View from the chair

I have really enjoyed reading some email/blog updates from Matt Ogden recently. Matt is the archetype learner, always thinking and analysing, ultimately trying to learn better ways of doing things. So it has been fascinating getting insights into his thought processes and learning, and how he is applying this to his build up for WOC. It also explains why Matt is one of our top athletes. However I suspect most orienteers in some way or form are drawn to the learning aspects of the sport – maybe not with a top WOC performance in mind, but simply because we love to learn ways to be better, and maybe allay some of the frustrations that come with poor performance! I recently had a conversation with someone who was unhappy with how they had gone in a major orienteering comp – their performance was not what it had been in the previous years competition. I could so relate to that feeling of frustration! But it also made me reflect on the fact that we can never get complacent – past performances do not guarantee future success, and a mindset of learning and improvement must always be maintained. I postulated that “performance” is a verb, not a noun – it requires ongoing attention and focus, and I guess orienteering (as much as any sport) drills that lesson into us – sometimes over and over again! 

This mindset of learning is something we also must maintain in the running and administration of the sport. We have had a few things happen this year that have led to us identifying improvements in some of our processes and practices at ONZ. As much as I hate seeing mistakes made, they do happen and the important thing is we learn, adapt and improve. So that has been a focus for us at the national level and will be going forwards. One of the areas we do have learning built into our processes is how the Council (now Board) functions and runs. Every year, the first Board meeting after the AGM we review our Board Charter, which sets out how we want to work and what the standards and guidelines are that we want to adhere to. It is a worthwhile and positive exercise, and one that helps keep the Board culture fresh and focused. Adding to that has been the addition of new blood and it was a pleasure in our May meeting to welcome Sarah O-Sullivan onto the Board. Sarah brings some great experience and energy to the National body, and will be a valuable addition to the great team of Board members that we have serving the sport. If you want to see the Board Charter, it is also available to look at on the website under the policies section.

I write this we are only days away from the Kings Birthday weekend. My family and I are looking forward to the competition, maps, and seeing faces from across the country again. Hopefully see some of you there!

Happy running

Peter Swanson
Chairperson
Ph 027 302 4863
Email onz-chair@orienteering.org.nz