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What has been going on, What has the Club done and how we have aimed at improving Communication.
At the start of the season, I (Steve Snell) was tasked with ensuring that the Club improved upon its communication and the first thing I did was to ask different members across different sections of the Club what they perceived to be the issues from last season so that we could try and put right this season. Here are some examples of the comments received and some but certainly not all of actions already taken;
1. Web-site - Needed to be made easier to update, more information, News items on a more regular basis.
2. Minis, Junior Sections were not informed of Club events being held.
3. Members did not know what was going on in the Club or what the Club had done.
4. Coaches not informed regularly of what is going on within the Club.
5. The Club doesn't listen to what the Members want.
Action Taken[/b]
[b]1. New Web-Site
• New Web-site created using a dedicated Rugby/Sport provider,
although continuing and changes still need to be made, was
completed totally within 2 months. Thanks to Tom Buttle for his
continued support.
• Over 19 News items created and displayed from all areas of the
Club in September and October.
• Check it out
2. Events
• The first Club event this season was 'Ladies Night', all Mini
and Junior coaches advised early of event and full details,
including poster sent electronically, displayed on Web-site,
Posters displayed all around the Club, including toilets,
reminder e-mails sent and included within the monthly 'Lineout'
Newsletter, again send to all sections of the Club and via the
subscribed members from Web-site.
3. Club Information
• A 'behind Closed Doors' article submitted onto the Web-Site,
included in the first edition of 'Lineout' which will be a
monthly update sent to all members subscribed and requested
Coaches/Team Managers to send to ALL parents. Article included,
what the Club had done during the closed season, decisions
taken, details of the AGM etc.
• Mini and Junior Coaches meetings taken place (represented by
minimum of 2 Club Directors)
• Volunteer of the Month, future events and lots more.
4. Courses
• Course information being made available, most of which are now
held at Eastbourne, such as Referee's course (ELRA) x 2, Level
1 and Level 2 courses and First Aid courses arranged all before
the end of year.
• Coaches evenings such as the Kicking course held on 5th
November as requested by many, thanks to Mal (DoR) for
arranging.
• Communication on how much the Club has spent on Equipment (in
excess of over £2'400) just for Mini and Junior sections.
5. Has the Club listened
• One example that springs to mind is that of the Club opening on
a Wednesday Evening. It was brought to our attention that the
Club needed to be open as many parents wanted to have
tea/coffee facilities whilst the Mini and Juniors were
training, this request came from the Junior Section. The Club
did listen and the following week it was agreed that we would
open for a month's trail period every Wednesday evening.
Communication was sent to ALL Mini and Junior Coaches to
cascade and placed on Web-site, as Training was cancelled one
Wednesday evening we extended the opening for 5 weeks and I
have to say we took a total of £14.65 during that time and one
evening only one cup of coffee was sold for £1.70. This was
reviewed at our monthly Committee meeting (every area has a
representative on the Committee) and all agreed that the demand
was simply not there so the Club would remain closed on a
Wednesday.
• Another example was how we reward our Volunteers, or should I
say thank them for their hard work. We have included a
Monthly 'Volunteer' of the Month award to which are presented
with a Bottle of Champaign in front of many at our Home 1st XV
lunch. Two awards have been given, U14's Team manager -
Caroline and to our U15's team helpers who every Saturday come
and help us set the Pitches up for our home games. These are on
the Web-site and have or will be included in our
Monthly 'Lineout' newsletter.
• Ian Newman from our Colts who is also our Referee's
Co-ordinator and 4th Team Player won 'Clubman' of the Year and
was presented with his award in front of over 100 people at our
Ladies Night dinner.
The future
• We shall be creating a Database of every member who has
included an e-mail address on their Membership form so we can
send directly to all Members rather than having our
Coaches/Team Managers to have to forward on or cascade Club
information.
• Face Book - Review the use of Face Book and Twitter officially
linked to our Web-site so that instant messaging can take place.
What Else
This is where you as Members, Players, Coaches or Team Managers can help to make a difference. I would like to get feedback on what else as part of communication can be done to improve or feedback if improvements have been evidenced. Some simple questions to ask you…..
• What more can be improved as part of the Club's Communication?
• What area of the Club needs to have improvements made and why?
• What have you seen improved this season and what has made it
affective?
Please send directly to myself via link below and ALL replies will be treated strictly confidential and I shall collate and then work on those areas. Much appreciated for your support and feedback.
Regards
Steve Snell.