EPAC Committee News
Club Meeting
Sunday
21 February 2010
12:00pm at the field
In the interest of improving communication, safety, field improvements, and club inappropriate behaviour – the committee has called a club meeting to discuss the following topics.
New Club Safety Officers
- roles and responsibilities
- safety breach policy
- safety officer powers
Facility Improvements
- start-up bays
- external pit concrete apron
Public & Member Complaints
- inappropriate language
- discriminatory / defamatory dialog
- negative & dysfunctional attitudes
BBQ & Drinks
- New arrangements
- Prices
- Possible BBQ roster
Dear all
Graham has kindly put this page up on our web site as a way to keep you all informed of happenings in the Club, in particular your Committee’s deliberations and decisions, upcoming events, meetings and the like. Please check back every month or so to see the latest updates.
Following on from the Club’s Annual General Meeting and Committee elections on 6 September 2009 the newly formed Committee met for the first time on 30 September. You’ll recall our discussion during the course of the AGM to restrict formal Committee membership this year to 6 in an attempt to streamline both decision making processes and overall Club management. However, it is important to remember that all members are welcome to attend any Committee meetings either to observe or raise a specific issue.
The new Committee comprises:
President: Shane Walker
Vice President: Greg Turnbull
Treasurer: Tony Duren
Secretary: Julian Johnson
Safety Officer: Ken Smiles
Public Officer: John Adams
Below is a summary of matters discussed and decisions made at the first meeting of the new Committee.
Club Constitution
One of the items carried over from the last Committee was the need to make some minor variations to the Club’s Constitution, eg, to incorporate formal roles and responsibilities of Committee office holders and other minor changes to bring the Constitution into line with current practice. The Secretary will notate proposed changes into a draft revised Constitution for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting on 5 November 2009. The proposed changes will then be circulated to all members for consideration at the required Special General Meeting to be held at the Club on Sunday 13 December 2009.
Finances
Tony presented his first Treasurer’s Report to the new Committee. The Club’s financial books are kept electronically on a running sheet so it is now easy for Committee members to access, note and comment on the current financial situation. This running sheet is freely available to members so if you would like to see a copy at any given time please email me at secretary@flyeastpoint.com and I will forward it on.
You will recall from the AGM that we suffered a loss of funds in the previous financial year and the Committee was at pains to ensure that appropriate practices and procedures are now in place to ensure that this cannot recur.
Club Facilities
There have been reports of un-financial people using the field during the week and after hours. This has potentially significant ramifications both for our lease and our insurance coverage. We are therefore considering the purchase of replacement locks and re-issuing keys to current financial members. Greg is getting quotes for consideration at the next meeting. In the interim please ensure that you lock all gates if you are the last to leave.
Other improvements for which we are currently purchasing material and/or getting quotes are:
Replacement of benches in the pits – 3 per pit with form ply on a sturdy steel frame;
Adding a further bay at the end of current pit 2; and
Adding an engine run-up area (possibly in the current disused bbq area with a self-locking gate and pool mesh surround.
A working bee will shortly be held (date to be advised) to finish off the electrical work and generally tidy up the field for the coming wet.
Health and Safety
This is a standing agenda item at all committee meetings. Issues discussed included improvements in signage at the field, in particular to alert the public to potential hazards, the availability of fire extinguishers in the pits during all flying activity (this is particularly important given the increasing popularity of petrol engines), and the role of the Safety Officer.
Competitions
There has been something of a lack of interest in Competition flying in recent times so the Committee has thrown down the gauntlet to individual members to organise particular competition events in which they have an interest. It’s simply a matter of organising the agreed rules, a contest director and safety officer for the day, and then getting people involved. Tony Duren has picked up the challenge for the first event Reno Racing, and he will advise rules and dates shortly.
For others with an interest in competition, please get organising.
Bad Language
This continues to present a problem for the Club generally but more particularly for junior members and young families who drop in from time to time to observe our activities and, hopefully, decide to join the hobby.
The Committee continues to grapple with this problem without apparent success, but if it continues to affect our ability to persuade new members into the Club action will be taken against individual members so be warned.
Well , that’s it for now folks. Happy and safe flying. If you need to contact me at all about the Club, please feel free to do so at secretary@flyeastpoint.com We welcome your comments, suggestions and input.
Julian Johnson
Secretary
14/10/09
This page is used to bring members the latest news from the committee.