Hi Everyone
It feels like ages since I wrote an update where in actual fact it has only been a month. As I reported in the New Year we traded well in December, Christmas and New Year which was pleasing to see despite being down on Christmas function bookings pre Christmas. As predicted, January turned out to be a quiet month for us. We came through it relatively unscathed mostly due to the large number’s coming in on Tuesdays with the hope of picking up the jackpot which was almost up to five thousand dollars. I had hoped we would have managed to get away with it not being struck for a few more weeks but inevitably it was struck. The effect was most noticeable the following week as not only did the Jackpot drop but so did the takings due to the sudden drop in bar and cafe sales.
Financial Update:
The Club has had a strong five months since the discovery of our financial position which was announced last August. The financial support given to the club by over 700 of our members has been a huge contributing factor in this result and I am truly grateful for the support and confidence that has been shown toward the Club by so many of you. During this time we have taken quite a few enquiries from members and the public wanting to know if there is any truth in the rumours that we are closing at the end of February. There have also been all sorts of other ridiculous stories circulating, none of which are true. You were advised at the time that our bankers wanted to meet in February to review our position. There was never any intention in this review to close the club down. Last week we met with our bankers and I am very happy to advise you all that the bank is very happy with the progress we have made since September. They are pleased with the management of the Clubs finances and the measures that have been put in place since September. With the Auditors recommendations being put into practice the bank are satisfied and happy to continue supporting the Club as a going concern.
I announced this news on Tuesday evening and encouraged all who were present in the Members Bar at the time to please share that news with their family and friends and anyone else whom they may hear talking about the club in an unfavourable manner. I encourage anyone who is reading this update to please do the same. We do have a way to go with paying the remainder of the IRD arrears and some of our creditors; however we have made significant inroads in these areas to pay down this debt. Once again your contribution to your club significantly assisted us to do this so again thank you. With very careful management of our finances and the ongoing support from our members through renewing membership, introducing new members and the follow through of our business and marketing plans the Suburban club has a very positive and bright future ahead.
The above announcement is due to go public in next week’s papers along with a promotional membership offer so hopefully that will clear up any misunderstanding so many people seem to have about our club.
Membership Drive - Open Day:
Next weekend (Sunday 23rd Feb) the club will be hosting an open day for the public to come and view our facilities. We are planning to have a great day with an exceptionally low joining offer of $10.00 on the table. If you have friends or family members who are not members of the Club I urge you to seriously promote your club to them and get them to come along and have a look around. We will offer them a welcome pack and show them around. On offer just for registering on the day is an entry to WIN a fabulous prize. A Heli Tour for four to Awaroa Lodge, included is a delicious lunch. We are very grateful to Simply Travel Nelson and Tasman Helicopters who have supplied this fantastic prize.
We will also be giving away free membership vouchers & Tosswill's meal vouchers. Along with a day of activities from the sports and social sections we will also have a bouncy castle for the kids, a band playing, Flossie the balloon lady, and raffles etc.
Club Picnic:
Last Sunday we held the Club Picnic at the Tahuna Beach Camp. Although attendance was down on previous picnics it was still a successful event and I’m sure despite the kid’s ice creams melting before being served that every one still enjoyed their afternoon. A last minute decision to get Jim's Karaoke went down well with the younger kids and a few of the much, much older ones as well. Thanks to all of the executive members, social section, members and staff who gave their time to help us out. Also big thanks to the netball section who did a great job of arranging the kid’s races and entertaining them. We look forward to doing it all again for you next year.
Share the news:
Have you considered forwarding your newsletter on to your friends and family? We have added a share me link on the electronic newsletters so those of you who receive the newsletter electronically can easily share it with other people. If you are not on our data base but have an email account we would love to update your details so we can email you a newsletter. It is the cheapest form of communicating with you and the easiest method for you to send on. Please consider doing this. You never know it might end up helping the club to increase membership numbers.
Facebook:
Are you on facebook? If you are then please check out our facebook page. This is another way that you can get updates about the club. Also if you add us to your friends list you will be able to share the Suburban club with all of your friends. Social media sites such as face book are the best form of advertising as they reach so many people. If content is managed correctly our page will be used to showcase a raft of offers to entice people to join us or to use our facilities and to post updates and photos of events we have held. If you would like to have a look at our face book page go to your face book home page search under “look for friends”, Nelson Suburban Club. Or follow the facebook link on our website.
Working Bee:
As previously reported we will be looking to have a working bee in May to get some much needed work carried out on the club. One of the main projects will be to clean up and repaint the back of the old sports hall. We have had offers of assistance from some of the trades people from the club but hope to have more painters and handyman people come forward. If you can contribute then please contact myself or Ian Jones thanks.
Sports Sections:
A big welcome back to all sports and social sections whom, after a break is ready to participate in their chosen section once again. A reminder to each of the section conveners. We would love to publish some updates from your sections each month. Once again I request that your update needs to reach me by the second Monday of each month. I would prefer them by email if possible so I don’t need to rewrite them. Send to rob@nelsonsuburbanclub.co.nz.
Further to this we would appreciate having any information regarding upcoming tournament dates so we can add them to our website.
Entertainment update:
We have had a great line up of entertainers over the last five weeks. I hope that many of you have found something that appealed. As you will all be aware we have been regularly providing music in the Members Bar on most Friday and Saturday evenings. This has been possible due to the support shown to the Club by all of the entertainers who have been prepared to offer cheaper rates. The intention of having regular entertainment is to encourage people back to the club again as in general we have lost some of our patronage due to not having a regular line up on offer.
Often when a band first starts it can be a little too loud. It can make a difference if the bar is full of patrons or empty as to how a sound check appears to the band when they set up. Our Members Bar doesn’t have very good acoustics therefore it will take a couple of songs before the entertainer can gauge the volume level they have set. If they get no feedback they will continue to play assuming the audience is comfortable with the volume. Please understand that it is not our intention to blast you out of the room but when we have entertainers in the bar there isn’t any point thinking that the volume is going to be like elevator background music either. The manager on duty is responsible to monitor the sound level and if he or she feels it is too loud they will approach the band during a break and ask them to play at a lower level if required.
Further to this it is my intention that we will continue to have music in the Members Bar on a Friday and Saturday evenings to build up our following of members and visitors who enjoy a more social evening in the club. With this in mind we will not be showing every Super 15 or All Blacks game in the Members Bar. When there is music the games will be featured in the Sports Hall on the big screen and in the Ken Ching room if the Sports Hall is booked for a function. Both projectors have recently been repaired to address the picture quality issues we were having as many of you would be aware of.
Check out the entertainment guides and your table talkers for what’s happening in the club.
Bar Update:
In January we had a win a tool box bar promotion on DB beer. The winner was Rick Townsend. Congratulations Rick. Sorry the tool box was damaged when you got it out of the box. It will be replaced.
I would like to remind you that the Tipping game is starting again so come and see us at the bar to get your name down so you can join in the fun. I hope you manage to pick a winner. It’s great to see more members coming along on a Friday and Saturday evening. The entertainment coming in is proving to be popular and it’s good to see people enjoying themselves and having a dance.
We have another bar promotion just started with TUI products. This prize is a Chimenea. These are great for outdoor areas, BBQ’s & Pizza Making.
Zumba:
Have you checked out our Zumba classes? Come along and give it a go. It’s a great way to get fit and Valmai will make sure that you are well looked after. Zumba takes place every Wednesday evening in the Sports Hall from 6pm and every Friday morning from 2pm. $5 per class.
That’s all from me. I hope you have a great month.
Read this week's full version of the newsletter here.
See you at the Club.
Cheers Rob