Fundraising and Development Plan!

[Niamh Delaney]

This should really should have gone up weeks ago, but I'm clearly a dis-organised person sooooo... it's going up now! This is just to give yis an idea of what the money that is collected for any fundraising events is going towards, so that ye have an idea of where it's being spend (i.e. generally not on general river trips etc.)

Aims:
1.   Facilitate further training of current members (e.g. Instructor training, Level 4 training courses, RSR                     course, REC courses).
2.   Ensure equipment is at a high standard.
3.   Increased independence for the club.
4.   Increase club activity overall.

Goal of the fundraising plan:
1.   Subsidy instructor training courses for current members to further the development of the club and its members.
2.   Purchase of new boats and equipment so that all equipment used is at a high standard.
3.   Allow payment of instructors for training in a range of kayaking disciplines to allow the club to diversify further e.g. freestyle, canoe polo and slalom.

What?
At the moment we're thinking of concentrating on getting new boats and much needed equipment, as we'll as subsiding instructor training and such.
I've a one year plan developed to do this as this is the first year of a specific fundraising officer, with the view of hopefully an expansion into the development of Five year fundraising plans etc. as this role becomes more established in the club. 

How?

• Club hoodies
• Raffles
• Bake sale
• Table Quiz
• Club competitions e.g. banter league etc.
• Cinema

Any suggestions that you guys might have for events/activities etc. that could be organised and that you'd like to see done at some point in the year would be greatly appreciated! Any suggestions will be considered for feasibility etc. 

Hopefully it all makes sense to you guys! And thanks for your support with everything!

[DervM]

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

Clearly. Solid plan Niamh, nice work.

[Poopy Dick]

3.   Increased independence for the club.

Ummmm... what dis? Sounds great and all but what is it

[Niamh Delaney]

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

but I'm clearly a dis-organised person

Clearly. Solid plan Niamh, nice work.

Thanks Derv, I do try to go out of my way to impress 

[Niamh Delaney]

3.   Increased independence for the club.

Ummmm... what dis? Sounds great and all but what is it

The idea on this one is to, basically, try and ensure the club is less reliant on grant money etc. ect.
Like grant money is great and all, but considering this is the first year in like 10 years that the club got a substantial amount of money to spend on new gear (and we're not likely to get that kind of money again for a few years) this is trying to underpin the club raising it's own money to get gear/boats etc. Cause unless we stick it down in a plan/fundraising incentive, the committee doesn't have the funds to set aside for buying new gear in general. (I suppose something like what Project Freestyle achieved is a good example in trying to explain this aim)

I know it's a little vague, but I was hoping this plan could be used by future Fundraising officers, if they wanted too, so didn't want to make it overly specific for just our committee 

Hope that lovely bit of rambling is fairly clear in explaining it!!! 

[Steven Mul]

Just wondering, should level 4 training/assessments be funded/subsidised by the club? My impression was always that the club is there to get you up to level 3 and then if you decide you'd like to continue up to level 4/5 you did so yourself? I think that any money that may go into level 4 training could be better spent on more gear or instructor training?

[DervM]

Fair point from what you've seen in the last few years Steve - but in the past the club's always helped people as far as it could. I would say especially l4 as it is the greatest addition to rescue capabilities.

And it helps bring people on for instructor levels, which can't hurt.

[Steven Mul]

Yeah I wasn't sure if that was always the way of if that was a more recent trend.

Both of those points I thought of before I posted but I thought that if you want to improve your rescue for club trips you can definitely do enough if you just push yourself on club trips and make an effort to get out on private trips. With regards to the instructor levels (correct me if I'm wrong) but you only need your level 4 skills to get your level 3 instructor? So unless someone already has their level 2 instructor assessment passed doing the level 4 skills assessment/training isn't necessary? Sure it'll improve your overall skills but again that's a personal choice in my opinion.

Not trying to argue for the sake of argument btw I just feel money could be better spent to improve the club and bring freshers on faster

[DervM]

Personally I think having a higher standard of paddlers in the mid levels of the club is how you bring freshers on faster. We already provide instructors every single river trip. An important difference is seeing people out there pushing themselves towards solid goals can really encourage people to practice themselves and training at the higher levels gives a faaaaar better understanding of stroke work - improving pool and other non-official instruction.

Also not arguing for the sake of it, I just really believe this, and in the while idea of structured training as it is so effective for some people.

(I didn't get any help doing l4/5 training or assessments and never grudged the club it, but I'd like to see others get that help)