1) Committee responsibilities The following committee members are now responsible for these areas: Games - Yvonne Shaw; House - Anna Majdanska; Lawns and Handicaps - Graham Keating; Maintenance - Brian Stafford; Promotions - Alicia Groves; Garden - Anni Morgan; Coaching and Website - Tim Sprod. Of course, each of area does rely on input from other club members, so please pitch in where you can. A big thank you to Carol Hanigan (House) and Anita Bayley (Garden) for their excellent previous work.
2) Opening Day and Clean Up Day Our Lord Mayor has accepted our invitation to run the first hoop at Opening Day, on Saturday 12 September from 10.30. To prepare the club after winter, we will be holding the annual Clean Up Day on Saturday 22 August. Please watch out for how you can help.
3) Raffle tickets are still being sold up until the Opening Day, when the prizes will be drawn. We value your efforts here. Our thanks to the local businesses who have offered prizes. Please support them as they have supported us.
4) Outreach events We need to increase our membership and broaden our appeal. Some events we are planning include a School Holiday program (29 Sept - 2 Oct, 10.30 - 12.00), a Healthy Hobart Come-and-Try (Sunday 22 Nov, 10 - 11.30) and possibly a U3A six week course (dates and times TBC). We recognise that these can impact on social play. We try to minimise this, and thank you for your understanding when clashes are unavoidable. Note that all future events ought to be on the calendar in the kitchen and (when closer) on the Lawns whiteboard.
5) Constitution and By-laws Following the amendments at the AGM, we are revising the club By-laws and modifying content on our website. If you notice anything that needs to be altered, please talk to me.
6) New members The club always needs to recruit new members. You can help: spread the word amongst friends and acquaintances, always ensure the Come and Try flag is out during social play, and become familiar with the new process for joining. After a free Come and Try session, prospective members can buy a Taste of Croquet package ($20 for one month, $50 for three). During this, they can fill in an application for membership, supported by two members, to be considered by the committee. Taste and Application forms can be found on the noticeboard.
7) Inclusive play Random draws ensure members can play with all other members at some time. “Tweaking” the draw ought to be minimal. Be aware that members may at any time practice on a lawn if it is not in use by social players, and choose not to be included in the draw.
8) Grant applications We are preparing applications for several grant programs, aimed at improving facilities at the club.
Tim Sprod, Secretary, Sandy Bay Croquet Club