DragonBoatPaddlers.net

October 25th, 2011: 

Click here for a report and discussion

The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society’s annual general meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th at 6:00 PM.

Rumor has it that some members of the Board are going to try to block paddlers from participating in the AGM. To do this, they would have to actually deny membership to all those who show up, ready to join.

Frankly, I can’t imagine that anyone on the Board would be foolish enough to go out of their way to alienate the entire Island’s paddling community – the very people that make the Society’s lavish party – and donations – possible in the first place.

The meeting will be held in the meeting room of the Ramada Inn on Terminal Avenue (at Rosehill).

I encourage Everyone to attend and bring their ideas for improving the festival – and five bucks – with them.

The $5.00 is the cost of becoming a voting member of the Society, and that, children, means you get to participate in the election of the Board. (No, you don’t have to live in the City of Nanaimo – anyone with $5 can join the Society and become a Member.)

As I recall, there are only two paddlers on the Board at the moment, and at least one of them is stepping down. As a paddler and Coach, I don’t think that’s good enough – I think paddlers, not businessmen, should be driving this festival, and that both groups should work together for the betterment of the sport.

This should not be taken as a criticism of the festivals – they’ve been successful beyond what could have been imagined when this all began.

It’s simply a reflection on my belief that there are lots of improvements that could – and should – be made, not the least of which is the introduction of IDBF racing on the Island.

The introduction of IDBF racing would mean that recreational teams would not find themselves in the bizarre position of racing against teams like the Gorging Dragons, the Navy’s Dragon Anchors or the Portland Fire Dragons. Even though everyone knows the initial heats aren’t competition per se, but time trials, I think it’s still pretty demoralizing to lose your first heat by 30 or 40 seconds because random selection left you going head to head with sport-level competitors.

IDBF racing would also serve to attract more competitive teams from the lower mainland, and that can only be good for everyone.

Whether you agree with that particular idea or not, I urge you to bring your own ideas and join me for the meeting — and don’t forget that five dollar bill!

Some paddlers and coaches feel that there is too much emphasis on breast cancer, and not enough on cancer as a universal killer, others may feel that the beer garden revenues are more important than the racing…. whatever YOUR views, join the Society and air them on the 25th!

Is it worthwhile to ask whether paddlers are valued more for the money they bring with them than the sport, skills and enthusiasm they share with such passion?

While you’re at it, think about folks you’d like to see on the Board for next year’s festival – your Coach, perhaps, or an outstanding paddler with a love for the sport and a talent for leadership — and then encourage your entire team to attend and participate – you’d be amazed at how much difference 22 votes can make!

Nominations will be accepted from the floor, so this is your chance to make a real difference!

You’ll find an AGM Event page on Facebook here

Please note clause 2(a), above.

Questions you might ask a candidate:

• Do you support IDBF racing in the Nanaimo festival?
• Will you support and encourage a high performance paddling centre in Nanaimo?
• How do you feel about de-emphasizing breast cancer and honouring all cancer patients and survivors instead, in accordance with your Constitution?

• Will you support and encourage paddler participation in the Society?
• The Society’s Constitution says that one of the purposes of the Society is to, “provide financial assistance to research facilities, Foundations or Societies involved in the development of cures for, and life extending treatments of all types of cancer in humans.” The Society’s website contradicts this purpose, saying that “Every dollar raised through our volunteer efforts is committed to help those in need in their efforts to fight the fight through donations to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation to purchase diagnostic equipment to treat breast cancer.” How do you feel about this contradiction?
• Has the race management contract for the 2012 Festival been signed? If so, was the process open to bidders, and was the lowest bid accepted?
• How many festivals have you paddled in?
• How many festivals have you paddled in other then on the Island?