Report from the IRF to the annual meeting of the Australian Rogaining Association, January 2003
This report summarises recent IRF events. For the past sixteen months, Phil Holman, Geoff Mercer and more recently Richard Robinson have been involved in IRF discussions so ARA councillors may be aware of some of this already.
Membership
Current
membership of the IRF following the recent elections for President and
for Promotions and Development manager is:
President: Neil Phillips
Secretary/Treasurer: Rod Phillips
Promotions and Development: David Stephens
World Rogaining Championships Manager: Gordon Birch
Australia: David Stephens, Rod Phillips, Gordon Birch, John Berwick, Neil Phillips
Canada: Alan Stradeski*
Czech Republic: Jaroslav Vavra, Miroslav Seidl
Estonia: Andres Kaar *
Finland: Iiro Kakko
New Zealand: Peter Squires*, Michael Wood*
Russia: German Shestakov*
Sweden: Lars-Åke Svenk*
United States of America: Eric Smith, Clinton Morse, Bob Reddick
Founders Representative: Bob Reddick
6th WRC: Peg Davis*
* Observer status
Both Peter Squires from NZRA and Michael Wood from NZOF have observer status on the IRF. NZRA has applied for membership. Michael Wood has confirmed that NZOF does not seek membership but appreciates remaining as an observer.
The Perm Rogaining Association (Russia) is also likely to seek membership.
The IRF Executive supports both these applications. An ARA councillor has suggested that both applicant associations should wait until rogaining issues in their countries are clearer. Whilst recognizing this view, the IRF Executive believes that the more inclusive approach is preferable. For example, the Perm Rogaining Association (Russia) has run several 24-hour rogaines, is co-ordinating the 1st European Rogaining Championships in 2003 and has expressed interest in hosting the 7th World Rogaining Championships so there is value for them to have some say in the decision making processes.
Finances
The
IRF is in a position to repay the loan of $1500 when it falls due in March
2003. NZRA, the Czech Rogaining Association and USOF can all expect to
commence subscriptions to the IRF in the next 12 months. The formula for
calculating subscriptions varies from country to country depending upon
circumstances. We have received feedback from an ARA councillor suggesting
that a uniform formula be applied. The IRF is seeking suggestions about
how this could be implemented and in the meantime is happy to fit in with
member countries' preferences as long as the outcome is fair.
Strategic
Plan for Rogaining
A
priority for the IRF Executive over the coming months is to revise the
Strategic Plan for rogaining.
World Rogaining Championships
- 7WRC: the process of site selection for the 7th World Rogaining Championships is due to commence in early 2003.
- The task of maintaining and improving the standard of each world rogaining championship is a significant effort, and given the mutual interest in both high standards and some uniformity, the IRF re-iterates the invitation for the ARA to join the IRF in working towards uniform practices and standards globally. The IRF wishes to combine much of its Technical Convenor role with that of the Rules and Technical Standards function within the ARA, and would consider any approach to have the one ARA appointee overseeing both roles. The IRF asks the ARA's consent to approach Mike Hotchkis with a view to him being IRF Technical Convenor to co-ordinate this role with the ARA.
The ARA is invited to participate and have input into the above activities.
Neil Phillips
President, IRF
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