Happy New Year to you all
I know many of you may still be on holiday and certainly the chances that clubs are meeting or holding club days are probably unlikely, however there are one or two items that need your attention. So Secretaries (or whoever receives this) please if necessary get on the phone to other key people in your club and get responses, as required, back to me ASAP. Many thanks, but with the AGM and Nationals not that far away certain things have to be done and many require a response from your club
Firstly you will have received the proxy voting papers last month and these need actioning. Remember this is your association and you should exercise your right on how it operates etc. Unless there are very good reasons, voting on the items covered by the Postal Vote will not be discussed or voted upon at the AGM so this is your only chance to have your say in these matters. All that will happen at the AGM is that the postal votes received from Clubs will be ratified.
Secondly no additional items of business can be raised at the AGM (except at the discretion of the Chairman) so if you have an item which you want discussed it is important that you let me know ASAP so I can send it out to Clubs for their input and comment. So for this to happen we need such now !!
Thirdly The Derek Flintoff Memorial Trophy is an award to recognise those individuals who do that extra and on behalf of recreational fishing whether it be at club or national level. The full criteria is in your Manual. It is not a fishing trophy. We need nominations for this award urgently. Please send these in to me along with supporting letter stating why the nomination is being made.
Fourthly I am sorry to say there are still a few clubs who have not yet renewed their affiliations. I am not sure if this is simply an oversight or that horrible word "apathy" is coming up again. If your club has not renewed its membership this needs to be done straight away. If there is a reason why you are not rejoining it would be nice to know why.
Five Nationals entries. You all have your entry forms and know the close-off date (27th.January). Accommodation bookings should have been made. If you require a boat you should contact Pania Club ASAP so the necessary arrangements can be made. Booklets will be sent out to those who are competing in the very near future.
Thanks
Graeme
Did you know that this year at the prize-giving that the Franich Trophy for the Heaviest Snapper caught by a Junior from either shore or boat will be staying in the box !!!!! I just can't believe no Junior caught a snapper during 2005 !!!! But what I do know is that no applications were sent in during the year for such.
We talk about encouraging Juniors etc. etc. but here was a chance for a youngster to put a magnificent trophy in pride of place in their home and no clubs bothered to take the necessary action-shame on you all !!!!!
The same goes for a number of other trophies. Rapala Cup for catching a saltwater fish using spinning gear - No-one catch a Kahawai on a spinning lure during 2005 - don't believe it !!! No-one used a fly to catch a saltwater fish (Diawa Cup) ??? …… and so the list goes on.
For some of the other trophies there was only one eligible application - hardly a competition !!
People say to me the Association does nothing for them - here we have trophies going begging just because no one bothers - where does the fault lie ????
Websites - How many Clubs have responded to the comments made in the last Newsletter regarding your presence on the two websites (www.nzaca.co.nz & www.fishing.net.nz) ?? Again it is a case of "use it or lose it". Your Club is missing out !!!!! How about a New Years Resolution and making a real effort in this regard - but don't leave it to late as time is running out especially with the www.fishing.net.nz site.
•Now just back to a hardy annual - Executive Committee - we need new blood (to supplement the old blood which is there but getting weaker because it is trying to do too much). We only meet about 6 times per year either in Auckland or Rotorua and there is some financial compensation to help meet travel costs. Let's have some names put forward at least as "Club Representatives" so people can see what it is all about. Why not put something back into the wider recreational scene ? Send in your nominations now and don't just leave it to others.
•The other hardy annual is the problem we have with Manual Sponsorship. I think all agree the Members Manual is a good thing and well worth persevering with, and some clubs also use it as their Club Manual. However it costs to keep it updated and to keep supplying it to new members. The $5 charge certainly does not cover the production of such. Sponsorship is the answer and we have a number of firms who continue to support us and we are very grateful for such. But we need a lot more !!! The costs are not great but the exposure is. So again please if you know of, connected with or can make suggestions for suitable sponsors please let me know. Every time I have asked in the past the silence has been deafening. If we want this Manual to survive we have to find some answers to this problem. Your assistance is required. Please discuss it with your club members.
Well that's enough for this first Newsletter of the year. I beg you most sincerely to seriously consider the points I have raised and make the necessary responses that are required. Some of these actions require action now so please do not put this aside and then overlook what needs doing. Please forgive some of the harsh words spoken above but if they bring action then they have been worthwhile.
I trust that 2006 will be a good year for you and your club, and in turn for the Association. I look forward to seeing many of you in Napier in March
Why not spend Auckland Anniversary Weekend in the Bay of Plenty and take part in the Rotorua Fishing & Casting Club's Bonanza on Sunday 29th.January. Phone 07 345 682
Graeme Dawber
YOUR Association Secretary
