Post by Jon B on Sept 14, 2006 10:12:20 GMT
I don’t know if it’s just me but I came away from last night’s meeting feeling even more positive about Orrell’s future.
To me, what became apparent last night was that despite all the prior discussions and points of view regarding amateur v semi-professional not many people (including myself) had really considered the possibility of having both.
Whilst I went along to the meeting with only one view in my mind (semi-pro), I could see the sense in some of the points raised by Tony Havlin, in particular the setting up of a charitable trust in order to help raise funds for the new ground, clubhouse and development of a new site and the development of an amateur side that could I suppose eventually produce semi-professional players for the 1st XV. I would also be willing to help out in fund raising events where possible.
I think last night was also a forum for many people to vent their frustrations, to ask questions and to air their personal points of view, which seemed to me to leave a lot of people happier by the end of the night. I believe there were at least another 8 Volunteers signed up and I hope that more will come forward. This showed that maybe communication should be improved, with monthly or quarterly progress reports on team news, land news, financial news (within reason), and general club news being forwarded to all Members by post for those without access to a PC.
One thing that is essential is that we keep the momentum going from last night and to push ahead with the organisation of social events, media publicity, and other fund raising activities. We should also continue to raise awareness of Orrell RUFC’s mini, junior and colt sections in local schools and colleges and attract many more youngsters to the club after all, they are the future. I believe there are posters available through Janet Walker to put up in schools. So those with kids, get hold of some and take them into school…..spread the word.
On top of all of the above we need to work on teambuilding OFF the field. We need all those who used to come along and watch the 1st team but have stopped in the last few years due to DW’s involvement, or other reasons, to return and support OUR team. We need then to spread the word to friends and family and make our temporary home (EHR) a bustling and enjoyable place to be on a Saturday afternoon. It saddened me to see so many faces last night, many of whom seemed so passionate about the club but who I had never seen at any of our home games. Now that could be that I’ve just missed them but I’m sure I’ve not missed them all.
I was also told that the social events organised last season weren’t advertised well enough. I would consider that putting posters up on almost every door in the clubhouse, numerous posts on the websites and personally delivering 300 leaflets locally was about as much as I could do. If those people had been attending home games they would have known. Perhaps enquiring about events is too much to ask?
Anyway, if you’re still reading after all that…well done. Now it’s time to do you’re bit. Even if that bit is just turning up to home games to support the lads.
The future’s bright….the futures amber (and black)
..….sorry 
Jon
To me, what became apparent last night was that despite all the prior discussions and points of view regarding amateur v semi-professional not many people (including myself) had really considered the possibility of having both.
Whilst I went along to the meeting with only one view in my mind (semi-pro), I could see the sense in some of the points raised by Tony Havlin, in particular the setting up of a charitable trust in order to help raise funds for the new ground, clubhouse and development of a new site and the development of an amateur side that could I suppose eventually produce semi-professional players for the 1st XV. I would also be willing to help out in fund raising events where possible.
I think last night was also a forum for many people to vent their frustrations, to ask questions and to air their personal points of view, which seemed to me to leave a lot of people happier by the end of the night. I believe there were at least another 8 Volunteers signed up and I hope that more will come forward. This showed that maybe communication should be improved, with monthly or quarterly progress reports on team news, land news, financial news (within reason), and general club news being forwarded to all Members by post for those without access to a PC.
One thing that is essential is that we keep the momentum going from last night and to push ahead with the organisation of social events, media publicity, and other fund raising activities. We should also continue to raise awareness of Orrell RUFC’s mini, junior and colt sections in local schools and colleges and attract many more youngsters to the club after all, they are the future. I believe there are posters available through Janet Walker to put up in schools. So those with kids, get hold of some and take them into school…..spread the word.
On top of all of the above we need to work on teambuilding OFF the field. We need all those who used to come along and watch the 1st team but have stopped in the last few years due to DW’s involvement, or other reasons, to return and support OUR team. We need then to spread the word to friends and family and make our temporary home (EHR) a bustling and enjoyable place to be on a Saturday afternoon. It saddened me to see so many faces last night, many of whom seemed so passionate about the club but who I had never seen at any of our home games. Now that could be that I’ve just missed them but I’m sure I’ve not missed them all.
I was also told that the social events organised last season weren’t advertised well enough. I would consider that putting posters up on almost every door in the clubhouse, numerous posts on the websites and personally delivering 300 leaflets locally was about as much as I could do. If those people had been attending home games they would have known. Perhaps enquiring about events is too much to ask?
Anyway, if you’re still reading after all that…well done. Now it’s time to do you’re bit. Even if that bit is just turning up to home games to support the lads.
The future’s bright….the futures amber (and black)
..….sorry 
Jon
Not very 'inclusive' answer that Jon.
Paul, Turbo & Matt,
