Newsletter Number 60, September 2000 PO Box 3,
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
neil.phillips@bigpond.com, 61-3-95721784 faxPresident's Page
IRF Executive
President: Neil Phillips
As you are aware, the IRF now has a formal set of rules and has fulfilled the requirements to become incorporated. This could not have been done without all the work put in by a great many rogainers over the past four years and by a core group over the past three months. This core group contained three people from the original IRF working party and two people who played a key role in the founding of rogaining and the first rogaining association (see later).
Secretary/Treasurer: Rod Phillips
Promotions and Development: David StephensAs prescribed by the Rules, invitations have been sent to most countries to join the IRF upon incorporation. Representatives from seven countries have already accepted , and the remainder are in the process of deciding upon their representation.
The Australian Rogaining Association (ARA) offered strong support for the newly constituted IRF in a message from their President copied in this Newsletter in July. Similar support has followed from the Victorian Rogaining Association President in the recent VRA Newsletter.
At its 2000 annual general meeting the ARA passed a motion to establish its own subcommittee to examine international rogaining. At the time the motion was proposed, the IRF was unconstituted, and without incorporation nor elections in reasonable sight. All these matters are now underway, or have since been addressed by the IRF (constitution, incorporation, elections) since the ARA delegates voted to appoint their subcommittee. The IRF still believes it will be useful for the ARA to have its subcommittee advising the ARA on international rogaining, and the IRF will also be listening for constuctive comments to strengthen either or both the ARA and the IRF. The timeframe for the ARA subcommittee is long and it is not planned to report back until June 2001.
IRF President, Neil Phillips met in Scone with ARA President Phillip Holman and ARA subcommittee chair (elect) Richard Robinson to agree that IRF functions would continue with ARA support whilst the ARA subcommittee met. The IRF offered its support to the subcommittee especially in bringing it up to speed with the changes within the IRF over recent months.
Elections
Following incorporation and the expansion of IRF Council, one of the first tasks of the IRF is to prepare for elections. Members of the core team working on the Rules and incorporation have indicated that they will resign or stand for election. Under the Rules, elections for executive positions are staggered to allow for a smooth transition from one year to the next. Details of the election timetable will be notified when decided by the new IRF Council.Introducing the IRF team
In this Newsletter we introduce the team who have taken the IRF through the stages of Rules, Incorporation and set the stage for elections. In a subsequent Newsletter we will introduce the IRF Members who will take over upon on the Council of the IRF upon incorporation.John Berwick is a founder of the Victorian Rogaining Association (1976), has organized several rogaines through the VRA and through Surrey Thomas Rovers, and is a national rogaining champion .
David Stephens is a founder of the International Rogaining Federation, a rogainer since 1989, and has served on the IRF and national and state rogaining associations especially in the capacity of public relations and development. His wide knowledge of establishing non-profit organizations has been invaluable.
Rod Phillips is a founder of the Victorian Rogaining Association and of the sport, a rogainer since 1976, has organized numerous rogaines through the VRA and Surrey Thomas Rovers, and is a national rogaining champion.
Gail Davis is a founder of the sport of rogaining and the Victorian Rogaining Association (1976), involved with organizing some of the early rogaines including the first 24 hour rogaine in Tasmania.
Neil Phillips is a founder of the VRA, WARA, ARA and IRF, and a national rogaining champion. He has been an organizer of several rogaines, and IRF President since 1989.
Western Australian Rogaining Association 20th anniversary rogaine:
(Message from the IRF President at the opening of the rogaine).
In September 1980, the Western Australian Rogaining Association became only the second association to run a 24 hour rogaine: it has now celebrated its 20th anniversary. That first 'Oranges and Lemons' rogaine was in the Chittering Valley on the cultivated land of small to medium farms including olive groves and orange plantations.
‘What toll did WARA take on its founders?' Within four years of the start in 1979, two founders had moved to Canada, two to Sydney, and myself to Johannesburg. But I can speak on behalf of all five, and say how pleasing it is to see WARA in such a healthy state today giving hundreds of people pleasure and outdoor challenges. A sporting association based in Perth having 1000 members is no small feat; and this has only come about from the sustained efforts of all the committees over two decades and those who have help to organize nearly 70 WARA rogaines.
The sport has come a long way since WARA joined the Australian Rogaining Association in 1980 to become only its second member. We now have rogaining associations in every Australian state plus in Canada and the Czech Republic; regular rogaines in USA, New Zealand, and emerging interest in China, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Ireland and several other countries. As one of our strongest rogaining organizations, WARA has a right and a responsibility to influence the sport’s culture and direction at national and international level, and has always contributed positively to both.
I offer this challenge to WARA or even a subset of its members. Why not adopt an emerging rogaining country, develop a ‘sister city’ type link, help to develop the sport in that country, and in so doing make some life-time friendships across the oceans?’
Neil Phillips
Rogaining Administration:
One of the most remarkable changes during the 20 years of WARA rogaines is certainly the Admin functions at the end of a rogaine. The 1980 Chittering rogaine was reasonably organized, but watching as a competitor in 2000 as WARA’s 20th anniverary rogaine unfolded was awesome. The 24 hour rogaine finished at 12 noon Sunday; the timetable for the next 80 minutes was:
12.17: announcement that all scores were compiled and printouts could be checked by teams
12.42: presentation of School's competition.
12.51: start of the announcing of the results for all 160 teams in ascending order.
1.20: winners announced, presentation complete.Even though this rogaine had 400 participants, all could hear their scores read out and be on the road home within 80 minutes of the finish. It was an impressive display.
IRF Secretariat
6th World Rogaining Championships:
If you missed the call for action on the awarding of 6WRC in the last Newsletter, now is the time to act quickly if you want to submit a proposal to stage this event. At least three countries have expressed interest in organizing 6WRC.
The 6WRC selection process will follow that of 3WRC, 4WRC and 5WRC (see Newsletter 59).
Australian state rogaining associationsInvitation to join the IRF
For 11 years and 60 Newsletters, the IRF has been communicating with each state rogaining association.
This exchange of newsletters has been an effective mechanism to promote major state events through the IRF Newsletter, and keep the IRF briefed of state activities and concerns. .
There have been substantial advances within the International Rogaining Federation recently including the acceptance of Rules, formal signing-on by most countries, and a formal invitation to the Australian Rogaining Association that is being considered by the ARA.
Upon incorporation, Australian state associations can be represented by the three ARA members of the IRF Council which will include the ARA president or representative.
To retain the benefits of the previous system of direct contact with states without undermining the authority of the ARA to represent all Australian rogainers, state rogaining associations are eligible to join the International Rogaining Federation. This will not entitle them to any IRF vote, but will include Newsletter exchanges, notification of major international issues and the ability to promote state events as has occurred in the past.
Unlike membership of the IRF by national rogaining associations which comes with voting rights, state membership will not involve any per capita costs or fees. This will let state associations use their membership of the IRF to advantage when dealing with their local government agencies.
State associations who wish to take advantage of this offer of membership of the IRF can do so at any time, if done soon, your state association will be identified as one of the original members upon incorporation of the IRF when a Member's register is established. This will facilitate communications from international to state (and the reverse). Acceptance of IRF membership by the ARA would mean it became the voice of Australian rogaining at IRF level.
An invitation has already gone to the ARA to join the IRF, and so join other nations in becoming an IRF foundation member upon incorporation. The newly formed ARA subcommittee on international rogaining will provide the vehicle to advise the ARA executive on matters such as this, and hopefully also advise the IRF on matters pertaining to the ARA.
* Advise the IRF by mail, fax, phone or email of your state's interest in formally joining the IRF.
* You will not be sent further IRF Newsletters now that the ARA has a formal invitation to join the IRF, unless you indicate state interest. State membership is free.