British Orienteering - Director Elections

 

You may be aware that the management structure of British Orienteering has changed, and that the management Council is about to be replaced by a Board of Directors.  Some of these Directors are already appointed, and elections for three further Directors will take place at the AGM on Saturday 22nd March (as part of the JK weekend).

 

I am standing for election as a Director, and have been nominated by Jenny Peel of SYO (Treasurer of British Orienteering) and seconded by Jon Cross of FVO.  In total 8 people have been nominated for the 3 vacant Director positions.  The election process and further details of all candidates will be sent out by post with the AGM papers to all British Orienteering members shortly.  Ballot papers will be included, for return at or before the AGM.

 

I think I can bring some new ideas and a younger perspective to the Board.  At club level and professionally I have a reputation for "getting things done", quietly and efficiently.  So, I am seeking your support for my election as a Director - please consider voting for me.  The election process allows you to vote for just one candidate if you wish, or for more than one if you prefer.

 

Thank you in anticipation of your support,

 

Regards,

Martin.

 

Martin Ward

SYO & SPOOK

 

 

Why me?

 

I am standing for election because the future direction and development of the sport is important to me, and I think I can play a part in helping to shape that by being a member of the Board.  Previously I have not chosen to take part in the administration of orienteering at a national or regional level, preferring instead to contribute to the sport through other means and at club level.  In my 25 years in the sport I have:

·         planned and organised numerous orienteering events (and I intend to soon be qualified as a Controller),

·         taken on specific roles at major events, e.g. Event Centre manager at WOC'99 in Scotland,

·         supported junior training by coaching and control hanging on British junior squad tours,

·         been an England Senior team selector, and

·         been a committee member of SYO and SPOOK.

 

This opportunity to join the British Orienteering Board would enable me to use my professional skills and expertise to the benefit of the sport.  I work for a successful and dynamic railway industry consultancy business.  My professional experience includes:

·         leading multi-functional teams in bidding for and delivering projects,

·         marketing services to new customers,

·         identifying best practice in business processes and operations and sharing these with colleagues elsewhere in the world,

·         integrating different Regional offices within the overall organisation.

 

British Orienteering has set a Vision (MP3 - more People, more Places, more Podiums), but achieving that will be very challenging.  We need to attract new members to the sport, by developing and marketing it in new ways, but do so in a way that is acceptable to the existing membership who make things happen within the clubs and regions.  We need to secure funding, especially for teams to be successful internationally, at the same time as the London Olympics will be absorbing a lot of the available sports funding.  To achieve the Vision will require excellent communication between the Board, the committees, and regions, clubs and members.

 

In summary, I think my professional skills and enthusiasm for the sport are a strong combination that would be valuable on the Board.

 

 

Further Information:

 

British Orienteering website news about the Director elections process:

http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/news/view_news.php?id=MTIyNg==&rtn=bmV3c19hcmNoaXZlLnBocA==

 

http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/news/view_news.php?id=MTI2Mw==&rtn=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5icml0aXNob3JpZW50ZWVyaW5nLm9yZy51ay8=