RDO East Blog November 2022

Hi everyone,

It’s hard to believe that we are into November already, but this does mean that two key events are taking place later this month – these are the RYA East Affiliated Clubs Conference, and the RYA East Cruising Conference – on 26 & 27 November respectively, with further information below. 

The RYA East Affiliated Clubs Conference

Saturday 26 November sees the RYA East Affiliated Clubs Conference take place at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. Free to delegates from RYA Affiliated Clubs, the day will provide an opportunity to network with other clubs in the region, along with finding out the latest news and opportunities from RYA staff and volunteers. 

The programme of club development sessions through the day will explore the following areas:

• What are the needs and motivations of your club members and how can you provide an experience that’s right for them?
• How can you make your club welcoming to a wider range of members?  

• What can you do to make your volunteers experience meaningful?
• How can the RYA’s new Club Management Compliance Toolkit help you manage your club?
• How to secure the funding you need for your club
• How can you increase yacht racing participation at your club?

Ideal for anyone involved in managing your Club or its activities, such as Flag Officers and Committee Members, the day runs from 9.15-3.30pm, with lunch included. You can find the full agenda here. Find out more and book your place here

The RYA East Cruising Conference 

The RYA East Cruising Conference is scheduled for Sunday 27 November, taking place at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. Aimed at cruising boaters from across the East region, the intention of the day is to provide an opportunity for the cruising community to come together, learn about the latest issues and opportunities that relate to your boating and hear from subject experts on a wide range of topics that are informative and enjoyable. 

With a packed agenda, the day will have plenty of networking opportunities with other sailors, RYA staff, volunteers and a wide range of speakers. Experts will be talking on a wide variety of topics, from Border Force through to crossing the Atlantic, the impact of Brexit to saving lives at sea. Tickets are just £30, with RYA members receiving a 50% discount on the ticket price. You can find the full agenda here and book here.

Making the most of winter membership offers 

All this mild weather has helped keep people out on the water later in the season, but of course many clubs continue all year anyway and with sailing clothing being far more efficient now than ever before, perhaps it’s time to consider lengthening your season a little, or for those of you that do offer winter memberships perhaps you could promote these through our social media channels, why not tag us in a post and we’ll share it for our followers. Don’t forget that our social media accounts are: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - and keep sending us your stories of activity this season.

The Together Fund: funding opportunity 

If you’re thinking ahead to activity in the New Year, you may be planning for new projects to take place – and an opportunity that you may wish to think about is through the Together Fund (more info below).

What is it?

The Together Fund is a partnership between the RYA and Sport England to reduce inequalities in sport and physical activity, particularly following the pandemic, and the RYA has been awarded a further £195,000 of National Lottery funding to help clubs and centres work with:

• Lower sociology-economic groups

• Culturally diverse communities
• Disabled people 
• People with long term health conditions 

Can I apply?

You can apply if you are a not-for-profit organisation in England, and either:

• a club or centre that is part of the OnBoard or Sailability programmes;
• not for profit training centres and affiliated organisations that are already working directly with one of the priority audiences;
• a trusted community organisation working directly with a priority audience, intending to use boating as part of supporting people to be active.     

How much can I apply for?

A maximum of £10,000 applies to any single award, but the average award is £3500. No single organisation will be awarded a cumulative total of more than £30,000 (from May 2020-September 2023 – note that the fund was previously known as the Tackling Inequalities Fund). 

When’s the deadline?

Applications need to be submitted by 12pm 07 March 2023 and the funded activity needs to take place by 30 September 2023.

For the full criteria, please see here. You can also find the RYA’s step-by-step guide here. Organisations are invited to submit an expression of interest, which will be used to offer further support prior to a full application. Apply here or get in touch for further information.

Hope to see you later this month!

Robbie