STRATHAVEN STRIDERS AGM WED 21st NOV 2007

 

                        BUCKSHEAD HOTEL

 

Presidents Report        

 

Craig Hamilton thanked everyone for attending the AGM and then went through the agenda. Various Striders were mentioned for their achievements throughout the year. Caroline Brogan and Eddie Kerr for their efforts in the London Marathon, the Striders who entered the Monaco marathon and all the new members who have joined the club this year. Dorcas Doolan was also given credit for her excellent marathon times this year.

The sub committee of the Strathaven “Run with the Wind” 10K were congratulated for their achievements, Simon Tilston in particular. Simon was presented with a bottle of champagne for his splendid work.

The recipients of our Annual Dance were congratulated for their successes in their various competitions

 

Treasurers Report

 

John Thompson began his report by saying that he didn’t have all the account information yet concerning the Strathaven 10k on Sunday 18th November but initial estimates were that a profit of £1800 was realised.

The Striders account paid out £52 more than was credited in the last financial year. This was due to coaching courses attended by Ian Pitt and Tony Thistlewaite, sandwiches for a social event and expenses for the Kiddies Santa Run.

He recommended that there be no increase in annual dues for the forthcoming year as the membership remained healthy. John reported that membership had risen from 61members in 2006 to 65members in 2007.

The treasurer also reported that the Annual Dance made a profit of £1420 with £1350 being distributed to three charities.

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Ian Pitt reported that correspondence from the Scottish Athletics Federation came mainly in the form of race entries which were kept in a file for members to use.

The annual visit to Troon was again a success although late call-offs may mean that deposits are required for the 2008 visit.

In conjunction with the Treasurer, memberships were collected with the result that we were again granted two club entries for the London Marathon 2008.

Thank you letters were received from the various recipients of the Striders 2007 Annual Dance.

 

Coaches Report

 

John McGilliveray reported that both coaching sessions were very well attended each session having an average attendance of about 20. Congratulations were offered to Ian Pitt and Tony Thistlewaite for gaining coaching awards at Level 1 and Level 2 respectively. John reported that he himself was halfway through Level 3.

Thanks were expressed to experienced club members who had given up their time throughout the year to help with these sessions.

Due to the ever increasing membership of the club, John appealed for more members to go down the coaching route, preferably one female.

John reported that the dynamics of the club had changed in the last two years and that the present coaching set up wasn’t adequate. He meant that there wasn’t a suitable progression from one group to another. He offered one or two proposals to be discussed under AOB.

The Coaches Award this year went to Caroline Brogan. Caroline only joined the club in late 2006 as a beginner and is now an accomplished runner.

Tony Thistlewaite for the Early Session said that Celia Gray was the most improved beginner. 

 

Race Directors Report

 

Irene Wilson reported on the success of the various races now organised by Strathaven Striders.

The 50 mile Ultra Run was successful this year and although limited to a small band of runners made a small profit.

The Christmas Handicap race this year will be held on Sunday 23rd December at Low Kype. The usual Secret Santa at the Buckshead Hotel in the afternoon.

Irene reported that the Kiddies Santa race will be held this year on Saturday 15th December at Strathaven Park.

Irene thanked everyone involved for making the Strathaven Striders “Run with the Wind” 10K such a success. Simon in particular to be congratulated. She reported that Runners World had given the race good reviews with one quote in particular saying that “we were a credit to Strathaven”

 

Election of Office Bearers

 

The Secretary, President, Treasurer and Race Director were re-elected on a proposal by Anne Thistlewaite and seconded by Tom Wilson.

Frances Turner-Traill was elected to the post of Social Secretary proposed by Lee McLean and seconded by Simon Tilston. Frances intimated that she would like a sub-committee to help her and named Jackie Noone, Evelyn and Toby Mohammed and Caroline Brogan.

 

London Marathon

 

The ballot for the club entries for the London Marathon 2008 were held. The results were;

1st place Tina Alexander 2nd Place Pauline Keegans Reserves Tom Wilson John Thompson

 

Any Other Business

 

  1. Craig Hamilton suggested that we join East Kilbride sports Council, fees being £10 per annum. The advantage being that 50% of coaching fees would be paid. The Secretary to arrange.
  2. Coach John was asked why the Coaches section on the website was rarely used. After some discussion it was decided that the 3 coaches would now take advantage of this facility.
  3. A question was asked “Is the Club Championship outdated”. The coach replied that difficulties in organising this came from the members themselves by not giving him the times and details of their races. Striders, if they are competing for the championship must give the coach on a piece of paper (a) the race (b) position in race (c) number of people in race and (d) PB. It was also suggested that the website would be a good forum for this. Bill Ion offered to help any Striders who were experiencing difficulties in registering with  a password.
  4. Club Runs – After some discussion it was decided that there would be FOUR nominated races PLUS any other race that 5 or more Striders had entered.
  5. Changes to Coached Sessions – The three coaches suggested a change to the current coaching sessions as the club had changed dramatically in the last two years with the influx of new club members. The main reason for change was to promote integration and interaction between the early session and the later session. There was also the opportunity for the three coaches to work together.

After a fair amount of discussion, the following options were put to a vote

            (a) Status Quo – no change to the current set up

            (b) Ian Pitt to take early session Monday, later session “Come and Run”

                 Tony Thistlewaite to take early session Wed, coach John later session

      ( c) Monday – a combined “Come and Run” 7pm and Wednesday a combined         

            coaching session starting at 7pm with 3 coaches present.

       A vote was taken and option 3 was chosen. This would commence after New      

       Year. The new sessions will be trialled and monitored for 3 months to assess

             feasibility.

 

Club Championships

 

The Club Championships were decided with the following result.

 

MALE – 1st Tony Thistlewaite 2nd Tom Wilson 3rd Ewan Barnfather

 

FEMALE 1st Caroline Brogan 2nd Dorothy Lucas 3rd Rosie Bell

 

STRIDER OF THE YEAR was voted and won by Simon Tilston.

 

Any Other Competent Business

 

  1. Congratulations were offered to Elaine Calder and Rosie Bell for being 2nd and 3rd ladies respectively in the Strathaven 10K
  2. An email was read out by the secretary from Rodger Lee from the Adams Community Trust. Mr Lee is involved with an organisation that raises money for projects in Strathaven. He would like to meet with the Striders committee in January 2008 to give a short presentation