Newsletter Number 61, October 2000

PO Box 3,
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
neil.phillips@bigpond.com, 61-3-95721784 fax

President's Page 

IRF Executive

President: Neil Phillips
Secretary/Treasurer: Rod Phillips
Promotions and Development: David Stephens 

State of the IRF

The IRF is well on the way to achieving the major changes that have been requested by rogaining associations.

a) Constitution - Rules: accepted 30 June 2000.
b) Incorporation: in preparation.
c) Representative membership: invitations have been forwarded to join the IRF, acceptances have been received from a majority of countries.
d) Elections: IRF elections will occur upon incorporation, and on a rotating schedule over four years.
e) Awarding of the 6^th World Rogaining Championships: call for expressions of interest.

IRF Rules 

Rules of the IRF have been circulated recently to IRF Members-elect, and to the ARA subcommittee members. The Rules result from many rounds of discussions, and recognize the different groupings of opinion within the sport. In particular, the issue of membership was modified earlier this year after suggestions from Richard Matthews. The Rules now take into account the benefits of individuals being members of the IRF as representatives of their respective rogaining associations and national rogaining groups. The latter is a new category that allows countries without a formal national rogaining association to determine their own means of selecting IRF Council Member(s) through consultation involving the leaders responsible for organizing rogaines in their own countries. 

World Championships Manager 

The IRF has appointed Gordon Birch as World Rogaining Championships Manager following a review of recent rogaining championships. This appointment followed a recommendation from the Australian Rogaining Association, and was ratified by Members of the IRF Council. The position reports to Council, and upon Incorporation of the IRF, the World Championships Manager will become an executive position on the IRF Council.  

Initial focus will be on assisting the Czech team in preparation for 5WRC. The task of coordinating WRC bids will commence with 7WRC. 

Gordon Birch is a semi-retired management accountant with experience at all levels of management. He has been a rogainer since the mid 1980s, and has competed in all four world rogaining championships. In this time, he has developed an extensive knowledge of the sport. 

Gordon's philosophy towards rogaining is that at local level the sport should remain as a fun sport to be enjoyed by all. At international level there needs to be facility for those that wish to be world champions to compete in fair competition. 

Constructive ideas or offers of assistance can be forwarded to Gordon at 9/26 Creery Street, Mandurah. Western Australia 6210, or via gordonb@supernova.com.au.

See also www.supernova.com.au.  

 
IRF Secretariat 

Technical Convenor 

The IRF Council is now calling for expressions of interest in the position of IRF Technical Convenor. The position involves:

"(a) facilitate international discussion towards improving the IRF Technical Standards and Rules
(b) make recommendations to Council regarding maintenance of the IRF Technical Standards and Rules
(c) review the operations of each World Rogaining Championships and make recommendations to the Council accordingly." 

The position will come up for election according to the four-year schedule, and will be one of five positions comprising the IRF Executive. The Rules state that to be eligible, the candidate must have attended at least two 24 hour rogaines. 

Expressions of interest should be forwarded to the Secretary of the IRF. It is expected that the position will be filled after discussions with the ARA subcommittee on international rogaining. 
 
 

Also from the Rules: 

With respect to the World Championships Manager, the IRF Rules state: 

"The World Championships Manager shall:

(a) coordinate bids for the World Rogaining Championships,
(b) coordinate assistance to the organizers of the World Rogaining Championships,
(c) ensure that the World Rogaining Championships meet the standards set by the Council."