This is part 2 of a two-part article. I recommend reading my June article if you’ve not done so already, but the conclusion was we need to upgrade our governance structure to be right for the club we are now, and set for the future.
This month I’m going to announce the new governance framework, and explain where we’re going, as I promised in my last ‘from the chair’. One of the needs I highlighted in the previous article is a clearer demarcation of responsibilities between the key roles. Many of these roles will need deputies/assistants to provide support and, possibly but not necessarily, provide a route of succession.
First, let’s take a look at the elected members of the committee. You’ll note there is one new position, and another has been split into two roles.
- The Chair is ultimately responsible for strategy, brand, marketing and reputation and be the external “face” of TVAM. In the absence of a deputy, the Secretary can deputise for the Chair, or the Chief Observer can at St. Crispin’s.
- The Secretary is responsible for policy, governance, legal compliance, data protection, insurance, coordinating the annual report and the AGM as well
as the statutory returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission. - The Treasurer is responsible for co-ordinating the financial plan, financial reporting, day-to-day expenditure, preparation of the annual financial
statements and independent examination, procurement and contract management. - The Chief Observer is not a trustee-director of the Company. They are responsible for the training of Associates, Observer professional development, quality of riding generally and the consistency of post-test training provided by TVAM. The Chief Observer is supported by the Training Team.
- The Green Team Leader is responsible for representing the needs of the Green Team at the Committee, coordinating the organisation of social rides, events and the St. Crispin’s monthly meetings.
- The Membership Secretary is responsible for all matters relating to membership: personal details, new members, renewals, and synchronisation with IAM RS.
- The Comms Lead to be responsible for all internal and external communication programmes and initiatives. This includes co-ordination with the Slipstream editor to ensure that key comms messages are published in a timely and appropriate manner.
Now let’s look at the Non-Executive Committee members. These roles can be co- opted by the sitting committee as required. The roles include: Technical Lead,
Slipstream Editor, Training Team Lead and deputies for some of the roles above. We are prioritising deputies for Chief Observer and Green Team leader in the first instance.
There is one completely new role in this section – Technical Lead. This role will act as an adviser to the committee on technical matters, and be responsible for the successful implementation and maintenance of the systems that support TVAM activities. At the time of writing, there is a separate project underway to potentially upgrade these systems.
Working with the Comms Lead, the Slipstream Editor will be responsible for the monthly production and distribution of Slipstream.
The Training Team, which of course is led by the Training Team Leader, will oversee not just Associate and Observer training, but all TVAM’s training activities. This includes an oversight of training courses run by the club, such as:
• LLR
• ABC (note, the current course organisers are looking to step down)
• Bikecraft
• Run Leader and Back Marker
• Track Skills Days
• Bikesafe/Rider Down/Be A Better Biker
• 7Ws
• 3Rs
• Slow Riding/Manoeuvring
• Bike Maintenance
• Observer Weekend and Observer Training Day
• Aardvarks
The Training Team will continue to work closely with the Chief Observer. Its remit may be expanded to include suitable representation from each of the courses listed.
There is a document that describes the proposed (and now approved) organisation structure. It includes more detail than I can include here, such as terms of reference for each role and useful table of roles. It’s a working document, and will change from time to time, so updates will be posted going forward. Once this issue of Slipstream is published, I will upload it to Groups.io and publish as link.
We need volunteers of course. My experience so far has been that TVAM members do step forward and offer their time and skills. This is in my view a sign of a strong club. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of who we are, and on behalf of the club I thank you all.
You may rightfully ask “which roles have current vacancies?”. It’s a constantly changing picture. As I write (end of July) we have expressions of interest for some of the roles, while there are some with none as yet. I’m encouraged by the overall interest, but please don’t let that put you off volunteering. Your skills may well be just what the club needs! Interested? – drop me an email at chair@tvam.org, or speak to me directly at one of the club events such as St. Crispin’s.
While I’m here, a big thank you to the Green Team, and our Chief Observer Barrie, who made some last-minute adjustments for St. Crispin’s in July. In August, we’re optimistic we will be in the Sports Hall, but please do watch out for the published details leading up to the event and our marshals on the day.
Kevin Dunwell
TVAM Chair
