Whats your club like?

[Thunk]

All clubs in all sports work the same way. It's the 2/98 principle; that is, 2% of the members do all the work and the other 98% are along for the ride. In the wider population it seems that about 2% like to get involved in things and the others live by the motto 'it's not my problem'.

Trouble is, it's always the same 2%...

[Hodgelett]

At Eastbourne archers there's a payback system. You get credit for the number of hours you helped out with and this reduces the amount you pay in fees the next year. People were helping out anyway - we have a lot of pro-carpenters and builders for instance helping with stand making etc but I guess it was more a thank-you.

[napolienne]

Originally Posted by spavo

Napolienne I will find out more about the grant process, from our Treasurer when he comes back from holiday. I know that we had a sub Committee of 4 people working solid on it for about a year, and I know we had to do a sports development plan as I recently looked at this to update with the Treasurer, this set out our goals long term, medium, short term etc.

This was split into several sections ie coaching, field, facilities, tournaments etc, quite a detailed document but formed part of the backbone. As I also recall their was an equality document as well.

I we see what I can find out on it for you.

Thanks Spavo, that would be great!

[wanshu]

Originally Posted by krela

Nice idea, but what happens when every member of your club pays the extra £50 to not do anything...?

Pay someone to do the work!!! Contractors are always available to do all the work that the minority are doing now. If there is a majority willing to pay more to facilitate the maintainance, then why not.

I do recognise the fact that it would be a crying shame for those who will do the work currently. Why should they pay more when they have and are doing all the work.

I honestly believe it should be put to the membership as a whole as thats what democracy is about. Even then there will be people falling out over costs. "I only shoot 3-6 months a year....why should I pay more".....we all recognise the reasons from either side. Solutions can be found, if people are patient and willing to talk to each other and understand that there must be give and take on both sides.

This begins by those that have time to give recognising that the simple truth is not everyone can afford to give the time due to committments.....should those people who cannot be there Pay more....I think so. It's the only way to balance things out. Time has a value to both sides and the membership should be willing to agree a membership price structure that covers all.

I agree that overall the lack of help when it's needed most, is an unfortunate problem at many clubs. This is a crying shame. On reflection, we should all realise that what we see is indicative of society overall. People honestly struggle to find time for many things in life. We are often guilty of seeing things from our own circumstances and forget that we sometimes need to step away from it to see other peoples viewpoints/lifestyles.

Members at our club sign an agreement when they join which includes helping out at workdays. We have about a 10-15% turnout most workdays out of just over 100....Never seen them all and I'm up there more than most. The turnout says a lot about the majority of archers keeping to agreements??

[wanshu]

Originally Posted by Furface

Komtox has it right, and, really, the only way you are going to change this is if a club goes professional, and starts employing people to do things. If there were differential fees, then it would be open to everyone to pay them and not do anything.
Hm, I wonder if this would work. Set a tariff for the various tasks - say £5 per hour for helping at a HAG, £600 an hour for being secretary etc etc - and log carefully the time each person spends. Build event costs into the event and admin costs into the membership fees. Numbers required estimated beforehand, and places allotted strictly on a first come basis.

Club sec £600 per hour.....You will be in-undated with applications for committee at that rate of pay!!!

The HAG is usually for fundraising...is it not? Although I still recognise the fact that committee members and anyone helping to run the club deserve to be recompensed for any out of pocket expenses.

[wanshu]

Originally Posted by Hodgelett

At Eastbourne archers there's a payback system. You get credit for the number of hours you helped out with and this reduces the amount you pay in fees the next year. People were helping out anyway - we have a lot of pro-carpenters and builders for instance helping with stand making etc but I guess it was more a thank-you.

Good idea and something clubs here could look into I believe.

[spavo]

Originally Posted by Hodgelett

At Eastbourne archers there's a payback system. You get credit for the number of hours you helped out with and this reduces the amount you pay in fees the next year. People were helping out anyway - we have a lot of pro-carpenters and builders for instance helping with stand making etc but I guess it was more a thank-you.

Can you tell me more please what kind of value is allocated to an hours work?

[Hodgelett]

Not off the top of my head as I've not been active for a couple of years, but I can contact one of the committee for you

[Yorker]

Originally Posted by napolienne

Beginners course helpers are a slightly different issue. I can't seem to get any more than one helper (the ever reliable club sec) in addition to the qualified coaches, despite endless cajoling and pleading. I can't work out whether it is because they don't think they are capable or whether it is sheer selfishness, to be honest.

Because it is boring and can be plain annoying sometimes. Ever tried to teach a dog to sit and then every time you turn they stand up and stares at you as if to say "what?", kind of like that, as harsh as it sounds.

As for a lack of help, in my experience there has been less turnout to competitions at my clubs than there has been to do menial labour!

[Mistake]

At the uni club i'm in (Swansea) its a case of "if you set up/ take down.. you can shoot" and also "if you don't help.. people who do will go to busa before you"

At llandod it seems to be the solid core of archers that shoot on a regular basis will help out with setting things out. We did have some issues, but myself and the equipment officer set up 2 targets between us at the club champs a couple years ago and then set our bows up and waited for people to get the message