A very productive AGM this year with an excellent turnout. Thanks to all those who attended on Friday 8 November.
Our chairman Harry Matthews presented his very comprehensive annual report which covered all aspect of activities by club members over the last year. A copy of his report is attached.
Treasurer Daniel Nettle presented the annual accounts and demonstrated that our finances are in very capable hands. He thanked Derek Nelson for his assistance with the collection of membership subscriptions and likewise Michelle Coleman for her assistance with social event payments.
Harry thanked all members of the committee for their contribution over the last year. All but one committee member offered themselves for re-election. Unfortunately, Noel Stoddart is unable to continue as a committee member due to work commitments, however he has agreed to continue to administer the club championship which he has done exceptionally well. Under his management, the attendance at club championship races has increased enormously with a much improved element of competitiveness amongst the participants. We hope that Noel will continue to offer his assistance with the championship as well as his knowledge of racing generally in relation to the organisation of our race events.
In Noel’s place, Leanne Hymers offered herself for election to the committee to which there was unanimous agreement. As a LiRF and active member of the Beginners/Intermediate Bunny group, Leanne will be a very useful and welcome addition to the committee.
Two other vacant positions were broadcast at the meeting. The position of secretary has been vacant since November 2018 when Tom Hanson stood down to focus on his coaching responsibilities. The committee has been sharing the duties of the secretary by way of the relatively new info@elswickharriers.org.uk email address. However, it would be preferable to have someone take on the secretary’s role, which would entail looking after the incoming emails to the info@elswickharriers.org.uk address and distributing the emails to the relevant person/committee member. Over a period of time, it would be envisaged that the new secretary would be able to respond to external messages directly, in addition to delegating some messages to others within the club to be actioned. Attendance at the monthly meetings whenever possible would be useful with a view to getting involved with the club’s activities. Should anyone be interested in this post, please approach any member of the committee to discuss. You’d be welcome to attend one of the committee meetings to get an idea of the nature of the business discussed and whether it would be of interest to you.
For a couple of years we have not had a women’s vice captain. For 2017/18, we had a women’s collective in place of a named captain/vice captain. I took on the title of captain in 2018 but continued, indeed continue to work with the collective of women leaders. At the AGM, we were all delighted when Robyn Naylor agreed to take on the vice captain’s role and she was duly appointed. She will join the other female leaders namely Cath Lowes (track and field captain), Sara Blight, Amy Brown, Bella Arnott and Michelle Coleman, who are available to listen to your views, assist with team organisation and generally chivvy all our female runners.
As for the other committee members, they remain unchanged as follows:
Chairman – Harry Matthews
Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary – Derek Nelson
Treasurer – Daniel Nettle
Club Races co-ordinator and Minutes Secretary – Graham Bell
Welfare officer – Keith Batey
Ladies’ Captain – Andrea Banner
Men’s Captain – Richard Houghton
Men’s Vice Captain – Scott Brady
Events Co-ordinator – Michelle Coleman
Committee members – Simon Lynch, Laura Clegg
Profiles of our committee members can be found under the tab headed “Committee.”
The highlight of the AGM is the draw for the London Marathon place. Only those present at the meeting were eligible for the draw. The winner was….. Ross Kyle. Best of luck to Ross in his training and hope he enjoys the amazing experience that is the London Marathon.
There was a second draw at the AGM for a free year’s club membership – and this went to Chris Hull. Hoping he didn’t blow the membership savings on beer at the Keelman after the meeting.