Chair’s submission for news letter

For all those that have not met me yet, I was voted as Chair of the club at the last AGM and took over after Ivan, who unfortunately for me is a hard act to follow.  I was voted in whilst I was looking the wrong way, but also hopefully on the basis that I will be supported by the majority of the members in a year that we have several important tasks to perform., i.e. rebuild/repair the gig shed (significant work to be done on fund raising), increase membership and give the youth and any other sections of the club a good platform as possible to achieve as much as they wish.  If you know me, you will know that my strength’s if anything is in organization etc and certainly not in my knowledge or ability in rowing (I am trying to be more knowledgeable and currently row #5 in the Super Vets crew).  This seems to be the story of my life i.e. I have been a director of Plymouth Albion for numerous years but once again know nothing about Rugby as anybody that talks to me knows.

Sorry about my slow start, due to prior commitments, but I have instigated the following:

1. For rowing members a new membership form which includes a section on individual’s health, Cox’s authority and help in fund raising which is essential to keep membership at a reasonable level.

2. Published a copy in the Gig shed of - Rame Peninsula Gig Club – Rules for Cox’s, which is mostly an extract from the CPGA website and is an endeavour to ensure that the rowers primarily are not put at unreasonable risk and the boats are used in a manner which we would all agree with.  I would also wish to follow this up by trying to get all of our Cox’s up to the same standard, as the few main holders of this position, by holding some form of course to ensure that we do not take unnecessary risks. Currently I have not been able to come up with a formula which will suit, any ideas?

3. Ensured that all members of your committee have specific responsibilities and they should be your initial points of contact if you have problems or ideas in any of their areas, the list of these with responsibilities will be found on our web site.  We will also post the minutes of the committee meetings on the gig notice board every month, hopefully this will give you more information and reasons behind the decisions your committee makes on your behalf for the club.

4. We will endeavour over the season to have more social functions to enable us to get to know each other in a different forum than a race day (BBQ’s, Fun Days, and Evening Meals etc), in this we will include partners and families of the members.  So if you have any ideas speak to Tracy (responsible for this) and even more important offer your services to help as in most organisations the same people do most of the work. Dependent on when you get this newsletter the first of these will be on Saturday 16^th May at 2 pm (or has already been), on Cawsand beach where we will have a BBQ and trips in the gigs for partners/members of the family.

My general aim is to keep the club moving forward, but I am a firm believer that, as none of us is paid to do what we do within the club, this includes the committee as well as the members, it is essential that we fulfil the aims of the club but also enjoy ourselves whilst doing so.  We need to remember this and try as much as possible to keep the politics out and if we have a contentious point to raise, speak to me first if possible and when really necessary do it in a manner which will best helps the clubs cohesion.

The year has truly started with the club competing in the Gig World Championship in the Scillies, where we gave a very good account of ourselves with the crews that we had available. With the new talent available and careful maturing (which has already started) this will allow us to continue to punch above our weight during this year and at the next year’s championship. As far as I could see the weekend was enjoyed by everyone, even though some of us had to go over to St Agnes, this was helped by a generous donation which started the celebrations on both Saturday and Sunday evenings in the bar at the Scillionian.

Results of 2009 World Championships,

Men’s A: 52^nd in Minnadhu  - Men’s B: 93^rd in Penlee Point in field of 118

Ladies A: 66^th in Minnadhu -  Ladies B: 109^th in Penlee Point  in field of 113

Men’s Vets: 27^th in Penlee Point in field of 52

Super Vets 32^nd in Minnadhu in field of 52 , In Super Vets category came 5^th

Ladies Vets: 14^th in Minnadhu in field of 39

Don Seymour

Chair Rame Gig Club