MEET OUR CMAA MEMBERS: SPOTLIGHT ON RICK BOLLER

1.) What is your name, your club and your position?

Rick Boller, CEO of Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club since 2013.  Previously with Leeton Soldiers 2000 – 2010

2). What is your biggest or has been your biggest challenge with the club and your role?

Returning the Narrandera Club to profitability, implementing policies and procedures that will ensure it remains so and instilling a sense of pride and loyalty in the staff.

Also – creating a greater awareness within the community about the role the Club plays and its importance as a major contributor to the town both in terms of facilities and amenities but also as an important resource for funding community activities and a wide range of community groups.

3) What have been some of your achievements or highlights since being at the club?

The most satisfying to date has been resurrecting the Clubs fortunes. Needless to say – if the business is running well then there is a flow on effect. New equipment, furniture and fittings have added to the overall amenity of the place.

Some of the core group of staff have benefited by greater job security and the opportunity to study and train for additional roles.

Partnering {in contract} with new caterers who are young and energetic and who present a more modern approach to the food offering in town has been very rewarding.

One of the standouts has been the advancements at Board level. Each Director has completed CDI mandatory training. The knowledge gained instils confidence, better (more informed) decisions are made – the Club patrons benefit greatly as a result.

4) Is there a piece of advice or something compelling you have learnt that you can pass on to our readers and up and coming managers.

Listen to the major stakeholders in your Club – your staff and the members.

Staff are at the coal-face. They see and hear all that is going on so it is important that we take time to meet regularly and to listen and act on their feedback.

Members often have very strong views about what you should be doing and how you should be doing it.   Respect their right to voice an opinion no matter how hard this can be at times.

Your relationship with the President is crucial. Maintaining this relationship will ensure that all other matters flow more freely. Work hard to understand your Board of Directors and what their goals are. Directors are an eclectic group with a range of different skills and experiences and each will have his or her own views on what is most important.

Unity and focus at Board level are the keys to achieving results, fulfilling plans, completing objectives and ensuring that work is satisfying … and maybe even enjoyable J

 5) Outside of the club and your role there. Do you have any hobbies or passions?

I have a Victory Kingpin and a Victory Cross Country motorcycle.

We (my wife and I) ride as often as possible. We’ve been all over the place and have seen all sorts of things in our travels.

In 2014 we rode across the Nullarbor. What a great experience that was!

I’ve been married to my wife Julie for 32 years. We have four terrific sons, three beaut little grandchildren (and more to come) and some great mates.

I love living in the country and all that it offers.

I’ve been working in the Club industry since 1987 I’ve witnessed the good, the bad and the indifferent at all levels. Hopefully – for the next ten years, it will all be “good”