coach award Journey (Old Level 2).
We are looking to increase the number of Paddlesport Instructors and have a number of members who are interested in this so are looking to organise FSRT and Paddlesport Instructor courses.
One of the main things we have achieved on the plan is Internet Banking which has made paying and receiving payments much quicker and easier and we Thank Lesley for all her effort in this.
We have two members working towards their white-water Leader qualifications.
The plan shows some points that are being carried over as they are ongoing or in progress.

Some of the new points which I would like to highlight are:
– Long Term Lease at Stanton Lakes.  The current three-year lease is coming to an end and we will be negotiating for another one but hopefully for longer than 3 years.  British Canoeing have advised that if we can achieve a ten-year lease then this would open up access to opportunities of applying for larger funding grants.
– We have decided to reach out to under privileged Children/Teenagers and families to offer paddling opportunities.
– A financial review over the next 12 months will take place to evaluate revenue & income to enable planning and budgeting levels to be set.

Treasurer’s Report

Lesley March reported the Club was in a very healthy condition the lake has been paid for and there is £5k in bank. Equipment has also been purchased.  The container roof is going to be upgraded.  The club are investing in helping members to become Coaches and Leaders.  Anyone interested in getting involved should make themselves known to the Committee.
It was explained that ‘Stripe’ is a form of online payment.
The Club is investing more in online technology and is now using online banking and with other changes in this area it has been decided to review of Clubs finances during 2020 to ensure we are covering overheads whilst maintaining our commitment to grow and provide improved kit and facilities.

Equipment Officer’s Report

Neil Smith reported that there were two working parties which did more decking and security.  Extra work had been needed due to the break-ins.
The containers were broken into twice.  A new roof is being planned.  Weeding at the lake took place.  Another weeding session in conjunction with Stanton Lakes will take place but this will be when we are advised its going ahead.
The club claimed on the insurance for the stolen kit.  We got some money and as a result have purchased some replacement equipment.
New equipment bought include more Junior BAs, spray decks to fit all the dagger dynamos, more junior paddles and junior canoe paddles and another second hand dagger dynamo.
All the dynamos will have air bags for the beginning of the season.
The white-water boats will all have air bags and new spray decks.  A Liquid Hoss has been donated by Brian.  The Club thanks Brian for that.  Another new seal launch has been made.  There is a working party planned for 4^th April to prepare for the season.  There will be lots of air bags and SUPs to blow up.  One of the containers was leaking hence the requirement for an upgraded roof.  There is a plan and it is currently being costed up.

Paddlesport Development

Dale Clarke reported that the new awards were introduced and the Coaches did a good job of delivering them.  There will be a Coaches meeting before the season starts to discuss moving forward this year.  Thanked all the coaches and helpers for their support.

Programme Coordinator’s Report

Martin Stretton presented a PowerPoint presentation with pictures to show a sample of the various trips and reports that have taken place over the year.
Total Trips: 30
Flat water Trips: 17
White Water Trips: 11
Others: 2

MS advised he was happy to report this gives the club an average over the year of 2.5 trips per month, which is pretty good and can ONLY be done with the support of the trip leads and people who are willing to step up and organise a trip.
In order to maintain this level of trips the club are always looking for future trip leads/organisers, the club is also willing to support anyone who is willing to try. This also goes for coaches.
HCC is very highly thought of in the canoeing/kayaking community, as a club that is very active and there are a lot of clubs that are envious of the number of trips we do, please keep up the good work.
Finally, MS advised he will be stepping down from the Committee so please support the new trip coordinator for 2020 season and let’s see if we can better these numbers in the coming year.
The Dove trip is not running again this year and it is thought it may not again run.  It was asked if access could be obtained on the date to paddle.  It was being investigated by the East Midland Regional Development Team.

Membership

Liz Owen reported there are 142 members which is an increase on last year.
There is a new online membership system being introduced and this can be accessed through the new website.  The system was shown on the projector and LO talked everyone through how to complete the process using a Committee Member as an example of how to do it and showing what it looks like.  Membership cards will be introduced this coming season.  A temporary card will be issued when completing membership on line and this will be swapped with Liz for a new laminated Club one.  It is hoped the new system will reduce the large queues at the beginning of the season as there will be less paperwork to fill in as this will be part of the on line system.
Membership Fees will remain the same for 2020.

Election of Committee

None of the nominations were contested therefore the 2020 Committee will be:
Chair – Paul Morgan
Secretary – Alison Hardy
Treasurer – Lesley March
Membership Secretary – Liz Owen
Paddlesport Development Officer – Ben Hardy
Programme Coordinator – Dale Clarke
Equipment Officer – Neil Smith
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: Jake Jowett, Alex Cattell, Emily Summers & Ewan Corbett
Most improved Female Paddlers: Joy Thompson & Carolyn Peacock,
Most Improved Male Paddlers:  Chris Hill & Marc Corbett
Golden Paddle Award:  Mike Dallaway
Rubber Duck Award:  Salim Sidat
Gifted Membership Awards:  Mike Dallaway, Ben Hardy, Richard Matthews
Mick Smith Award for Endeavour:  Neil Smith

Fun Awards

Best Seal Launch:  Mick Sparrow (Lake Launch)
Best Get In/Get Out: Steve Jowett (Doggy Paddle)
Alisha Keys:  Paul Morgan

Any Other Business

• • Can we complete the SUP Award?
  • More Club day Fun days on Saturdays. Looking at doing a SUP event or Saturdays.
  • More charity events. It was suggested to annually choose a Charity to support.  Charities suggested from the floor were Macmillan and Stroke.Meeting closed 8.40pm