Are the SOA declaring UDI?

[binman]

I'm in a half-full mood, so I see the split in levies as meaning that there is a reduction in levies for Levels C and D. I also agree that SOA does a good job and must be funded from somewhere.

The levy system does have some interesting impacts on event profitability. Our brilliant Treasurer did some analysis on operating profit/loss on our events last year (not including capital depreciation costs such as mapping and e-kit). The events with the highest margin were our (Level D) local summer league events; the lowest was our SOL. The relative entry fees were £2.00 and £10.00. The two big cost impacts for the SOL were protaloos and levies; on hearing this some club members did voice the query as to why we bother with a SOL then.

On the basis of the proposed SOA levy structure, we will only contribute through 1 event in 2011 - our SOL on 25 September (Glen Dye - get it in your diary now!). Not much overall impact on our turnover then but also, not much direct financial support to Scottish Orienteering either.

Re: event levels - four years ago we had a de facto four level structure within the club - National (now A), Scotland wide (SOL, now B), 7-8 Colour coded events (C) and 3-4 colour coded event (D). We've continued with that approach throughout the recent shennanigans and can see no good reason to change what appears to be a successful and popular range of events for members and non-members alike.

The positive advantage I've seen recently in event structure has been the inclusion of Level C events in the ranking list - something to the advantage of the geographically challenged who can't manage many more than the basic 6 event minimum in one year.