A call for Help

[Dilbert]

Thanks Ann for posting the NADEC draw for this weekend. It geared me into action to post this message in regard to my desire to help NADEC continue into next year and beyond.

NADEC is looking for new blood to serve on the Committee and run competitions for next year…most of the existing committee are taking time out for 2006 for a well deserved break as many of them have been working tirelessly for the Club for a number of years – and many, many times without much assistance.

A call for volunteers has been listed in their Newsletter for at least the last 3 issues – to date, not one person has stepped forward to express interest in any of the forthcoming vacancies. Ideally the Club would have volunteers by the end of this year so the existing Committee can show them the ‘ropes’.

For those who are unaware – volunteers (to date) are required for the necessary roles of Dressage Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor (not to mention the myriad other roles such as Scorers, Judge coordinator, gear check, etc).

Looks like most members are thinking “Oh, someone else will do it”…but it sure doesn’t look like ‘Someone Else’ is going to. Without needing to spell it out, current and future members (and competitors who enjoy the NADEC comp calendar) need to start thinking about this situation…a serious think, not just a passing thought. What do you think is going to happen to Dressage on the Gold Coast if people don’t start putting their hand up? How many competitions LESS are you going to have next year if people don’t start putting their hand up? For those of you unfortunate people who have to pay for petrol, diesel or gas, how much more money are you going to have to spend to travel to competitions which will all be outside the Gold Coast area?

I haven’t been competing this year – have been taking time off to pop out a Son and to train my 4yo young horse (and occasionally pat my husband on the head), but in past years I have been the NADEC Editor and general ‘Yes’ person for whenever and wherever assistance was required. I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a part of an organising committee and I’d like to think I’ll be able to offer my help to NADEC again next year…but without a strong number of others willing to assist – well, I for one am not going to bust a gut (because there aren't enough people to help out) just so others can come and compete, reap all the rewards of my hard work and then ping off home again without lifting a finger…I know that sounds harsh, but that sort of behaviour is just not good sportsmanship when we should all be working hard together to keep our sport alive and kicking.

A lack of assistance is a problem faced by almost every sporting club…and it’s one that seems to be spelling their demise unless people start to realise they soon may not have the luxury of constant competition in various locations.

Serving on a Committee is not hard work, it actually fun and it’s rewarding – it only becomes hard and disheartening when there aren’t enough people to get the jobs done. If at least two or three people were willing to help out in each of the Committee positions, the jobs could be shared, therefore making the responsibilities a lot less taxing on individuals. Wouldn’t it be great if there were so many volunteers that each individual would only end up having to help organize just one or two competitions within the club calendar? This could be reality if enough people come forward to help…come on!

Perhaps the answer lies elsewhere? Because it is an ongoing problem within our sport, perhaps the EFA needs to consider that you must be a member of both the EFA and an affiliated club before you can compete. And then the clubs can make it mandatory that every member must provide assistance prior to be accepted as a member (hhhmmmm – I’m going to write that letter asap). This probably sounds drastic and idealistic to most people – but something has got to happen!

I’m probably out of line writing this message without consulting the current committee and they’ll probably read this here anyhow (sorry guys - you can smack me if you can catch me when I come over for a looksee on Sunday) – but I just can’t stand by and say/do nothing to help...I’m really just a person who wants to see my local club go from strength to strength.

So who out there are current members…and who wants to be a part of creating a fabulous season of competition on the Gold Coast next year?

Keran & Dilbert - the best Grey horse in the World!