Hi Fisho’s
November already which means Xmas is just around the corner and I guess most clubs will not be meeting over December/January. Important therefore that you take this time at your club and club committee meetings to ensure everything is up-to-date so maybe a few reminders would be in order :-
- Are you one of those few clubs who have not sent in their renewals for affiliation as yet – theoretically you shouldn’t be on our mailing list if you haven’t renewed !
- Have you sent in your Postal Casting entries – these close end of this month. Remember last year a club’s entries were returned to them because they missed the deadline. Don’t let yours go the same way – send them in now. Remember no use sending in your Postal entries if you haven’t paid your affiliation fees !!
- What about your thoughts on the discussion papers which have been sent out. Would be great to have your feedback on the fish numbers v. big fish v. number of species at the Nationals.
- Have you returned the details of club email contacts ?
- Did you ever return the form asking for contact particulars that Greg Smeal can use when sourcing material for the NZ Fishing News column ?
- Have you done anything about getting your club details on the website ? I checked recently and there were only a handful of clubs which had anything worth reading – your club is missing out if you are not using this medium.
- Have your booked your Nationals accommodation ? Entry Forms will be out shortly – there has been a little hic-cup in getting these out to you but they should not be to long now. You should be choosing your team anyway ready just to enter on to the form. (Fees $25 for fishing, $10 for casting, $40 for meal) Have you contacted a Gaming Trust for financial assistance for your team to attend ?
Talking about future events – Has your Club any matters they wish to have discussed at the next AGM. Remits and matters for discussion should be sent in now so they can be included in pre-meeting information which is sent out to clubs. I can not believe everybody is happy with everything, so there must be matters you wish to have discussed.
Last month I sent out a copy of a brochure of a local club which is to be found in some local tackle shops and the like. In doing so, although it was in the public domain, I failed to check with the writer of this if they were happy I circulated it and drew other clubs attention to this great idea. My apologies to the person concerned for this oversight.
Included with this mailing is a copy of some of the Nationals Seeding schedules. If you want to see the full lists contact me or check on the NZACA website (www.nzaca.co.nz). Covering memo explains it all I think.
The NZACA National Office is privileged to receive copies of two of the major fishing mags’. Both the NZ Fishing News and Fishing Coast to Coast are great reads and full of interesting and useful information. Have you thought about your club subscribing to both or either of these, or with some of the other good fishing mags’ so that they can be circulated amongst club members? All of these publications would welcome contributions from you and don’t forget we have our own regular column in the Fishing News which Greg would love to get additional information for.
Don’t forget also our “electronic newsletter” TIDELINES. The Editors are desperate to receive interesting articles and photos. This “publication” has a very wide distribution and not only in NZ. So why not feature your club or the achievements of your club members therein.
A number of clubs have either turned 50 lately or are due to do so in the near future. Our congratulations to all of you for reaching this milestone in your club’s history. The Association is pleased to be able to join with you in your celebrations where able.
Of course the Association itself turns 50 next year and we hope to be producing a special booklet, we are taking orders now for a special edition of our metal lapel badges (have you ordered yours yet ?), and maybe have some shirts or similar on sale at the Nationals next year. If you have any material, photos etc. which you think would be appropriate to go into our booklet please contact me ASAP.
If any of the “oldies” in your club are likely to have Minutes of old AGM’s or Annual Reports we would love copies of these as well. Minutes of the very first AGM’s would be especially welcome.
SHARED FISHERIES PROPOSALS
This paper is now out from the Ministry of Fisheries. This is an important paper and affects us all. I attach what is called the summary and this gives broad outline and tells you how to get the final Discussion Document (21 pages of it).
Your Club needs to discuss this !!!!!!!!!!
Suggest you get a small group together to read and digest it thoroughly and preferably make a submission on it.
Suggest you read others comments on the proposals and I have no doubt these will be published in all of the major Fishing Publications.
This is the most important document to come out since the former “Soundings” proposals (some say it is the same in another disguise). Also said that this is the most important fisheries review since the introduction of quotas back in the 80’s
You have until the end of February but don’t forget Xmas is in between.
Unfortunately our Executive Meeting scheduled for the 28th. October had to be cancelled for a number of reasons. However your Executive is trying a new experiment in conducting an “electronic meeting” where routine items and those items which can not be held over to a future meeting are “discussed” via email and consensus where required met by this means. The Executive take their responsibilities (on your behalf) very seriously and are doing their utmost to ensure a smooth running Association and that it is doing all it can to further the aims of the Association and why it was established those 50 years ago by clubs such as yours. The next mailing will include a set of Minutes as a result of this electronic meeting format.
Last month I reminded you of our Annual Trophies which can be competed for by simply sending in a Record (even though it may not be a record fish) Application Form. This month a reminder about another achievement all members could have a go at. There is no time limit for this and many work away at it for months and years. This is the MASTER ANGLERS AWARD. Read all about it in your Members Manual. To quote from the manual “This is not designated to just cater for the ‘gun fisherperson’ amongst us, but rather be within reach of the average angler who is prepared to put in the hard work trying out different ideas for different species or learning to fish with lighter line” So why not encourage your club members to have a go at this and join that very select group who proudly wear the Masters Anglers Badge and hang the certificate on the wall.
Finally I am going to repeat the plea I so often make – maybe if I do it often enough you will get the message or get sick of me saying it. The information in these monthly jottings is meant to be shared with all your club members. It should not be retained by just the person who receives this or your club committee. Please pass the messages on – a BIG thank you to those clubs who already do this. Again remember this Association is your Association and communication is the key to its success. Your Club Members all pay a fee to belong and therefore they have the right to know what’s going on.
Well that’s it again from me for this month – hope to see your club details on the websites next time I look
Good fishing
Graeme Dawber
On your behalf
