the Board agreed that a maximum of £15k of reserves is used for each of two years, 2017/2018 to employ a person as an ‘Orienteering Services Officer’. The aim of this role is to provide support to event organisers and other event officials, to update various rules and regulations and to update resources and training materials. The position will be a ‘point of contact’ for members and volunteers. If this role is one that meets member needs and is appreciated, the position will need to be funded from additional income rather than from reserves by the end of the specified period of 2 years if it is to be continued.
OK so I actually think that this is a useful post as long as the person doing it has the right experience and skill set. However what worries me a bit was something on the previous plage:
PB raised the need for there to be an ‘orienteer’ leading on some of this work, perhaps as a ‘sport lead’. Whilst there was some sympathy for this BD made the point that we welcome applications from orienteers and value the specific orienteering knowledge they can bring there is however a need for them to have the skills and knowledge for such a position and to be prepared to deliver what is asked of them and work to a plan.
Specifically 'Some sympathy for this' - I have a lot of sympathy for this. It depends a bit on the actual job description but I suspect that it is easier to pick up some of the generic skills needed vs 10 - 15 years of actually orienteering, attending events and understanding what people expect. Yes you can also learn about the sport and what is needed as many at British Orienteering have done and are now highly productive, but it takes time and in that time you are likely to make mistakes that many of the not so forgiving orienteering community will not easily forget.
There may not be someone out there who has the relevant orienteering experience, skill set and desire to do the job but I would rather have no one do it and try and find some volunteers to take on various aspects than have someone with no knowledge of orienteering again.
Perhaps i am alone thinking this. If not then I think that it is important that British Orienteering understand this view point and what proportion of the membership support this (rather than a few people moaning on Nopesport after an appointment is made). So if you do or don't support this view let you club committee know, they can discus it and let their regional association know who can in turn let the directors know. British Orienteering then have a chance of making a decision on appointments knowing the general feeling from the membership who will ultimately be paying for the position...