Northbrook AC

I was pleased to see that common sense prevailed at the AGM and the vote to change the club name was defeated. The club was originally named Northbrook Striders after its founders started running to keep fit and were the original joggers or striders. As they became more active and their times improved they saw themselves as club runners and the more serious minded as athletes. The decision to move from striders to athletic club was viewed to cover all modes of running. We were unique in being Northbrook and not an off shoot of that other Coventry named running club. Lets hope that this vote senario is the end of the discussion to change our name, I am proud to be a Northbrook member and not a Coventry Northbrook near Birmingham area to the left of Northampton Running Club member.

The low turn out at the AGM could be improved if we were to coincide the AGM after training on a Wednesday night. If we started running at 7pm, the AGM could start at 8.30 pm and be over by 10pm. It never seems fair to hold important voting items with a very low attendance and is never presentative of the membership of close to 140 people. What do you think?

I have already made the suggestion that the AGM takes palce on a Wednesday, but INSTEAD of training. I think it unreasonably to have an AGM after a run as you suggest. Some meetings can go on and on and on. To start at 8.30 and be finished by 10.00 just wouln't happen.

With regard to your comment about it never seems fair.........The date of the meeting is/was circulated well in advance and the two new proposals were posted on the Northbrook web site. Obviously not all members can attend the AGM, but, if you are not there you cant vote. The only way to have your say is be there. End of

As most of you probably (aren't) aware, I'm also a member of the Coventry Road Club and am also the General Secretary. We share similar problems to yourselves in that our AGM is also a long, protracted (very boring) affair where all the reports are read out ad infinitum, blah blah blah
This year, out of 160-ish members we got only 41 attendees and those that did turn up were not representative of the current racing fraternity, mostly the old f4rts who simply like to get out of the house for a few hours and play at being Tory MP's by heckling and being a pain in the harris
I suspect that the vast majority of Northbrook club members, as well as the equivalent members of the Road Club, simply want a club run once a week, some low key club races during the summer and the ability to take part in races whilst wearing club kit occasionally.
They honestly have zero desire to help out with marshalling or helping in general and would rather a few stalwarts just did the behind the scenes stuff so they don't have to.
It's a problem that affects all amateur clubs at whatever sport in this country so don't think that you're unique. I have to admit, as a committee member you do feel like banging your head against a brick wall with some club members who won't lift a finger to help but will criticise and point out any failings they see

I agree, a Wednesday night AGM would be a good option. Many of us (including myself and running colleagues) have other commitments on different days of the week, and Wednesday night is the allotted slot for running. Even if some of us have 6 weeks advance notice, it's difficult to explain to children, college, work, Brownies, parents etc that you won't be there this week.

Also the late start and finish doesn't help. I beleive more people would attend if there was an agreement that at 10pm we all go home, and the chairperson ensures the meeting runs to time.

Personally, I have attended the AGM a couple of times in the past, and find it an extremely unpleasant experience. Funnily enough, I don't enjoy watching fellow Northbrook members tearing strips off each other, as it only leaves a bitter taste. I do enjoy volunteering and marshalling, but I am not going to subject myself to the anxiety and upset of an AGM, I would rather just run..............................