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PLANS UNDERWAY TO RESTART DRAGON BOATING IN CALGARY:
An Update to the Community from the Dragon Boat Steering Committee
March 8, 2010
Since 1992 the dragon boat cultural festival and races have developed into a rich and dynamic part of Calgary’s cultural mosaic drawing as many as 75 teams from across Western Canada and the United States. Upwards of 50,000 spectators gather to enjoy the races and the festival elements that include the spectacular traditional lion dances along with demonstrations of kung fu and tai chi.
Although the event was not held in 2009, activities are now underway to restart the cultural festival and sport of dragon boating on the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary.
A steering committee is now in place and working to establish a new dragon boat organization that will run the annual event. The steering committee will decide on the mandate and structure for the new organization and to help recruit board members to the founding board of the organization. The incoming board will provide leadership and overall direction for planning and hosting future dragon boat festivals on the Glenmore Reservoir.
STEERING COMMITTEE
The volunteers who are serving on the steering committee are:
Alexandria (Alex) Sham is the President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. She recognizes that many of her association members participate in the dragon boat community around the world and brings forward a voice of the cultural component. She works with RBC Insurance as an Advisor and is active in many community organizations.
Danny Ng is Business Development Manager with the Canada Export Centre and Publisher at ChinatownCalgary.com. Long involved in the Calgary community, Danny has been an active volunteer on previous Dragon Boat festivals and brings extensive experience organizing groups. He also volunteers and participates on various associations in the Chinese Community.
Lynda Roberts is the Manager of the Calgary Canoe Club. She is highly knowledgeable of event-day planning and operations for dragon boats, has years of paddling experience and has practical knowledge of utilizing the Glenmore Reservoir for recreation and sport purposes. She has participated as a paddler in dragon boating herself.
Stuart Walker is the General Manager of HR and Corporate Services with UTS Energy. He brings his experience as a corporate sponsor of dragon boats as well as a background in corporate governance.
Kevin Forster sits as a non-voting member with the committee representing The City of Calgary. Kevin has had a long time professional involvement in supporting appropriate water sports and recreational activities on the reservoir. Kevin is presently The City of Calgary Liaison for the Glenmore Canoe and Rowing Clubhouse Foundation and the Dragon Boats on the Glenmore Reservoir.
The work of the Steering Committee is supported by Frank Johnston, who is with CentrePoint Non-Profit Management.
WHAT’S NEXT?
· The steering committee will finalize the mandate and structure for the new dragon boat organization in March.
· Board recruitment will begin in early March with the intention of holding the first board meeting in April.
· A final decision about holding an event in 2010 will be made in April.
QUESTIONS WE’VE BEEN HEARING:
1. Will a dragon boat event be held this summer?
The steering committee will make a recommendation to The City of Calgary on the advisability of holding a dragon boat event in the summer of 2010. The same recommendation will be given to the incoming board for its decision. The steering committee is considering the size and scope, as well as the capability of the incoming Board to assemble the people and financial resources that will be needed host a successful event in 2010. We expect that a final decision can be made in April.
2. We are running out of time—can you speed up the work?
The steering committee and The City of Calgary understand the importance of establishing a new organization as quickly as possible. This event is important as it helps to develop Calgary as an active and vibrant city. The steering committee wants to ensure that dragon boat festivals will be held for many years into the future. This means that the organization put in place to run the festival needs to be built on a solid foundation. It simply takes time to think through what the organization will look like in order to be sustainable and to have the needed resources in place.
3. What specifically is being proposed to ensure that the new dragon boat organization will be publicly accountable and sustainable?
The steering committee is proposing that the new board be designed as a “policy governance” board that will follow good governance practices for non-profit organizations. The board will provide overall direction and be accountable for performance. An executive director will work with volunteers and paid staff to carry out the hands-on work of planning and hosting the festivals. Emphasis will be given to ensuring that the organization operates in a transparent and open way. Strong measures to ensure accountability will be built into the organizational structure and bylaws.
4. Can I forward names of people to be considered for the new board?
Yes— individuals are invited to put forward names of people that would make effective board members. Criteria for the selection of members to the founding board and an application form for interested individuals are available at Criteria: http://www.thecentrepoint.ca/doc/dragonboats_statement_of_interest.doc
Application: http://www.thecentrepoint.ca/pdf/dragonboat_board_member_role_desc.pdf
5. How can I get involved?
Volunteer opportunities will be defined once the new board is in place and there is clarity on what activities, if any, will be held in 2010. Memberships in the new organization will also be available for those individuals who participate in dragon boating and wish to be ongoing supporters of the new organization.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Please contact Cayly Dixon and she will direct them to the appropriate person. She can be emailed at cayly.dixon@thecentrepoint.ca.
Cayly Dixon, Business Analyst & Consulting Support
tel:
403-538-8619
CENTREPOINT
Advancing Non-Profit Management
1070, 1202 Centre St SE
Calgary AB T2G 5A5
Main: 403-517-8600
Fax: 403-538-8601
www.thecentrepoint.ca