Darcey passes Diggers chair on
BY DI SNEDDON
Twenty-four years is a considerable stint doing anything, let alone volunteering time as a director on a board.
Boards come with additional responsibilities and accountability but for Darcey Dennis, his 24 years with the Singleton Diggers Club Board of Directors was time well spent.
He stepped down from his role of chairman of the board this month, a position of huge responsibility he has held for the past 10 years.
He has witnessed the club experience tremendous growth over that time. Membership has grown from 3500 members to 8000, the club split its licence to build a new club at Singleton Heights and since then both clubs have renovated including a second floor on the York Street venue.
There were plenty of big decisions based on the club’s finances and it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
What hasn’t changed is the role clubs play in the community.
This sense of connectiveness, place of gathering and socialisation is just as important now than it ever was.
“Australia is lucky in that it has the club community, I don’t think there are clubs like we have here anywhere else in the world,” Darcey said.
Darcey encourages others to consider joining a board but says the decision needs to be made for the greater good.
“There is no point coming onto a board if you have one focus or one idea you want to do, it is about the overarching development of the club for the benefit of its members and the community,” Darcey said.
He added that if you want to make a contribution to an organisation, there is no better place to do it than be on the board.
While there have been many serious decisions to be made, there are also the good times to be shared.
Like the kids Christmas party last year where he spent all day handing out ice-creams to the children.
“It has been enjoyable but it is difficult to get people to put in the time these days, it is a bit of work but it is enjoyable at the same time.”
“The club has had a lot of changes and I hope I have assisted in the decision making and been a support to my fellow directors.”
Yes Darcey, we think you have.