over the last couple of years, I have, as club secretary, been updating the way the club runs. after talking to and hearing different problems in clubs, I have tried to mitigate some of the problems that seem to plague clubs. this is by no means a hard and fast list, but it can go someway to helping streamline clubs.
like most clubs, we have problems getting members for the committee. at one point, we had 9 members on it, now run with 4.
so to help out here are a few things we have done.
1. a club only needs a chair, secretary and treasurer.everything else is irrelevant.
2. accounts, make them electronic. I got a free program on excel off a member on here a couple of years ago. makes everything easy.
3. upgrade everything to the computer and store it on a cloud storage site, giving committee members the password.
4. in the event of a hospitalization, incapacity or death of a committee member, the club can still function as everything is on the web.
5. no committee meetings, getting everyone together can be problematic. we do it all down the lakeside.
6. ensure the club has a website up to date, and if possible Facebook page.
7. use email and texts to keep members up to date
8. keep in contact with those members you dont see often. maybe something has happened to them.
9. actively encourage people to have a go lakeside
10. get younger members to help older members on PCs and phones, in return older members help with younger members models.
11. check your club insurance. there are plenty of deals out there. club insurance is 30% cheaper than this time last year, according to the insurance companies, so start asking questions.
12. have fun lakeside! being a committee member doesn't mean you dont sail!
13. MOST IMPORTANT keep it simple. everyone in a MBC is a member. we are in the same hobby. it doesn't matter if you do scale, sail, steam or subs, you are part of the same club. do t divide the club. it fractious and dangerous. no one section is more important than the other. your in a club, in the same hobby pull together. make it s whole not 2 halves.
14. support your local clubs, not just yours. go to open days, open up dialogues with plastic clubs, aero clubs and railway clubs, hell even slot car clubs! you never know what in your area!
15. publish a club magazine, we used to print 4 times a year, but it got too expensive, we now publish a PDF copy on line.
well that's just a few ideas. I know some will hate what I have said, some won't. take it or leave it. throw in any other ideas, I'm always open to suggestion. this is what has worked in our club over the last 5 years.
PS if anyone want a copy of the accounts package I'm more than willing to pass it on FOC.