So Frustrating!!!

Does anyone else belong to a lazy club when it comes to equipment maintenance?

   Does anyone else belong to a lazy club when it comes to equipment maintenance?
Not quite race management but our ribs are forever failing and then they're not repaired for at least several weeks.  Then when they are repaired, it's not exactly to the standards I would hope.  
On top of that, we have a set of racing marks that won't stay inflated for any longer than one and a half hours max.  
However, the club seems to have the funds to get a club extension so that we have a sun facing balcony and install underground heating in the changing rooms?

Is this typical of any other club?  Am I being unfair to get so wound up?  
I want basic things that a club would have in order to do actual sailing and run training.... buoys and safety boats.  
It just seems like such a battle.  

Does anyone else have any similar experiences at their club?

Doug

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Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Topic: So Frustrating!!! Posted: 27 Dec 11 at 6:29pm
	Does anyone else belong to a lazy club when it comes to equipment maintenance? Not quite race management but our ribs are forever failing and then they're not repaired for at least several weeks. Then when they are repaired, it's not exactly to the standards I would hope. On top of that, we have a set of racing marks that won't stay inflated for any longer than one and a half hours max. However, the club seems to have the funds to get a club extension so that we have a sun facing balcony and install underground heating in the changing rooms? Is this typical of any other club? Am I being unfair to get so wound up? I want basic things that a club would have in order to do actual sailing and run training.... buoys and safety boats. It just seems like such a battle. Does anyone else have any similar experiences at their club? Doug

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6644	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Dec 11 at 7:17pm
	Human nature I'm afraid. I can't imagine there's a club in the country that doesn't have problems getting enough regular committed volunteer labour to tackle one job or another. Which particular job gives trouble varies from club to club of course. Its not just sailing clubs of course: where I work it drives me crazy that there's always loads of money for some executive's pet project, but never enough for the boring day to day stuff that delivers the core service. At least at a club you can volunteer to help out with the area that drives you crazy yourself: at work you don't even have that option.

timeintheboat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 615	Post Options Post Reply Quote timeintheboat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Dec 11 at 8:25pm
	Sometimes the committee have to be reminded of the key word in the phrase - "Sailing Club". Without one there isn't the other.
	Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Dec 11 at 8:41pm
	catch 22 though - if the club is nice you'll attract lots of casual/ social members which then feed with higher revenue through to racing and training budgets
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 27 Dec 11 at 9:26pm
	Neptune, that makes sense except we're already at full capacity, I believe with 600-650 members. It's a tiny club that can accommodate about 40 people. You're right in that the money we get from membership is put towards a lot of things that no doubt allow us to race, it's more the time frame in which they operate. I don't want to moan because I love the club I'm at, it's just frustrating and I was wondering if anyone has had these situations and knows of a way to get things moving?

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 9:57am
	You need to get yourself to your AGM make your voice heard. The fact that you have so many members must mean there are funds available, probably just not the volunteers to fix things. Perhaps some of the racers could spend an afternoon fixing the inflatable marks?
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Wee Man Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Aug 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 214	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wee Man Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 10:03am
	We have no facilities, unless you count our ex water board sewage pumping house (rent £2 a year) For events we put up a marquee on the beach, build a bar, invite a band and party till morning. No worries and very little overheads. We own a Rib, an insurance write off Tata pickup, the marquee and some inflatable racing marks. If anything needs fixed we do it ourselves. It would be nice to be able to pay someone to do it for us but also good to muck in and get stuff done. Club celebrates 25 years in 2013. We race every Sunday, and go to the pub in the village for beers and membership fees for the year would barely buy a couple of rounds. Anyone in the village or on the beach quickly becomes a social member, or even comes sailing.

kevg Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 13 Dec 05 Location: Wrexham Online Status: Offline Posts: 120	Post Options Post Reply Quote kevg Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 10:19am
	If your club is a volunteer club it depends on somebody (or small group) taking responsibility for an area and then having the time to do the job properly. My club is blessed by a bosun who is a auto mechanic by trade so maintains kit to a professional standard with lots of preventative maintenance. If he knows its broken its get fixed PDQ but if he's not told ... We are also fortunate to have a member who has taken on projects to design, fund raise and install new jetties. Others have completely revamped the Ladies Changing rooms. Different others have installed Wi-Fi in the club and yet another a weather station. Another mows the grass regularly. Doug perhaps mention your concerns to your committee? Like you say don't "moan" but be constructive and always helpful if you have some sugesstions for improvement. With the size of your club can it afford the cost of professional services?

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 818	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 10:35am
	Does anyone else belong to a lazy club when it comes to equipment maintenance? I'm glad to say that by and large we don't have those sorts of problems. We manage by being careful with what funds we have and placing a priority on ensuring that motor boats and other equipment essential for racing is maintained and replaced as needed. We also are reasonably successful in keeping a level of input and commitment from our members to do the work, make the decisions etc. At the end of the day whether it works or not is down to the members and what they put in. Have you considered standing to be on the committee and being in a position to help make and implement those decisions?
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

zippyRN Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 14 Sep 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Post Options Post Reply Quote zippyRN Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Dec 11 at 2:40pm
	I think those mentioning the AGM standing for the commtitee and DIY are on the mark if there isn't the appetite for DIY among the membership then you have to consider increasing membership fees to be able to pay to 'get a man in to do it' - you could always offset the increase for credit against working parties / extra duties for those who do want to pull their weight with such things. Edited by zippyRN - 31 Dec 11 at 2:41pm