October 2010

Hi There

It’s that time of the month when I send out the group newsletter. It’s that time of year when the days get shorter, the leaves are turning and the nights are getting cooler. There’s now that nip in the air when I head off to work in the morning. It’s definitely Autumn.

This will be my second last email to you all and I have to notify you of some significant changes to the way the programme is created.

To login to the Members’ Area of the SURG website you need user and password details - these are provided on the individual emails sent to you.

Link to the Members’ Programme

The latest programme can be viewed (and printed) from your internet browser through this link:
http://www.surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk/members/members-programme.html

If you login to this site you will also be able to see the walk leaders’ contact numbers so that you know who to call if you’re running late or have any queries about the walk.

Changes to the programme

We’ve made the decision that the programme should be more of a rolling programme. You’ll need to keep checking the above link to ensure that you are up-to-date with the changes as walks may be put on at fairly short notice. This means that the 3-monthly programmes may not be sent directly to you anymore.

The changes are due to the difficulties we are experiencing in actually getting the numbers of walks that the group wants. This is particularly true of the short walks. Often walk leaders will want to lead the type of walks they enjoy walking. There aren’t that many of us who enjoy the shorter walks who actually lead them. So please, give it a real thought and actually say that you will lead walks. The group is starting to suffer because we do not have walks of the distance that many of our membership want to walk on.

We are going to make it easier to submit walks and socials through an online form. In the interim, if you want to lead a walk, please email the Walks or Social Secretaries. The forms are available through this area of the members’ area - http://www.surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk/members/downloads.html

We currently have no walks or socials submitted for the following dates in the next 3 months:

• 17 Oct
• 23 Oct
• 14, 21, 28 Nov
• 4, 5, 18, 19 Dec

So if you want to put a walk or social event on please email Glyn and Sabine (surg.walks@surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk) or Andrea (surg.socials@surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk) to let them know. The details are checked first but then go live fairly quickly.

SURG AGM (again)

I mentioned this item the lasts newsletter and I have to mention it again as it’s getting close to when I’ll be standing down.

The SURG AGM will be held on Saturday 20th November in the Garland pub, Redhill. The Committee is an elected body which provides the group with the central contact
points for all aspects of the group’s activities and the running of SURG. We really need people on the Committee who want to see the group continue to provide and support the walks that we all joined for. Being on the Committee enables you to see how the group runs, makes you more visible within the group and can be fun. The amount of time required depends on the role.
All positions are up for election but the particular positions that we need volunteers for are:

• Chair (I really need someone to take over)
• Web Officer.

You don’t need any experience of the roles although it might help a little but if you can offer some time please think about standing for them. Have a look at the Committee roles on http://www.surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk/contact-us.html and see if there is a position you might want to do. If you are interested, feel free to contact the current post holder about the role, we won’t be offended if someone else is thinking of taking on the positions!

SURG Christmas Party

Bookings for the SURG Christmas Party are being taken and spaces are filling up rapidly. Full details are available online. Please login to the site and see the Social page: http://www.surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk/socials.html for full details.

Cotswold’s discounts for SURG

For those thinking of buying any new walking, camping or outdoor gear in general, SURG has a group discount of 15% from Cotswold’s. Please see the Members link of the website http://www.surreyyoungwalkers.org.uk/members/members.html

And that’s all from me for this month. Next month will be my last newsletter and I really hope that some members will have decided to stand for the Committee.

Hopefully see you on a walk soon
Chris