At the Cornish Pilot Gig Association Annual General Meeting in January, clubs were presented with an outline of the CPGA’s plans to develop and improve its services over the next five years. Since then, members of the gig rowing community have participated in an extensive consultation sharing their thoughts on the proposals.
During the consultation, representatives from over 50 clubs have participated in Q and A sessions to find out more about the proposals and give feedback on the plans.
The business strategy included plans for a new individual membership and over 1000 people participated in a survey asking if they would be prepared to pay an annual membership of £30.
The results were as follows:
Yes = 46.8%
No = 38.9%
Don’t Know = 14.3%
Norma Edwards, CPGA Trustee said “Perhaps the most striking finding of the survey was the sheer contrast in opinion between members of our community. In the comments box, the survey captured firm yes votes, definite no votes and every shade of opinion in between. This contrast makes it challenging to find a way forward that meets the needs of all members of our community both now and into the future.”
Despite the contrast in opinion, common themes were expressed in the comments of all groups.
The positive comments recognised that the sport could no longer be run by volunteers and some felt that the plans were long overdue. There were comments of praise for the team for getting the plans this far and some explicitly stated that the plans were good, great or excellent. Interestingly, some of the positive comments came from those voting ‘No’ who stated that they were prepared to pay a lesser figure e.g. £20 or that they were happy with the fee but were worried about affordability for some of their fellow rowers.
The negative comments (across all types of respondents) submitted broadly fell under similar themes:
• the value of the services on offer, particularly for social rowers – ‘ I don’t see what this will give me’
• the cost (some yes voters were concerned if not for themselves then for others)
• questions about how things would work governance, staffing and budget.
• the covid pandemic – bad timing for change
• the sport could be adequately run by volunteers without these changes
• The change proposed is too much or too ambitious
There were a number of more neutral comments, often from the ‘Don’t Know’ voters (14.3) many of whom felt that they just didn’t have enough information to cast an informed vote.
Shane Sullivan, CPGA Trustee said “We really are really grateful to everyone that participated and shared their thoughts through the consultation. We are currently reflecting on the consultation feedback and drawing on all the ideas put forward.”
Amended proposals will be with clubs by the end of July. Following this there will be a considerable period of time for clubs to share the plans with their memberships and opportunities for questions and further feedback.
To find out more about the proposed business strategy and wider consultation please contact your club or email secretary@cpga.co.uk