AOAC Newsletter
Challenges:
February - Round Britain Cycle Ride
Wow! What a brilliant idea Irene, and what a great success! We have collectively cycled 4174 miles and we've pretty much only have Wales to go and one more week in which to do it. Guys....let's smash this. Get out on your bikes as every mile counts. Add your mileage to the Facebook post so Guy can tot it all up and see if we've made it. What fun.
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March Challenge
AOAC Hike Challenge!! – Lands End to John o’Groats - Every mile COUNTS!
In March it’s the chance for the walkers to excel! We have a group challenge to hike the length of the country in the month… not the shortest route but taking in the highest peak in each nation!. The distance of 1,000 miles takes in Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis and we need all your help.
How it works…
Same way as the cycle challenge… Whenever you go out for a walk / hike, post your distance, and elevation if you know it, as soon as possible in a "Comment" on the Facebook thread (pinned to the top of the club page from the 1st March). This will be totalled up, and posted in the Facebook thread so you can see how far we have gone.
It doesn’t matter how far you have walked, every mile counts! If you want to add additional information on your walk that's great. Photos and commentary, all is good, and fun to see how we are achieving our goal.
It's not a competition just a great way to get outside in the fresh air and have some fun!
Club Online Activities
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Join Keith to enjoy a virtual tour of a week's sea kayaking in southern Sweden, setting off from Grebbstad, north of Gothenburg. The presentation includes photos of stunning scenery, talks about the area, kit, logistics and experiences had.
Keith and crew paddled around numerous islands and inlets, taking all their camping kit for wild camping on the islands. Sounds like a lovely adventure so come along and find out more.
Help Required:
We're looking for someone to:
Organise a quiz
Would someone please organise a quiz or other online activity. We have had so much fun on the previous quizzes, and even if you think you're not much good at quizzes you'd be surprised....the last one had a round on chocolate bars that everyone could have had a shot at. The more fun rounds the better but some based on our activities are good too. There is help setting up the Google meeting at [email protected]
Organise the Pre-Christmas Weekend - 9-12 December
This is the postponed New Year weekend carried forward to December 2021. It is all booked for 40-50 people to stay at FSC Rhyd-y-creuau,The Drapers Field Centre, Betws-y-coed, in north Wales. Phil is happy to co-organise to start but would like someone else to take over at some point.
The organiser would do the usual with regards to running a weekend away: liaise with the venue, engage activity leaders, communicate with the participants, co-ordinate the cooking schedule etc. It can be shared with others if that helps. This might be our first big weekend since lockdown began, who knows! Let's get this on the calendar!
2021 Online AGM
All posts are open and nominations for each role are welcome. Send your nominations to [email protected]
Here's a brief summary of each role:
Chair
We really do need someone to stand for this role, please give it a go....there will be lots of help available.
What the Chair role involves…
- Chairing meetings: A balance of everyone having a say but trying to finish before everyone loses the will to live
- Insurance renewal: This only happens once a year and you can pull on expertise within the club to assist
- Being the face of the club: It’s difficult not to be enthusiastic about the club!
- Dealing with the unexpected: I can confidently say you never know what is going to come up, but that is part of the joy of the role!
- Keeping things on track: Making sure more the long-term plans stay on track and you don’t get bogged down with the everyday
| Treasurer As treasurer you are responsible for the finances of the club; processing receipts and payments, and managing the cashflow to enable the club to operate. In an average month there may be 10-15 payments to make, and approx 100 receipts through PayPal to process so while reasonably automated, there is still a fair amount of number crunching involved. The role definitely requires bookkeeping / accountancy experience and an affinity for spreadsheets. Receipts are received mainly through the clubs PayPal account, whilst payments are made through bank transfers online. Both accounts need monitoring, and transfers arranged between them. All transactions are posted in an excel workbook which is linked to a summary finance report, and bank reconciliations. Both of these are updated for the committee meetings (10 a year). The same workings are used to prepare the accounts statement you get to present at the AGM each March, and, with a bit of tweaking, the same workings are also used to prepare the draft financial accounts for the auditors who prepare and file the stat accounts. Away from the spreadsheets you do get to liaise with other club members, event organisers, accountants and, occasionally, the bank if there are any queries. The Treasurer can hold the role for up to 3 years, Alan has held the role for 2 years, and is happy to continue for a third year but if anyone would like to find out more about the role (full treasurer or assistant treasurer) he'd be happy to talk it though with them. |
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Equipment Officer: The responsibilities include: · maintaining and publishing the list of Club equipment available for hire; · updating the approximate current valuations for each item of Club equipment · maintaining the list of Key Holders to the Club stores; · checking all Club equipment on a regular basis · undertaking 6 monthly risk assessment of Club equipment · the management of all the equipment owned by the Club; · ensuring that Club equipment is kept in safe custody whilst not on hire; · recommending the purchase of new/replacement equipment; · purchasing such items for the maintenance and repair of the Club equipment maintaining and updating the Equipment Policy. |
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Communications Officer Basically, the role of the Communications Officer is to promote the Club and its activities both internally to the membership, and to the outside world. The media for this is the website, the regular newsletter, and through social media. The CO is responsible for communicating and marketing the activities and events of the Club: advertising events which have vacancies and need additional marketing; reporting committee news and developments; sharing news and experiences of members; keeping the membership engaged. The main medium is the monthly (or more often as required) newsletter, but social media is an easier, quicker, more direct method of accessing not only the current membership but also all of the AOAC Facebook group members, of which there are over 1200! As you can see from the February Challenge, people do engage with this group. All nominations for this role are welcome. I am happy to continue producing the newsletters but I think we really need to be doing more on the social media side, which is not my forte. Is there anyone out there who would like to role-share taking over the social media side? It doesn’t have to include attending committee meetings but would be more informal, liaising with the CO and other members as required. This is a great opportunity to help the Club and would provide current updates and promotions to keep everyone engaged, especially in these challenging times. |
Development Officer
The role of the Development Officer is to encourage, communicate with and coordinate the Activities Coordinators in the development of the members within the club….In other words, to help everyone to improve in whatever activity they want to partake in and move forward with. Many members want to become more proficient, help others in training, coach and lead events. The club promotes training courses and assessments to help with this. We provide generous subsidies and make plans to allow for these in our budgets.
The Development Officer takes the plans from each activity for the next year, presents it to the Committee and subsequently the AGM. Then monitors and coordinates applications from members for training subsidy with the Activity Coordinators and approves or declines them, keeping a record. Once a member is entitled to the subsidy payment the Development Officer approves it with the agreement of the Activity Coordinator.
The Development Officer also looks after who needs to update their qualifications and keeps the Risk Assessment and Standard Operating Procedures log up to date.
The role is also to help find courses that are suitable and of benefit to the club members.
Much of the training subsidies process is automated in the club website, generating emails and confirmations with treasurer and members so the officer doesn’t have to.
Attending activity development meetings is useful in assisting but committee meetings are a requirement.
It doesn’t take more than a few hours to complete the duties and you get to know all that is going on. You also get the benefit of seeing members move from one stage to another and lead more and varied events.
A worthwhile role in the club.
Activities Officer
The main parts of the role are approving events for the calendar and working with activity organisers. You also need to be familiar with a number of documents like the Activity Management policy. As a member of the committee you will be involved in general decision making and discussions.
Web Officer
The Web Officer has oversight of the club website and liaises with the Web Master and committee on changes. This year has involved investigating a new website and setting up Google Workspace. Also taking part in committee meetings, decision making and supporting the committee with all things IT.
Secretary
This involves arranging meetings for the Committee and the AGM as well as seeking input and reports for the Agenda, taking Minutes and publishing them. Also giving input at meetings and being a part of all decision making. In addition the Secretary reminds others on the Committee of any pending renewals eg insurance
Membership Officer
This mostly involves arranging and running the monthly new members evenings and ensuring there are new member weekends on the calendar. Also being a part of the committee and giving input to discussions and being a part of decisions.
Plenty of opportunities to be involved with the Club and to give back for all that you have gained by being a member. Please consider standing for any of these roles.
See you at the AGM!
Hopefully see you on an event in the future. Look out on calendar, forum and Facebook for events x
If you have any interesting news/funny stories/free videos/tales of your favourite trips/tips that may help club members, in fact, anything that might be of interest/entertaining, to brighten up the next newsletter, please let me know at [email protected] . Thank you.
Cathy x
Events
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Intermediate Sea Kayak day trip - CANCELLED | Clevedon | Sun, 21/02/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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The only way is up...or down! Lockdown paddling in the Bristol Channel and other local waterways | Zoom | Thu, 25/02/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Flat Water Loop Paddle - Saturday, 27th February (Postponed) | TBC | Sat, 27/02/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Potential, New and Existing Members Social Evening | Zoom meeting | Wed, 03/03/2021 | Social |
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Brecon Beacons Challenge (Provisional - Subject to lifting of restrictions) | Brecon Beacons | Sat, 06/03/2021 | Walking |
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New |
AOAC AGM | Google meet | Mon, 08/03/2021 | Other |
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New |
Sea Kayaking in Southern Sweden | Zoom | Mon, 15/03/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Flat Water Canoeing Trip - Saturday, 27th March (Postponed) | TBC | Sat, 27/03/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Saundersfoot (Pembrokeshire) May Bank Holiday Weekend | Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire | Fri, 30/04/2021 to Mon, 03/05/2021 | Multi-activity |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 10/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 10/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Lords Wood, Hunstrete Plantation and Common Wood | Pensford | Tue, 11/05/2021 | Walking |
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Stanton Prior and Priston Mill Circular Walk | Stanton Prior | Thu, 13/05/2021 | Walking |
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Stanton Prior and Priston Mill Circular Walk | Stanton Prior | Thu, 13/05/2021 | Walking |
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Stanton Prior and Priston Mill Circular Walk | Stanton Prior | Thu, 13/05/2021 | Walking |
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New |
AOAC Paddlesport Taster Day | River Avon | Sat, 15/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 17/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 17/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Hawkesbury And Hawkesbury Upton Circular Walk | Hawkesbury Upton | Tue, 18/05/2021 | Walking |
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Hawkesbury And Hawkesbury Upton Circular Walk | Hawkesbury Upton | Tue, 18/05/2021 | Walking |
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Course 1: British Canoeing Paddle Discover Award - Kayak | Avon Valley/Saltford | Wed, 19/05/2021 to Sun, 23/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Burrington Combe Circular Evening walk | Burrington West Mendip | Thu, 20/05/2021 | Walking |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 24/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 24/05/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Cotswold Evening Walk | South Gloucestershire | Tue, 25/05/2021 | Walking |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 07/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 07/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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River Severn Evening walk | South Gloucestershire | Tue, 08/06/2021 | Walking |
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Course 2: British Canoeing Paddle Discover Award - Kayak | Avon Valley/Saltford | Wed, 09/06/2021 to Sun, 13/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New Members Weekend - Provisional Date | Brecon | Fri, 11/06/2021 to Sun, 13/06/2021 | Walking |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 14/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 14/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New Members Weekend | Exmoor | Fri, 18/06/2021 to Sun, 20/06/2021 | Walking |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 21/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Bavarian Alps Multi-Activity trip - Save the date | Bavaria - Austria/German border | Mon, 21/06/2021 to Sun, 04/07/2021 | Multi-activity |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 21/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Evening Coached Weir Sessions | Saltford | Mon, 28/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 28/06/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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AOAC Paddlesport Taster Day | River Avon | Sat, 03/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 05/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Course 3: British Canoeing Paddle Discover Award - Kayak | Avon Valley/Saltford | Wed, 07/07/2021 to Sun, 11/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 12/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Course 1: British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award - Kayak | Various | Wed, 14/07/2021 to Sun, 18/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 19/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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New |
Monday Night Coached Kayaking and Canoeing Sessions | TBC | Mon, 26/07/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Cotswold Evening walk | Swineford | Tue, 03/08/2021 | Walking |
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Course 2: British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award - Kayak | Various | Wed, 11/08/2021 to Sun, 15/08/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Intermediate Sea Kayaking Weekend | St David's, Pembrokeshire | Fri, 13/08/2021 to Sun, 15/08/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Course: British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award - Canoe | River Avon tbc | Sat, 21/08/2021 to Sun, 22/08/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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Sailing the Stunning Turquoise Coast - Turkey! | Turkey | Sat, 04/09/2021 to Sat, 11/09/2021 | Sailing |
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Sardinia sea kayak adventure | Sardinia, Italy | Sat, 18/09/2021 to Sat, 25/09/2021 | Kayaking & Canoeing |
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North Devon Coastal Walking Weekend | Boscastle | Fri, 05/11/2021 to Sun, 07/11/2021 | Walking |
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New Year 5 Day Multi-activity Trip and Party 2021-2022 | Slapton Ley, South Devon | Tue, 28/12/2021 to Sun, 02/01/2022 | Multi-activity |