NewsPE PresidentPresident’s Update – 2021 Membership

I wanted to give you all an update since we have gone into lockdown on 5th January 2021.

Our wonderful sport of pétanque has obviously been hit hard since we entered the Covid pandemic but even with this happening our membership has acted as a team to try and get us through these terrible times. I would like to thank the board members, clubs and everyone who was involved for all their hard work which enabled them to open their facilities in a safe environment during 2020, and while this was limited it did allow a substantial number of members to actively engage in our great game during the year.

In 2020, we were in a situation where we all had no idea of what was going to happen. However, we still stuck together to try and support our sport and Pétanque England. The membership was offered a part refund of their national membership fee which they were able to claim if they wished. The refund was calculated by taking out the PE yearly operational costs and then dividing the remainder between the members who joined in 2020. The outcome of this was that any refunds which were not claimed ensured that Pétanque England covered the losses made over the previous years. This was an amazing act by the membership and it just confirms what we can achieve by acting as one big team. The PE board cannot thank you enough for the achievements which we all made in 2020.

So, here we are in 2021 and all the hopes of having a great year have been put on hold due to our new lockdown conditions. Some say “complete nightmare” others “let’s use this time to make our sport better for the future”.

The PE Board are using this time to move our sport forward for the future and are in continual contact regarding all aspects of our sport.

The current situation of not knowing when pétanque can resume obviously concerns us and the PE board are currently looking at how we can address the situation regarding the 2021 National Membership Fee. The PE board continually listen to the feedback received by the membership and always look at the fairness of any decisions which are made.

At the 2020 AGM the Board proposed and the PE membership voted to raise the National Fee to £25 for 2021. We are now in 2021 with membership reminders going out for renewal. The PE board are in a situation where although the membership wanted the fee increase, they feel that with the uncertainty of Covid it is unfair to go another year pulling on the heart strings of the membership.

The PE Board are using this time to move our sport forward for the future and are in continual contact regarding all aspects of our sport.

We still have yearly operational costs such as insurance, membership fees to various organisations who support pétanque, CEP, FIPJP, audit fees, store rental and legal fees etc.

With all this in mind it is a catch 22 situation where some of the membership wish a refund, but the PE Board cannot authorise a refund without first having enough money to cover the operational costs for the year. Looking at the current renewals we are in a position where members and clubs are re-joining now, this shows a very much appreciated support from the membership again. In 2021 so far, we have had 43 clubs re-join and 501 members. Amazingly, this is a similar amount as this time last year. Since 5th January when we went into lockdown, we have had 16 clubs and 142 members re-join. The PE board would like to thank everyone who has renewed their membership for 2021 so far. We know everyone has different circumstances but if you can re-join now this will help our sport and enable us to plan for the future and reward our very loyal membership.

The PE Board is currently looking at ways of repaying the membership for their loyalty. There are various options available which we need to consider for practicality, flexibility and fairness. These options are currently being debated by the PE Board and will be put to the membership at the 2021 AGM for their approval.

I hope this gives you a bit of an insight into what the PE Board are currently looking at regarding 2021 membership fees. As always, the PE Board are always open for suggestions so please do not hesitate to get in contact with any member of the board by email. By emailing a member of the board it will mean that it can be forwarded quickly to the relevant person on the board who can deal with your request.

Take care and stay safe,

Clive