CPGA Strategy ‘Our Sport – Our Community’ Proposal – Finalised September 2021
The CPGA Committee has reflected on the feedback provided by clubs and individuals during the valuable consultation activities that took place during the Spring. Whilst the aims of the strategy remain broadly unchanged, we have amended the membership model previously proposed. The changes mean that some of the aspirations outlined in the strategy will take longer to achieve and some planned activities will not be achievable within five years. Some of the posts previously outlined will not be supported by the new proposed model. Nonetheless the new model will secure the sport for the future, and this is our priority.
We drew on the feedback from individuals and clubs to create a strategy that gets important things done. 46.8% of our community survey respondents (1000 people participated) were willing to pay an individual membership of £30. Comments from many individuals and also club representatives stated that they did want to see changes to the way the sport was run and delivered. We are committed to developing a strategy that honours their aspirations.
Equally though, we considered the views of those who had concerns about the ambitious nature of the strategy. 38.9% of our community survey respondents were not willing to pay an individual membership of £30. Some of these, along with club representatives, were worried that the plans outlined were ‘too much, too soon’. They also had concerns about the affordability of the sport for social rowers and more casual participants, particularly in light of membership uncertainties due to the covid pandemic. We are committed to ensuring that the revised strategy addresses these concerns.
The comments section of the community survey proved a striking reminder that members of our rowing community hold a diverse range of aspirations and opinions about the future of gig rowing. Despite differing views, many agreed that the CPGA cannot stand still at a time of continuing growth for the sport. The aim of this consultation is to work with our community to create a strategy that balances these contrasting aspirations and ensure that gig rowing is secured for our communities to enjoy both now and for generations to come.
These proposals are being circulated to clubs and it is intended that clubs share these with their wider membership. We encourage all clubs to consider how they will facilitate the engagement of club committees and their wider membership with these proposals prior to the EGM. We remind you that the club member selected to represent the club at the EGM should be given a clear mandate to vote on behalf on their club. Votes will be collected during the EGM. A vote of 60% of the membership will be required for a proposal to be considered ‘accepted’ by the membership. Votes will be accepted at the meeting by all attending clubs of the CPGA (no proxy votes will be accepted).
CPGA Strategy Proposals – Finalised September 2021
Both of the following proposals are being put forward for your consideration. These two proposals are designed to work together to deliver a single strategy. Please note the Frequently Asked Questions section at the end of this document.
Proposal 1) Club membership to change from a flat rate on £200 per club to £5 per active member*. Clubs will no longer pay £200 but instead pay £5 for each member.
This proposal addresses the following feedback from our rowing community:
- it would be fairer if club fees were proportionate to the size of the club
– some small clubs will pay less than they do now (40 x £5 = £200)
- not everyone can afford increased membership fees
– clubs can manage their own membership rates based on the needs of their community
- if a fee affects all rowers, clubs should collect those fees so that they can offset the costs to their members or sections of the membership if they so choose.
– it is at the discretion of clubs to decide what and how to charge their members
- as the sport expands the responsibilities and costs of the CPGA grow
– the per head fee ensures that any growth in participants is matched by a growth in income
- the CPGA requires a paid administrative role to operate core elements of the sport
– core income from club membership will ensure the security and sustainability of an administrator
- when clubs are first established, they have small memberships but big start-up costs
– a low £5 per head costing benefits smaller and newly forming clubs
- the impact of the covid pandemic has affected club membership figures and finances
– some small clubs will pay less than they do now
How will it work?
- Clubs will submit a register of their active rowing members* (including juniors) and make a payment to the CPGA of £5 for each member as of January 2022 (on receipt of an invoice).
- The CPGA will allocate each member a number.
- Membership will be administrated in line with the calendar year January – December.
- Registers will be updated quarterly to include new members as they join through the year and invoices issued accordingly. After each quarterly register is submitted clubs will be invoiced for £5 per each new member registered.
- Clubs will retain their voting rights as currently held. One vote per club.
- How and when membership will be collected will be determined through club collaboration and based on available software. The system used may evolve depending on the needs of the sport as we work out the most effective administrative processes for everyone.
*Non-active members will not be charged for instance, non-gig rowers in multi-sport clubs and in-active life members.
| Model calculation | Total Income | |
| Current flat rate | £200 x 86 clubs | £17,200 |
| Proposed per head rate | £5 per head x average of 60 rowers per club = £300 x 86 clubs | £25,800 to cover core costs and administrator (minimum) 0.6fte wages and on costs, NIC/pension/ fixed contract |
The income from the Club Membership will be used to cover core costs which include: insurance, legal, data protection, venue hire (AGM) etc.
The income will also be used to recruit and employ an administrator to deliver the core activities of the CPGA.
| Administrator responsibilities: |
Governance Support all governance structures Minuting (all meetings: Trustees, regional structures etc) Documenting, archiving – file management Reporting to Charity Commission |
| Communications Front of house/first point of contact New club enquiries and support Existing club queries Internal and external comms Web and social media content |
| Systems Membership database management Web and social media management File management Archive management Bookings for services including events and courses |
| Volunteers Recruitment Management Recognition scheme development Awards |
| Finance Day to day transactions |
Proposal 2) The introduction of an individual membership required for all competitors in participants of CPGA endorsed championship events*.
This proposal addresses the following feedback from our rowing community:
- not everyone can afford to pay an individual membership
– individual membership is not compulsory for all
- a blanket fee seems unfair as some participate more than others
– only those who participate more in competition events need to become individual members.
- a membership isn’t a good fit for everyone
– only those who value or require the membership services on offer need apply
- a membership offer is a good way to help the sport develop and thrive
– those wishing to make a contribution to the charitable aims of the sport can do so
- on water race provision is needed
– a professional team will facilitate high quality competitions
- new championship and regional race structures are required
– staffing capacity is needed to deliver new structures
- the CPGA can no longer be run solely by volunteers and needs managing
– ongoing income from individual membership will ensure the sustainability of a Manager role
- clubs request support in particular with welfare, safety, coaching and coxswaining
– once the income from individual membership reaches target levels a Club Support Officer will deliver training and courses
How will it work?
- Any person wishing to support the CPGA will be able to become an ‘Individual Member’.
- Any adult (over 18 years of age) participating in CPGA endorsed championship events* in 2022 will require individual membership.
- Individuals will apply and make payment direct to the CPGA.
- Any person participating in CPGA endorsed championship events* must belong to a CPGA member club or affliate club.
- It is intended to design a membership system which enables club membership officials and the CPGA to safely share registration information and uphold data protection security.
- How and when membership will be collected will be determined based on a number of factors including affordability and available software. The system used may evolve depending on the needs of the sport as we work out the most effective administrative processes for everyone.
*CPGA endorsed championship events will include existing championships and new/selected championship events consequent to a competition review. This will ensure that all age groups and geographies are more accommodated.
| Model calculation | Total Income | |
| Current individual membership | £0 | £0 |
| Proposed individual membership | £25 per head x 2064 = £51,600 + 20% gift aid = £10,320 | £61,920 (to cover Manager and p/t Club Support Officer wages and on costs, NIC/pension) |
The income from the Individual Membership will be used to cover activity costs which include travel and venues to operate the new regional structures, on-water championship provision, external safety and welfare, staff and volunteer expenses.
The income will also be used to recruit and employ a Manager who will oversee the organisation and secure the future of the sport. Also, a part-time Club Support Officer (once target individual membership numbers are met) will be recruited and employed to support clubs with safety, welfare, coaching, coxswaining, competition and other areas of club operations.
| Manager responsibilities: |
| Governance Implement governance review recommendations Facilitate all governance structures Oversee all policy development Support regional structures |
| Finance Management and forward planning Reporting to trustees Liaising with accountants Securing investments (sponsors, corporate partners etc) |
| Whole sport representation Partners External agencies Other sports |
| Media Campaigns e.g. whole sport recruitment PR and press liaison Broadcast and coverage opportunities |
| HR Recruitment and induction of staff Ongoing management and appraisals |
| Projects Project development Funding applications – development and submission Oversee project delivery and reporting |
| Competition Management, review and publication of event calendar Development of new calendar events – more racing Racing rule review and update management Oversee regional leagues Oversee championship provision Oversee on quality of on water competition provision |
| Club Support Officer responsibilities: |
| Safety Incident reporting system Report production and management Liaison for safety partners and agencies including Harbour Commissioners, RNLI, Coastguard Club Safety Officer Support Club event safety support |
| Welfare DBS Club Welfare Officer Support Incident reporting system Disputes |
| Training and accreditation Develop and manage Online Portal for guidance and documentation For all areas: coaching, coxswaining, grant funding, welfare, safety, governance Develop and publish learning materials and resources to include guidance, templates and videos Develop and deliver online and in person courses (free and paid for) Develop and manage accreditation scheme Develop Kite Mark Scheme |
| Events Maintain events equipment and resources Regional league support and delivery Championship support and delivery |
| Athlete Pathways Junior recruitment, development programmes and camps Development of pathways between rowing sports and into international rowing formats Cross-sport competition opportunities for athletes |
Please address any questions you have about the new proposals, or any send feedback to secretary@cpga.co.uk
FAQ’s
What will happen if the proposals are not accepted by the membership?
The sustainability of the CPGA is currently in question. If the proposals are not accepted, amended proposals will be put forward for the AGM to secure the organisation.
What happens if only Proposal 1 is accepted by the membership?
The activities outlined in each proposal are based upon the acceptance of both proposals by the membership. So, inevitably the activities specified under Proposal 1 would be amended to best serve the organisation. Proposal 2 would be replaced or amended with further proposals to be put forward at the AGM.