RHINS

AGM 8pm, 2 May 2006 - The Maypole Public House

Meeting opened 8:05pm.

Attendance: Joanna Argasinska, Cinzia Casiraghi, Jon Clarke, Jon Dye, Leo Eisner, Philip Kendall, Marysol Preciado, Martin Smart, Richard Sparkes (Sparky), Chris White, Badya Zahra

Apologies: Sabrina Giavara, Ben Holmes, Bruce Kent, Steve Watts, Dörte Schiebold

Meeting start delayed by Phil spilling his beer

Sparky opened the meeting

1. We approved the minutes of the 2005 AGM

2. Captain's reports

2.1 Frhinos (Cambridge local league)

Result: 2nd, one point behind CVC.

We never lost a match on court, but failed to get a team out for two or maybe three matches, and hence lost the league by a point. There were lots of people at training who were suitable for playing in the league, but nobody organised getting them to play.

Administratively, the league will happen next year, but without Mick Jones, the long-term organiser. Jon Clarke has organised the fixture list, but needs someone to do the week-to-week collection of results, etc.

2.2 Rhinos (Cambridgeshire Division One South)

Result: comprehensively last

Some small periods of good play, but lots of mediocre play as well. Lowlight was Marysol serving at the guy who was blind. Then he made that joke, and she was mortified. It was A-W-F-U-L. It was a horrible day.

Lack of consistency in team selection didn't help.

2.3 Rhino Vets (Cambridgeshire Division One South)

Result: one from bottom (although possible to overtake CVC4 if they win their last match)

No official report, but pretty similar to Rhinos. Much the same people were playing for both teams all year.

Jon Clarke summarised the state of the league: some teams were stronger this year (CVC3, CVC4), some were weaker (Rhinos, Rhinos Vets, Newmarket, Students). It's all a cyclic thing and may change again in a couple of years.

8:24pm: Leo and Badya arrived

3. Treasurer's report (Jon Dye)

We made £768.76, with possibly £100 to go out in so far unpaid court hire costs. This corresponds with £602.24 last year.

8:29pm: Joanna arrived with a half pint of Hoegaarden

Fees: the proposed sliding scale didn't work.

Equipment: all our volleyballs have been written off on the accounts, so buying some more wouldn't be unreasonable. Do we want Mikasa or Gala?

8:31pm: Martin arrives with a full pint of Hoegaarden
8:34pm: Leo comes back from the bar with a full pint of Hoegaarden and a bright orange cocktail thing. Cinzia arrives without a drink.

There is a possibility of obtaining Gala balls directly from the Czech Republic via either Leo or Vensa. If we can do this, we will buy twelve. The committee will make appropriate decisions if we can't.

4. Secretary's report (Philip Kendall)

Nothing of interest happened; we booked some hall time and used it. Sparky criticised the lack of consistency in sending e-mails. The handover from Jon Clarke to Phil went smoothly.

5. Chair's report (Sparky)

"Rhinos bumbled on"; the disappointing things were the lack of players and the organisational failings which led to us losing the local league. "Nice year". Sparky enjoyed the increased number of women at training.

6. Team entries for next year

The committee suggested entering only one team in the Cambridgeshire Division One South next year.

Martin expressed possible concerns about the lack of volleyball which might then be available, and about team selection, if we have only one team, somebody will have to make decisions about who is playing and who isn't.

Jon Clarke mentioned the need to make a distinction between a competitive team, attempting to win matches, and a fun team in which everyone gets to play.

Jon also mentioned the possibility of a women's league in Cambridge next year.

Much discussion followed, with a final decision to enter:

• One team into Division One, with the strongest team available to play, but explicitly mixed.
• One team into the women's league if it happens.
• One team into the local league.

Any entries into next year's EVL tournament will not be funded by the club.

7. Training sessions

Martin expressed a desire to move trainings to Sunday nights; however, this isn't really feasible due to a lack of court time available.

It was decided to keep training times as this year (Tuesdays 8:15 to 10:15pm and Sundays 4pm to 6pm). Tuesdays would be mostly coached by a rota of volunteer coaches; both Jay and anyone interested from CVC would be invited to help.

Sundays would follow the pattern started by Joanna and Jon Dye late this year: half coached and half gameplay. Coaching to be organised by Joanna and Jon.

8. Fees

The following discounts were agreed:

• 30% for women.
• 50% for students and unwaged.
• NVL players to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the treasurer, depending on how much they train and/or play.

9. Outdoor play

Rhinos own three outdoor nets. It was decided that these will be used as follows:

• One for beach play, with an understanding that everyone is welcome to play, and that one pair should not play all evening.
• One net to begin as a unofficial "league" organised by 4 captains each week, and intended to be mostly for Rhinos members.
• One "open" net.

9:45pm: Mihri arrived, and withdrew her apologies for absence.

10. Elections of officers

• Secretary: Philip was elected unopposed.
• Treasurer: Jon Dye was elected unopposed.
• President: Sparky is standing down. Chris was elected unopposed.
• Committee members without portfolio: Jon Clarke and Joanna were elected unopposed.
• Social secretary: Martin stood down and was replaced by Marysol.

It was agreed that the social secretary would be invited to committee meetings, but with no expectation that they will attend if there are no social activities to be discussed.

10.1 Team organisers

• Women's team: Joanna was elected unopposed.
• Local league: Leo and Badya were jointly elected unopposed.
• Division One: Phil will organise, with help from Jon Dye and Chris where needed.

11. AOB

• We will buy a new scoreboard. Martin will attempt to repair the old one.
• Marysol will investigate obtaining new shirts.
• Sparky wants another drink.

10:06pm meeting closed.