A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committee

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leftism
Posts:52
Joined:Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:14 pm
Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by leftism » Fri Nov 25, 2011 3:29 pm

NiallB wrote:As far as I can see, the support in those statements isn't so much a vote in favour of Pat McAlhinney as a vote against Eamon flemming.
I really hope that this is not the case and that people vote based on their respective merits as candidates. I have never met Pat McAlinney but based on the manifesto he posted on this site, i think he would do a great job as president. Eamon Fleming would do an equally good job, based his track record in voluntary work for the Special Olympics, Junior Liffey, Liffey Descent etc. In my opinion, we have two equally good candidates coming from different canoeing backgrounds and regions of the country. I'd be happy with whoever wins.

The really serious election is for the 2 executive spots! People need to think long and hard about this, because i'd have serious concerns about the motives of several candidates. As stated above, we have 5 nominees fighting for 2 spots:

Yvonne Glynn
Mark Clinton
Declan Macdaid
Conor Ryan
Kevin Horan

Yvonne Glynn is head and shoulder the best candidate from that list! As chairperson of WWR she has done a brilliant job with the discipline and by all accounts has been a very constructive and involved member at board level over the past year. As far as i'm aware she has no political baggage associated with the "old regime" and having someone on the executive with a legal qualification can only be a positive thing.

All 4 of the other candidates have in some shape or another, been vocal in their support for Mick Scanlon over the years. This worries me greatly! My preference would probably go to Mark Clinton, for the simple reason that he was not a signatory on the letter of protest and he has not really had much to say about anything in the last year (unlike the others)... As NiallB stated, i cannot for the life of me understand why Conor Ryan is running for a voluntary position so soon after resigning. Whatever his reasons, i do not believe they are for the good of Irish canoeing. For me, Mark Clinton is the best of a bad bunch (Yvonne excluded of course).

NiallB
Posts:5
Joined:Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:58 pm

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by NiallB » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:19 pm

Just to clarify what I said in the quote above; I was referring only to the statement made in Declan McDaid's manifesto. This one here:
keithmcguirk wrote: "Declan fully supports the candidacy of Pat McAlhinney for president and Kevin Horan for executive member of canoeing Ireland"
I meant it in a "don't hold it against Pat McAlhinney" kind of way and only really wanted to point out that people seem to be paying most of their attention to the presidential election, while it's the executive elections that are going to be more influential.

leftism
Posts:52
Joined:Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:14 pm

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by leftism » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:28 pm

Definitely agree with you on the executive election! It is far more important...

roshaw_87
Posts:55
Joined:Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:37 pm
Location:Galway

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Exec futive Commi

Post by roshaw_87 » Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:48 pm

Has Eamon Flemming put forward a manifesto? I'd like to vote on what candidates hope to do in office.can anyone say what he plans to do if elected?

Pat is he only person who along with his nomination has put forward motions to bring about the changes he wants. Its clear looking at the motions GKC has put forward that I can agree with the direction Pat wants to take Canoeing Ireland.

On his letter Kevin Horan included his number and was happy to talk to me last night. As I don't want to speak for him I'd recommend If you have doubts over his motives you could do the same and contact him by phone or email. I'd sum up what he said to me by saying he wants more support for clubs starting off and paddlers that aren't competing or coaching at a high level. I asked and he said he's not looking to reinstate are old Ceo, its done and dusted. When asked he said he would have no problem working with the executive thats there.

I like Mark clintons proposals, but wonder why he and the others didn't draft motions along those lines.

Declan McDaid has been nominated by Kilcullen who are calling for a vote of no confidence.He is unhappy with the current executives actions in the past year and has written general goals without explaining how he plans to achieve greater participation, more transparency and more voluntarism. Its a bit like the Miss World contests wanting an end to hunger and world peace.
He can bring a track record of financial
stability back to the ICU and advocates formal representation for clubs and
canoeists on the board of Canoe Ireland.
I see this as a dig at the current executive and supposed financial exposure it created by returning control to the are elected board from a over paid Ceo who had been granted too much freedom by previous boards.
He is the one person I'm confident i don't want to see elected and kevin and marks adding their support for him paints them in a worse light.
leftism said:
Yvonne Glynn is head and shoulder the best candidate from that list! As chairperson of WWR she has done a brilliant job with the discipline and by all accounts has been a very constructive and involved member at board level over the past year
Can you explain what she's done both on the committee and at board level?
087 9862517/ [email protected]
Intelligence is what you use when you dont know what to do

roshaw_87
Posts:55
Joined:Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:37 pm
Location:Galway

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by roshaw_87 » Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:54 pm

election manifesto:


My name is Kevin Horan and I have been a member of the ICU for twenty years, 15 of which I have
been a qualified instructor and I am presently the chairman and member of Trim Canoe Club.
I am writing to ask for your support in the forthcoming election to the executive board of the ICU, so
that I can represent you, & be a voice for the clubs, universities, schools and individual members of the
ICU.
Our club has grown over the past few years through the voluntary work of its members and the local
community and provides a base for kayak and open boat paddlers in Meath, with a membership of 65
people, both juniors and seniors. During this phase of our clubs development I have become very
aware of the challenges that clubs have in developing the club and the sport within the local
communities.
Lack of access to information on a number of the issues such as insurance, access and club
development have been some of the challenges that we have faced are common issues within most of
the clubs that I have contacted. Information and assistance such as this should be available through
membership of the ICU to enable clubs to develop the sport within their local communities.
The general feeling amongst clubs appears to be that the ICU, with the exception of the training unit
does not assist clubs to the level that they would expect and that this silent majority is not formally
represented within the current ICU structure.
If elected I would:
1. Work towards developing a more representative structure reflecting the needs of clubs
and paddlers rather than any individual branch of the sport.
2. Assist in developing more effective communication between membership and the ICU.
3. Improve the quality and frequency of information for clubs, universities and schools.
If you would like to see the ICU grow and become a more progressive & representative organisation I
would ask you to vote for me at the Annual Delegate Meeting that is to be held on the Saturday 26th
November at 12:00 in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin.
If you cannot attend and would like to participate in the election I would ask that you send in a proxy
form from your club signed by your chairman and secretary and delegating your club votes to Mr
Conor Ryan.
Kevin fully supports the candidacy of Pat MacAlinney for President and Dr. Declan Mc Daid for
executive member of Canoe Ireland.
If you would like to contact me to discuss any of the issues raised prior to the ADM, my email address
is [email protected] or on my mobile at 086 3881225.
Regards
Kevin Horan
My name is Mark Clinton and I have been nominated by Salmon Leap Canoe Club to fill one
of the two executive board positions with Canoeing Ireland.
My paddling career started in Rockwell College in the 70s where I was a founding member. I
then moved on the Grade Ten Canoe Club in Lucan where I competed in Slalom & Marathon
before joining Kilcullen Canoe Club while stationed in the Curragh as a young army officer. I
currently paddle K1 and of recent years joined the 20 odd members of Salmon Leap Canoe
Club sea kayaking around our wonderful Irish coastline.
I have been a member of Salmon Leap Canoe Club since 1982 holding committee positions
on several occasions. As a Level 1 Kayak instructor and sports development officer with
Salmon Leap I developed and ran basic Kayak courses before passing on the participants to
K1 and Slalom specialists within the club. On two occasions I have held the position of
Secretary of the Irish Canoe Union where I became familiar with the internal workings of the
organisation.
I believe that Canoeing Ireland needs to be focussed on increasing participation levels within
the sport through a vibrant and constantly growing club structure. In order to achieve this,
the structure of the board needs to be moved from a discipline centric model to a club
representative model where provincial club representatives replace technical committee
chairpersons. The current model is flawed because the representatives of each technical
committee are mandated to represent their discipline only. They are required to get the best
deal financially and resource wise for their discipline which leads to constant conflict on the
board. Change this and the primary item on each monthly agenda can move from conflict &
crisis management to club development and how to get participation levels up.
If elected I will strive to do the following.
1. Move the board to a club centric representative model based on provincial
representatives.
2. Put in place a funding program for new club houses & boat storage.
3. Establish a provincial network of club mentors.
4. Encourage the TDU to run courses on club management & administration.
5. Facilitate to promotion of accredited disciplines to new clubs based on location and
water conditions.
Looking at the material made available by other nominees I feel I can support the ideals as
expressed by both Dr Declan Mac Daid and Kevin Horan.
Dr. Declan Mac Daid offers himself as a candidate for one of the two available
positions on the board of management of Canoe Ireland. A former Treasurer of
the Canoe Union at the time when the ICU moved from a small office in town to
the House of Sport he was instrumental in developing many of the key policies
such as the establishment of the Liffey Training Centre.
As a Senior Canoe Instructor he is absolutely committed to returning the ICU to
the paddlers and clubs who comprise it. He can bring a track record of financial
stability back to the ICU and advocates formal representation for clubs and
canoeists on the board of Canoe Ireland.
A fresh approach is needed now at executive level by independent and
experienced persons to heal, revitalise and re-organise, he offers his time,
energy and considerable experience to achieve these goals.
Vote for:
1. Greater representation for Clubs & Canoeists on the board of Canoe
Ireland.
2. Greater transparency in the management of Canoe Ireland Affairs.
3. A renewed focus on building levels of participation in Irish Canoeing.
4. Encouraging volunteerism in the delivery of canoeing facilities and
services at local level in Ireland.
Declan fully supports the candidacy of Pat McAlhinney for President and Kevin
Horan for executive member of Canoe Ireland.
087 9862517/ [email protected]
Intelligence is what you use when you dont know what to do

keithmcguirk
Posts:5
Joined:Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:48 pm

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by keithmcguirk » Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:13 pm

For clarifacation I am posting this on Yvonnes behalf, she will be happy to take questions at the meeting tomorrow;

NOMINEE FOR EXECUTIVE POSITION

YVONNE GLYNN


I am putting myself forward as a candidate for one of the two vacant positions on the Executive of the Board of Canoeing Ireland.

Background

Originally from Galway but now based in Chapelizod, Dublin, I am an active paddler and a current member of Wild Water Kayak Club. I have been an ordinary member on the Board of Canoeing Ireland (CI) for just over a year now by virtue of holding the chair of the wildwater racing national committee. I have been on the wildwater racing committee for 4 of the past 5 years. While actively involved in wildwater racing I have also tried my hand at all other disciplines, some more successfully than others!

Why the Executive?

As a recent member on the Board of CI I have become acutely aware of the deficiencies which exist in the current structure, the dissatisfaction of the vast majority of members, the financial situation which CI currently finds itself in and the reputational damage which has been done to the organisation. There is an urgent need for widespread reform. If elected my aim is to ensure that the changes which are required in order to prevent a situation such as occurred over the past year from reoccurring and more importantly that a system and structure is put in place that stops paddlers questioning why they have bothered to become a member of CI.

The above can only be achieved if there is a total reform of the organisation starting with the hiring of a General Manager and a redrafting of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. I am not seeking election on to the Executive to further the aims of any club or particular discipline, if elected I will represent you, the members.

I do not pretend to have any quick fix solutions to CIs current problems but firmly believe that as a dedicated, non-political, active paddler whose only agenda is to ensure that we move forward I can play a significant role in ensuring that the promised reforms occur. Also as a solicitor I am aware of the role which transparency, ethics and professionalism must play if CI is to develop into a strong and respected governing body in Ireland. I am also well aware that any reforms must be all inclusive and not solely aimed at a particular discipline, club or individual.

Yvonne Glynn

leftism
Posts:52
Joined:Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:14 pm

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by leftism » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:47 pm

Posted on behalf of Eamon Fleming

Allow me to introduce myself, to those who do not know me. My name is Eamon Fleming and I am standing for election as President of Canoeing Ireland. I am a member of Celbridge Paddlers Canoe Club which I joined as a parent of young children, keen to try out canoeing many moons ago. Over the years I became involved at committee level in the club and also at national level in a number of disciplines and roles. I have been active in canoeing circles as a volunteer for over 16 years now.

I have been involved at national level on the Marathon Committee as Treasurer since 2002, with a keen inertest in the development of junior paddlers. I took responsibility for the running of the Junior Series Marathon races for many years and am actively involved with the organising committee in running the Junior Liffey Descent. For those of you who participate in the Liffey Descent each year, you may know me from the race start at the K Club. In addition, through my club I have also been involved in organising Wild Water and Slalom events over the years.

Sprint is one of the two Olympic canoeing disciplines and I have been a member of the Sprint Committee as Secretary since 2002. I have acted as team leader to the junior development squads at regattas in Nottingham and overseas on many occasions. In addition, I have been heavily involved in junior development and in that capacity, am familiar with the Irish Sports Council HP requirements relating to funding. In April 2011 I was elected as Chairman of Sprint and became a member of the Board of Canoeing Ireland.

I have also been involved as a volunteer with the Special Olympics and was the sports commissioner for the kayaking event at the 2003 World Summer Games in Ireland. 4 years later, I worked as an International Official at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, in Shanghai. I was more recently involved in the kayaking event at the Special Olympics Ireland games in 2010 in Limerick and other Special Olympics events around the country.

I stand for election of President, as I would like to see Irish Canoeing regain a unified focus in what we do as an organisation and move forward from the recent legacy issues. I bring my experience to this role, in order to advance and promote all aspects of Irish Canoeing and with the support of clubs and volunteers throughout the country, I hope we can develop and improve infrastructures crucial to our sport. We need to increase participation at all levels of paddling, but most importantly at Junior and recreational level. This is the lifeblood of our sport and from this pool of paddlers will emerge our future Olympians.
Canoeing Ireland must also strive to deliver the highest levels of technical competency in structured instruction, training and coaching, as a means of supporting our paddlers of the future. As an organisation we need to be more transparent with our members in what we do and we need to listen to what our members have to say, at all levels. It won’t be easy bringing change to the organisation but there are many great people involved in Canoeing Ireland, with fantastic ideas and expertise. A lot of good things have happened and more needs to be done in order to move our sport into the future. I do not underestimate the task at hand but will do my very best for all members, if elected.

Yours in paddling,
Eamon Fleming

Pat MacAlinney
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Joined:Thu May 08, 2008 4:34 pm

Re: A question I have for Nominees for ICU Executive Committ

Post by Pat MacAlinney » Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:03 am

Just to wish all candidates the best of luck in the elections.

Pat

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