This bulletin provides a brief summary of the state of play on a number of issues discussed at the SCOA meeting on 15th March. It is not intended to be a record of that meeting – the minutes provide that record.
JK 2013
Work on organising the JK is largely progressing well.
Permissions for land use for days 2 to 4 are well advanced, and mapping is underway.
The one major issue currently is land permissions for the Sprint event on the Friday. Initial positive indications for our chosen area have yet to be converted into formal permission. In the meantime, a number of alternative venues are being explored as a contingency.
Work is progressing on budgets and on publicity for the event.
SCOA Championships
These Championships were held at the Sarum Saunter on 26th February. SARUM were congratulated for putting on an excellent event, on a beautiful sunny day. A list of prize-winners, and links to photographs from the event, can be viewed at http://www.scoa-orienteering.org.uk/events/2012/02/29/scoa-championships...
Some discussions took place over the logistics of identifying class winners and holding a prize-giving immediately after an event. The Committee’s preference is to have a prize-giving on the day. A sub-group is to consider how to improve the process, including rules for eligibility.
SCOA League events
The SCOA League is currently based on the following courses – White, Yellow, Orange, Light Green, Green, Blue and Brown. British Orienteering’s Board has recently added Short Green to the list of recommended courses for level C events. SCOA is therefore currently considering whether to add Short Green to the list of courses to which the League applies. This course would be particularly appropriate for older experienced competitors. A decision will be taken at the June meeting, in the light of clubs’ views.
Sprint and Middle Distance Championships
Southampton Orienteering Club has offered to host the 2015 Sprint and Middle Distance Championships.
Events and Competitions Committee
Katy Stubbs (BKO Chairman and SCOA’s Technical Officer) has been appointed as one of four of British Orienteering’s new Events & Competitions Committee. The other association-nominated members to be appointed are Keith Downing (EAOA), David May (WOA), Graham Gristwood (SEOA), along with chair Mike Forrest and British Orienteering Events Managers Dave Peel and Helen Errington.
British Orienteering’s AGM proposal regarding membership fees and levy
This year’s AGM includes an important proposal regarding membership fees and levies.
Currently the membership fee is relatively high (but with no fee for newcomers in their first year). In addition there is a levy on events, based on the number of competitors. Small local events usually pay no levy, whilst for big events the levy is around £3 per competitor.
British Orienteering is proposing to move to a low membership fee, just £5, and to bring together Local and National membership into a single level. It also proposes that the levy be charged on all competitors at all events, at £1 (with juniors counted as one-third).
This new system will inevitably give rise to some changes in entry fees – some bigger events may become a litle cheaper, whilst prices at smaller events are likely to rise. So there will be some winners and some losers out of these changes. In particular, non-members who attend smaller events currently pay nothing towards the sport’s overheads; in future they will make some contribution via the £1 levy.
This is a very important proposal which will affect all orienteers. SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE.
British Orienteering’s Whole Sport Plan
British Orienteering is currently updating its Strategic Plan which will form the basis of its Whole Sport Plan. Details can be seen on the British Orienteering website front page at http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/
Members are encouraged to engage in the consultation process, initially by taking part in a survey. The link is on the website page; please also share this link with your non-orienteering friends.
Map registration
Clubs are reminded that the new Fixtures List and Registration System went live at the beginning of the year. This system includes an event number on the competitions tab; this number, which replaces the Map Registration number, must be added to the map for every event.
SCOA AGM
The SCOA AGM will take place on Thursday 21st June at 7:30pm, and will be followed by the quarterly committee meeting. These meeting will take place at the Society of Friends Meeting House, 1 Highfield Avenue, Newbury, RG14 5DS. All members of SCOA clubs are welcome to attend.
YOUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU!
Both the Secretary and the Treasurer of SCOA will be resigning at the AGM, following several years’ service. We are therefore looking for two volunteers to take on these roles. Neither role is very time-consuming, but they play a vital part in the smooth-running of our sport. You can see more details of these jobs on the SCOA website at http://www.scoa-orienteering.org.uk/. Please contact Alun (chairman@scoa-orienteering.org.uk) to volunteer.
In addition, SCOA’s Junior Squad’s treasurer is also standing down. Again this is a small but important role. Please contact Craig (craig_blackford@talk21.com) to volunteer.
