Discussion: Parallel Universe Merry-go-round

I don't think this is new. Lottery funding etc established a parallel universe of professional sports admins who don't really engage with the particular sport - David Joy at ScottishAthletics (now head of British Canoeing after a segue through EnglandGolf) was the same. For a while they engage with benevolent incompetence, but eventually their irrelevance and indifference leads to separation.
Do you think they've been trained to deal with snipers on the premises?

Mike's no1 role - to protect and defend his job.
Weak leaders chose weaker subordinates to keep their position safe.
As members we should seek to have a charter that says if you don't orienteer and have no interest in the sport yourself then you can't work for the sport.

How do you retire a lame donkey?

I don't mind admin types being non-orienteers, much wider pool to take from. but those in charge should always be orienteers imo

I don't mind those that process expenses claims or update the website being non-orienteers, but those who's role is to encourage participation, or be involved in performance program planning should be regular orienteers with an understanding and love of the sport.

I love Did's link under Passion on Nopesport - says it all! :-)

I assume one of the attractions for his recruitment "was" his understanding of Sport England...

I just find it nuts that we find ourselves in the situation that the sport England money means that we need to have a chief exec that can schmooze the right sport England people, and he hires people around him that keep sport england happy, and neds (non-exec directors) that know nothing about the sport, how to get people involved, how best to help volunteers out, how to help athletes excel - even how best to communicate with members. As an athlete, I have seen Liz, Dave, Kim doing an amazing job (and I think Mark is doing excellent things with the juniors) but think what they have achieved is despite British orienteering staff, as opposed to supported by British orienteering staff, and it is terrible to see. Anyway, so glad to be out of it. I love the sport, but dislike the direction it is moving in.

It makes my blood boil. If only SOA could break its ties completely the world would be a much happier place.

Hello. Graeme pointed out that there was a parellel universe discussion going on in this parallel universe to nopesport. I feel v strongly that Mike needs to be replaced but despite trying to budge the discussion in that direction on Nope, no one is biting. I can't even figure out what length his contract is for, and what the actual process for CEO appointment is.

But I would like to do somethig about it, I just don't know how. Any suggestions? It seems the board people are just too scared of rocking the boat (spookster) or have been brainwashed (daffdy). I suppose we could start with some sort of motion at te AGM, although the deadline for this year has surely passed.

Article 27 of the BOF Ltd Memorandum and Articles (the rules) say:

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the chief executive will be appointed by the Board for such term at such remuneration and upon such conditions as they may think fit and any chief executive appointed may be removed by them.

The full articles can be viewed on the Companies House website.