We'd like to introduce a new type of blog post: The Director's Desk. Director of Rugby Mackenzie Doolittle has written a letter we'd like to share with everyone. We hope to use this format to release major announcements and updates regarding the club. Please read on for Mack's Message:
I am pleased to announce that Kenmore Rugby Club will be holding its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Board of Directors elections. The Annual General Meeting will be open to all players and their parents/guardians and will be held in early July at the DFK Pavilion, on Parker Blvd.
Since the Club incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in the summer of 2023, Club Leadership has been working incredibly hard at creating an environment that reflects the clubs values, articulating a clear player pathway that is consistent with our vision and mission, a long-term strategic plan for growth, and providing high quality rugby.
At our first AGM, Club Leadership will be reviewing the Club’s business plan and 4-year strategic plan for growth and development of a player pathway. For the 2024-2025 Club fiscal year, we will be introducing the following programming:
Academy Programming - The new name for the rugby you are already familiar with. This will be all of our rugby offerings, across all age-levels, that have a registration fee attached to them.
Leadership Development Pathway - This will be open to students in our high school Academy Programs, beginning the summer they are entering 11th grade. We will hire select 11th and 12th graders, put them through an introduction to coaching orientation and social-emotional learning curriculum, and they will then help us facilitate our third program:
Community Programming: These will be free intro-to-rugby programs that we offer at partner organizations such as the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and K-8 afterschool programs. These programs will be facilitated by members of our Leadership Pathway, under the supervision of the Director of Rugby, or another senior member of the coaching staff.
At the AGM, Club Leadership will be presenting on the Club’s player pathway programming, the Club’s 4-year business plan, reviewing the Club by-laws and introducing the Board of Directors. The inaugural Board of Directors is currently composed of Club Leadership, responsible for all of the direct programming you are already familiar with.
Director of Rugby - Mackenzie Doolittle
Assistant Director of Girls Rugby - Rachel Noone
Assistant Director of High School Rugby - Mia Kenney-Mahoney
Assistant Director of Youth Rugby - John Bressette
Assistant Director of Operations - Vacant (Duties being performed by Mackenzie Doolittle)
At this time, Club Leadership is accepting nominations and expressions of interest in becoming a member of the Board of Directors. The Club is seeking to fill seven (7) more Board positions and titles:
Assistant Director of Operations - Vacant (Duties being performed by Mackenzie Doolittle)
Three (3) parent/guardian Board Members
Three (3) At-large Board Members
From the parent/guardian and at-large members the positions of Treasurer and Secretary will also be filled. Three Board positions have been reserved for at-large members to create space for people who are not currently a part of our Club, but have an interest in our vision and mission, and relevant experience to join us and help implement our vision. Position descriptions and responsibilities will be reviewed in detail at the AGM. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors, or believe you know someone who would be a good candidate please reach out to me directly at the email address listed below and complete the attached google form.
The vision and the plan that Club Leadership will be laying out is ambitious. Behind the scenes, in between trainings and matches, we are building the internal infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality. We are excited to share all of these details with you and invite you to be a part of this exciting next step and build a Club where we create courageous leaders who are serving their community.
Sincerely,
Mackenzie C. Doolittle
Director of Rugby
For questions or more information regarding the upcoming AGM, please email us at info@kenmorerugby.org
Founded in 2004, the Kenmore Rugby Club is WNY's oldest and largest youth & high school rugby club with over 100 active players in grades K-12.