Boat Club (RUMS): VPs Officer

The progress we have made in the club over the last couple of years has been phenomenal, with greater flexibility, awareness, and inclusivity than ever before. However, one key area we are severely lacking in is the involvement of our alumni. This is what makes me want to run for VPs Sec.

Other clubs like Imperial and UCL have significant alumni involvement, especially with alumni crews. In real terms this is a process that takes more than one year. Therefore I hope to lay the groundwork for us to have long-term alumni participation. My principal ideas for this include:

- More alumni-focused social events = over the course of the years, the club has made some very positive changes. However, we still want the club to feel welcoming to those who rowed before us. To invite our alumni back into our socials would be a big first step. If elected, I plan to organise separate Alumni focused sports night (aka ALUMNIGHT), run similarly to how they once were. In these they would lead the circles and other members of the club would be welcome to join if they were comfortable. At these events, current club members would be able to mingle with our doctors, and get a taste of the intensity of the past!

- Alumni Day at the River = a chance for our doctors to come and relive their first day at the boathouse

- Alumni crews to enter more races

- Working with the fundraisers at these events to boost funding opportunities for the club to help buy a new boat

I have been a part of RUMSBC for six years and know want to ensure it remains a part of my life and the lives of our esteemed alumni for years to come. Much effort has been made to make the club an inviting place for newcomers, and the same attention should be given to our outgoing members.

Other than VPs, little else is offered to provide incentive for our alumni to return, which is why I would like to champion events such as Alumni Day at the River and ALUMNIGHTS (an alumni focused sports night type social) and encourage alumni crews to participate in races. Liaising with our alumni could also provide further funding opportunities for the club.

After 5 years in the club and 3 on committee, I would be honoured to be one of your VPs and Alumni Officers for 2022/23. For some of you, becoming a Doctor and leaving RUMSBC seems like a million miles away, but it comes faster than you'd think- I want to make sure that there are things in place so that we can all return to RUMSBC in the future, as well as have a great time at next year's VPs events. My goals for the next year include

- ensuring our Summer and Winter VPs events are as big and successful as in previous years

- strengthening our Alumni network, through regular mailing lists, and the introduction of an alumni-only event, as well as encouraging alumni boats in Bumps 

- drawing on alumni to help us get as close as possible to our goal of buying a new eight!

- networking with Doctors and other health professionals who currently row, creating links between other Tideway clubs

I believe I am suited to the role because I am committed, organised and enthusiastic about what I do. As President this year, I've re-established links to Prof Dilworth ( a link to RUMSBC for over 20 years), several alumni from 10+ years ago, as well as several Doctors and Healthcare professionals at UCLH who currently row. I have a strong vision of what I'd like to achieve, including continuing the fantastic job that Alex and Luca have been doing (e.g. getting over 30 alumni coming to Winter VPs) as well as hopefully introducing some of the ideas mentioned above.