Centenary Rowing Community Meeting - Pre AGM

 

We have the Centenary AGM on the horizon on 2-AUG-2020.
There have been rumnligs of discontent so I figured lets have a meeting before the AGM to surface the issues both negative and positive that are close to peoples hearts.

Dear Centenary Community,

On Sunday (19-7-2020 10:30m) we had the Community meeting at the club.  I have attached the photo that I took.  Big thank you to those who attended.

The purpose of this meeting was to surface issues in an environment that would allow a deeper level of discussion that will be possible at the AGM. 

I have attached a photo of the white board that I wrote on during the meeting and below are the minutes that Tanya kindly took.  You will see both positives and negatives listed and that were discussed.

Here’s my take – I think “we” the club have a great future.  I think we do need to stop festering over the things of the past and live in the present.  I think we need to recognise that each of us have strengths and weaknesses.  In my opinion, we need to leverage off people’s strengths and constrain and forgive their weaknesses.  We also need to ask ourselves if the issue that is irking us is really helping us as an individual or helping the club.  Forgiveness is a hard thing to do but o-boy so important.   As individuals we need to do a bit of self reflection and see if we can change a bit in order to move everything to a more professional and harmonious position.

I have been really encouraged by people offering to do things.  Two dad’s were the first duck poo cleaners on Sunday morning.   A mum told me the other day she has a tinnie licence.  We had lots of good positive ideas surfaced in yesterday’s meeting.  If everyone does a small bit, it becomes easy.  I also would like to point out there is more than one way to clean duck poo off the pontoon. 😊

I would also like to highlight some of the things that are happening.  Rowing is happening.  That is what we do. 

We have kids rowing Wednesday & Thursday afternoons, Saturday & Sunday mornings.  We have Mike O doing what he loves – coaching the performance kids.  Peter is taking a break from public duties but is maintaining contact and researching grants and so on.  I specifically mention this because as I indicated earlier, we need to leverage off peoples strengths and put aside memories of past grievances.  Mark Wilsmore is about to start a gym session on Wednesday mornings and Carla has said she will coordinate a adult LTR.

AGM

The AGM is coming up on 2-AUG-2020.  10:30am  The key purpose of the AGM is to elect a new committee. 

Remember that to vote, you need to be a Voting Member.

TO BECOME A VOTING MEMBER

First Deposit $33 into BSB xxx-xxx  Account# 123456   Reference:M20"yourname"     <-- account="" earlier="" fees="" have="" in="" is="" p="" paid="" same="" should="" that="" the="" this="" year.="" you="" your="">

Then if you are not a 2019 financial member, you will need to complete a membership application form.  It is available on the web site.

In order to grow the club into enjoyable place to row, we will obviously need to look closely at how we operate and what we do.    That is for the months ahead.  We wont solve it in the AGM.

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Centenary Rowing Club General Meeting- 19^th July 2020 10.30am

Attendance: Tanya Brehmer, Cody Ellem, Nick Freney, Rob Kennedy, Ros Hall, Mark Cramond, Dennis Taylor, Bruce Richardson, Marianne Moore-O’Farrell, Frank Thomson, Kim Heycott, Arn Ellem, Danielle Keymar, Mike Swainston, Karen Van Huffel, Hans Van Huffel, Jemma Thomson, Rebecca Moore-O’Farrell, Tanya Brooks and Martin Buckley.

Apologies: Peter Hayes and John Cox.

Introductions: All the people present introduced themselves and gave what they want for the Club into the future and issues that we have. There was a range of questions and concerned offered for further discussion.

Issues/Concerns:

Financials being given to members prior to meeting- 14^th July Audit is being done. No one knew why financials were not done in January prior to the original AGM date. Tanya concerned that the handover to the new Committee. Rob mentioned that he was concerned that the process was not followed.

Looking for a new direction- We need to look at this, once the new Committee are elected due to some direction through goals. Cody mentioned that we need a Committee that will be enthusiastic in how they develop the Club. Possible team building night or carbo loading night to bring the children coming together.

Coaching direction/plan- This needs to be discussed further once the Committee. Ros suggested that we have some stability within the clubs so the children have someone to go to- same Coaches in each group. Coaches need to feel that they have the ability to coach no matter the level- Learn to row through to Performance squad.- Coaches need to feel empowered.

Mike S has offered to run a Level 0 Introduction to Coaching course. He will organise a date that will work.

Frank mentioned that we need to look at a yearly planner for regattas.

Improved culture- This can only be done with all the children coming back and new Committee. We need to look at a Social/Functions person, who can put some functions together. We need to involve parents from the beginning of their child’s rowing journey. We need to look at mixing the children up at regattas this year so that they can row in more events.

Rob mentioned about the behaviour from the President through to the newest rower. We need to be more aware of this going forward. There needs to be consequences.

Hans mentioned that the Code of Conduct needs to be displayed where everyone can see it so that everyone can follow it.

Hans mentioned that he and Karen (wife) have experience in cooking so they can help out.

Parent Inductions-Code of Conduct (get them to sign it), Grievance procedure and a little about the Club.

Code of Conduct- signed by Coaches, Committee members, Parents, Children, ect.

Selection Criteria- Dennis asked if it had changed. The last one was created in 2018. They need to be advertised to all Members for clarity (ergos, on water performance, ect)- Committee decision?

Frank suggested that there be 2 members payments. If you are a Parent of a rower no fee and one vote, if not a rower or parent of a member then $33 per year. The motion of payment needs to be agreed at during the next AGM. There was a suggestion that this be reviewed at the 2021 AGM to allow the next Committee to settle in.

Need to build on the relationship with Rowing QLD so that the networking is improved. We also need to rebuild our network with the local members.

Nick suggested that maybe we look at a discounted rate for University students to allow them to be able to row. This needs to be further discussed. Possibly contact past rowers and ask what they would like to see if they return to the Club to row- discounted fees, coached, ect?

Outgoing Committee not being here- Frank discussed that over time stories have turned a little sour resulting in negativity. Michael Opstelten and Peter Wadsworth have become stressed so have resigned from their positions as Coaches. Frank conveyed that both Michael and Peter felt they couldn’t attend this meeting. Kim asked about who would be rerunning for next Committee- unsure however the feeling is that Michael, Peter, Gabby and Angela will not continue. Tanya asked about individual members not turning up to this meeting to make answer clear:

·        Micheal O- just wants to do the 4 performance children

·        Peter W- stepping back from Committee. Not Coaching.

·        Gabby N- unknown

·        Angela- Accountant and working today

Nick asked about the respect between members as the children are watching and listening. Adults are role models.

Cody mentioned that we need the AGM to occur so that we can get the Club moving in a positive direction. Frank mentioned that the new Committee may need to look at the Club Constitution (Rules and By Laws on the CRC webpage) to bring it up to date.

Marianne explained what her role entails to everyone as this is her last year at the Club. Need to look for a new Regatta Secretary.

Rob asked about a position as Captain of Boats. This will be asked by the new Committee for someone to take on.

Volunteers within the Club- Parents do the drop and children row. Can we get the Parents assist with some of the jobs (eg. cleaning pontoon before children row). Danielle discussed the implementation of more parent involvement through sausage sizzles, etc.

Job Titles and description- These need to be defined a little more and some of the jobs around the Club spread out. Some of the Job Descriptions are on the CRC website in the Rules and Bylaws.

Growth in the Club- Mike Swainston mentioned that our children’s numbers have decreased over time and we need to look on building the numbers.