“DCV is a Cycling club with a strong social element, aimed at having fun and riding bikes.”
Chairman’s Note 31.01.17
Since our inception in 2015 we have achieved a lot of great stuff. From zero we have grown to a membership of around 100, facilitated weekly Saturday club runs, introduced regular weeknight runs, shared many a drink and laugh at our regular (now weekly) social meetings, participated in a parade lap prior to Durham Citys biggest cycling event, the Pearl Izumi race and created a vibrant Youth coaching section.
Since becoming Chairman within a week of joining the club and having no experience of being in a cycling club (or any other sports club for that matter) let alone running one, I hope I have achieved my desire to be led by the members and to create an inclusive club.
At the end of last year (whilst suffering a back injury which has meant I have hardly ridden since October) I reflected on how the club was doing and my conclusion was that I had failed to open up the opportunity to develop the running and activities to club members. This has had the knock-on effect of meaning I was doing lots of DCV work when I should have been running my business. This situation is not sustainable for me or for DCV for that matter as it meant things haven’t developed since my availability has been reduced.
To ensure the continued growth of the club Im determined that from now on I will pass on the opportunity to other to develop the club. One person doing most of the roles in the club means they are spread too thinly, whereas several people doing a little will ensure that the club survives and thrives. To that end I’ve drawn up the following areas of activity I’ve been involved in since the club started and need others to step forward and take on the roles either fully or sharing with others.
Administration
Chairman – Im happy to take another term as chairman but want to focus more on the set up and running of the Youth Section
Treasurer – David Turner has done a sterling job as treasurer but now wants to step aside. Steve Down has expressed interest in taking on this role but that means he will have to relinquish his role as Sectary.
Secretary – We need a person(s) to fill this roll, there is not a great deal of official admin so its not a massive job.
Welfare – Gordon Kirkup has again expressed his willingness to fulfil this role again
Core Areas
Club Runs
Our core is the Saturday no drop club run which I think should remain. We need someone to organise the rides. This should be as it was with a leader each week or we could have “turn up and decide where we go “ runs mixed with planned lead rides when leaders are available. I feel that planned lead rides are important to newcomers as they like to know distances, route profile and routes in advance.
This role doesn’t have to be the person who leads the rides but it needs someone to organise it and communicate whats happening via Facebook / website (training and support on how to do so will be given )
This role needs to be filled for Saturday no drop runs, track and trail Tuesdays, Thursday training rides and aby other regular club runs that may be added.
Social Events
As well as riding our bikes lots of members get a lot out of regular social events, mainly the regular social meetings. This needs a “Social Secretary” to maintain the regular events and also to look at adding to them.
We discussed adding other events at last years AGM, such as a cycling festival and ride to Amsterdam. These larger events would need to see the secretary supported in delivering them or people(s) taking on responsibility on an event basis
Club Kit
We all like to belong and nothing works as well as having club kit.
We have two suppliers to deal with, one for technical riding kit (Kalas) and another for Leisure kit (Sagittarius). My company has an online store to collect orders (PedalMonkey) but we need someone to manage orders and develop the online catalogue. I can support the technical aspect of this but need help with the management of it.
Membership Management
Our joining system is ran online by British Cycling but needs to be managed and cards need to be sent out to members when they join. (unless we decide differently)
Youth Coaching
We made a great start last year and regularly attracted around 20 kids per session. We face the challenge of only having one active coach at present so I want to make this my main focus in 2017. I want to establish the Youth Section and grow it. With this being my main focus I have less time to look after other areas of the club.
Other Areas
Promotion – we have done very little
Sportives – attending as a club
Club competitions – Currently consists of Mileage and Club run points but could be so much more.
Club awards presentation evening – could be part of the social secretary’s roll or organised by someone else.
Membership benefits – working with bike shops and other suppliers to arrange “deals” for club members. We currently only have 2 deals one with Cycle world the other with pedal sure
Racing – organisation of club race team to participate in different disciplines (could be different person for each discipline)
Online Activities – Facebook and Website – Im happy to retain the control and development of the facebook pages and DCV website but would welcome help in developing content.
How to take advantage of this opportunity.
Please get in touch or respond to this with expressions of interest and we can decide on who does what at the AGM.
Along with expressions of interest it would be great to get peoples feedback and ideas to feed into the AGM on February 13th (time and venue to be confirmed very soon)
Contacts
George Kinghorn 0191 6450640