Minutes of HCC Virtual Committee Meeting held online at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th September 2020

Committee Present: Paul Morgan (PM), Chairman Dale Clarke (DC), Trips and Events Officer
Alison Hardy (AH), Secretary Ben Hardy (BH), Development Officer Lesley March (LM), Finance Officer
Neil Smith (NS), Equipment Officer
Apologies: Liz Owen (LO), Membership Secretary
Others Present: Simon Boyton Mike Dallaway
Richard Matthews Jonathan Pope

Minutes: These having been previously circulated and amended were accepted as a true record.

 Chairman (PM):

  • EM update – The recent meeting promoted BC’s “Paddles Up”, a new site for Paddlers. Also, a CPD points system is being introduced for coaches. More information to follow.
  • British Canoeing Webinars – PM referred to the recent email promoting BC webinars (coordinated by BC’s Russel Smith) on a variety of Club related subjects and advised that since lockdown, PM and AH have attended those applicable to HCC.

 Club Admin (AH):

  • Meeting minutes – draft minutes of the review meeting on 17st August 2020 added to the website by AH prior to this meeting.
  • Contact Form Enquiries – since July 23 enquiries to HCC which breakdown into 7=SUP, 6=Kayak, 9=Unspecified, 1=Taster Session. LO and AH respond to enquiries and are now advising Lake Session Season has ended until the Spring, Trips for those of known suitable ability but no guaranteed Winter Pool Sessions.
  • Membership Coaching – Responses (shown in brackets) from current Members emailed in August regarding future coaching:
    • Canoe (3), additional Explore Canoe Course dates offered August/September
    • Discover Kayak (7), additional 4-week course in August. Fully subscribed, 6 of those who responded were unable to attend
    • Explore Kayak (7), not scheduled to date
    • Explore SUP (7), additional SUP Explore course Saturday 12/09/20. Fully subscribed, 5 of those who responded were unable to attend

 Finance (LM): Due to technical issues LM joined the meeting at 8:10PM

  • Bank Balance – balance £8961.99 as at 16/09/20. Roof costs still to be paid.

 Equipment (NS):

  • Kit – Following enquiries, kit hire arrangements for the remainder of the season were confirmed. Requests for HCC Members only to be via NS e.g. for forthcoming Club Trips. Longer term loans considered if pool sessions go ahead to avoid Committee having to collect/return boats.
  • Container Roof – Metalwork in place, still some work to be undertaken. Mike hopes to complete this over the next few weeks. Massive thanks to Mike Dallaway for the hours of work spent replacing the leaky container roof. Thanks to Club and Committee members who assisted Mike with this on the recent Working Party Days – NS, PM, BH, AH, Rorie Potter and Chris Hill. Can begin to rearrange kit storage and possibly repaint the container doors.
  • Seal Launch – New timberwork in place.

 Events and Trips (DC):

  • Trips and Events:
    • Dee Trip 19/09/20 17 Leaders and Paddlers booked for the White Water Trip. Will function in separate smaller groups of similar ability. Scope to coach at the MEM and offer a circular trip along the canal then back along the Dee. Thanks to Trip Organiser, Rorie Potter for this event, which may run again subject to COVID restrictions.
    • Loughborough Loop 24/10/20 Thanks to Trip Organiser, Richard Matthews. Event details to be shared on Facebook and Bookwhen.
    • Mountsorrel Figure of 8 SUP Trip 06/09/20 Thanks to Kat Smith for putting on this well attended trip.
    • Explore Course PM has had requests to progress his Explore Group together on a river trip, possibly Matlock in October.
  • Other Factors – Discussion over trips with a vehicle shuttle. Discouraged by British Canoeing. National Guidelines say if must travel in a car with others not from your household, facemasks to be worn and windows down. Discussed option to use a canoe trailer and minibus. NS to look into possible costs.

 Club Development (BH):

  • Lake Sessions – Last session this Thursday, bit different to previous years but offering bookings for Social Paddle Groups only. Kit will be available.
  • Winter Pool Sessions – disappointingly Desford are unable to accommodate HCC on the usual Monday evening session this winter. Alternative weekend time slot offered was not considered suitable. BH has contacted a number of other local pools, replies awaited.
  • HCC Member Coaching – Leadership Awards structure changing for 2021. BH has Coaching Providers willing to offer WW Leader Training, WW performance awards (probably only WW award currently due to the smaller number of paddlers wanting to do high awards aimed at higher grade rivers) and WWSRT. Mike Dallaway has been advised by a Coaching Provider to wait for the new Canoe Leadership award structure (2021) which will cover leadership training aimed at leading different crafts rather than being canoe specific. Coaches and potential coaches to be asked to express their interest with the intention of arranging in-house Training for potential Coaches Spring 2021. BC state Safeguarding and FSRT are prerequisite for Coaching Awards. Some providers are running FSRT again. If sufficient numbers and COVID compliance, HCC could look to arrange FRST.
  • Safeguarding Course – This was postponed at the start of lockdown. May need to reconsider the option for online training. Action: PM to check current position and course options.

 Membership (LO): Due to technical issues LO was unable to join the meeting

  • Paid Membership renewals – 140 members.
  • Freeze to Membership – LO proposed not accepting further memberships this season. After discussion, was agreed to leave Membership open. Whilst uptake is likely to be low, it would prevent experienced new members joining and being able to take part in Trips. It was acknowledged that a lack of Winter Pool Sessions will be disappointing news. If the weather permitted, local flat water trips and possibly additional weekend lake coaching could be of interest to members.

Any Other Business:

  • Future Virtual Meetings – After difficulties and delays for people to join the previous meeting, NS proposed that money saved by not needing to hire a room for meetings could cover a monthly fee for something suitable i.e. “Go To Meetings” £9.50 per month. To reconsider at the next meeting as Skype appeared to have worked well for the majority today.
  • Winter Wooden Canoe Build Workshops – Mike Dallaway enquired about interest in self-build canoe workshops for junior paddlers. Discussion around COVID restrictions for events indoors, costs and possible venues. Action: LM to enquire costs to hire Sharnford Village Hall.
  • Vote of thanks to the Committee – by Jonathon Pope for the range of Coaching and Events offered during this challenging season.
  • Alastair Randall – HCC has promoted the Fundraising Event in his memory. HCC to make a separate donation on behalf of the Club.
  • AGM Awards – Discussion around the current Awards and a potential additional award in Alastair’s Memory. Action: to consider at the next meeting.

 Next meeting and Location:        Virtual Full Committee Meeting 7.30pm Monday 12th October 2020. Will use Skype for this following the apparent success of using Skype tonight.