West of Scotland Squash Forum

Jason Broadberry · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

Hi there Mr Cockburnator,

I think the bottom line is that Sportscotland are insisting that SSq get all squash players in Scotland to recognise (by affiliation) their 'National Governing Body' so that they, in turn, can justify (to their Government/Lottery funders) giving money (almost £300K) to the performance & Scotland squads, who are representing everyone in Scotland (showing both unity and a specific number of how many people play the sport and therefore how much funding should/could be given to the elite side of squash).........................what a sentence that was! Laughing

SSq also want everyone to affiliate so they can run the administration side of things with everyone in Scotland contributing equally. Also because in principle if everyone pays then we all either pay less per head or they can expand their services. Shocked

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richard mcintosh · Sir Spamalot Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 117

It might also be very good for Scottish Squash to be able to say to potential sponsors that they have a membership list of all squash players in Scotland rather than maybe 33% (totally made up number so don't anyone go quoting me on that) of players. At the moment Scottish Squash has to say to any potential sponsors that the governing body isn't supported by many areas in Scotland including the West of Scotland, which is surely the largest region in Scotland.

Scottish Squash recently advertised for someone to sort out their computer databases, or something like that. The salary on offer was £16-18,000. No offence to anyone but you don't get top-of-the-range computer database programmers for that sort of money. I could be wrong as I'm not very good with these computer things but it shouldn't make much difference whether you have 100 or 100,000 names on a database, the background programming is the same, and if you don't pay decent salaries (okay £16,000 is a fantastic salary for sitting at a computer typing in codes) then you're not going to get decent computer programmers. Just think how much better that database would be if you could offer 3 times the salary and actually employ someone who was brilliant with computers, databases and those sorts of things? Or, Scottish Squash could reduce membership fees by 66%.

Now, would any clubs in the non-affiliated areas be interested in joining Scottish Squash if the membership fees were cut by two-thirds? Maybe £7 per competitive player and £1.50 for a social player per year? I have to say that I just made up that hypothetical scenario. But what about it?

Iain Shaw · Sir Spamalot Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 93

Richard, I can't speak for the other Associations but the West does support the fundemental principles and objects of Scottish Squash. What it does not do is demand that its members also be members of Scottish Squash, that is left up to each individual and club. The Association Committee does not discourage them, quite the opposite having engaged with the SS staff and subsequently held an EGM, which Kim attended and addressed, specifically on the subject and at which those present voted not to make that membership compulsory. The majority were not opposed to membership they were opposed to compulsion. That few of them have taken up membership since then may perhaps be indicative of how the organisation is viewed in a number of areas e.g. cost, attitude towards the West Clubs, fairness of decision making, how well organised SS appears to be, administrative hassle etc. etc. I would question whether the proposed changes will do anything to enhance those views.

Have the other Associations done likewise during these past few years?

For the smaller clubs with few members membership fees such as you are suggesting (hypothetically) would, I'm sure, make quite a difference as they will otherwise be facing a per capita increase in subscriptions of around £15 - £35, the lower the number of members the higher the per capita fee. For the larger clubs, especially those which are multi sport based there may be little if any increase if those costs are evened out over the whole membership base. For them other factors may have more significance.

The figures you were quoting were pretty much in line with England I believe.

Dead Nic · Sir Spamalot Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 114

I have to agree with Mr Shaw and reiterate (along with others) for the umpteenth time on this forum that 'The West' as a region are members of SS and some of the West Clubs are also members. Some of the bigger ones as well - Newlands, Western & Lloyds (as well as Strathgryffe, M&B).

Even if every other West club joined, we're not talking about another £50K coming in, it would be more like another £10K (on top of the £5/£6K that is already being given by the affiliated clubs).
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Iain Shaw · Sir Spamalot Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 93

Isn't it quiet all of a sudden? Everyone on holiday?

steve_carlin · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:45 am Post subject:

Square Handle · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

No doubt everyone will have read and understood every word of the proposals to change the Memorandum & Articles of Association of Scottish Squash.

In layman’s terms (that’s me) the Memorandum sets out the objects of the Company and the Articles set out the Rules on how it may go about achieving these objects.

The Board want to update them in line with legislation and also change some of the Rules to make it easier for them to operate efficiently. An excellent idea, however there are some changes which I don’t think will be beneficial to the membership – you and me.

In particular,

while introducing clauses

do not seem beneficial to us, the membership, in any way whatsoever.

You may think all this is a bit over the top but I would urge you all not to let it slip through just because you can’t be bothered reading the volume of script that has been produced.

The Vet2 · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:21 am Post subject: SSq AGM

As I am unable to attend the AGM, I decided to send in a proxy. The information relating to the AGM is very helpful in this regard informing me that I can send in the "attached" proxy form. Of course there is no attached proxy form, nor can one be found on the SSq website. So either incompetence or deliberate plot to harness the unproxied members!!!
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Kill or Cure [aka Martin Sullivan]

fionnmacual · Uber Spammer Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 165

Square Handle · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

Following my last post I've had some comments from credible sources which suggest the end game is to get away from regional reps. In fact the aim is to have "media-friendly" directors, well qualified people from professional walks of life, not necessarily squash qualified. I expect these people might want paid for their services and can only imagine the effect this might have on your fees! Sad

Not sure when or if the Board were intending to divulge this new direction they want to take us but, if true, I think it incredibly deceitful.

Mad

It would explain why they want to change the Memorandum to allow payment.

Mad

It would explain why they want to lose the clauses about regional bias on the board.

Mad

It would explain why they don't want the members to have any say in the Byelaws they pass.

Mad

It would explain why they want to have power to ban, suspend or expel any member who says or does anything they don't like. This post for example!

Mad

It would explain why they want to allow a quorum at a General Meeting to be made by proxy.

richard mcintosh · Sir Spamalot Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 117

I've sent in my votes.

I know that I can't play (though I do play a mean mis-hit spinny shot sometimes), coach or referee. But I do enjoy running about a squash court and trying to do all of these other things (sometimes all at the same time).

And by voting on the agenda items I feel that I'm part of an organisation that is doing its best to improve squash in Scotland. I know that not everything's perfect and it will never be for everyone, but I'm a member of Scottish Squash and by voting then I'm playing a small part in the organisation.

Iain Shaw · Sir Spamalot Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 93

Richard,

I'm delighted to hear that you've voted although it would have been even better if you'd told us how you voted and your reasons for doing so. You might have encouraged others to vote the same way.

I presume that you've sent in your proxy vote because you will be unable to come to the AGM which is rather a pity as you usually have something interesting to say. It means that you won't be able to hear the arguments for and against the various motions which might have swayed your valued opinion. It also means that you won't be able to hear of any proposed amendments to the Resolutions or vote on them.

I'm also a member of Scottish Squash but don't play much nowadays. I will be voting at the AGM after listening to and evaluating the various comments made. It would be so much better if you could make the effort to come and do likewise.

Your previous comments on this forum have been very helpful to me in framing a proposal.

The Vet2 · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject: SSq AGM

I have sent my proxy form by post. I hope it reaches SSq, I posted it before I was aware that the Edinburgh posties were going on strike. Anyway I voted FOR the usual safe stuff like accounts etc, BUT voted AGAINST everything else. My reason- presenting West and the other regions with an ultimatum, which may cause serious divisions at regional level, is not politically an astute or sensible way forward. Do we want 2 Organisations at a national level claiming to represent squash in Scotland? I fear that this is what might ensue if the proposals are voted through.
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Kill or Cure [aka Martin Sullivan]

Iain Shaw · Sir Spamalot Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 93

I had no idea that there was a postal strike in Edinburgh!

Martin, presumably you voted for approval of the Accounts without having had the chance to see them. Smile

For the benefit of all the Accounts and Board Report are now available on the Scottish Squash website.