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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Founder]

I would suggest that these $ amounts and recollection of events are at best a one-sided view of what has transpired.  A long, but well written defensive statement, but it leaves me with more questions than answers:

I have 5 questions:

1)  If you spent $75,000 on blue-prints, who was the architect and could you provide us with their name for verification.
If it is correct, I am sure they would not mind sharing comments on their good work (with your permission to do so), if not, I suspect we will get a denial that any such monies ever changed hands

2)  Please provide us with the name of the auditor, and the scope of the audit.  Again, permission to verify the accuracy of this claim would be appreciated.

3)  Please provide details on the $70,000 purchase, what was involved, and again, permission to verify this with the supplier.  Details of the "financier" of the the debt financing would be helpful for verification....and does the ADBRF own these assets or does another non-arms length for profit organization?

4)  The annual salary paid to the President and any other paid staff details.  The names of those on the board that voted and approved this amount/these amounts would also be of interest.

5)  Total budget, revenue (including sources) and expenditures (a spreadsheet would be nice) for the ADBRF for 2006/7

As I understand it, non-profit groups can from time to time be asked to share their finances with the public, so perhaps now would be a good time (perhaps share them with the press?) so that we can verify some of the claims and representations noted. 

[Bolero]

Well Founder, your vow of silence didn't last very long, but it is refreshing to see that your words are now somewhat more coherent.  Yes, it's true that the ABDRF's letter is one-sided, and it definitely raises many questions, such as those you've mentioned, but it is THEIR side of the story.  At least it is a side of the story, which is more information than we had before.  It also seems to be quite sincere in its tone.  It would be interesting to hear what some of the other groups involved in all of this have to say.  ABDRF is asking for our support, but it is difficult to know if that is the best course of action before hearing more details about the positions of the other parties.  In fact it would be nice to know who some of these "other" unnamed groups are.  Also, why is it that some people including you, Founder, seem to dislike the ABDRF so much?

[Founder]

In a word.....integrity.

The decision really has been made and there is only one outcome possible; a new inclusive
organization to run dragon boat racing in Calgary.  The proof of the good intentions of those
involved will become obvious in the coming months.

You can be a part of it or continue to sit on the sidelines and support a group which continues
to share only the most distorted of facts.  That is purely my opinion, but I suggest you ask
your own questions of the ADBRF and see if you can get a straight answer backed by facts
and tangible proof.

The absence of these should give you a strong enough signal to move on and be a part of
an exciting re-birth of the event in Calgary....and God only knows, maybe even Vernon and
other jurisdictions that may have been misled!

Too bad about the hijacked assets (boats, pfd's, paddles), but if that is the price that has to
be paid to clean up the event in our city, so be it.

Ultimately everyone must make their own judgment and decisions related to the information at
hand, but again I caution you NOT to take anything at face value, including what I may have
asserted.  Seek out your own "facts" and move on.

Paddles up!

[Rumors Blah Lets Paddle]

I've heard the name Richard Gotfried floating around the rumor mills as the New Special Interest grp- anybody know who this is!!!???
Founder - you seem to know ALOT - you must know this person??

[paddlecwazy]

A quick run through google, turns up that Richard Gotfried was the Founding Director of the Alberta Dragon Boat Race Foundation (ADBRF).

So, I wonder if the poster known as Founder is perhaps the Founding Director himself??????

He's interestingly also Vice President of Corporate Communications for Trico Homes who was a former main sponsor of the Calgary Dragon boat festival.

[Paddlehard]

Could this be the same Richard Gotfried under whose guidance almost caused the ADBRF to go under(2002 - 2003 seasons), or who purchased the much loved Dynasty boats (Which was owned by another ADBRF director (or staff member).  Also rumored to have had ADBRF members and their families have paid trips to Asia.  Talk about lining ones pockets etc.

Pot calling the Kettle Black I think.

[butter]

OK, firstly a quick apology for what may have been too many words to try to shed some light on an unfortunate situation. I am in communications, and brevity is not one of my long suits.

Hmmm...perhaps we have uncovered the identity of Founder?

I just want to say for the record that I think it's unfortunate that this is happening to the community of Calgary paddlers.  Hang tough everyone, you may not have a Calgary event this year, but a few years ago we lost an entire NHL season, so keep things in perspective, be patient and you will paddle again.

[Bolero]

These are interesting comments!  Founder DOES appear to know a lot, but is unwilling to share this information.  One has to wonder why that is.  Is he or she so close to the situation that he/she fears retribution of some sort if he/she reveals too much?  Or maybe his/her information is lacking somehow, and based more on rumors and speculation than anything tangible?  If a bright, shiny new day of dragon boating is dawning in Calgary, as Founder predicts, how are we going to make sure this tangled web we are now victim to does not  entangle us once more?  

[Founder]

Personal attacks are interesting, particularly when they come from anonymous sources.

Check with anyone who actually knows me and you will discover that there never was any event crisis under
my watch (that involved integrity, honesty or conflict of interest), any boat procurement was a decision of the entire board (free vote) and that the disposition of any airline tickets was not at my direction, although I was instrumental in having them donated to the ADBRF as part of a broader sponsorship package that helped secure numerous media sponsors.

You will also find that my integrity is highly regarded amongst anyone who really knows me and has dealt
with me from literally hundreds of companies and non-profit or charitable groups.  Ask they same question
of the leadership of the ADBRF. (I am happy to provide a list of dozens of third party groups where you can
verify this, but it sounds like those posting may really not be interested in the truth.)

I would be pleased to meet with any of you and to discuss the situation and my role, which is
not one that I chose, but as a "Founder", one that I feel obligated to fulfill so that we DO have
races once again in Calgary.

So if you have any more personal attacks, why don't you call instead.  I am a big boy, stand on
the truth and integrity, and would be pleased to engage in an exchange of viewpoints.

As someone has felt it necessary to input a name, place of work, title etc, I found it interesting
that the "poster" of this info does not have the guts nor integrity to fully identify themselves.

Another case of mis-leading information, skewed comments, and a lack of facts and background. 

ADBRF is desperate because they abused the public and paddlers trust and will try any tactics to
try and claw back their largest asset, the Calgary Dragon Boat event.  Without it they are marginalized and become just another "seller" of for profit event management services, which is essentially what they have become.

Chew on that perspective!

[Bolero]

Well, well, well!  So Founder's identity really has been revealed, and he readily admits it!  I sure didn't see that coming!  Gee, Founder, you could have kept us guessing a little bit longer!  For someone who's been teasing us with tidbits of information, and then holding back, you sure let that one out of the bag in a hurry!  It's too bad really - people should be allowed to remain anonymous if they want to.  At least now I can understand a lot better most of your earlier comments.  You are obviously VERY close to this situation, and know LOTS, and no doubt have some very good reasons for holding back information.   In fact I'm a bit surprised that you waded in as far as you did.  I personally know nothing about some of these nasty things that have been said about your past involvement with the ABDRF, nor do I really care.  Unfortunately, people in positions of leadership, even those with great integrity and the best of intentions, will often be unfairly judged by people who don't know all the details.  Don't take it too hard.  You might consider changing your forum name if you want to keep chatting with us little people. 

So, I started looking at this forum hoping to gain a better idea of what's happening with our dragon boat festival.  All I can conclude is the following:
       -that things are not what they seem;
       -the real reason the ABDRF  has lost its license doesn't really have anything to do with safety, or the environment but with messy accounting, and differing perspectives about the integrity of the organization;
       - that we ordinary people don't really want to know too much about that mess, because its just too nasty;
       -that some mysterious somebody/group is working optimistically to salvage this year's festival;
       -that team captains are meeting with the City some time in March to come up with a plan (actually, I knew that before looking here);
       -we, the lowly paddlers shouldn't give our support to any one group, because none of them can be trusted;
       -we, the lowly paddlers have to sit around and wait and wonder, and consider picking up a new summer sport while we wait for the City to make some decision and maybe include us or tell us what to do.

Time will tell!
       

[Founder]

All well stated, Bolero.  And a good overview of the situation until more clarity is available. 

And yes, anonymity should be the preserve of these blogs, but alas it is not always so.
Some people feel compelled to speculate on other participants (as if it matters) while
steadfastly protecting their own sanctity.
 
Do not underestimate the power of free thought however, and that all opinions should
carry equal weight.  Knowledge of history, backroom drama and opinions on underlying
motivations of individuals are not always transparent, but unless you were there, and
know what has gone on, it is only rumour...and you are right to treat it as such until
you satisfy yourself with reasoned facts.

It is not a good situation, hence the solution is not readily at hand, nor should it be.

The paddling community NEEDS to be engaged in the outcome for it to be meaningful,
and having said that, I suspect that although there are high hopes and sufficient
resources at hand to salvage a positive racing and festival experience for 2008 for the
community, that this can only take place with support from the individuals and teams/clubs
that truly have their hearts and passion in both the sport and the best interests of the
community at large.  The Chinese community must also be encouraged to step up to the
plate to allow them to contribute to the preservation of the rich history of this event.

You are however (I believe) wrong about the reasons for the City's actions, as it is
clear that safety and site stewardship are key issues.  I am not sure how big a
part governance and integrity (financial or otherwise) had in their decision, as I was
not privy to the process, the audit, nor the outcomes of that report.(Nor have I been
the least bit involved with the workings from either perspective since January of 2005).

It is clear however that any new organization must prove that it is both trustworthy
and well-governed, not to mention that the motivations of the stakeholders are clear
and aligned with participant and community interests.  There must also be a willingness
and ability to compromise with the city and other users of the reservoir and associated
facilities.

In your words, messy and nasty may not be too far from the truth, but it did not need
to come to this, and the ADBRF had ample opportunity to avoid the current situation
irrespective of what some may think of their motivations, objectives and integrity; that
is the irony of the situation.  Arrogance perhaps was their undoing.

We do not have much time to salvage 2008, but please consider, stealing the words of a
famous politician - "ask not what your dragon boat community can do for you, but what
you can do for the community!"

Many hands make light work.......see you on the reservoir.

[spike88]

sum interesting stuff here.  I just hope they can get the races revived and just let us padd;e!

Does anyone know how we can have a team meeting to find out more about this ADBRF issue and
what we are supposed to do to get back om the water?

[PrairiePaddleChick]

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/03/17/5027931-sun.html


Dragon boat fest still has fire
Organizers look elsewhere -- including Banff -- to keep event alive after forced from reservoir
By KATIE SCHNEIDER, SUN MEDIA

Calgary's dragon boat festival is down but not out, though fans of the popular summer event may have to venture out of town to catch all the action.

After the city refused to renew the permit that allows the Calgary Dragon Boat Festival to take place each summer on the Glenmore Reservoir, the foundation that oversees the race has set its sights west of Calgary to host the event that last year attracted a record 115 teams.

Plans are in the works to host the event this August on Lake Minnewanka.

The lake is 5 km northeast of the town of Banff, which has been in talks with the foundation for several months, said its president Shawn Samol.

"We've been working with the town prior to receiving the news," Samol said.

"We were very excited when we went and walked (around) the venue -- the community is welcoming it with open arms."

He said "everything is in order" for the race to take place the third weekend of August, before the Labour Day weekend.

Though the group has been interested in expanding the race to other venues, and has been approached in the past by communities wanting to host similar events, more have come forward since the foundation's problems with the Calgary permit process, Samol said.

"There are other communities who have been approaching us to expand to their communities ... but our phone has been ringing off the hook," he said, adding the group has been most actively working with Banff.

"We currently have a race in Vernon and still want to race in Calgary -- the third one would be the race in Banff," he said.

The race on Lake Minnewanka could become the main attraction if the Calgary event didn't come to fruition, he added.

"In the event that the race ever got cancelled in Calgary ... that would be a marquee event," he said.

Citing concerns over safety, environmental stewardship and integrity of the event, the city last month revoked the Alberta Dragon Boat Race Foundation's licence to occupy the reservoir and refused to renew the permit for the festival, which attracts 3,000 participants and 50,000 spectators.

While the foundation was surprised at the city's decision to revoke its permit and occupancy license, which it's currently trying to reverse, and is delighted to be approached by other communities wanting to host a race, the group still hopes it will be able to continue the tradition in Calgary.

"All it does is show our organization is a well-run organization that runs great event. It just shows the strength of our organization," he said.

If the city's decision is reversed, the Calgary race would be Aug. 8 to 10 and the one in Banff, the name of which hasn't yet been determined, would be two weeks later, he said.

[spike88]

from what I heard from some other clubs the adbrf will not be involved with any races in calgary because of safety, financial issues and lack of trust with the city.  maybe they are dreaming or regretting there actions.

as for minniwanka, I remember being on there as a kid and within about 3 minutes a squall blew in with metre high waves and whitecaps and we almost died in the freezing water, so it sounds like a bit of invermere to me with no money back once again for a xxld race from the famed adbrf and the same shawn samol quoted in this article.  gotta wunder.

[spike88]

an interesting viewpoint on dragon boating in the national parks from the Rocky Mountain Outlook publication; letter to the editor...makes you wonder about "the community is welcoming it with open arms", as quoted from the ADBRF.


National Parks or Disneyland?
Mar 23 2008

Editor:

Thank you for printing Judy Tye’s letter in last week’s Outlook, confirming what responsible visitors to our Mountain Parks do expect.

It is reassuring to know that some Canadians still understand and appreciate the purpose of our National Parks System, which is to protect natural areas in their original state; not to provide a free ride for businesses wishing to make money on the back of our ecological heritage by offering activities and services that clearly have no place in a National Park.

Unfortunately, our Park Managers and organizations like Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Fairmont Hotels and their friends at AMPPE appear to have forgotten about that. 

So now BLLT’s latest brainchild is to host dragon boat races on Lake Minnewanka?! What does that have to do with the protection of our natural environment, local heritage or the enjoyment/education of visitors who come to appreciate nature and wilderness in our parks? Activities and services that do not have to be carried out in a National Park should never be allowed in a National Park in the first place.

This includes dragon boat races, adventure races, golf tournaments, conference centres, ski hill accommodation, mechanized activities such as helicopter tours, and any activities which attract hordes of visitors/spectators for events that clearly belong in a city, amusement park, sports arena or elsewhere. Drawing people into the Parks who are not sensitized to the fragile environment of the area is clearly unacceptable and unnecessary. Incidentally, a dragonboat race on Calgary’s Glenbow Reservoir is not allowed to be carried out this year. Among the reasons cited for the decline were concerns about public safety, damage to public property/lake shore as well as refuse left behind...

The statement that “the last weekend in August is traditionally one of the softest weekends for visitation...â€� clearly shows that all these organizations care about is their own bottom line and not the integrity of the park eco-system. 

End of August is the time when summer tourism starts to slow down everywhere and not just in the Bow Valley. Every tourism operator in the province has to live with. It is still generally a time where most operators are enjoying high occupancy levels and revenues.

What’s more, operators in Banff and Lake Louise already are at a distinct advantage in that their season tends to be longer and they have a four month winter season to benefit from as well, unlike other locations.

If commercial operators in Banff Park cannot cope with existing seasonal fluctuations, then clearly it shows once again that Banff is overdeveloped and too many businesses are trying to get their share of the pie.

Alan Ernst

Nordegg