Club AGMs

[BlueSkyNick]

Attended the annual ritual for the first time last Saturday. I have sat through some horrors in the past, in various clubs including golf, rugby, Rotary and a few others. The Sailing Club meeting was a very pleasant surprise.

The room was packed to overflowing, which is great to see.

There were questions about the accounts; a proposal,discussion and vote to make the whole building non-smoking; a report about a planned extension; brief debate about the lack of a youth training programme and a few trivial questions under AOB.

The whole thing was over and done in 45 minutes!

The key was excellent planning and communication in advance, along with firm yet polite control on the night. Well done, Lymington Town !

Are all other clubs the same?

<hr width=100% size=1>Tide and time wait for no man.

 

[Talbot]

The speed and relevance are dependent on the chairman having done his homework beforehand and maintaining control during the meeting. In some cases this can mean a lot of hardwork by the chairman, and normally not recognised as such by the majority of members.

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[BlueSkyNick]

That's quite right Talbot, although it is more to do with the secretary doing all the hard work in advance, and then thoroughly briefing the chairman (including scripted notes) before the meeting starts.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tide and time wait for no man.

 

[AndrewB]

Was it part of Parkinson's Law that organisations function at their best when they are approaching the point of collapse?

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[Talbot]

If you have a good secretary!

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[ianwright]

Hm,,,, how did the non-smoking vote go?
I seldom enjoy AGMs but I attended one years ago where a modernising proposal that "Club servants shall be referred to as Club Staff" caused lively debate lasting an hour or more. Towards the end the Cook and most of the bar staff quit with a general cry of "I'm nobodies bloody servant!".
Such fun,,,,,


IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[BlueSkyNick]

The result was approx 70/30 in favour of a total ban, which was less than I had expected. Quite a few non-smokers voted against.

The proposal had been on the agenda sent out in advance, so it wasn't a surprise on the night. I think it was a foregone conclusion, so nobody bothered to start an argument about it.

In fact, the club rules say that all proposals requiring a vote must be on the agenda in advance, so nothing can be raised under AOB and voted on at the same meeting. This prevents, or at least minimises, any contentious or trivial issues becoming a headed debate on the night.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tide and time wait for no man.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Our secretary is an employee of the club, (the limited company bit, I think) and an invaluable asset. Not only very efficient and effective at running the office and managing the business, but also a great marketing ambassador for the club.

(I hope he is not reading this - he will be after a pay rise!)

<hr width=100% size=1>Tide and time wait for no man.

 

[Talbot]

Lucky you. (Like a good Executive Assistant) I wouldnt crow about it or they will get headhunted!

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