Membership Sec Candidate – Mike Smith
Posted: 7 October 2025
I have always been into shooting; starting in my early 20’s with small arms at a shooting club in West Bromwich, until changes in the law put a stop to that, then through to clay pigeon and air rifles which I still also do today. However, growing up in Birmingham, where I was born, during the 60’s and 70’s archery wasn’t really a thing people did so I got into it quite late in life, when I joined Centaura in 2022. The first thing that struck me was how friendly everyone was, quickly followed by people’s commitment to their club so when the opportunity arose, I was lucky to be appointed as treasurer to Centaura. I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve at the club over the last few years with not only growing the membership but also the continual improvements we strive to make to the club every year and hope to continue to do so in the future. If you have booked into a shoot at Centaura then you will have spoken to me as I look after the booking and payments as well as greeting people, with Vanessa, when you book in and sorting out the scores at the end of the day. This year you will have seen me also helping Vanessa at the 3D’s and the Nationals, which regardless of what happens with this role, I will continue to do in the future.
Workwise I have been in IT for more than 45 years, doing various roles from technical delivery, Service and Project Management to my current role of Group Change Manager within an educational IT services company. What all these roles have allowed me to do is to build a skillset that allows me to look at processes, understand them and how to improve them. These skills are what I would like to bring with me into the role of Membership Secretary. I want to look at how we can improve the membership process, such as offering a choice of either electronic or paper membership cards and rulebooks to members. I want to also work with the NFAS coaches to see how we can make the sign-off process easier and quicker whilst not loosing any of the quality they have now.
Lastly, and hopefully if you ask any of the Centaura members they will agree, I work hard for the club, I am firm but fair and I listen. I am the first to admit that I do not have all the answers but with your help I know we can find them.
Voting deadline – 13.10.2025