6 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 - 2022 REACHING CLUBS SINCE 1995 c l u b l i f e : N o r t h l a n d C l u b I n c Northland Club holding its own Northland owned, focused, and operated accounting firm providing services in: • Audit, Investigation & Forensic Research • Office of the Auditor General Approved School Auditor • Small to Medium size Direct Business Support and Tax • Business Recovery, Turn Around & Insolvency Management • Maori Business Advisory & Mentoring 57 Clyde Street, Whangarei P O Box 627, Whangarei 0140 Ph: (09) 438 2312 Email: info@bennettca.co.nz Web: www. bennettca.co.nz Phone 24 Hours (09) 437 3668 Farm Refrigeration, Chilled Water & Ice Bank Specialists 89 Kamo Road | PO Box 661 Whangarei email: office@kensingtonrefrigeration.co.nz DESIGN • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL • MAINTAIN keep it COOL with... Whangarei’s Northland Club is governed by a team of seven club members, including a President, two Vice-Presidents and four committee members, two of whom retire each year. President Ken Subbing says the arrangement works very well, encouraging new blood and fresh thinking into the group. With his long association with the club Ken feels one of the issues that are important for committee members to understand is that there are often really good reasons why a particular policy or system or activity occurs within the club. It is essential that Committee members have an understanding of the legistlation that applies to a club and its activities. “It’s quite important for those on the committee to take the time to understand the club before suggesting big changes. Having a personal agenda isn’t giving the club really what it needs from governance.” To help with this understanding, prior to any election time, the club asks an advisor from Clubs NZ to come and talk about the role of governance and management as the blurring of these responsibilities is often the root cause of a lot of problems club’s face. The club employs a full-time manager and three full-time bar staff, two of whom work a full week. A part-time driver is also engaged and catering is supplied through a contractor. And while membership has dipped a little and is sitting at about 700 through the last couple of years Ken is pleased to note that there’s a recent influx of younger new members. “We had 12 new members in June and the month before that we had 10 new members.” Other bigger clubs in the area appear to have been more significantly impacted by Covid and Ken says the district has a strong sense of co-operation between the clubs. “None of us want to see another club struggling. So we’ve adopted an attitude of lets share things around and not double-up on events at the same time.” A cautious approach is being taken toward spending capital on upgrading facilities but Ken says that’s simply because of recent times going through Covid and needing to be prudent on expenditure right now. “We do want to spend some money on the interior and upgrading dining areas and new carpet so we will get on to this just as soon as it feels secure to do so.” Just in the last six weeks Ken says he’s noticed more people coming into the club and membership draws held five times a week are a big incentive. “Annually we give away $20,000 to members through our draws which are very popular.” The club has not needed to dip into club reserves at this time which Ken says he’s very proud of, with those in management, governance and the staff working very hard to reduce expenditure. The club has a strong pool section of 35 good people who play at the club and get out and about competing at other venues and competitions, along with bowlers who have represented Northland and a fishing section which has been revitalised. “We place a responsibility on members of our sections and the members generally to think of events to run at the club. It’s not just the job of management and the committee and its a way to encourage involvement.” Northland Club’s licence allows it to be open seven days a week, however there’s been a careful look at the hours the club is open for. The club has a policy of upgrading its gaming machines to ensure this activity remains attractive to members. “Our members are very community focused and support fundraising activities for various charities and groups.” The club’s Golf Section is hosting the Auckland /Northland area gold tournament on Auckland Anniversary Weekend January 2023. Northland Club’s facilities are used, not only by its members, but by a number of organisations making it very much a part of the community. Sue Russell The club has a strong pool section, along with bowlers who have represented Northland and a fishing section which has been revitalised. Formore informationwe can be contacted on: Tel: 09 435 3736 | Email: kamopetshop@xtra.co.nz or Facebook Kamo Pet and Aquatic centre has a range of pet products for all your furry, feathered and scaly friends. If we do not have the product in stock, we will find it for you. We take pride in supporting the Bay of Islands Animal rescue finding loving families for their rescue kittens and cats. We specialise in tropical and cold water aquatics as well as pond and water feature filtration setups. We offer free consultation to design the correct filtration for your environment. If you are looking for a peaceful and tranquil mood setter in your business or home, Kamo Pets offers an Aquarium hire service that is managed and maintained by us on a fortnightly basis.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=