What do you expect from your Club President

[hines57]

The president should be a person who stands for the values of the club, encourages members to do the same, is an ambassador for the club and who has no personal agenda. We are very fortunate to have such a president and hope that the next one carries on the great work that the previous holders have put in.

 

[hines57]

We no longer have a president but our Patron is Prince Andrew so we expect very little from him. As a result we're rarely disappointed

- that's you struck from all future honours lists then Martin

 

[duncan mackie]

In a club that has a President, is there also a Club Captain ? I'm in a members club and we don't have a President, but, it looks as though his role is similar although not quite the same as our Club Captains role.

Presidents should have much longer terms as they are there to provide continuity where the Captain normally has a single year.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Presidents should have much longer terms as they are there to provide continuity where the Captain normally has a single year.

This ^^^ - working with the Chairman providing continuity from year to year - captain to captain - and if possible (probably pretty essential actually) a good knowledge of what has been discussed/tried/implemented/failed in the past.

 

[duncan mackie]

This ^^^ - working with the Chairman providing continuity from year to year - captain to captain - and if possible (probably pretty essential actually) a good knowledge of what has been discussed/tried/implemented/failed in the past.

I wasn't going to bring the role of Chairman, or Secretary, into this...but ultimately there are tasks that need doing and most clubs just allocate them to the appropriate role (you know things are wrong when they get allocated to the person in that role instead!).

In many clubs the Captains first experience of what goes on, and who does it, is at Committee meetings he's required to chair (in the absence of a chairman and with an absent President (Patron). This is a real nightmare and, generally, results in little change as the various sub committees (or responsible individuals) just continue to do their tasks to the best of their ability and understanding. The alternative is a year in which everything the new Captain questions results in hours going over old ground.
The Captain should be encouraged to question, it's important for a healthy committee, but that should mainly be done of the continuity element outside of the specific task initially (because he needs to prod and probe the what and why without implicitly questioning the person currently responsible). People who feel on the defensive aren't generally open to real change.

I would say it's all jolly good fun - but I would have to have my fingers firmly crossed.

 

[DCB]

In my experience at my own Club, our Captain is appointed for two years, he has already served two years a Vice Captain, so by the time he takes the hot seat he has a good understanding of what is currently on the move at committee level. Most other appointments are for a three year term where they must stand down at the end of that term. It keeps the Committee fresh and able to move in the right direction.

 

[duncan mackie]

In my experience at my own Club, our Captain is appointed for two years, he has already served two years a Vice Captain, so by the time he takes the hot seat he has a good understanding of what is currently on the move at committee level. Most other appointments are for a three year term where they must stand down at the end of that term. It keeps the Committee fresh and able to move in the right direction.

We require committee roles to go for re-election after 3 years. A lot of effort goes into getting people like the handicap sec and comp sec to continue in the roles!

Whilst most members clubs will have an employee handling match fixtures, handicaps and competitions, clubs based at proprietary or municipal courses have to find volunteers...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Best club structure at my old clubs consisted of

President/Patron
Chairperson
Captain.

Management committee of eight
Sub committees of three.

Captain was selected by the management committee. They served one year as vice and one year as past captain.
Past captain ran the club matches and overview of competitions.

 

[backwoodsman]

Having read the thread, it appears that our club is somewhat different. Our President is rather more than just a figurehead - he (for at the moment it is a he) is the de facto leader of the club. He chairs the Council (effectively our Board) - and through that role of chairman of the board, oversees the whole operation of the club. For example, the President is the line manager of the paid Club Manager.

Although they have to be elected to office every year, they usually serve several years to afford some continuity. It's the club captain who is our figurehead

 

[Crazyface]

The president should be a person who stands for the values of the club, encourages members to do the same, is an ambassador for the club and who has no personal agenda. We are very fortunate to have such a president and hope that the next one carries on the great work that the previous holders have put in.

I would say this, as this is the type of person we always have. Next years is an absolute star!!!!

 

[Backsticks]

So would you rather have someone who is simply mates with those who vote or someone who would more likely get things done because of his knowledge of the game?

Definitely rather someone mates with those who vote. They important point being anyone other than someone likely to get things done.

The last thing you need in a president is someone trying to 'get things done'. It is an honorary position. Bit of meet and greet, give some variation of the thank-every-one-say-how-great-everything-was speeches, and dont insult or annoy anyone.
Leave the getting things done stuff to the management, club, or competition committees. Its their job. A president who thinks he has a role in doing stuff will only get in the way, be frustrated, and cause problems.