Chairman's Chat

Where are we going? This is a question that most of us frequently ask when we are out in the forest competing. For those with good navigational skills it may not be asked very often, but for those still learning the orienteering skills it may be a very frequent question. Finding one's way in difficult or intricate terrain is the prime objective of orienteering, yet I am being asked this question regularly with regard to where is the organisation and administration of orienteering going both nationally and regionally.

As I have mentioned previously a number of changes are being considered at BOF and undoubtedly these will affect how we administer the sport in East Anglia. However I believe that if BOF becomes a federation of 4 National bodies who in turn will be federations of clubs there will still be a need for regional associations.

Regional associations will be needed to co-ordinate local fixtures, to co-ordinate the organisation of major events and national competitions, which are too large for individual clubs to undertake and for the support and development of regional Junior Squads. They will also be the forums for selecting representatives to the English national body. The association is best placed to bid for the larger lottery awards such as our recent bid for electronic punching. In the past we have helped to distribute the funds to ensure that smaller clubs can get areas mapped and new clubs established and I would hope this would continue with the larger clubs supporting the smaller clubs.

If all the proposed changes are implemented and Orienteering England is established I would envisage English associations being much smaller bodies made up of a few executive committee members making the day to day decisions with an annual club delegate meeting to discuss principles and budgets for the following year. The question I am asking is "What do you want from your regional association in the future"?

This leads me to this years AGM which is being held on 4th June at High Lodge, Thetford. Following last years AGM a sub-group has been looking at the EAOA constitution and will be proposing a number of minor but not insignificant changes which I am sure will provide some lively discussion.

Another factor, which gives me serious concern, is that the posts of Secretary and Treasurer are becoming vacant, which together with the existing vacancy for Vice Chairman will leave the committee very short of elected members. In addition to these posts the non-elected posts of Points East Editor and Forestry Commission liaison officer are also becoming vacant. We need more new faces on the committee to ensure that it survives. As it is there are far to few members doing all the work. I hope that there are enough of you out there who want EAOA to survive and to continue to provide the service that is needed by you the participants of orienteering.

Finally for those of you who are still coming to grips with the skills of orienteering a personal performance coaching day is being held on 16th April at Pretty Corner in North Norfolk and there is an EAOA Planner's Course on 15th April at High Lodge, so you have no excuse for not improving your skills.

Hope to see you all at the AGM: happy springtime orienteering.

Tim Eden (NOR)