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Committee Meeting ~ 3 April 2008

Minutes of the RN&RMAA Committee meeting held at HMS Temeraire on Thursday 3rd April 2008

Meeting commenced at 1500

Present: Chairman, Hon Sec, Game Secretary, Coarse Secretary, Sea Secretary, Membership Secretary, Observers from the Carp Section and others

Apologies: Treasurer, Webmaster, SO5 Non-Synoptic Sports

Chairman's Opening Remarks

Iain Greenlees welcomed the Committee and on behalf of the Committee expressed his apologies for the late cancellation of the planned AGM due to the non-availability of key personnel due to last minute work commitments and an unclear financial picture. The finances are being clarified (see Treasurer's Report) and liaison with TEMPERAIRE is ongoing.

Re Status of Angling

Following the downgrading of Angling from Recognised to Approved by the Tri-Service Sports Board late last year. The Chairman has written to 2SL to protest, particularly as despite claims by the Board, none of the Service Angling Associations received prior warning. The Chairman's opposite numbers have also written to their 4* Personnel Chiefs.

2007DIN01-105 which replaced 2006DIN02-167 is generally considered to be poorly written. Basically, however, downgrading to an Appoved Sport means that Angling is no longer eligible for Public Funding. Participants are only deemed to be 'on duty' when representing their Service in authorised Inter-Service or Single Service Championships. All other fixtures are considered 'off duty'. This has serious implications for both travel and insurance.

The current impact on each Discipline of the RNRMAA is as follows:

Coarse - loose 2 x funded matches

Carp - no impact

Game - TBC but likely to impact on several fixtures

Sea - nil

Each Secretary will investigate possible re-classification of varous fixtures.

Hon Secretary's Report

The above situation has clarified the need to seek a more powerful single voice for Naval Anglers (just as being sort at the National level of the sport). To this end, the Website will soon highlight the benefits of membership of the RN&RMAA for only £10 as the Membership Secretary will collate all the benefits from each Discipline and Command Area. We will also approach other Naval Angling Clubs, which due to being in existence prior to the establishment of the RN&RMAA in 1972, have remained outside the 'offical' voice of angling in the Naval Service.

It is planned that a major article be placed in the Navy News with supporting photographs covering all disciplines.

Having served on the Committee since 2001, as both Game Sec and now Hon Sec, and having returned to the RNR in Feb 07, the lack of access to MOD Intranet has proven to be a hurdle, which recent events have highlighted the need for. Therefore, I will be resigning at the AGM. It is pleasing to note that I have two potential servings successors and in line with the Committee views, all Association Officers, will serve for a maximum of three years.

Due to changes in Officer's since the 2007 AGM the Sea Secretary and Membership Secretary positions will require validation.

Treasurer's Report - Financial Position (as at 27 Mar 2008)

The Treasurer is confirming details of the 2008 Grant with Temeraire, which has yet to be transferred. The Audited Accounts for 2007 will be available in time for the AGM. A new volunteer to take on the role of Chairman, has made himself known to the Committee and will be subject to a vote at the AGM.

Sea Secretary - NTR

Game Secretary - NTR

Coarse Secretary

Will write to Temperaire to equest funding for an additional Representative Match to be included in the Coarse Section Travel Bid for the Inter-Services Carp Championship

It was also suggested that the RN&RMAA would benefit from the appointment of a PRO, who would actively seek to publicise naval angling across all three disciplines including taking charge of RN Angling corporate branding issues. The suggestion was the he follow the model of the currently successful Carp RP activity. This will be a recommendation at the AGM.

It was requested that a Carp Secretary (non-exec) be recognised and appointed to the Committee on a permanent basis. It was emphasised that this would NOT replace or add to the Coarse representation on the Committee but allow the large Carp fraternity to keep themselves informed of issues directly effecting them. Due to the large number of specific Carp anglers now in the Association, it was felt that this had some merit and would be voted upon also at the AGM.

Webmaster

As agreed last year, we have now upgraded our web hositing to a Business package and we are currently running at 87mb of our 250mb server space - so plenty of room this year. We have also just received an invoice for the nenewal of the domain name for the sum of £5.82 reclaimable fromthe Association.

The web stats for the site continue to grow, primarily due the Forum but we are noticing many more visitors coming to the main site, with a significant number coming through from the main MOD & MOD community sites via their link

It is expected that we could make 1,000,000 hits this year, not bad for a small site.

The site is being re-vamped, which some of the committee have already seen the bare bones of, to something that looks more professional and will certainly be easier to maintain. It will also make the information accessible to members a speedier process and not resulting in a back-log. While I concentrate on the new site, I will maintain the old version only with essential information.

I am hoping to make this live either by the AGM or 1st May, which ever is soonest.

Membership Secretary

Current membership stands at 110:

A mail merge sent to 152 previous members of the Game & Coarse sections, going back 3 years for the Game section and 2 years for the Coarse. To date only 9% have renewed. It is appreciated that people lead busy lives or are going through job changes, so the plan is to send out an e-shot on 1st May, as a gentle prompt under the disguise of announcing the new site - providing it is ready then.

Discussion followed ref the requirement to pay subscritions by Direct Debit and changing the Subscription Year to match the EA Licence year, 1 Apr - 31 Mar as this more closely fits in with members seasonal fishing as most members renew only in April, when they first go fishing! Both these issues will be proposed at the AGM.

The Membership Secretary will also approach all known RN&RM Angling clubs with a view to inviting them under the RN&RMAA umbrella. Highlighting the benefits will also assist. MOD Contractors status as Full Members will be investigated with Temeraire. NB - Membership of any Service Club or Association must be a minimum of 50% Serving Personnel.

Date & Time of AGM

1830 Thursday 22nd May 2008 at HMS DRAKE Senior Rates Mess

Meeting closed at 1645

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