1. Welcome to the NDWG AGM 2014
15 October 2014

2. Agenda The Committee The Wider Team 2013-2014 Programme Weekends Away
A Week Away!
Christmas Weekend
Advert for Weekends Away
Braemar
NDWG Socials
Conservation Weekends
The Ramblers
The Accounts
Discounts
Website
Publicity
Communication
Membership
Survey Results

3. Agenda
Beer Break
Prize Draws!
Elections
Braemar Opens!

4. The Committee Helen Tarling – Committee Chairperson
Anna Dobrowolska– Treasurer/Weekends Organiser
Andrew Milledge– Secretary
Harriet Lagnado – Membership Secretary
Euan Walters – Walks Co-ordinator
Nigel Sarsfield– Notts Social Organiser/Web Editor
Simon Lazenby – Weekends Organiser
Madeleine Walker– Conservation Officer
Rob Brighton – Communications Officer
Wendy Holdsworth – Derby Social Organiser
Stand up - applause

5. Thank You Brendan Barnes Jacky Braunton Harri Lagnado Nigel Sarsfield
Rob Stevens
Wendy Holdsworth
Katie Szkornik
Greg Whitton

6. 2013 – 2014 Walks Progamme
169 Walks 1,666.5 miles

7. Walk Leaders Required!

8. Leaders are required for....
Sat 18 Oct – Kirklington – 12 miles Sun 16 Nov – Rowsley – 12.5 miles Sun 30 Nov – The Roaches – 9 miles Sun 14 Dec – Hartington – 12 miles Sun 12 Dec – Cannock Chase – 9 miles

9. Walks Programme

10. Support for Walk Leaders
NDWG Guidance for Walk Leaders
The Ramblers Good Practice Toolkit for Walk Leaders
The Ramblers Walk Leaders Checklist
Experienced members happy to support new leaders

11. Sunday Meet Points

12. Weekends Away Pendle Hill, Nr. Yorkshire Dales
Grasmere , The Lakes – New Year!
Idwal Cottage, Snowdonia
Boggle Hole, Yorkshire Moors
Street (Glastonbury)

13. More Weekends Away Maggs Howe, Kentmere St. Davids, Pembrokeshire
Snowdonia
– Beginners Scrambling
The Black Mountains, Llanbedr
Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk

14. A Week Away!

15. A Week Away!

16. A Week Away!

17. A Week Away!

18. A Week Away!

19. A Week Away!

20. A Week Away!

21. Christmas Weekend
NDWG Christmas Social in Hartington. Festive meal at the Charles Cotton Hotel, B&B accommodation at Hartington YHA and group walks on both days.

22. Join us for a Weekend Away
Memories you will keep forever
Best way to make friends
Visit different areas of the country

23. NDWG Socials

24. Spring Social
The Splinter Band

25. Group Meals Le Bistro Pierre Pizza Express Mexico Annie’s Burger Shack
Turtle Bay
Ask Italian
The Bookcafe in the Quarter
Chutney
Tamatanga
Petit Paris

26. Gigs
Coldplace
The Fillers
The Lancashire Hotpots

27. Films The Best of the Kendal Film Festival
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Epic of Everest
Banff Film Festival
Rocky Horror Picture Show

28. Film, Arts & Theatre Andy Kirkpatrick – Inappropriate Climbing!
Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Living Dangerously

29. Festivals 37th Derby City Beer Festival Derby Folk Festival
Derby Camra Winter Beer Festival

30. Festivities Derby Bonfire & Fireworks Display
Nottingham Bonfire & Fireworks Display
Beeston Christmas Lights Switch On
German Christmas Market (Birmingham)
Christmas Ice-Skating & Mulled Wine
Chinese New Year Festival & Fireworks
Christmas Coach Trip

32. And lots more besides... Friar Gate Ghost Walk & Supper
Haddon Hall by Candlelight
Gothic Hall at Elvaston Castle
Derby Museums Event
Ice Hockey
Nottingham Light Night
Derby Cathedral Quarter, Towers, Tunnels & Tales
Nottingham Goose Fair

33. Including the regular pub socials that’s...
63 events!!!!!!!!

34. Conservation Weekends
Protect our beautiful countryside
Four weekends away a year for just £20!

35. Conservation Weekends
Gather on Friday evening
Conversation task on Saturday
Group Meal Saturday evening
Local Sunday walk

37. The Ramblers Manifesto for a Walking Britain
Ramblers Campaign: Don’t Lose Your Way
The Ramblers solve over 600 footpath problems a year

38. The Accounts – where the money came from and went
73% of receipts and 81% of payments in the year relate to weekends away..
Social receipts include the vast bulk of Christmas 2014 receipts.
Two events (one bank holiday trip away and one social event) made a fairly substantial loss

39. The Accounts – how the balance tracked over the year
Peaks in November (Christmas 2013 and New Year receipts), February (Mull receipts) and September (Christmas 2014 receipts)
Opening Balance £2.8k, Closing balance £4.3k
BUT…… this increase is down to timing (most Christmas 2014 receipts in, but only deposits paid out as of year end).. Large payments on the horizon before end 2014

40. The Accounts – no room for complacency
Payments already made since year end, remaining payments tor Christmas meal (say £1.1k) and two weekends away paid for (say £800 each) could substantially reduce the cash balance by year end
We can pay all current commitments, but early 2015 may be tight due to timing of balances due vs likely opening nights and timing of receipts ?

41. The Accounts – prompt payment always helps!
£ +
= 
We will only pay out deposits to make further weekend bookings when we know we can pay existing commitments.
Paying promptly once you’ve booked on a weekend away improves the group’s cash flow and gives us a better chance of securing popular locations (e.g. Lakes at bank holiday time) before they are booked up

42. Discounts 15% at Cotswold Outdoor 20% of Cicerone Guides online
The Notts Store occasionally has 20% discount nights for NDGW
20% of Cicerone Guides online
Fitness Footwear – free delivery
Wirksworth Outdoors – 5% discount

43. Website
Nigel has worked tirelessly to update the website and keep it up to date:
Facebook feed to keep front page fresh
Blog include information from Area
Photos & Videos
Committee Minutes
Useful Links
Copies of all the previous programmes & editions of Footprint
All the latest news and updates on walks

44. Publicity
Websites
Libraries
Shops

45. Communication
Digest
Facebook
Website

46. Membership Numbers +41 +56 +36% 222 239 +10 +17 +7.5% 20 9 242 248 +2
Sept 2013
Sept 2014
Last 8 months
Last 12 months
New &
Re-instated
+41
+56
+36%
Total
222
239
+10
+17
+7.5%
Pending Payment 20 9
242
248 +2 +6
+2.5%

47. Selling Points We are a thriving dynamic group.
We have strengths which smaller or meet up groups struggle to achieve:
A full and varied programme of walks and social events
Committed walk leaders, events organisers and committee
Big enough to have people take on these roles
Good turnover with new members becoming more involved

48. Selling Points ...we are who we are!
Friendly, welcoming, relaxed approach
People can drop in and out as they please, as much or as little as they want to
Multifaceted member interface via digest/web/fb
Quick response to changing circumstances & queries
We have our own identity and...
...we are who we are!

49. Happy to be a part of NDWG?
You’re the best advert around! Thank you!

50. Please renew your membership promptly!

51. Discounted Membership with Tesco
If you shop at Tesco and collect Clubcard points you can now exchange them for annual membership to The Rambler. Single Annual Membership - £11 in Clubcard vouchers Joint Annual Membership - £15 in Clubcard vouchers

52. Survey Results

53. Which of NDWG's walks do you join?

54. How do you normally get to the walk start point?

55. What are your thoughts about the length of walks as they currently are?
Good/ideal (35)
Would like more walks of miles on a Sunday
More short walks, long walks appeal to speed walkers
More walks of miles
Longer Sunday walks in the summer
Saturday walks that finish at 2pm or 3pm sometimes
Short walks can be long for occasional walkers
More 5-7 mile walks to encourage new members

56. Are there any places you would like to walk that are not currently offered on the programme?
North Nottinghamshire
Linear walks
West Midlands
Holidays abroad
Lincolnshire
Leicestershire
Fringes of the Dark Peak
Hathersage
South of England
North Yorkshire

57. What types of weekends would you like to see on the programme, please tick all that apply?

58. Comments on Types of Weekends
More scrambling!
Berwick had mix of all above so ideal :-)
Good to cover all bases (unless something is clearly unpopular/didn’t work last time)
At end of day its a hiking group so stick to that relaxing/city breaks aren’t really the point
The tick boxes above don't cover places like the North York Moors or the Cotswolds, etc.
Maybe a Europe or Ireland
Weekends away don’t appeal due to accommodation - what about selecting a location with B&B/pub/self-catering accommodation as an alternative to hostels?
I like idea of having a longer (week long?) trip once a year and the slightly longer New Year trip
walking along rivers and canals
Long distance footpaths in sections
Although I don't do weekends away so doesn't matter what I think

59. Are there any locations that you would like to see featured on the schedule of weekends?
Seaside (Cornwall, Dorset, etc.)
South Downs
North Lakes
Isle of Man
Suffolk
London
Cotswolds
Chilterns
Gower Peninsula
Wilderhope Manor, Long Mynd
Lincolnshire Wolds
Yorkshire Moors & Dales
Skye
Wales
Northumberland
Highlands
Ireland Coastal Areas
Bowland
North Pennines

60. Are there any locations that you would like to see featured on the schedule of weekends?
A good variety. Easter and New Year in locations that suit all abilities
Shorter overnight trips to the Peak District
Camping Trips
YHA South Downs for Nov

61. Please give us your suggestions for future social events.
Bowling
Cinema
Concerts
Theatre
Beach Party Social
West Bridgford Bars in Summer
Ice Skating
Go Ape
Xmas Markets
Abseiling/Outdoors Event
Kendal & Banff FF
Walk linked social (Lido or Castleton Caverns)
Splendour
BBQ
Casino/Poker
Cheese & Wine Evening
Ceilidhs
Picnic
Day Trips to Local Cities
Riverside Festival
Hunger Games/Battle Royal

62. In your opinion, what is the best overall feature of NDWG?
The walks
Friendliness of the members/Welcoming
Social activities
‘I can come along when I’m free’
Breadth of activities
Informative website
Affordable activities
Reliable & well organised

63. Are there any changes that you would like us to make?
Recruit new members
Decide whether we are a 20-30s or 20-40s group
City centre meet point on a Saturday
Committee minutes on website
Courses on how to spread out around a bar and get served without queuing!
Advertise activities well in advance
The opportunity to thank the Committee
I’m happy with everything. Thanks!

64. Please write any additional comments you have in the space
Please write any additional comments you have in the space. Thank you for your feedback. We will publish the results via the Digest.
Encourage new Committee Members from all areas Good move to ditch the coach trip More weekends away Some longer Saturday walks More drivers to pick up people at meet points NDWG is excellent and the Committee do a fab job Keep making people feel welcome – always!

65. Thank You!
‘Thanks to the committee, walks leaders and weekends leaders for all they do in helping to keep the group active and thriving. You all do an amazing job as volunteers and without you the group would not be anywhere near as successful as it is.’

66. Thank You!
‘The Committee do a wonderful job to keep this group one of the most dynamic of all the 'young ramblers' groups. Their hard work should never be forgotten nor those people who volunteer to lead walks, host meals and organise other events.’

67. ‘It's great, well done all!’ ‘WE LOVE NDWG !!’
Thank You!
‘It's great, well done all!’ ‘WE LOVE NDWG !!’

68. The Future Encourage & support new Committee Members
Welcome and encourage new members
Volunteer to lead walks
Make suggestions
Organise a social
Contribute to the Website and/or Facebook page

69. NDWG Review of the year video
Beer Break!
NDWG Review of the year video

70. Prize Draw

71. Elections

72. The Committee
NDWG is run by a dedicated team of volunteers that are elected each year at our group AGM. They form a committee which meets every eight weeks to organise the day to day running of the group and make plans for the year ahead. They also make sure that the group is being run in accordance with the original constitution laid down when the group was formed in 1997.

73. Committee Chairperson
Responsible for chairing the committee meetings and the AGM, making sure that the business is completed and keeping the participants in good order. Other tasks include discussing and planning the agenda with the Secretary. In conjunction with the Secretary, attends Nottinghamshire Area committee meetings and the Area AGM. Feeds back information between Area and NDWG Committees. Please note that this position is usually taken by an existing member of the committee.

74. Secretary & Vice Chair
As the group's main administrator, the Secretary acts as the main contact person. Tasks include; dealing with correspondence from central office, dealing with general enquiries, keeping minutes of committee meetings and keeping all relevant correspondence. In conjunction with the Chair, attends Nottinghamshire Area committee meetings and the Area AGM. Feeds back information between Area and NDWG committee.

75. Treasurer
To keep account of the groups income, expenses and banking. To pay out costs and collect income. To prepare a Balance sheet for each committee meeting, and for the AGM along with a detailed report of all the cash movements within the group. To pay out and collect deposits for weekends. And at the year end, prepare the year end accounts to be submitted to RA Head Office for auditing.

76. Membership Secretary
Maintains and updates the group's membership list from the monthly reports posted from RA Central Office. Deals with enquires from people interested in joining the group and forwards them information. Sends out welcome mail and walks programme to new members. Sends reminders to lapsed members encouraging them to re- join. Submits a regular Membership Brief to the committee. Advises the RA on members’ address changes.

77. Communications Officer
Responsible for communications to the group and publicity to the wider public. Liaises with Web Editor on use of NDWG website and other new media channels for publicity and group communications. Liaises with Online Content Editor and Membership Secretary as necessary to ensure aligned and timely communication of key messages to the membership. Responsible for coordinating distribution of the group's publicity posters and leaflets to libraries, shops, tourist info centres etc. Provides details of walks and events to local press and other local media.

78. Weekends Organiser
Shared role. Organises the programme of weekends for the group; liaising with the walks organisers re group calendar. Booking accommodation for weekends whilst actively seeking weekend leaders and popular locations.

79. Walks Organiser
Shared role. Co-ordinates the production of the group's six-monthly walks programme. Encourages people to lead walks and maintains a contact list of potential leaders. Ensures that the programme offers a choice of locations, terrain and distances

80. Social Coordinator (Nottingham)
Co-ordinates all the socials, ensuring nothing clashes and that there are plenty of socials each month in both Nottingham and Derby. Update socials page of NDWG website

81. Social Coordinator (Derby)
Co-ordinates all the socials, ensuring nothing clashes and that there are plenty of socials each month in both Nottingham and Derby. Update socials page of NDWG website

82. Conservation Officer
Organises conservation activities/ weekends and reports to the committee on any threats to the countryside.

83. Web Editor
Maintains the group website including photo updates, updates to the walks / weekends programmes. Liaises with Communications Officer on use of NDWG website and other new media channels for publicity and group communications and ensures these are posted in an accurate and timely manner.

84. Welcome to the new Committee

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