Commodore's Chat

January 2008
Happy New Year to one and all.

2007 saw a number of significant projects started and completed within the Club – all of which of course cost money. Hopefully there should not be too much in the way of planned major expenditure in the near future although work on the balcony will have to be looked at soon.

Finances for the year as a whole were quite good with increases in subscriptions and food takings but a drop in bar sales and gaming machine profits. This appears to in line with many other private member’s clubs as well as the licensed trade as a whole. It seems that most people who play the gaming machines like to smoke whilst they do so.

The sailor side had a very successful year with a number of Open Meetings attracting visitors from across the country. The Club did very well during the North West Norfolk Regatta and Club sailors have travelled far and wide not only representing the Club at other locations but often bringing home the silverware!

Doreen has informed us of her intention to retire – we wish her well in her retirement and I would like to thank her for her help in making the Club the place it is. We are currently in the process of finding a suitable replacement for her, so you can expect to see a new face behind the counter in the not too distant future.

Something a member raised up at last years AGM was the installation of a swipe card entry system to the Club. The cost of such a system would be in the order of £3,000 - £4,000, which as you can imagine is a significant sum of money. Before the Committee reaches any decision on such a system we have decided to re-instate the combination lock on the main entrance on a trail basis and see how that goes.

When you receive your new membership card (provided you have paid the correct amount and many have not!!!!) you will be given the combination number and the date when the new system will come into effect. Please make sure you can either remember the number or ensure you carry your card so you can look at the number (on the back) when you find the front door locked!!

The staff are paid to serve members at the bar and NOT be doormen for people who have forgotten the number or just cannot be bothered to look at their card.

One of the main reasons for re-introducing this system is to help ensure that only paid-up members use the Club – your membership subscriptions help us keep our beer prices low so why should people who do not pay membership benefit from the others who do?

Please be patient with us (the Committee) and especially the staff during the introduction of this system. Ultimately it is you – the paid-up member – who will benefit most from this trial.

Sorry to rant on a bit but I always feel that if we as a Committee communicate with you, the members, we can stop many problems before they start.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

Robert Pope

Commodore OASC

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