Training Log Archive: barb

21 25 JST applications received.

Green course at GA nav cup.

GreenY-Day2 - Splits

Event: 2013 Georgia Navigator Cup & Extreme-O
 

Overheard at the hotel breakfast: "What is orienteering?" "Running with a map." "That's what I thought. They all have such silly clothes on."

I would love to see a design for orienteering clothing that is so cool, so compelling, that people want to orienteer just to wear the gear.

Also, probably need to ditch both "rogaine" and "orienteering". So much to do...

C • Something tells me... 25

Notes prepared by Erin, Guy and myself for today's Board meeting:

Everything we’re doing will go a long way toward fulfilling OUSA Strategic Plan goals (as well as the long-term goals in Erin’s contract):

• PARTICIPATION: Increase participation in orienteering: membership, starts, volunteers
  
• JUNIOR TEAM
  
  • “Consistent, improved performance at world, North American and United States levels focusing on more consistent team member performances.”
    
  • “Re-invigorate the junior development program.”
    
  
  
• SUSTAINABILITY: Increase revenue
  

Two major areas of focus

• Elite program (increase competitiveness in international races)
  
• Kids’ programs (recruit many more families)
  

The first phase addresses both current orienteers and bringing in new orienteers:

• Junior Standing Team: support top juniors year-round
  
  • Coaching tailored to each athlete; local mentors; training plans; training opportunities
    
• Junior Development Team: for all American kids who are already into orienteering
  
  • Creating opportunities for kids to learn the skills of the sport, including setting courses, coaching, mapping, technology of running a meet.
    
  • Contributions analogous to what parents pay for other sports, to be spend in the same year on grants to clubs for local development programs.
    
• Fun map running programs: bringing in new kids & their families.
  

Over time, these national teams will be run locally instead of at the national level.
With this scope in mind, we will out line requested changes to:

• Rules for selection for JWOC. [JWOC is a developmental step as athletes aim toward WOC.]
  
• Competition format.
  

What we ask of the Board:

1. We’re developing local programs; those programs need seed money; we believe they’ll be self-sustaining in ~ 3-4 years; we believe they are sellable (compelling programs that sponsors will want to support); we want to work with Glen to find sponsors and grants for the seed money.
   
2. How best to communicate and get feedback from the Board?
   
3. Help us encourage clubs to participate and work with us.
   
4. Financial policies that give clarity and consistency with team budgets:
   
   • Policy that donations do not reduce the amount OUSA contributes to the teams.
     
   • Transparency around carried-over money.
     
   • Do not require getting to balance of zero in order to avoid losing OUSA contributions.
     
   
   
5. We would like to purchase a team equipment set: a traveling case containing epunches, flags, download machine, cameras.
   
6. Help us share our vision and make it happen.
   
7. Continue to support us – these things have made a big difference:
   
   • Donna’s ideas and collaboration for ONA articles
     
   • Peter Goodwin’s help and feedback on many things
     
   • Lou, Glen & Peter helping with budget
     
   • Robin giving us accounting info
     
   • Valerie Meyer with rankings data
     
   • The board and anonymous donors for creating the paid contractor position for junior development
     
   • Etc etc etc!
     

Some things we’ve done in the first 4 months:

• Designed the new JST; currently accepting applications. Planning inclusive European trip.
  
• Talking with 4 clubs (COC, BAOC, NEOC, DVOA) about programs to bring in new kids, and talked to GHO to learn about ARK
  
• Club contacts to JTESC
  
• Made progress toward JWOC selection changes, JDT
  
• Worked with kids at every A meet and a couple training camps. Started developing training plans.
  
• Started coaching email list; clinic.
  

14 JST applications received; 2 known to be "in the mail"; expecting to receive several this weekend. 3 invited juniors have decided they're not ready to make the commitment; Erin is planning to keep them in the loop and invite them to trainings nonetheless.

GAOC meet

GreenY-Day1 - Splits

12 JST applications received.

6 JST applications received.

Winter training in the sun: AZ

5 JST applications received.

Fun night-O, Hammond Pond.

Made appointment for surgery 3/25 to remove squamous cell carcinoma in situ