Secretarial Jottings - May 2005

Secretarial Jottings

   Hi there fellow fisho’s,

Yes I know it is only a short time ago that you received a mailing from me, but that one was late and this one is closer to our normal mail out time.  Also the Records info’ was not included last time and a number of Clubs are waiting for this.

In this mailing also are a couple of sets of Forms.  There is the Postal Casting Entry Forms (more about these further on) and the renewal forms for Affiliation.

Just a word about affiliation. You have two options :-

1.      As your Club Members renew their Club Membership you send me the details and I issue Membership Cards.  In this option if a Club Member is not on our books as from the 1^st.June they are not eligible for any records or awards for any good catch they may land until such time as their fees have been paid.  This can be quite disappointing if they do catch a good fish.  Also it is very dependant on Club Secretaries promptly sending in appropriate membership details as their Members renew their Club Membership.  I am also aware that some Clubs forget to fulfil their Affiliation obligations as Club Members join or rejoin throughout the year and we have Member Clubs of which not all their members are affiliated with the Association, which is contrary to the rules.

2.      The other option is that as at the 1^st.June, Club Secretaries send me a schedule of all of their existing Members (together with a cheque to cover such).  I will issue Membership Cards for all of these.  Then later on in the year (more often than once if necessary), probably after your Club AGM and membership renewal for your members, you send me an updated schedule of your membership and we make whatever corrections are necessary, either deleting or adding members names. We either will send you are refund if numbers are less than your 1^st.June schedule or you send me any additional fees as required. The advantage of this option is that we will undertake to acknowledge any record or award applications from your members, whether or not we actually have their names on our books.  This means no disappointments if there is a good catch and not reliant on Club Secretaries ensuring that membership renewals have been notified to us.

                        In the long term, with this option, Clubs are no worse off financially in that all members are eventually financial with the Association as should be the case anyway with full affiliation.

I know that some Clubs have NZACA Affiliation Fees issues with their members each year.  It is interesting to note that where Clubs simply build the Affiliation Fee into the Club Fees structure such issues do not arise.

We make no apologies for our fees.  These are not set by the Executive but are voted upon each year by the Member Clubs themselves (you set the fees !).  We firmly believe that the issues which face recreational fishing today, our involvement with the NZ Rec’ Fishing Council and association with the likes of the Option 4 group and the Kahawai Legal Challenge, and our recognition by the appropriate authorities that we are the national representing body for shore and small boat fishers all mean that Club Members get more than their monies worth by their affiliation.

            Remember also that membership of the NZRFC, which is automatic via NZACA Affiliation, is the cheaper option than direct RFC membership.  Also you gain affiliation with the IGFA, the ISCF and with our Australian counterpart.

            Another point to remember is that in most cases to get funding from Gaming Trusts etc. you need to be affiliated to an appropriate national organisation – and that’s the NZACA.

            Then of course there are all the other Membership benefits like records and awards, competing at the Nationals etc. etc. etc.

POSTAL CASTING

            You have until the 1^st.December to hold a Casting Day and get the entries back to us.  Your Casting Day can be held anytime from the 1^st.December of one year through to the 30^th.November the next. (I think some Clubs have already held, or planned, their Casting Day this year).

            If you have never held a Casting Day why not give it a go – it’s a great fun family day to be held when maybe the fishing is not so great or popular. Give Dick Lash a ring for further assistance if required (025 242 2549).  Lots of details in your Manual.

            The other option is for a number of clubs to get together a hold a Regional Casting Day.

            Have you ever thought of opening up your Casting Day to the general public?  This is good publicity for your club and may assist in your membership.

            I can hear many say “I am not a good caster” – well you wont get better unless you try and remember the handicap system for this competition means everyone has a fair chance.  There are simply “heaps” of certificates to be awarded each year plus many very fine trophies up for grabs.

            So com’on Clubs give this a go – we have had disappointing numbers over recent years, so lets make 2005 the turning point in this fast growing worldwide sport (it’s already an event in the World Games and being negotiated as an Olympic Sport) and have many many more clubs competing.

At the end of this month (28^th) our bi-monthly Executive Meeting will be held in Rotorua and everyone is welcome to attend this meeting.  Give me a ring if you want to know more about these meetings.  We are still looking for six more “volunteers” to join the Executive – why not come along and see what it is all about.

            Also that weekend the Select Committee reviewing our National Championships will be meeting and would welcome any further input you may want to have on this important issue.  Just send your thoughts in to me and I will get them to the Committee Members.

The other matter, which is currently under review, is our Records System.  Attached is a paper about this and again we would value your input in this matter.  This affects all so it is important that decisions made reflect your thoughts and wishes.

Well that’s enough from me for this month.  Read back through the matters raised above, circulate this Newsletter amongst your membership.  Remember again – this is  YOUR  ASSOCIATION,  and your input is important.

                                                Graeme  Dawber

                                                                                Your Association National Secretary

                                                                                Working on your behalf