In Attendance (Members):
Lorrie Sommerville, Vesa Myllyniemi, Helena Myllyniemi, Al Wills, Mary Wills, Curtis Hobson, Cliff Allan, , Dave Barrie, George Trattner, Tracy Klat, Angela Cramer ,John Clark, Brian Sommerville, Scott Sommerville, Jim Birtwistle, Bob Walczak, Keith Pickering, Greg Birtwistle, Mike Hughes, Bruce Reed, Randy Roberts, Bruce Somers

Guests:
Janis Roberts

Meeting was called to order at 19:30.

President’s opening remarks

Minutes from previous Annual General Meeting circulated.
Motion to adopt minutes as amended to reflect “Treasurer’s Report to August 31, 2001”:
MOVED / SECONDED / CARRIED V. Myllyniemi / B. Somers

Reports:

President’s Report:
Who could have known, this time last year, how world events, so far away, could adversely affect our little archery club! The closure of the range was very frustrating and caused a lot of difficulty, however it was necessary and we should all be proud of the support we showed. We lost many good members, who could not or would not be escorted into the range. I am happy that many have come back already. There are no hard feelings. There were blessings, however as we did not have to pay rental or taxes for last year. What will happen now is anyone’s guess. We have been on notice for as long as I can remember and there is no end in sight. We came here in 1965 for a ‘year or so’ and we’re still here!

We were able to find a place to shoot indoors this year, John Stubbs School. It has proven to be almost perfect. The hours are right, we have our container there, we can shoot the odd tournament there, it’s great! The only drawback is that it is expensive; the bill for next year will be over $5,000.00. It is an expense we must have, however as indoors is where we have our best turn out of new archers and where we have our best programs. I guess based on the number of hours we have (nearly 200), it isn’t so bad. It is the rate that all sports groups pay.

We raised our fees last year for the first time in many, many years. It caused some bad feelings in some circles, but our Board has been steadfast in the past few years. We have to keep our costs under control and the fee was necessary to do that. The Club hosted many shoots this summer including the JOP Outdoor. Most were successful in participation and all the FITA and 900s were financially sound. Hopefully with the lifting of restrictions we can again begin to host 3Ds. Hosting events is what the club is all about and by hosting events we can keep our fees down. We cannot, however, host shoots for little or no costs. We have to be financially responsible. That is not to say, however, that we cannot look after our members. Again this year we supported members of the club who were representing us at the National level and higher. We support Juniors to the JOP indoor and outdoor also. I hope that in the future some of our 3D archers will take advantage of this support program.

I would like to take a moment to talk about the Commissionaires. They are an integral part of our use of the outdoor range. I thank you all for your courtesy and cooperation with them. They are just doing their job. It is helpful to them to ALWAYS show your membership card to them, whether they know you or not! It is not their job to enforce our membership, it is our job. We all have to be sure that we do not bring local archers onto the range who are not members and that we ask those ‘in doubt’ for their card.

At a special Board meeting this summer we voted to bid for the Canadian Championships next summer. Our bid was enthusiastically endorsed by the membership of FCA at their Annual General Meeting. Many archers from across Canada expressed their enthusiasm for the event returning to Victoria. The club has experience second to none in hosting this event, but that does not mean that we have the people power!! We will need the support of the entire club with all levels of expertise. The dates are August 10 – 16. At a minimum you should be considering taking that time off to help out. There will be a lot of work that needs to be done before then. I urge you to attend the committee meetings and volunteer to assist as required. There is always something that needs to be done, make it known that you can help and we’ll find something for you!

Our website received a major face life this year and it resides at a much easier address to find (victoriabowmen.com). Communication is the most important part of a club like ours. Communication is more than paper or emails – it is each member knowing what is going on. We make every attempt to pass on what we are doing by as many different methods as we can. I encourage you to find one that works for you and to keep in touch with us.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your President for this past term. If it is your wish, I will remain for another year.

Respectfully submitted

Allan R. (Al) Wills

Vice President’s Report:
The Vice President is support staff to the President and my report is not specific to my job, but reflects the Club’s well being. The Club has really started to come back together with
- JOP growing
- 3D / Bowhunters returning
- Indoor – sharing the shooting line as a real club should
- Events will get easier to sponsor

Remember, adversity units people in a common goal.

Bruce Somers

Secretary’s Report:
No report

Treasurer’s Report:
Who would have known at the last year’s Annual General Meeting what lay ahead and how much the September 11, 2001, event would affect our little club’s life. We not only lost our free access to the outdoor range and had to operate under very strict rules of access, but we also lost in investments as the financial markets took the beating. Still, our assets grew by 4.8%. How could this be? Several factors affected the outcome. When we lost most of the use of our range we were given a relief on our outdoor monthly rent and also the property taxes. Because the access being so limited some of the events planned for the summer, 3D shoots mainly, had to be cancelled. The income from the membership dues and the tournament revenue were down, but so were the dues that we pay to BCAA and FCA.

Biggest loss was the interest income from the investments, down by 51.7%. We have been lucky enough so far that we still earn some interest and the principal amount has not been touched.

The club rented equipment to the B.C. Summer Games that were held in Nanaimo and earned some additional money from that, plus we sold to other clubs some targets we had in storage.

We were able to financially support those athletes going to the Nationals and helped the B.C. Summer Games athletes with their clothing.

I have enjoyed my year as the treasurer and I am looking forward to another one.

Respectfully submitted

Helena Myllyniemi

Financial statement for the year ending August 31, 2002, was provided.

Motion: “That financial statement be accepted as provided”
MOVED / SECONDED / CARRIED L. Sommerville / B. Somers

Membership Report:
Keith Pickering reported that our membership suffered significantly this past year. For 2001, we had 150 members. As at September 18, 2002, we have 98 members.

Tournament Director’s Report:
Victoria Bowmen hosted eleven FITA Stars, three Canadian 900 Rounds, and the FCA Indoor Championships. The tournaments were well attended by our club members. We had visitors from Parksville, Duncan, Seattle, and the Mainland. The tournament results are posted in the clubhouse and on the club website. The Tournament Reports have been submitted to BCAA and FCA.

We purchased 100 – 80cm targets, digital hand clock, thermometer and small clipboards.

I would like to thank Lorrie Sommerville for her excellent job in judging.

A revenue and expense breakdown was provided for review.

Tracy Klat

JOP Director’s Report:
Thanks to George Trattner the JOP got into the range most of the time. We shot Saturdays 9:30 to noon and extra shooting Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We have increased our JOP membership and will see more starting when move indoors.

We hosted the JOP Outdoor Championships and it went well, after solving a few problems. Thank you Greg. Entry fees brought in $800, and we had to pay for the escort, for the portable toilet pumping, the JOP awards. We used repaired targets (okayed by the Judge) to cut costs. Amrit Sandhar looked after the concession, and made $71.48. Thanks to all the parents who helped out with concession duties and set up/clean up.

Starting October 5th we will be indoors with 2 groups (9:00 am to 11:00 am and 11:00 am to 1:00 pm). I would like to see us add more time as it will be crowded (25-30 kids in each group).

Commonwealth Pool starts September 23. We have a full group of 20 plus a few on a waiting list.

Publicity Director’s Report:
No report.

Bowhunting Director’s Report:
The closure of the range did not help us. We lost a lot of members who made the decision to go up to the Malahat. Some are returning. We hope next year will be a better one.

Trophy Director’s Report:
No Report.

Field Director’s Report:
Thank you to Bruce Reed and Greg Birtwhistle for repairing the bridge, steps, and trails.

Equipment Director’s Report:
Due to the inability to gain access to the range, I was unable to do any maintenance.

DND Director’s Report:
(See President’s report)

JR Representative’s Report:
No Report.

Social Director’s Report:
No Report.

Newsletter Director’s Report:
No Report

Standing Committee:
No Report.

Motion: “That the reports be accepted as presented.”
MOVED / SECONDED / CARRIED J. Clark / G. Birtwhistle

Old Business
None

New Business

1. Safety Issue
Greg Birtwhistle advised that he has received queries from the DND Property Officer regarding errant arrows. A barrier needs to be erected off the rock bluff at #10 target.

2. Election of Directors (2002 / 03):

President: Al Wills
Vice President: Bruce Somers
Secretary:
Treasurer: Helena Myllyniemi
Membership: Lorrie Sommerville and Keith Pickering
Tournament: Tracy Klat
JOP Rep: Cliff Allan
Public Relations: Greg Durward
Newsletter: (vacant)
Trophy: Angela Cramer
Bowhunting / 3D: Bruce Reed and Greg Birtwhistle
Field: Mike Hughes
Equipment: Vesa Myllyniemi
DND Rep: George Trattner
JR Rep: Scott Sommerville
Social: Mary Wills
Webmaster:

Meeting turned over to the President, Al Wills:
Thank you for your support.

Upcoming Events:
· Meetings for Canadian Championships to be scheduled.
· Victoria Bowmen Executive Meeting:
Monday, October 28, 2002, 7:00 pm at the Clubhouse
· Club Championships, September 21 (Saturday), 9:00 am practice, 10:00 am start, Cost $15.00
· Upcoming indoor Fita I tournaments (18m), October 27, November 25,
January 26

For the good of the Association:

Meeting adjourned at 20:15

/ls