At each BIFFA AGM and Fleet Captain’s Meeting, you can be sure that someone will ask what BIFFA does for the ordinary Club Fleet sailor. It occurs to me that it may always be the same person who asks, but nonetheless, it is a good question….
In true style, our Association President is bound to say to the Audience, “Well, if you tell us what the Club Fleets want, then we’ll look at it…”
Then we usually get complete silence….
Enough. Our fleet at Datchet is just a normal Club Fleet – inland waters, mixed ability (except no talent at the top – ha!!), about 34 boats but about 15 sail and race regularly. We have our share of older unsailed boats too. Half our owners are Association members and half are not. I would guess we are just “normal”…. However, from much discussion in the Clubhouse Bar, we are starting to get a feel for how we would think a BIFFA Value Proposition to Club Fleets ought to look.
We think there are three areas for BIFFA to further increase their focus on, and we have one for FFI too.
For BIFFA, we think the three candidate areas for increased attention and focus would be:-
1/ Healthy Club Fleets and Club Racing – this is the bedrock for growing the Class
2/ Increase inclusiveness and support for Silver and Classics
3/ Being a more pro-active and helpful Association – this is a tough ask in any voluntary organisation, but we would like to know what it takes. Most likely the Clubs have to step up and play their part. Tell us what you need doing…
For FFI we have…
- Reposition the Flying Fifteen in the marketplace and help us address “The Old Man’s Boat” Image…
We’ve done some homework on these challenges and would like to suggest solutions to them on the Blog in the coming few days…
I think Datchet have given a good response and I welcome every other clubs response. BIFFA is working behind the scene to bring to fleet captains package, with the aid of Datchet and many other club’s material over the years, the plan is to give flying fifteen sailors clarity and guidance to help members enjoy sailing a Flying Fifteen at every level. Sue Bannister