Harriers AGM info and membership fees update

The Club 2023 AGM was attended by just over 20 members and thanks to them for their attendance.

Here’s a short summary of some of the matters discussed over and above the standard AGM business as well as updated Membership fees from 1st August:

Success of Roon the Toon as one of the best events in the calendar is widely recognised and being commented on when Kilmarnock athletes are attending other races.

Registration – the practice of registration for athletes of all groups at the AAA was suspended during Covid and remains so. It’s felt that this has led to a more disparate club, particularly amongst senior members.  We need volunteers to get registration up and running again.  Anyone who can spare 30 mins on a Club training night to help get this going again please let us know.  It helps the Club know what level of activity is going on and brings the Club together.

Road running and the absence of an introductory seniors group – other clubs such as Killie Striders and Fenwick Striders are growing and attracting many “beginners” as we don’t have an introductory group / program.  We’re losing out to new members.  The Club did support a number of members to go through a jog leaders program several years ago but few have been available to support the establishment of an introductory group.  We need to reinvigorate that for the future health of the Club.

Club Standards Awards – the levels required to achieve the various Club Standards Awards are being reviewed as some inconsistencies have been identified.

Engagement in the Junior section– are there things we can do to provide / encourage more social opportunities / events amongst the junior members (outside of training / competition) to build friendship and camaraderie.  The Club are prepared to financially support some activities/ events.

Safeguarding and self identification – with the increasing awareness and profile of this it was noted that clarity should be obtained from Scottish Athletics where there is any uncertainty on how such matters should be handled.

Trustees / Committee – All existing trustees / committee members remain in position.  We already have a number of vacancies and you’ll see from some of the above points that there’s lots we want to be doing.  So if you wish to help the club by joining the trustee board, the committee or perhaps taking on a task that can be completed outside of a trustee / committee role  then please let us know.  Both the trustee board and committee members have been in post for some time and the Club will benefit from fresh ideas.

Membership fees – the AGM voted on the Club membership fees for 2023/24 and supported an increase per the table below, and represents an increase of c 12.5% on average.  This will take effect from 1^st August for monthly fees and are due on 1^st August for members paying annually.  The payment system will be updated and there is no action required from members who pay by direct debit.

	Monthly	Annual
Junior – 1 Child (11 and under)	£16
Junior -1 Child (U17)	£18
Junior -2 Child (U17)	£29
Senior – Full Use	£18
Senior Road Running	£8	£85
Senior (Concessionary) Road Running	£6	£60
Family (5 person/max 2 adults)	£32
Disability	£9
Non-resident Membership	£6
Associate/2nd Claim		£28

 

This is the first increase in fees since 2019 since when our major expense, let costs have increased 15%+ and the cost of subsidised transport to many track and field events has increased significantly too.  As highlighted above there are a number of activities we would like to progress and without volunteers it may be that a paid role will be considered to help us deliver and progress.  It’s still considered that our membership fees provide good value for money and are generally well below the cost of participation / membership of other sports activities/ clubs.