edinburgh rc cycling club

Why have a 3 year plan?

• To enable the club to plan effectively for the future.
• To provide a framework for financial planning.
• To provide a focus for club actions.
• To involve members in the production and delivery of the plan.
• To communicate our plans to the club.

ERC Plan – The process

• Draft plan produced by Gareth George.
• Draft circulated via website for comments by wider membership.
• Consultation meeting held with contributors.
• Revised plan.
• Presentation to AGM.

The status of the plan

• A plan for the next 3 years, NOT a prescription.
• Flexibility to change over the term of the plan.

Background

• Continued to grow, despite 20+% churn rate.
• Introduced a new committee structure.
• Found a major sponsor for the period to 2007.
• Taken responsibility for Ingliston Crit Series.
• Moved to a new club meeting place.
• Continued to invest in coaching.
• Adopted a new image –logo, name, strip.
• Added a trailquest to our event portfolio.
• Produced a club handbook.

Critical success factors

• Erc history and “brand”.
• Numerical and financial strength.
• Openness and accessibility.
• Diversity.
• Professional approach.
• Website.
• Coaching team.
• Well-run events and activities.

Objectives of the 3-year plan

• Continue to expand the club and improve membership benefits.
• Promote membership to under-represented groups.
• Encourage more participation especially in competitive and challenge events.
• Encourage sponsors and maximise benefits to them.
• Encourage and help members to improve and and win medals.
• Ensure good governance within the club.
• Contribute to cycling development through promoting events and shaping national plans.

1. Membership and benefits-Actions
   • Promulgate Minutes
   • Digital Newsletter
   • Appoint assistant Webmaster
   • Delegate updating of sub section web pages
   • Enhance coaching information and links page on website
   • Extend benefits, e.g. discounts, products, training camps
   • Branded club leisure wear
   • Restrict message board to erc members
2. Promoting membership-Actions
   • Increase youth and junior membership by 20% each year
   • Encourage women and disabled.
3. Encourage participation-Actions
   • Get more members competing
   • Create supported erc squads
   • Promote more novice races
   • Consider subsidised entry for novices
   • Promote entries to local races
4. Encouraging Sponsorship-Actions
   • Allocate responsibility to a committee member
   • Improve club publicity
   • Demonstrate value to sponsors
   • Seek sponsorship for individual events
   • Consider club presence in mass participation rides
   • Allocate responsibility for press and publicity role
5. Helping members to improve and succeed-Actions
   • Create a youth squad
   • Allocate funds to rider support
   • Continue coaching activities
   • Promote bike skills sessions
6. Good Governance-Actions
   • Investigate limited liability and charitable status
   • Review constitution
   • Devolve budgets and some powers to club sub groups
   • Encourage volunteers
   • Train club officials where necessary
   • Investigate online subscription payments
   • Pursue opportunities for external funding –grants etc
7. Cycling development through events and National planning-Actions
   • Develop Ingliston series
   • Input to Edinburgh velodrome project
   • Input into BC, SC and Triathlon Scotland initiatives
   • Support club event organisers
   • Qualify more club race officials

What next?

• New Committee to consider and prioritise actions.
• Ordinary club members need to get involved in the delivery of the plan.
• What skills, interests, aptitudes and energy have you got to offer?