We’ve decided to start a series of blogs, this is the first post of the Salle d’Etroit blog. We’ll be chatting and typing about some of the behind the scenes day to day stuff of actually running a fencing club.
Yesterday we had a tourney here. Now the one nice thing about being a permanent venue, we don’t have to pack up equipment at the end of the day. We do however have to wander through and pick up all the abandoned water bottles, gatorade containers and the like. In two days we’ll be doing the hunt for what ever food item was tucked away and left for the fruit flies.
There is something very still about a venue after all the activity is done and it’s just you and your co-owner looking about the darkened space. You can almost hear the echos of activity. Of course this assumes the event was really great. Those that tank leave you feeling somewhat lost. Yesterday was a good one.
It was also the debut of our new metal strips. Paid for by the fencing club, UFO, these went in with lots of help on Friday evening. Aluminum and fully grounded. These are a luxery that not many clubs in Michigan have ever been able to afford. The UFO fencers are really proud of these. I’ll be proud when I can stand upright again. Hours bent over a drill as I tacked them down. Ouch.
So today is post event day, which means financials. Running a fencing club costs money, and events contribute (somewhat) to that bottom line. So today we total everything up, look at what it cost in directors and are pleasantly surprised when the number isn’t negative.
Today also being Sunday means it’s an armoury day, I have 4 blades needing attention waiting for me. Oh and two body cords. What I don’t get done today, I face tomorrow. I’ve already had the sorrowful look of “it’s not done yet?” from one of my customers. Sorry, I was welding awards for the last event. There is only one of me and I also have a day job. (Now there’s a topic for a future post, holding a full time job and running a fencing club.)
I suspect I’ve spent enough time typing and the repair work is calling. I’m off to immerse myself in superglue fumes. Assuming I don’t glu myself to the vise, I’ll report back in a few days.