I have created this blog to try to gauge the feasibility of creating a new running club which has a charitable aim among its guiding principles.
As its name suggests, the charitable aim of the club would be to support projects in Rwanda. In particular, to support the efforts of the Shyira Trust, a small charity which channels its efforts through Shyira in North-West Rwanda. Full details of the Shyira Trust can be found at their website, but their aims are threefold: 'relief of poverty', 'preservation and protection of good health' and 'advancement of education'. It does NOT give handouts to individuals, but instead supports groups with particular needs. There is constant two-way feedback to ensure that all money raised is used for the purpose it was donated for.
Back to the Running Club: it would have a proper constitution, with officers, accounts, AGM's, club colours, and would be affiliated. It would NOT have premises or headquarters, but would allow anyone interested in its aims to become a member. It is envisaged that its only income would be annual subscriptions and proceeds from sales of club vests, and its only outgoings would be affiliation fees and purchasing those vests, and postage costs. It would not pay rates or rent or any of the usual costs of maintaining premises.
The constitution would include in its objects: "To be a club whose principal activity is to take part in the sport of running and to raise money from running activities for such charitable purposes as shall be agreed by the members of the club". By joining the club, a member would therefore be expected to agree to these objects. However, there would be no compulsion to actively raise funds. Rather, members would be encouraged to try to raise funds (maybe 1 race per year, of their own choice), and to encourage others to do the same. Also, facilities would be provided to allow online fundraising.
I will gradually add a draft constitution, but in the meantime, do YOU have any thoughts ? Would YOU want to become a member of Running4Rwanda Running Club ?
Friday, 9 January 2009
Thursday, 1 January 2009
About me
I have been running for almost 25 years, having done my first run (actually run-walk-jog-walk) on Good Friday 1984. I ran my first race, the Mersey Marathon, in September of that year, and joined my first running club the following year. Since then, I have run many marathons, half marathons, 10-milers, 10k's, track races, cross-country races and even fell races. I have run in all weathers, in many countries and on 3 continents.
My connection with Rwanda is more recent, dating back to 2000 when a friend visited Rwanda. His descriptions of his experiences, and his photos led to a group of 11 people from Formby visiting Rwanda in 2001. My wife and I were among that group of 11. We have been back 3 times since, the most recent being in January 2008. I am one of the founder trustees of the Shyira Trust, a Formby-based charity whose aims are the relief of poverty, healthcare and education in Rwanda.
These blogs attempts to combine 2 of my major interests - running and Rwanda
My connection with Rwanda is more recent, dating back to 2000 when a friend visited Rwanda. His descriptions of his experiences, and his photos led to a group of 11 people from Formby visiting Rwanda in 2001. My wife and I were among that group of 11. We have been back 3 times since, the most recent being in January 2008. I am one of the founder trustees of the Shyira Trust, a Formby-based charity whose aims are the relief of poverty, healthcare and education in Rwanda.
These blogs attempts to combine 2 of my major interests - running and Rwanda
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)