Northern News Index Page

Newsletter of the Northern Area

Hello again folks - hope you're enjoying the weather (and the Commonwealth Games)

Right, to get on with business ....

NEC

The new Committee had its first meeting over the weekend (and Bekki did a great job in the big Chair!) - a lot was discussed, here's the highlights.

We now have a Deputy National Chairman - it's Martin Berry, the Midland Area Chairman. His job is to be Bekki's backup should the need arise.

Northern Area now has an official NEO - former National Chairman Adrian Barnard. For those who don't know, National Executive Officers are there to help Area Chairmen if they have any problems and to act as a nuetral arbitor. You'll get your first chance to meet him at the Area Forum/BBQ - he's looking forward to it!

Events.

We've arranged most of the big dates for 2003 - a new Events Diary attached. You'll notice that we're running TWO new National Holidays next year - Narrowboating in June and a Greek Week in September. The posters and Booking Forms will be in your next Bulk Posting, due out next week. Support the Area and book up quick.

Health and Safety.

As you may be aware, there was an incident at the Marlow Raft Race when a competitor was seriously injured. As a result, we're going to examine introducing Health and Safety regulations for ALL events. To this end, if your Group has a First Aider, could they make themselves known at an event, and if your Group is arranging an Area event, you'd need to satisfy minimum requirements for H&S - I'll get back to you on that.

National Competitions.

An idea being looked at for 2003 is to get more people involved in National Competitions by running Area Heats - the qualifiers would then compete in a National Final (hopefully with prizes). This would mean we'd have more Area Events, and we'll be bidding to host more National Events. Keep an eye on developments.

ANC (The Biggie)

Next year's ANC has been set for March 15th-16th to be held again in Coventry. If you've never gone before - why? Tick below.

• 'It's boring - people just talking'
• 'I'm not bothered'
• 'It doesn't matter'

If you've said yes to any of these, have I got news for you - you're WRONG! Next year's ANC will have one issue - the future of the Federation. At next January's NEC meeting, we'll be voting on the final proposals of the National Restructuring Forum, who've been looking at how the Federation is run now, and what can be done to guarantee our future. What's being considered? Ideas such as :-

• Membership Fees (individual and Group)
• Area Structure (what form/how many)
• National Structure (what form/how big)
• plus others that we havn't even heard about.

To this end, we're going to hold a pre-ANC Forum in February to let your delegates know what's going to happen. I would like you to elect your ANC delegates at your next bi-AGM, and I expect to see them all at the Forum - we've got a lot to discuss.

PUT SIMPLY - if you go to the ANC, you'll have your say on how we're run in the future, and even if we have one. If not, don't complain if decisions are made you don't like.

Phew - that's all!

No it isn't!

Quest.

Stockport Quest held its opening night last Tuesday, and it was massive! Including ex-Stockport members, 9 people were there, with 4 others who couldn't make it but are coming next time and another couple of expressions of interest, AND a couple of people who saw the Ad and asked about Romiley Group details. This is a great start, and we're looking to repeat it with Licks Quest, which opens in 3 weeks. By the way, give a big welcome to Geoff Buller, who's the Lincs Quest contact and is now included in the e-chats. Remember, give both Groups your full support.

OK, that IS it.

Enjoy the weather, see you at the Forum

Mark Randall (Nprthern Area Chairman and proud of it)

northern.18plus@btopenworld.com