Starting a new Dragon Boat Club

While joining an existing team is agood option, it doesn't suit everyone, you might already have a good group of friends and would like to keep paddling together as your own team.
Forming  a Dragon Boat club is the same as forming any other sporting club. There are government rules and regulations you need to adhere to, and a club structure to follow
Here are some points to get you started:

1. Your first meeting is to get together a group of people to form a club (Incorporated association). This is called your first AGM (Annual General Meeting)
2. You need to elect a Public Officer who is the nominated person (Secretary) for all correspondence relating to the forming of a club.
3. You need to contact Consumer Affairs Victoria to register your club and your club’s name.
4. Draft up your clubs constitution (see the "Rules" section here) and it must be submitted to Consumer Affairs Victoria for ratification and approval. (a draft copy is available from Paul Boucher – DBV Director on request)
5. As part of your ongoing responsibilities, you need to submit an Annual report to the Consumer Affairs Victoria Office on a Yearly basis, and such information should be the committee members and elected officers.
6. It is suggested you get an ABN number from the Taxation Office
7. A Post Office Box is a good idea for all correspondence to go through.
8. Register your club with your governing body in Victoria, Dragon Boats Victoria
9. Submit your club’s website details to Dragon Boats Victoria and they will put your details and web link onto the DBV website for all enquiries.  Communications is the name of the game, creating your club’s email address and internet website is an excellent way to keep members informed and a source of reference to your club to attract new members and what you are about.
10. Insurance for your club and members needs to be investigated and research is highly recommended.
11. Research and investigations by your members will assist you to establish and cement your club for the future. Have a look at the other Dragon Boat clubs around Victoria, and the rest of Australia for ideas. Happy hunting!