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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Viking Paddler]

Someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong here, but from my understanding the boats are owned by the City of Calgary, but currently being rented out to Dragonboat teams by the new Calgary Community Dragonboat organization (not sure what their official name is so my apologies).  My suggestion of having a separate body run the practices stems from the way it was set up this year.  I was informed that you were not allowed to practice unless you were registered to compete in the Calgary Festival.  Fine and dandy, but what about those teams that represent Calgary at festivals outside this fine city, like Vancouver and/or Toronto?  Or groups that want to stay in shape, but not compete in any particular festival?  It forces them to pay over funds that they could have used elsewhere.  I have nothing against the new organizing body, in fact I think new blood is probably a good thing.  The issue I have is that everything has been given to a single party to run things and not spread out amongst the various interest groups on the reservoir.  I'm kind of surprised that the City of Calgary went with this solution given that in business this practice wouldn't be acceptable.  So that's why I'm suggesting that either the Calgary Community Dragonboat Festival organization continue with the festival and let the Calgary Canoe Club run the practices, or vice versa.

As for smoothly, we've seen our first sign of a hick-up when practices after the Calgary festival were halted to only resume this Sunday.  Yes only a week, but given our short summers this week accounts for potentially three practices, so why?  Some teams still need to practice as there are still some big festivals coming up (e.g. Great White North, Kelowna).  If a separate body was running the practices this would probably not happen.  Again, it just makes sense.

[Founder]

I think that ultimately the "Dragon Boating community" should be running Dragon Boating in Calgary.  I suspect that we will see a new organization emerge from this years festival, with good governance and thoughtful representation from the various stakeholders and affected parties or communities.

Given the final result and spirit of teamwork witnessed over the weekend, the formation of a new entity to steward Dragon Boating on the Glenmore Reservoir should be imminent.

As for 1 week off, I think that given the effort, volunteer hours and dedication of the team that pulled together to run this years races and festival, that a week of dry land or poolside training is apropos.

Good luck to everyone in their out of town ventures, and as Ambassadors for CCDBF 2009!

[Viking Paddler]

Ahhhh, I see. It's great that you support the Dragon Boating Community here in Calgary Founder.  Now of course I'm assuming that you're referring to the CCDBF as this new organization, right?  So in order to follow good governance and thoughtful representation from the various stakeholders and affected parties or communities, the CCDBF follows a true democratic election process to elect all its officials from the top down with equal voting rights across the Dragon Boating Community?  If this is the case, please tell me when this occurred as the rest of the Dragon Boating Community in Calgary isn't aware of when this happened and how we could have gotten involved.  I also assume that elections occur yearly, right?  Or are you referring to a new organization that is taking over things that will have representatives from the Calgary Dragon Boating Community on board, again following a true democratic process.  I guess I'm a little confused here.  Please enlighten us as I'm sure a number of teams in Calgary are in the dark like I am on this whole matter.

Now as for the justification for the week off, please .... there have been a number of teams and individuals on various teams putting in long hours without breaks over a number of years.  And we're volunteers too.  Please no crutches.

Thank you for your good wishes.  I'm sure these out of town teams appreciate it.  As for being Ambassadors for the CCDBF 2009, I'm thinking you should probably have asked us before making such an association.

[Founder]

Viking, you seem to be one of those who chooses to criticize, without any engagement...

It is always nice to criticize from the sidelines, isn't it!  I think ample opportunity to volunteer and to become familiar with the other dedicated, community spirited volunteers associated with the emerging group of individuals and organizations trying to put in place a new, well governed organization was offered on many occasions.

Any new governance model will NOT be taken lightly and will involve CentrePoint (Centre for Non-Profit Management) and a full endorsement by the City and independent experts of the by-laws and checks and balances required for an ethical, well-balanced, community-spirited organization with integrity to ensure a viable long term solution with broad-based representation.  Voting?  Yes, absolutely an option.  Specific seats designated to various key stakeholders, absolutely under consideration.

The possibility of being hijacked by individuals more bent on self-interest than community benefit?  Absolutely not.  Been there,  done that, as the saying goes.

I assume you also stepped forward to volunteer to assist with management of the boats to ensure they were available for practice for that ever-so-critical week, right?

Get on board this boat or not.  That is of course your right and choice, and of course your comments will always be appreciated.  Your engagement and "giving back" to a community that you obviously have high expectations for will always be rewarded...but alas, the sideline comments are always so much easier if that is your chosen path of contribution...

Paddles up!

[Vet Paddler]

Viking Paddler, what are you talking about?  I saw a bunch of dragon boats on the water this week, your team included...  Or maybe you didn't make that practice...

[Aquaman]

The possibility of being hijacked by individuals more bent on self-interest than community benefit?  Absolutely not.  Been there,  done that, as the saying goes.

Just so that I am clear where your morale compass is, Founder, would you consider somebody skimming a percentage of a donation to a not-for-profit dragon boat organization to be "more bent on self-interest than community benefit"?

[Viking Paddler]

RIGHT! A good offence is a good defence, right Founder?  You obviously don't know me very well with the comments you've made.  Do we really want to go down the path of throwing insults as you are so choosing?  Shame on you!  And to think you talk this beautiful talk of ethics and integrity, yet you were the first to throw insult.  Hmmmm, not very sporty of you.  Hard to take your words for face value given this direction you've decided to take, and not the first time from what I've read on this site.

You criticize me for not getting involved, so once again I will ask when were these opportunities to become involved offered up to the Calgary Dragon boating community?  I didn't see anything.  I would be more than willing to be involved in a NEW organization that fairly and equitably represents the Dragon boating community here in Calgary with democratic elections of its officials with open and transparent operations.  For Dragon boating to survive in Calgary a group just can't appoint themselves as representatives of the Dragon boating community and expect teams to follow.  If that is the expectation then it sounds more like a dictatorship than a true representation of everyone involved.

And when you say specific seats designated to various stakeholders are under consideration, it sure doesn't sound to me that this is an open organization.  What do you mean by specific seats (and why only specific seats), and what do you mean by various stakeholders, and why is it only under consideration?  Hmmmm  Seems a bit restrictive to me.  Sounds like there's a bit of a control issue here.  Do you not trust the Dragon boat community here in Calgary with doing a good job of growing this sport?  I think we could do a good job.

[Vet Paddler]

I'm sorry, I find it funny that the two people criticizing Founder and the new organization are both past members of ADBRF, which was unceremoniously kicked off the reservoir, as I recall.  And both from the same team too.  Coincidence?  Or sour grapes?

[Viking Paddler]

Are you kidding me Vet Paddler?  Where are you getting your facts?  I've never been involved with the ADBRF and never plan to be, and I never took a stance supporting one over the other,  so please, before you go around spreading rumors please get your facts straight.

[Aquaman]

I'm sorry, I find it funny that the two people criticizing Founder and the new organization are both past members of ADBRF, which was unceremoniously kicked off the reservoir, as I recall.  And both from the same team too.  Coincidence?  Or sour grapes?

Excuse me?  When did I criticize Founder, or the new organization?
I can only speak for myself, but I like to know what I am getting into before blindly throwing my support to a group that I am not familiar with. 
Some people have suggested that Calgary paddlers were not asking enough questions of the previous DB regime.  Surely this new group, allegedly representing the best interests of paddlers in Calgary, is not averse to being asked a few questions?
And to imply that the Calgary Race Club has any allegiance with the ADBRF shows an appalling lack of knowledge of the relationships at Glenmore Reservoir.  It makes me wonder if you really are a "Vet Paddler", or just another "paddling politician" trying to further you own cause.

[sweet heat]

WOW!! it's getting pretty heated here.
I'd just like to say no matter how many new groups step up for dragon boating in Calgary, not everyone is going to be happy.  But considering the situation in Calgary this past year, I think these groups did a great job.  Without them there would have been no practice or festival.  Sure we can say, now, that they should have done this or that, but we need to look to the future now.  Now that the season is coming to a close everybody who has something to say or contribute should come forward.  That is the only way to improve.  Otherwise this may only be the beginning of another end.

[Founder]

Love it.  Let the fur fly!  How is that working for you...?

[hammi]

Awesome job to this year's organizers and to Edmonton for a nicely run race. As intended, everything was scaled back but the quality was not. Everything was there as expected. I was not able to experience as much of the festival as I would like as I was involved with 3 teams.

The athlete's village was great. Enough space for all and for the most part well controlled. The tents on the perimeter was a bit of a security risk but not much you could do without a complete fence. Entertainment was also good. I only caught the kids dancing (Thai??) and could hear the karaoke while stretching. Port-a-pot's were nicely spaced - not much congestion and another set was close by. Parking is always a bear but the parking police were quite reasonable with the various requests (drop offs, etc).  Great idea with the PA system.

Great job!! Looking forward to next year (more teams and more to see & do). Perhaps a mandatory shot of "Jack" for all who karaoke. For a first festival, really well run and enjoyable to participate.

One suggestion is to get the race registration, practice schedule and fees out as soon as possible so that all teams (clubs, corporate and charity) can get organized quicker. Perhaps we'll see the return of the specialty races (beer cup, oil sands cup), or even some new ones like a barrel/slalom.

------------------------------------------------------

As for CCDBF questions from Viking Paddler, I also have similar questions. As an organizing body, there needs to be transparency and accessibility. I've been involved with dragon boating in Calgary for about 10 years. Most of these years have been from a corporate level and only recently with a club and first year with CRC. I can say that I've not been privy to the goings on with the ADBRF but can comment on the fact that there has been a lack of communication from them to the rest of the db community in the last 5 years. There is no central location from which we could find out when meetings are taking place/planned or results of votes or even motions.

If the CCDBF is suppose to represent the paddling community than the paddling community needs to be informed of their activities and given a chance to take part. This is my only concern. I as a paddler and corporate team manager really am grateful to the CCDBF for all of their hard work in putting a great festival (boats, practices, etc. .) - right on Sweet Heat! But if that is the only time we hear about the going's on with CCDBF is around the festival or close to festival time than they do not represent me! I have not had my chance to voice my concerns/opinions nor do I know how/who decisions are made on my behalf or in my name.

A good example is how the CCDBF came to be formed. Granted, time was short, those that were involved had the experience and resources to contribute significantly to the project, but we only heard rumors that such an organization existed/forming.

I hope those involved with the CCDBF learn from the past and look at their roles as ambassadors and leaders of the db community seriously. To put aside all affiliations and any self-interest and work toward making db everyone can enjoy.

[Bolero]

Well put, Hammi.  I would agree with you completely!

As usual, Founder, you haven't really answered Viking Paddler's question, but have written one of your highly rhetorical, yet entertaining speeches about community spiritedness.  (Perhaps you are planning to get into politics?)  Most organizations have such things a newsletters, and annual general meetings that all can attend so as to stay informed and have opportunities to meet those great people in charge, or who want to be in charge, maybe vote, and become more involved themselves.  Do you know if this new CCDBF will be doing anything like that?  Perhaps you do not know - which would be okay - you just need to say so.  If you really want to encourage people to get involved, perhaps you should give them ideas, and direction instead of criticizing them for not yet being so involved, and for asking questions.  This may come as a surprise to you, but not everyone who questions you are former or current members of ABDRF who out to get you, and the new organizers.  I don't know what those people did to you, but you seem to be having a hard time leaving it behind.

[madcap]

Man: All this stuff coming out of Alberta makes paddling in smelly old False Creek seem easy... give it a rest guys.