BROADSTAIRS LIFEGUARD AND SWIMMING CLUB   NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2006   Dear swimmers, parents and carers, It’s already the countdown to the seasonal holidays!  As usual, the latest updates from the Club.   Gala Well done to all those swimmers who took part in the gala on Saturday evening.  They achieved a lot during that short evening, and showed that they have been working hard. Thanks as usual to our sponsors – without their help, the Club makes a loss on gala evening due to the increased cost of pool hire.  And the biggest thanks to the Gala Committee of Sue White, Emma Kemp, Jane Pond, Eric Woodin and Justin Tilley, who have spent 3 months behind the scenes, planning and making the gala happen for everyone.    Presentation Evening This is on January 27 2007 at Bradgate Caravan Park, Manston Court Road (opposite Westwood Cross). Tickets are £4 per adult and £2 per child.  There is a family ticket available which is for 2 adults (maximum) and 2 children for £10.  We will need a lot of raffle prizes for that evening, so please start thinking of what to donate – portable items such as vouchers are very welcome! As mentioned in the last newsletter, there are surprise trophies given out on the night – so you need to be there in case you have to collect one!  One of these is the Endeavour Award – one each for the Teaching Pool and Main Pool - for the person (usually, but not always, a swimmer) who has consistently worked hard and had a sporting and positive attitude, but without necessarily passing lots of badges or winning races at the gala.   Subs increase Please remember to amend your standing order at the bank for the subs increase from 1 January to £9 per month per swimmer.  The increase is due to the inevitable increase in pool fees by Thanet Leisure Force, which we have no control over.   Trophies Trophy holders are reminded to bring awards back to us on 1 December (that’s next week!) or 7 December at the latest.  Please remember that the trophies must be in good order (i.e. clean, polished, complete with badges and engraved plates if appropriate and ready to be presented) and that any maintenance is the responsibility of the holder.   Annual General Meeting We planned your AGM for Wednesday 8 November, prepared all the paperwork and gave almost a years notice to our members (about 90 families) – and ONE parent came!  This was very disappointing, as the AGM is the time where the members can show their support and appreciation of the time given by the volunteers who run the Club for YOUR children, by simply attending, listening and voting. Due to the lack of people, we held the AGM the following evening in reception while the normal sessions went on.  This had its advantages but was not ideal.  Meryl, the Secretary, will be asking for short questionnaires to be completed over the next 4 weeks – please take 30 seconds to complete one, as there is another AGM in May 2007.  It is exceptional that there are two so close together, due to changes brought about by the ASA; future AGMs will be in May or June each year.         Committee Following on from above, your new Committee until the next AGM in May 2007 are: Chair                                       Tony Taylor Secretary                               Meryl Smallbone Treasurer                               Ian White Assistant Sec/ Vice Chairman                      Sue White Auditor                                    Sara Jackson Committee members           Sue Smith, Jane Pond, Emma Kemp, Debbie Barnett (all 3 of whom are your Parent Liaison Officers), Becky Bexley, Tony New, Eric Woodin Volunteers are always welcome – we will be looking for more volunteers for the Committee in March, when the nominations open again.  All you need is to have a can-do approach, positive viewpoint, a sense of humour, 2 hours every 8 weeks for the meeting and a clear Police check!   Captain and Vice Captains We are delighted to say that the following swimmers are your current Bay Captains and Vice Captains: Botany Bay                Ross Summers, Luke Springett Joss Bay                    Gruff Howatson-Jones, Greg Smallbone Stone Bay                  Sophie White, Jonathon Drake Viking Bay                 Jordan Gibson, Anthony Tuddenham, Dominic Campbell   Dates for your diary 30 November                       7.30 and 8.15 sessions – distances, 9.00 – speed awards  (next week!)                         SOME SESSION TIMES MAY BE DIFFERENT                                                 Trials for prospective members 7 December                          Water Polo, all groups, purchase of distance, speed and NPTS awards (see poster that night for details) 14 December                        Splash night - £2 adult (not £1 as per last newsletter), £1 child non-member 21 and 28 December         CLOSED – Happy holidays! 4 January 2007                     Re-open – tickets on sale for Presentation Evening 27 January                             Presentation Evening March 2007-10 April 2007   Period for nominations for new Committee and notice by member of any requested resolution.  Publication of Agenda and Audited books           May 2007                               AGM September 2007                   Gala entry open – look out for the entry forms at reception!   Yours in sport, The current teaching team Sue Smith (Head Teacher), Cathy Tuddenham, Sue White, Rachel Clifton, Tony Taylor, Paul Tuddenham, Ross Summers, Darren Gambrill, Jordan Gibson, Tony New, Bay Captains and Vice Captains,  young helpers, and the Committee of Broadstairs Lifeguard and Swimming Club