October 2021

That can be development work, committee meetings, AGMs, planning for 2022 or a mix of all of these. Over the coming months, there’s lots to get involved with which will hopefully help you on your journey.

As we discussed in the September 2021 Scottish Club Chat, we are planning a variety of opportunities to get involved in online sessions, meetings with the teams and developing the new strategy for 2022-2025. So, what are the key things coming up……..

Online conference opportunities, starting with the Scottish Gathering:

People, Places & Communities – A Healthy Future = Sunday 24^th October (9.30am – 1pm)

There are still spaces available for this online event. We will be starting off by looking at the challenges, and successes that take place in your local communities. After this, we will be discussing and sharing best practice around People, Places and Communities before breaking into small groups to discuss this further.

Over the course of the morning, we will be debating, suggesting and agreeing on how we can work together to support our people, places and communities and there will be a chance to link up with others in your regions.

Places are free to those involved in Affiliated or Recognised Organisations of RYA based in Scotland and anyone from your club, training centre, organisation can attend. To book a free place please use this link. Applications close on Wed 20^th October 2021.

RYA Affiliated Club Conference – Planning for a Successful Future = Monday 8^th Nov (7.30-9.30pm)

This year’s events will be a mix of online sessions (8^th Nov) and in person conferences and will explore the theme of ‘planning for a successful future’. It will discuss how clubs can move forwards – regardless of whether they are already capitalising on the staycation trend or struggling to resume pre-Covid levels of activities. The online conference will once again be hosted by Shirley Robertson OBE and will be a mix of key-note speakers and panellists with an opportunity to catch up with the latest developments and opportunities for clubs. To book your free place (for delegates from affiliated clubs) then please follow this link.

A follow-up Scottish session will be taking place on 6^th March 2022. We hope to be able to do this ‘in person’ and more details will follow.

Following this we are starting Regional Roadshows in November 2021

The three Regional Development Officers (RDOs) will be starting to get out and about within their regions to meet up with and start/resume conversations with affiliated/recognised boating organisations. As we continue to work out logistics, based around the rough dates & areas below, please email the Development team email with your organisation name if you would like to get involved:

West Region = Robin Nicol = 3^rd – 12^th November 2021

• Over the course of these dates, Robin will be looking to focus on the following areas: - 3^rd-5^th = Argyll & Bute, 6^th-7^th = Ayrshires, 8^th = Inverclyde & Renfrewshire, 9^th = the Dumbartonshires, 10^th = Glasgow & Lanarkshires, 11^th – 12^th = Dumfries & Galloway

  East = Georgia Moran = 5^th – 7^th November 2021

• Over the course of these dates, Georgia will be looking to focus on the following areas: - 5^th = Grampian (Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire), 6^th = Dundee and Tayside & Fife area, 7^th = Edinburgh & Fife

  North = Ryan Beattie = 14^th – 16^th November 2021 (mainland Scotland, Islands dates to follow)

• Over the course of these dates, Ryan will be looking to head up the West coast of the Highlands, then down the other side starting with on the 14^th = Fort William and Ullapool areas, then heading down to the Inverness area on the 15^th and around Aviemore on the 16^th.

Please note that these dates are just a start and we are keen, as a team, to get out and about to meet as many affiliated and recognised organisations before the end of the year.

Next up we are helping to disseminate the Former National Centre Equipment:

RYA Scotland is working in partnership with sportscotland to distribute the remaining dinghy and windsurfing equipment that had been at sportscotland’s National Centre, Cumbrae.  RYA affiliated and recognised organisations in Scotland are being invited to apply for the equipment and will need to articulate the impact that this additional equipment would make to them as an organisation and to their community.  Applications will be open for 2 weeks and will close on the 18^th of October at 1200.  The following links will take you to the appropriate application – a list of the kit available is included on the forms.

Dinghy

Windsurfing

Please note that the impact that the boats and boards can make on the people, places and communities within which sailing, and windsurfing takes place, is key to the distribution process so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Information was circulated to all affiliated organisations and recognised training centres on Wednesday (6^th Oct), and you can also find further information on our website – please see here.

Final point from us:

Impact Survey – Please tell us your story

Over the past 7years, there have been huge strides made by some of our clubs, centres and organisations around how they work together, how they have developed people – sailors, racers, volunteers, instructors, committees – and how the sport has progressed. We have had some lovely stories about the great work that has been done but we are looking for some more!

Therefore, if you would like to share your story to help broaden the insight and increase the knowledge, that we as RYA Scotland, have of the work done within the boating community then please complete this short survey. If you would prefer to talk through this with one of the team, then do not hesitate to get in touch!

Dates for information – 2021 & 2022

RYA Scotland AGM (online) = Thursday 28^th October 2021

People, Places & Communities – A Healthy Future = Sunday 24^th October (online)

Affiliated Club Conference – Part 1 = online – Monday 8^th November 2021 at 7pm

RYA Training Conference = 5^th & 6^th February 2022

RYA Sailability Conference = 12^th February 2022

Affiliated Club Conference – Part 2 in Scotland – Sunday 6^th March 2021 (venue to be confirmed)

Finally, please remember that there are still some Scottish Government guidance and restrictions for ‘Beyond Level 0’ means to us in a sporting context. For your information the RYA Scotland guidance for boating can be found on our website.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team.

Take care and stay safe!

The Development Team, aka Robin, Georgia, Ryan & Liza