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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Tex Messenger]

Hi Duckman

I thought maybe Naked Paddler was your team Manager or Captain, she seemed to know so much.

You both brought up some points and more questions, thoygh.

Do ALL paying members get to vote on team issues, or is it up to the team "Central Managers"?

If the Central Managers get a break on fees, I'd gladly put in my time to help run the team, do they?

What about fundraisers? What are you planning? Where does the money go?
Would this give us free T-shirts?
Oh, and are we getting REAL jersey's? Are they included in our fees?

BTW , Naked Paddler, I don't know how you can be a "Paddleslut" and a "Virgin Paddler", but if your Avatar is anything to go by, I can't wait to meet you in the flesh!

Cheers,

Tex

[AlterEgo]

Just want to say that  this is going to be a "FUN" team that is dedicated to paddling and all members have the say....no one but the coach gets paid!  that administration thing well it sucks and not having a voice, well, that sucks too...so lets go out there and paddle, have some fun on the pond and afterwards have more fun..

I've never paddled on a team where anyone got paid except the coach (and obviously the club for the use of their facilities.  Who else would get paid?  It's not like anyone else does any work.

[PaddleFunk]

Hey Tex... and others,

Just to add another voice to the mix, Naked, DuckMan, and I have all been involved in trying to get things off the ground for the team, including such mundane things as coaching, practice times, and basic team goals.  

I don’t know that we are going to have a formal a structure or “centralâ€� team management.  One of the issues we have had with former teams was that the vision and direction of the team was guided by a “centralâ€� figure that we felt was not responsive to paddlers’ needs or desires so we are shying away from that sort of team model.  

Also the idea of a one person one vote doesn’t really work for us either because in a democracy it ultimately falls to a small group of individuals (management) to organize and ultimately determine how things are run.  Equality among team members will be central to our core beliefs and that no individual or group of individuals is greater than the team.  

We want to form a team that the paddlers want to be involved and take the initiative in the growth and development of the team.  

We want to create environment where if you have an idea to improve the team or something the team should participate in you can feel free even encouraged to get other members on board, organize it and then go for it.  We are also aware you we do also have to have some structure for the organization itself to get things done… so if you’re the type who gets things done and you wish to take on an organizational role we would be pleased to have you on board.  

OK maybe Ducky isn’t the philosophical one maybe it’s me?

Anyway to answer your questions about money and goodies…

Does Management get a fee break?  No… we think that if you’re on the boat you pay as much as anyone else… the exception are the drummer and the Steers person… mostly because they aren’t as foolish as the rest of us paddle junkies.

Jerseys? T-shirts? – OK I might get my wrists slapped for this but at this point we still don’t have a Logo… until earlier this week we didn’t have a name.  Anyway we would like to be looking at real jerseys… something dry-fit maybe… but it is not the priority at this point.  

Our feel for jerseys at this juncture is that we know we need them we know what we want for them, we need a logo, and we need the money.  Thought is that fundraiser would be part of this, possible sponsorship opportunity as well.  

Basically we would like to keep the direct costs to paddlers to a minimum and find alternate sources for financing and though it may come out of your or my pocket one way or another if I can get cover and a drink out of the deal then I’ll take the drink route.  

With that in mind we do think that the typical night at a club is a good avenue for fund raising it is not the only one.  We are looking into some various alternatives but I don’t know if we’re ready to show our hand yet *wink* someone may want to up the ante.  Also anyone who joins us who has an idea on how to fund the team is welcome to bring forward their ideas and we can try to get things organized.  

Hummm… maybe we will try auctioning off Naked that should get us a few bucks…

Fundraisers at this point will be designed to cover things like jerseys and additional races.  Further down the road when finances are in place for the team we may want to look at various equipment purchases or ideally reducing the cost to paddle down to a commitment fee.  

Hope I managed to clarify things.  If anyone has any additional questions or want any more details PM me and we can discuss specifics.

Regards,

Funk

[AlterEgo]

I don’t know that we are going to have a formal a structure or “centralâ€� team management.  One of the issues we have had with former teams was that the vision and direction of the team was guided by a “centralâ€� figure that we felt was not responsive to paddlers’ needs or desires so we are shying away from that sort of team model.  

Also the idea of a one person one vote doesn’t really work for us either because in a democracy it ultimately falls to a small group of individuals (management) to organize and ultimately determine how things are run.  Equality among team members will be central to our core beliefs and that no individual or group of individuals is greater than the team.

Isn't this kind of hypocritical?   You say you're not going to a have "central team management" and then in your next breath you say "it ultimately falls to a small group of individuals (management) to organize and ultimately determine how things are run."

Can't have it both ways.  Either you give each member of your team an equal vote & always go with the majority, or you form a central management.    Life is always easier in thought rather than in action.

That's just my 2 cents.

[Lethal Weapon]

Isn't this kind of hypocritical? You say you're not going to a have "central team management" and then in your next breath you say "it ultimately falls to a small group of individuals (management) to organize and ultimately determine how things are run."

Can't have it both ways. Either you give each member of your team an equal vote & always go with the majority, or you form a central management.

I believe Paddlefunk refers to not having a "central Team management" run by a "central figure" who does not take into consideration the paddlers needs or desires. I do believe that the structure they intend to implement will give paddlers an equal voice in team matters but like a democracy the final decisions will have to be make by a group of paddlers who would base the decision on the majority of the paddlers votes (as long as the core values of the team are met). This group, the team founders , are responsible to listen the team and act accordling based upon the recommendations of all team members

The team does have good intentions and having paddled and partied (and coached) most of them I can assure you that they are realistic, down to earth, dedicated paddlers (with an affinity to hop based beverages) who want to make a team devoid of BS politics and other influences which take away from the pleasure of DBing.

I have accepted their offer to coach their new team because (divorce lawyers please contact me!....) I see a good hard working core group of paddlers who,  with help from a few more dedicated paddlers (new or experienced),  can make a pretty decent team .

Paddles up and get the F!@$!@$k out of my lane!

[Paddle Bunny]

Hi Lethal

As always, well thought out, but it sounds like three people will be making the decisions ultimately.

I guess we all need to kno what those core values are and have some indication of how money is spent, if we are really to have a voice.

Are these people cool enough to make the right decisionsand unless there is some sort of cost - breakdown available to us, how do we know if we are getting true value or if the money would serve us better in other ways?

I know some teams actually provide this and it really helps.

BTW, I think "Fluid Motion" is a corporate name and I think there might be a team out there.

Anyway, sounds good so far, but I hope you can figure out a fair way to do things.

TTFN

PB

[AlterEgo]

I've never heard of a corporate team named Fluid Motion, but I don't exactly keep an inventory of team names either  

I believe Paddlefunk refers to not having a "central Team management" run by a "central figure" who does not take into consideration the paddlers needs or desires.

Sounds reasonable - though I can't say I've ever experienced a dragon boat team run by someone who doesn't care about the team.

[Lethal Weapon]

Sounds reasonable - though I can't say I've ever experienced a dragon boat team run by someone who doesn't care about the team.

I believe the term was "take into consideration".....Doesn't care sounds so harsh!  

[AlterEgo]

PotAYto, potAHto  

[DuckMan]

This is becoming quite the thread for just a recruitment message.

Really though, What choice is there but for an initial organizational body to exist. What comes first.. the chicken or the egg.. (yea yea,  lame analogy ) Someone has to set the team up first before it becomes self suffcient.

[Tex Messenger]

Hi Duckman and Fluid managers;

I guess Paddle Bunny feels the same way I do.  Is there a way we can have fun AND just vote on things as they come up?

I can understand that it takes a person, rather than a committee, to administer things, but it sounds like a core group will make actual decisions and veto what they don't want to do.

Couldn't you just get things off the ground and then turn the decisions over to the paying members?

I thought that was a "core value" of this team, isn't it?

PB also makes another interesting observation - it WOULD be helpful for decision-making to have a regular accounting of funds available, especially if there is the occassional windfall from fundraising.

I know that a few of the other successful independent teams have had some of their  members who are accountants by trade, release regular, detailed, financial reports.
 
Then everybody knows what the resources are. Do you guys support this idea? Sounds good to me that the money thing is totally transparent and those spending communal funds are accountable to their teammates.

I'm sure you guys are reasonable and responsible, otherwise you would not found a team with these very ideals.

Are there going to be enough people, or is the team nearly full by now?

Looking forward to hearing from you and your fee schedule.

Cheers,

Tex

I think Fluid Motion is a corporate entity too, though I doubt they have a team, the name might be protected.

[turtle_turtle]

I recommend this name

Nut Crackers

   Make other teams think you're goofs and then blow them away.

[PaddleFunk]

Well nice to see we seem to have some fan's...

I think both Tex and Lethal have managed to articulate so much more eloquently myself the concept behind our team "government".  Thanks guys you both seem to get it... and regards to PB as well I think you also understand where we are coming from.  

I think the concept is we want a team of many voices not just one and where there is a shared responsibility.  If you want to do something or have an issue with something don't just sit back and wait for someone else to do it; get involved.  We want everyone’s input.  The worst thing is to find out at the end of the year after everyone had bonded in Kelowna after many rounds of beer someone isn’t happy when you thought they where… speak up.  By the same token if you just want to paddle and think things are going along tickity-boo then please feel free to make your contributions on the water.

We realize someone has to write the final cheque but that doesn't mean that they get to decide how the funds are spent.  And to reinforce Tex's point if we are spending communal funds we anticipate total disclosure.  Oh ya, and for your comfort level Tex... I can manage to throw together and Income Statement and a Balance Sheet if required.

Thanks,

Funk

[tiger]

I would be be afraid.  Are you going to run the team like:

a. A Liberal, where will the sponsorship funds really go?
b. A Tory, where you will only be allowed to paddle Monday through Saturday (Sunday is for mass so most festival are off limits) and after the kids are in bed.  If you are living with your parnter (in sin of course), not a Christian, and not hetrosexual then you will not be welcome on the team.
c. A NDPer, then you will be paddlesluts, selling your votes to further your agenda to the highest team.
d.  Bloc Que, well you would just separate before the team even gets going.
e.  Green, you would have to refuse to paddle in a Teak boat (Teak is an endangered tree) so Geminis will be the boat of choice.  You would have to use carbon fibre blades unless you can get your wooden blades made out of used 2 by 4s. You cannot have anything that is natural.
f.  Republican, you would run a deficit, sponge off of your parents, friends, etc until you finally go to war to over throw the Alcan board and take ownership of all the DBs at Dragonzone.
g.  Democrat, you would not have sexual relations with anyone even if they are in a blue dress.

Of course, whoever holds the power can easily get corrupted by the power, Brian Mulroney's government was just a corrupt as the current government except they never got caught.

Good luck on the new team but your ideal commune boat will be just like every other team, poltics and team dynamics will be just as big   .  Regardless of what is hoped for, that is human nature.

       

BTW, so is this new team in lieu of Swordfish?  Inquiring minds want to know   .

[Swordfish]

BTW, so is this new team in lieu of Swordfish?  Inquiring minds want to know   .

No, we'll be making our recruitment post a bit later.  Enjoy the holidays!