AGM November 2023

Henfield Joggers Annual General Meeting

22nd November 2023

  1. Membership Update covering Treasurers Report, Accounts, and Membership status and including Charitable donation recommendations to Henfield Leisure Centre; Henfield Youth Club; Henfield Scout Hut appeal

Accounts not yet ready but will be published once available. Membership currently 138 which is at the high end (if not the highest) of our historical membership, with over new paid-up members over the last year.

  1. “Your Club, Your Choice” – What do you want the Club to be in 2024 (Table discussion and feedback)
  • General agreement that Events have all been good!
  • Should we have separate Running and Walking groups for February Distance Challenge?
  • Fun Runs – really need enthusiastic ‘pushing’ and preferable face to face
  • Can we have an events calendar on HJ Website?
  • Can the Handicap route be made circular? This links with the idea of running from/to the Henfield Club on Handicap nights with ides of socialising in the Club afterwards – this is to help the Henfield Club survive and supports a local asset
  • Can we re-add in the Virtual Handicap option?
  • Can we have the occasional WINTER pub run?
  • Spond generally seen as a real positive by all
  • Can we look at ways to support anyone seeking to do C25K programme via a suitable WhatsApp group?
  • Can we do a ParkRun ‘takeover’ at a local ParkRun? Eg Horsham/Southwater etc
  1. West Sussex Fun Run League 2024 – New WSFRL Rep needed

HJ finished bottom of the League this year with an average of only 4 participants at each event. The general trend is a 15% increase in attendance therefore we are the negative outlier. Issues such as timing (of week/day), other competing events, time available etc etc were mentioned but the consensus seemed to be that everyone needs active encouragement to commit to these events, which are generally low cost and highly inclusive.

  • As Andy has now stepped down (after 7 years) we are looking for someone to generate that necessary enthusiasm. Ian promised to support and help anyone wishing to take this on – please do consider this role – no training necessary, no specific skills necessary, not much of a time commitment – just enthusiasm and energy! And remember, the annual Hangover 5 on 1st January (the distance is in the title) is not far away!
  1. SDWR, Cross Country League & Training Plan Update

Via Daisy John encouraged everyone to consider taking part in the Sussex Athletics Cross Country League. This is only 4 events running Oct to Feb, which is when most WSFRL events are NOT run. Open to all, separate events for Men (8K)/Women(5K) and Juniors (different age groups from 2K to 5K depending on age), very cheap, really well supported by other clubs, and lots of fun.

Emphasised that Thursday Training is open to EVERYONE – all that is needed is a wish to improve and a willingness to try – no matter if you think you’re the slowest runner or the fastest this is about effort, not a race.

  • HJ Junior Section

Via Paul Shaun stated this will formally launch in SPRING 2024 and cover ages 8 Years up, with an aim to have a proper Junior section that will be able to take part in the WSFRL and SA Cross Country League in 2024. There are some administrative matters to attend but by using our ARC (Association of Running Clubs) affiliation we will deliver this faster than by following England Athletics guidelines, but with all necessary Insurance, Safeguarding & Health and Safety policies, DBS certification and First Aid support in place.

  • Who is prepared to help Shaun at these sessions as a volunteer? We will arrange DBS certification for all willing people (if not already in place)
  • While Shaun has First Aid training it will be really useful if we have more volunteers who either are already, or are willing to receive, First Aid training?
  • Election of 2024 Committee

The committee at the end of 2023 were re-elected, and Linda Lewry volunteered to join the Committee and was duly elected. The committee for 2024 therefore comprises (with principal roles):

Mark Skilton (Chair)

Paul Crowe (Club Secretary)

Liz Pamment (Treasurer)

Lorna Winter (Membership)

Guy Hudson (Welfare Officer)

Kas Fletcher (Welfare Officer)

Daisy Stoddart (Welfare Officer)

Ian Newbold (Health & Safety)

Melissa Lowin-Roberts (Social)

Shaun Bigg (Juniors)

Linda Lewry (newly elected)

  • London Marathon Update

Changes to the guidelines mean that only Clubs with 40+ paid up England Athletics Members will receive a guaranteed VLM place for April 2024. With 16 qualifying members HJ will be in a ballot with a 50/50 chance of a place. We should know by early December whether we have a place or not – if we do the usual ballot from those rejected entrants who put their names into the HJ hat will take place.

  • AOB

Daisy promoted the local Charity Ten Little Toes to everyone and will communicate later ideas on how we can support this.

Thank You to everyone who has supported the Club, got involved, ‘been there’ etc throughout the year but special thanks were paid to:

  • Tom and Ben Brown for the time and effort (and success!) in leading the SDWR A and Mixed teams this year
  • Chris Bradfield as ever for being our official Timer in all weathers
  • John Stoddart for selflessly giving up his time each Thursday to run the Training Sessions
  • Emma and Lyn for making sure no one gets left behind every Wednesday
  • Nick and Anna for providing shirt sponsorship allowing us to have the best shirts in the universe!
  • Alan for just being Alan and ‘getting things done’ in an unnoticed (but we noticed) way
  • Andy James for the time and effort he has spent over SEVEN years of being our WSFRL representative!