Hi Everyone
I bet you all can’t wait to see the Makos final on Saturday evening! After their convincing win over Canterbury last weekend they are in a strong position for a win against Taranaki this Saturday. It will be a fantastic match so don't stay at home on the couch, come along to the Club and watch it on the big screen.
This week’s entertainment Band Nine - 95 will kick off straight after the Rugby so you can stay on and party. Nine - 95 are an awesome band and play a great range of music that you can listen to and get up and dance to. Talking of dancing, my request for some members help to put a dance floor down in the main bar has been very positive so far. We have an extremely generous couple who have come forward and offered the flooring at no cost. They will also help to co-ordinate the laying of it voluntarily which is an absolutely amazing thing to do and such a generous gift to donate to the Club. I'm sure you will all be happy enough to purchase the odd extra raffle ticket to fund any remaining materials we need to complete the job! I was speechless when they spoke to me and I know our members who appreciate the entertainment we put on will love not having to dance on carpet any-more. Once it is installed it will be enjoyed by all of you for many years. It's the generosity of members like this and so many more of you that will help the Club survive through the financial pickle we are in.
Last week a club member was overheard commenting to the rest of the group she was with about the poor upkeep of the club and how tatty some areas are starting to look. “They must not put anything back into the up keep of the Club” she said. I was quite surprised to be informed of this as I'm sure everyone is well aware that our cash flow is non-existent and we have no spare money to cover non urgent repairs and maintenance around the building. A lot of the repairs and maintenance work carried out around the club is being done by members who charge little or nothing to do it because they care about the Club and it's a way that they can help. If I had heard this member I would have given her a tub of plaster, a bucket of paint, a roller and asked her to exercise her arm and give her jaw a break for the benefit of the club.
Update from the special meeting held last Sunday.
It was attended by 388 members. The following agenda items were voted on by those present and the outcomes were.
- Imposition of a $100 per annum levy to reduce mortgage debt on members who do not choose to loan or donate was voted and accepted by members if imposed by the Club.
- Addition of the 6 membership classes to define members as loan or donation members was voted and accepted by members.
- Addition to Rule (7) Members whose agreed loans or imposed levies remain unpaid 90 days after due date could be struck off the membership register was voted on and approved by members. Note. This rule already exists for all current membership classes.
- RSA members to be exempt from having to pay the $5 subscription increase for their sub renewals was voted against; and the RSA members fees will increase by $5 this year.
- RSA members to be exempt from having a $100 per annum levy imposed on those who do not choose to become a donation or loan member was voted in favour of and the RSA members will not be requested to pay the levy if imposed by the Club. RSA members who can will gladly support the Club and offer donations or loans to assist with the Club’s debt reduction.
- The Club’s Treasurer Ross Strawbridge and Club President Jim Reeves announced their resignations from Executive effective from our AGM.
Where to from here?
I think the key thing to take from this is; if the Club gets the level of members support annually that it requires to manage its debt reduction at the necessary level, then the imposition of a levy would not be required. The Club needs members to donate or loan funds to assist with debt reduction on an annual basis. If the Club reaches the annual target required from fund raising and donations, the imposition of a levy for that year will not be imposed. The Club needs to see a return to higher membership and visitations from members and outside function bookings. It also needs to entice the two thousand remaining lapsed members back as soon as possible. Renewing membership and using it regularly will deliver the outcome that we desperately require. We have the best facilities in the region and I have said it all along, this is a use it or lose it situation. The message presented to you all at the meeting was very clear. Without members support the Club will not continue to operate in the foreseeable future.
The rapid decline in membership after the meeting in July has resulted in a further erosion in revenue across the key trading areas. This is simply not sustainable and I cannot continue with managing the Clubs operating and fixed costs at this level. This should not have been a surprise to any of you. There are two thousand plus members who have not yet renewed their membership; most of these people know they have until November to renew and have sat on the fence waiting to see if they will have to pay an additional $100 per year or not. These people will be sent an update and a letter requesting their continued support of the Club. There will be un-financial members still subscribed to this newsletter so if you are reading this update and want to discuss your membership with me I urge you to ring and talk to me or come along and see me. Your membership is valued, as is your support of the Club in any form. Please save the Club postage costs and get in touch. I really want to hear from you!
The key thing to remember is: A Club is owned by its members and managed by a governing body. If as a member you are unhappy with the governance and management of your asset, it is in the best interest of all invested members that you collectively act to deal with the issues. By choosing to walk away and not support means the remaining members are left to carry on and become burdened with increases in prices to offset the decline. This course of action will kill the Club and Nelson will lose another key community asset that will never be replaced.
AGM. The Club’s 44th annual AGM is to be held at 10am on Sunday November 23rd 2014.
2014 -2015 Executive Nominations.
Nominations for the up-coming election of executive open this Friday 24th October. Nomination forms will be available from the reception desk. This will be the last time I get to entice new blood onto the Club’s committees and those of you who want to contribute to the Club at a higher level now only have 14 days to make your intention known. The Club cannot function without great people being committed to the committee and I’m sure there are many of you amongst the membership who would thrive if given the opportunity to. Are you interested in making a difference at your Club? Have you got a lot to contribute and time to give? Do you know a member who would make a fantastic committee member for the Club? Are you prepared to put your money where your mouth is? Now is the time for you to consider nominations for Executive for the 2014-15 year. Not an easy role and often an unrecognised one, you will be part of the Clubs recovery and will be full of great ideas. You will assist with improving patronage through your ability to encourage new groups and existing groups to use the facility. You will be nominated to stand because you want to help the Club move forward and have the drive and commitment to help make it happen alongside your peer Executives.
If you have an interest in being an Executive Officer in the Club and have the drive to make a difference, your application will be welcomed. As a candidate you will stand alongside our current committee for election. If you have the time and can commit to such a role then now is the time to come forward and express your interest. We will require a candidate profile from you and five minutes of your time to have a photo taken for your candidate poster. Nominations for the roles will open on October 24th and close on November 7th 2014. Voting for the candidates will open on November 7th and close on Saturday 22nd November 2014. The AGM is to be held on Sunday November 23rd at 10am in the Sports Hall.
Enjoy the week
Regards Rob
Read this week's newsletter here.