A week of bits & pieces

I wonder if it is widely recognised just how much work gets done at all levels by the volunteers. There are, of course, many of these from people who work in Clubs and Coaching, perhaps the most visible, through those who run & officiate at events, obvious to tournament archers, and lastly to those who work in the background at county, regional and national level. GNAS has a turnover of roughly £1million but if the volunteering effort is counted in, the estimate is something like five times that amount.

At the Board level, only one of the executive directors (the CEO) is salaried and the others (Chairman, Finance, Operations & Marketing) only receive expenses and work anything between full- and part-time. The National Directors are all non-executive, unpaid apart from expenses and work from a few hours to a day a week.

It is a very sobering thought that there are just so many unsung heroes.

This week, I have been looking at the Equity Action plan which is beginning its consultation phase (something to look out for in the coming months). It is being managed by an outside consultancy, SportStructures, who are doing a very professional and competent job. I think that it is a feature of the maturity of GNAS that it feels comfortable to engage outside agencies where specialist knowledge is required.

Locally, sportscotland has said it would like a representative from the SAA to be on the Equity committee to comply with its requirements. That opportunity has been created but a volunteer is needed - come on Scotland, someone needs to join in!

There have been areas of regulation that some clubs have found it difficult to assimilate like Child Protection which everyone would have no problem in supporting. Equity is another regulatory area that is coming from UK Sport, but it will have genuine opportunities to think about how we practice archery and engage with all the sections of our society. This should lead on to more participation as we open doors to all - I am encouraged in talking to the Director for England and her county's work in areas of multi-culturalism in, for example, Bradford.

Being November, it was time to get the bow out and start to shoot indoor. I don't much like being cooped up inside but it is good preparation for outdoors. I was glad that I still remembered what to do and could hit the target.

Her indoors told me of a spelling mistake but wasn't too specific where (I am expecing a lot of support from the lads on this one). Anyway, it is now found and corrected.