Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Invitees – John Baines, Sam Carpenter, Steve Drawbridge, John Langford, Barry Male, Chloe McMorran, Nik O’Dwyer, James Phillips, Roger Pierson, Pete Shaw & John Winders.
Alasdair Bovaird & Pamela Clarke expect to be in attendance.

AGENDA
1. Apologies – Nik O’Dwyer & James Phillips
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Matters arising
4. Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Award – To note that after positive initiatives driven by Chloe and Sam there are 92 nominations. James Phillips is leading on the selection process within the CB with ranking decisions expected to be submitted to the RFU before 8th April. Selected Volunteers and their guests will be invited to Mitsubishi Motors Dealership Events at either Norwich on 3rd May or at Bury St Edmunds on 17th. The CB finalist will be recognised at a black tie event at Twickenham Stadium on 13th September.
5. Presidents Awards – To note that this initiative is now up and running with a closing date for nominations set for 25th April JW
6. Natwest RugbyForce Club Selection – Applications circulated. PS
7. Action Plans 2018/19 – Club Development / Volunteering / Funding & Facilities
• Club Sustainability – Brightlingsea CM, Lakenham-Hewett SC/JL, Sawston & Cambourne SD/CM
• Running Rugby Workshops –
GMS Thurston – To note there was an excellent attendance with 47 representatives from 22 Clubs.
GMS Wymondham, progress JL
Governance – To note that suggestions for workshop topics have been circulated to the three Counties for consideration JW
Groundsmen’s Event Ely – Review PS
• Funding Applications / Opportunities ( SC to circulate applications)
Goalpost Maintenance & Provision - £1,600 remaining to allocate
Pitch Maintenance Grants - £2,000 remaining to allocate
Helping Hands Grants - £3,250 remaining to allocate
Community Engagement – £850 remaining to allocate
Alternative Forms of Rugby - £750 remaining to allocate
8. Funding & Facilities Club Insight - PS
9. Proposed Action Plans 2019/20
• Club Development - JW
• Funding & Facilities - JW
• Volunteering - JP
10. The 2018/19 Volunteering Underspend - Allocating an element of this underspend to produce an impetus to resume the Volunteering Programme next season.JP
11. Developing a Strategy for dealing with Struggling Clubs – All
12 AoB
13. Date of Next Meeting – 13th May if required