Reading University Mountaineering Club - RUMC

The end of the RUMC year has come around once again and it is now time to wave goodbye to another retiring committee and heartily welcome your new team of organisers!

Your new committee are:

President: Ben Oliver
Treasurer: Ania Wronski
Secretary: Maddi O'Brian
Vice President: Hannah Brackstone
Climbing and Safety Officer: Sophie Clarke
Walking Officer: Rob Lee
Social Secretary: James Mangat
PR Officer: Oli Donaldson
Non-Executive Officer: Geoff White



The now 'ex' committee would like to wish them all the best for the coming year and look forward to a new range of trips and activities.

Goodbye!
(your old and retired RUMC committee)


[committee photo to come...]

So, it is the AGM this Friday, a time to say goodbye to us old lot and vote in a host of fresh new faces

As well as this, don't forget there will be prizes for the photo competition, so get voting!!
The photos for this years competition can be found at: - link -
Email your votes to rumountaineering@hotmail.com . The final deadline is 12pm Friday 5th March.

As a reminder, here are the manifestos from those running for committee positions:

Ben Oliver - President
Hello! I am a second year doing a degree in mountaineering (at least that’s how it seems, I spend far more time up mountains than I ever do in lectures) I have been on most of the club trips and climb a fair amount I have even been on a winter skills course! I think I would make a good President because I do not mind having to make difficult decisions and am generally happy if I’m left in charge of something, not to mention my zeal for mountaineering and my commitment to the club. I would like to be President because it’s about time I gave something back to this club which has done so much for me. I’ve had a great year and a half in the club and I’d love to have a role running the club in the year to come!

Ania Wronski – Treasurer
Despite my age, I am a fairly responsible human being. Such responsibility will be needed to oversee the club’s finances in the following year. I study Fine Art at the university, which basically means that have a lot of spare time on my hands, time that I would dedicate fully to the club. Thus, I promise to look after the club’s finances to the best of my ability. I also promise to try my hardest not to loose any minibuses! Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I like mountaineering, a lot.

Maddi O’Brien – Secretary
I'd like to run for the club secretary position. Here's why:
  - I've had a fantastic time in the club so far and it'd be great to help ensure next years' freshers have just as much fun
  - Lots of people have told me I'm obsessive about organising anything and anyone, so I'm well suited to this role
  - Before uni I'd never climbed a mountain or been to a climbing centre, so I could support new members who are a bit unsure of themselves (not that we couldn't all do that!)
So.....vote for me!!!
Cheers

Tom Cammann - Climbing/ Safety Officer
I have been an active member of the mountaineering club who has attended many of the indoor climbs organised by the current climbing officer. I wish to take over this role and continue the success these weekly trips have got. I will organise trips to some of the more inaccessible climbing centres such as Westway in the winter months and trips to some nice outdoor crags in the summer. I promise also try and get some more RUMC climbing apparel, with the success of the RUMC chalk bag I think we should branch out into other areas. Another one of my aims will be to get a wider selection of freshers involved in climbing and the mountaineering club as a whole. As safety officer I will continue the good record the club has achieved over the years but also hope to improve the standard of driving in club and make sure people are awake at the wheel! Climbing is a passion of mine and I hope to extend this passion to other people and teach them how to climb while helping the more advance achieve a higher grade.

Sophie Clarke - Climbing/ Safety Officer
Hi, my name’s Sophie and I’m running for Climbing and Safety Officer. I’ve been climbing for about 10 years, so I know a bit about it! I’m passionate about the sport and am always trying to get new people into it. I want to carry on the current committee’s good job of providing regular climbs for students in a very poorly placed university! I will make sure that the outdoor trips continue, and am especially keen to organise a week long climbing trip in the summer.Most importantly, I want to beat TC!

Rob Lee – Walking Officer
As Walking Officer, I would look to find 2 or 3 walks for each trip and clearly present them to the group, explaining the terrain, accents/ descents etc. and give recommendations for individuals as well.Before each trip, maybe send out a brief to the people coming on the trip. Encourage members to take an active role in the nav and teach people if they would like.I am easy to get along with and work well in a team, I am able to contribute to discussions and get my point heard.Being hard working and well organised, I would be able to find plenty of time to dedicate to the RUMC.I have experience in the outdoors spending 9 months working in Outdoor Education in Melbourne, Australia.  This was a job with a high responsibility and very demanding. This involved working with groups of kids and leading them on unsupported treks for up to 8 days in the Australian Bush. I have attended many RUMC events and trips and have really enjoyed them. I am particularly looking forwards to going to Scotland over Easter and to the trips in the Summer.

Hannah Brackstone – Vice President
Fellow Mountaineers, I am applying to be your Vice- President for next year because I would like to provide support across the committee and members of the club. I am keen to face any challenge thrown at RUMC and would like the opportunity to experience a variety of roles. I believe my previous experiences have improved my leadership and organisational skills which are important qualities for this position. I am also friendly, out-going and approachable person. My main priorities as Vice President are:1.     Provide support to anyone who needs it; particularly helping to organise trips, socials and fundraising events (I’m sure this will be necessary due to the certain loss of a minibus…)2.     Help promote the club and welcome new members.3.     Most importantly - HAVE FUNIf unsuccessful as Vice- President I would like to apply for the Non-Exec position. I will strive to accomplish the same goals as previously mentioned.

Rob Lee – Vice President
I would provide excellent support for the future President and the rest of the committee through out the year.Or as Walking Officer…….[see Walking Officer manifesto for more!]

Kate Schofield – Vice President
I would like to run for the position of Vice President. I joined the club in October 2008 and since have taken part in many of the activities which it has to offer. I’m well organised, will get on with any task I’m set and can handle the pressure of responsibility. I’m keen to get involved and help out with many aspects across the club and will give nearly anything a go (see calendar!).

Lottie Faulkner - Social Secretary
The reason I would like to be social secretary for RUMC is mainly due to how much I enjoy being part of this club. I am so glad I joined in freshers week especially as there was so much choice of clubs to pick from. RUMC has not only offered me the chance to go to exciting places like the Lakes and Snowdon but has supported me during the climbs by making it a laugh. Its not just the walking and climbing but the atmosphere. Everyone is there to have fun and to challenge themselves but to help each other too. When we are in Reading, being able to meet up at BOBs is a great way to see everyone and I have valued making friends from other years.  In my personal time I organise alot of small and large gatherings. I arranged a Christmas meal in halls with some friends and always have something planned for the week. I generally like to know what events are going on so I and others always have options for nights out. In my freshers week I didnt really like the timetable that the JCR had organised so I did my own thing which a few other joined in with. I would make sure that I find out what the club members want to do on socials and not just organise what we would prefer. The RUMC Christmas social was brilliant and I like that the programme is varied every term. The social side of the club has been just as fun as the physical and I would like to be part of making sure that RUMC continues to be as great next term.

James Mangat - Social Secretary
I would like to be social secretary for the RUMC because I feel I have a lot to contribute to the club. I am a very social person who likes to meet lots of new people. I have enjoyed being part of the club and would intend to uphold the standard to which we have become accustomed. I have lots of ideas for socials including the freshers night, the Christmas Formal and of course the many nights that will end up in the Afterdark. I am a very organised and committed member and would love to have the opportunity to be part of the committee. I have got to know a lot of the members and feel that we all have a lot in common not only on the mountaineering side of things but also in personal interests.
I have both been on trips with the club as well as several socials. I love to get involved and would encourage others to do the same.

Oli Donaldson – PR Officer
I would like to apply for the role of PR for the RUMC. In the following academic year I will give the ‘image’ that the RUMC is an exciting, fun, adventuress club….(etc. etc. - you get the point, the list goes on!!), which is open to everyone of all abilities. My main focus will be at freshers week were I will do my best to recruit freshers to join the club and subsequently take all their money! Throughout the year, I will ensure that communication is clear within the group including updates on upcoming socials, trips and events through the use of the website or facebook, depending on peoples preferences.Something new for next year? - I will produce is video clips to place on the website and hopefully during freshers week (providing my camera is still working). 

Hannah Brackstone – Non Exec
[see VP manifesto]

Tes Matthews – Non Exec
Heya there, after a year on the committee already I think as a non-exec I could bring experience to the committee of organising and running trips and other activities within the club.
As I will be going into my 4th year as a member of the club I think I can bring a bit of guidance to everyone. Also I like to know whats going on!

Geoff White – Non Exec
Dear All, I wish to make it known to the powers that be (i.e. the highly esteemed members of RUMC) that I, Geoff White, do hereby give notice that I am daft enough to stand for a Non-Exec position for next year. Had I still been a student, I would of course have been standing for special roles such as “Ice Skating Officer”, “Officer for sleeping straight through after climbing Snowdon”, “Officer who’s daughters were climbing Craggy grade 5’s on their first time climbing” and many others that I’m sure you could come up with given enough time.In the mean time, I will be doing the minibus test so I can drive the bus and am willing to act as general agony “dad” for any members (or friends of members) who need emotional support or a place to eat their Chinese takeaway or chips!I therefore put myself forward for the position of “club dad” and would welcome your votes.