Club News

Chairman’s Report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date: 14th November 2024

1. Introduction and Welcome:

Welcome, everyone—fellow committee members and club members alike. For those who may not know me, I’m Graham, the current Chairman of the Jubilee Park Cycling Club, and I’ll be chairing tonight’s AGM.

As you know, this is our second AGM this year, following the club’s first AGM in April. Moving forward, we’ll hold only one AGM each year in November, aligning with the traditional timing for cycling clubs. This timing allows us to synchronize with membership renewals and affiliation requirements for British Cycling and other governing bodies. The AGM is a valuable opportunity for the club to connect with our members, share our accomplishments, provide updates on current activities, and outline our vision for the future. It’s an essential part of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. Given the transitions the club has experienced over the past seven months, we’ve scheduled this additional AGM to update our members and realign with the traditional calendar.

2. Overview of the Past 7 Months:

In the past seven months, we introduced a paid membership structure, which led to the adoption of the British Cycling website’s club management tools for streamlined administration. We also partnered with a new supplier for our cycling kit, allowing us to refresh the design and improve quality. Alongside the new kit, we introduced a range of leisure wear and cycling accessories to complement the updated look.

We’ve launched a new club website, designed as a central resource for members, providing easy access to club information and opportunities for interaction. Additionally, our club logo has been redesigned and now features prominently across all platforms and touchpoints, enhancing our club identity.

Initially, I may have been a bit optimistic, setting high expectations for myself and for the club’s growth and direction. I quickly realized that some of our achievements, while not always immediately visible or directly impacting members and rides, have laid a solid foundation. I genuinely believe that the groundwork we’ve put in place provides a strong base and structure for the club to grow and continue to thrive in the future.

3. Key Highlights and Achievements:

Rides:

· Established a calendar for advertising and scheduling rides.

· Set up a discount offering for full members entering 3 featured events The Carten, The Dragon Ride and The Tour De Gwent.

Community:

· Introduction of social events to encourage interaction and strengthen inclusion.

· Closer relationship with our primary sponsor.

Members:

· Development of a range of clearly defined full and affiliate membership benefits.

· New club constitution, mission statement and rules to help mold and guide our growing club.

The Future:

· Development and deployment of a new club website.

· Greater club exposure.

4. Financial Overview (Brief):

The club is currently in a stable financial position. However, we are actively exploring ways to increase funding to ensure we’re well-prepared for any unforeseen expenses and to enhance the benefits we offer our members.

We are once again fortunate to have Tiny Rebel as our primary sponsor, and this year, we’re excited to announce additional sponsorship from Whiteheads. We’re always grateful for new sponsorship opportunities, so if anyone knows of potential sponsors who may be interested in supporting the club, please reach out to the committee.

The Treasurer will provide a thorough overview in his report, but I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to James for his dedicated work, as well as to all members who have committed to full membership. Your support is invaluable to the club’s ongoing success.

5. Challenges Faced:

I wish I could say it’s all been smooth sailing, and for the most part, it has been. However, like any club, we’ve faced our share of challenges, disagreements, and obstacles along the way. Unfortunately, we have seen a few members leave, which is always regrettable. It’s never been our intention to see anyone go, as we truly value every member of this club.

On a positive note, we’ve also seen some previously less active members become more engaged and involved, which has been wonderful to witness. I believe that as we work to build a more inclusive and open club—even if it’s not everyone’s preference—this approach will ultimately help us grow stronger and more resilient in the future. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but with the strength of our committed committee and the dedication of our members, I am confident we have everything we need to overcome whatever comes our way.

6. Goals and Vision for the Upcoming Year:

Member Engagement:

· We are continually seeking ways to engage and connect with our members, both on and off the bike. To make our activities meaningful and enjoyable, we encourage all members to share their ideas and feedback on what they’d like to see more of—or less of—from the club. Your input is invaluable in shaping a club experience that reflects everyone’s interests.

Events and Activities:

· In addition to maintaining our extensive calendar of rides and social events, I am excited to propose a short cycling getaway to Mid Wales. The plan is a Friday-to-Sunday trip to Llandrindod Wells, a charming town, home of the National Cycle Museum and gateway to the scenic Elan Valley. The itinerary would include a shorter ride (30-40 km) to Builth Wells on Friday afternoon, followed by a longer ride (80-90 km) on Saturday through the beautiful surrounding landscape. We’re looking at two nights of bed and breakfast accommodations, with an estimated cost of around £100 – £125 per person based on a group of 8-10 participants.

Community Involvement:

· I’d like to explore opportunities for collaborative rides with other local groups, such as Cwmcarn Paragons, Risca-Tri, and Newport Social Cycling. Partnering with these clubs could offer members fresh experiences, build connections within the cycling community, and create more varied ride options for all skill levels.

7. Acknowledgments:

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our members for their unwavering support and trust over the past seven months. Your belief in the club drives everything we do. I would also like to express my gratitude to my fellow committee members—without their dedication and hard work, many of our achievements this year would not have been possible. Finally, a sincere thank you to our generous sponsors, whose support enables us to provide meaningful benefits and opportunities for our members.

Closing Remarks:

Thank you again for your support and I look forward to a positive future, are there any questions?

Treasurer’s Report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date: 14th November 2024

1. Overview:

In April 2024, following the previous AGM, Jubilee Park Cycling Club (JPCC) established a bank account with Lloyds, jointly authorized by the Club Treasurer and Club Secretary. This account was funded initially with a balance of £157.18, carried over from the previous committee. As of November 14, 2024, the club holds a surplus cash balance of £704.17.

2. Income Summary:

Sponsorship Income:

Tiny Rebel: £1,000

Whiteheads: £250

Membership Dues, Kit Payments & Fundraising:

Membership Dues: £144

Membership Kit Payments: £1085.08

Fundraising Activities: £220

Total Income: £2,856.26

3. Expenditure Summary:

Key expenses incurred between April and November 2024 include:

British Cycling Affiliation: £181

Club Kit: £1597.27

ICE Tags: £94

Web Fees: £87

TDF Summer Social Sweepstake Prize: £110.00

TDF Summer Social Welcome Drinks: £32.97

Tour de Gwent Subsidies: £49.85

Total Expenditure: £2,152.09

The club is currently holding £156.25 of Club Kit available for members to purchase in the form of 5No. JPCC Tube Scarf (Snood), 2No. Large JPCC Cycling Socks White, 2No. Medium JPCC Cycling Socks White, 1No. Large JPCC Cycling Socks Black and 1No. Medium JPCC Cycling Socks Black. We also purchased a Club Cycling Jersey for display in the Tiny Rebel Brewery Bar at a cost of £51.00. This means the club provided £304.94 worth of subsidy towards our member’s kit purchases.

4. Future Anticipated Expenditures:

In the upcoming period to April 2025, anticipated expenditures include:

Carten Ride Subsidies: £180

Dragon Ride Subsidies: £180

Club Logo Fee: £100

Future Kit Subsidies: £100

Projected Future Expenditures: £560

5. Financial Projection to April 2025:

With projected expenditures, the club anticipates retaining a modest cash surplus of approximately £150 by the end of the sponsorship year in April 2025.

The club remains in a stable financial position, with sufficient funds to support planned activities and subsidies, thanks to successful sponsorships and community support.