2021: A New O Season!

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AOA News and Events AOA Facebook AOA Twitter AOA Website AOA Instagram Message from the AOA President We’re at the beginning of another orienteering season that, once again, will look and feel very different from what we’re used to. What’s different from last year is that we have vaccines against this COVID-19 virus and a plan to get everyone vaccinated by September, maybe sooner, so we could be looking at a series of Fall orienteering events that get us back together in the parks and forests. The AOA completed a three-year strategic planning cycle at the end of 2020 where we focussed on creating outreach programs in new communities outside of Edmonton and Calgary. For our current three-year plan, we will be focussing on maintaining and developing the outreach programs we established in Airdrie, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and Grande Prairie with the hope that we can create a new orienteering club in Red Deer. Full details of the new strategic plan are available for everyone to read on the AOA’s website. The AOA AGM will be held on Wednesday 14 April starting at 6.30 pm. Official notice will be sent to all members on or before March 25 with a link to register and receive a Zoom invitation to join the meeting. This will be my last AGM as president, having reached the maximum term limit of four years. Kim Kasperski from EOOC has agreed to be nominated to take over from me as president. Kim will come back to the AOA board having already served as president around 10 years ago so will be able to get up and running very quickly. I hope to see you in the forest soon. David Campden Save the Date!   Register for the AGM now AGMs to Start the Season Both the AOA and Clubs start the new season with an AGM. AOA will elect their new Board on April 14, 2021. Some new faces are standing for office and some old pros are returning to take up the torch.  FWOC The following members were elected to the FWOC Board: President - Tim McLaren Treasurer - Marion Owen Secretary - Lourdes Gutierrez-Kellam VP Jr Dev - Charlotte MacNaughton VP Mapping - Don Bayly VP Technical - Marsha Fehr VP Technology - Vital Mialeshka AOA The proposed slate for the 2021/22 AOA Board is: President: Kim Kasperski Past-President - David Campden Treasurer - Wayne Best Secretary - Clarence Kort VP Mapping - vacant VP Technical - Marsha Fehr If you are interested in the VP Mapping position, please contact David Campden. EOOC  Board of Directors   Judy Cornish - President Karen Brownlee - Secretary Al Nilson - Treasurer Bobbi Menard – Junior Program Peter Mackenzie – Junior Program and Past President Marilyn Edmunds - Membership Geraint Edmunds - Mapping Greg Yarkie - Scheduling  Robert Gilchrist – Member at Large Stefan Duret – Member at Large Don Riddle - Member at Large  O Season Starters  The Board of Directors are busy making plans for the orienteering season!  With luck, COVID restrictions will be reduced and we can orienteer again even if the format looks slightly different.  Stay on top of the news by checking your club's website frequently. Edmonton Club (EOOC): Club news Independent orienteering Calgary Club (FWOC): Upcoming events Outreach Airdrie: Try orienteering Red Deer: Try orienteering Any location self-guided activities:  NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVENTURE create your own google based map and route SOGO@Home: for kids to keep them active at home In-person Youth Programs Check out the spring Outreach Programs and grab some spots. Registration open and space is limited. We are also hosting Try It events on April 10, 2021. Airdrie and Red Deer. SOGO programs in Calgary. Cochrane and Bragg Creek are filling up fast and the KRW programs in Edmonton will open registration soon. Did you know? Permanent Courses in Red Deer   Red Deer has two permanent courses still being maintained according to Don Wales. Kin Canyon and Heritage Ranch maps are still in ok shape, and discussions started about the permanent courses and remapping these areas with the city. Check them out next time you are on a road trip and going by Red Deer! Also, we received a grant from the City of Red Deer to support our community program development. If you know anyone who wants to engage more with orienteering ask them to contact us. Our goal is to establish a club in RD. Professional Development Opportunities   Leaders, Board members: Government of Alberta - Community Development Unit Free Weekly webinars:  https://www.alberta.ca/community-development-unit.aspx Understanding the Non-Profit Legal Landscape Roles and Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Board of Directors Legal Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Non-Profit Organizational Purpose and Planning Financial Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Risk Management for Non-Profits Non-Profit Committees and How to Run Effective Meetings Coaches: Orienteering Community Coach Workshop: April 11, 2021  Calgary High Five free online program A new virtual on-demand training for sport coaches across Canada Learn more about how to keep the game fun for your players while having a quality sport experience and earn professional development points towards your National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).  Pre-register to get exclusive access to HIGH FIVE Sport Be Fit For Life free online course: Mindful Movement: This course teaches leaders how to deliver techniques from the Be Fit for Life Network Yoga Techniques & Zen Me resources.   New Resources: Engaging Newcomer Girls & Women: Physical Activity & Sport Handbook The Coaches Resource Guide: Supporting Young Athletes Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in a Mainstream Setting For links to more resources, check the ESC's Inclusion & Diversity webpage. AOA website for sport-specific covid measures Return to Sport Guidelines AOA is following the Provincial Health authorities' measures and Orienteering Canada developed guidelines to provide a safe environment for our sports participants. The focus and expectations must be shifted away from competitive events to the opportunity to be outside, doing a sport we enjoy, respecting our collective responsibilities to health and safety, and being extra-appreciative to the officials who are creating opportunities to orienteer. Visit these webpages which contain the updated recommendations: For organizers: Return to Sport For participants: Safety in Orienteering These guidelines and forms will be implemented by the organizers. Make sure to follow your activity specific instructions if you attend any activity.  Orienteering in the News We had a great promotional event with Sport Calgary featuring Orienteering. Over 60 people were signed up to learn more about our sport. Big thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event: Charlotte MacNaughton, Jan-Erik Naes, Bogi Gyorfi, Clarence Kort, Jean MacNaughton, Andrew McLaren, Soma Csonka, Emma Sherwood. Here is the link to the Sport Calgary website where you can find great resources if you want to watch it or send it to someone who wants to learn more about our sport.   Orienteering Memories      Edmonton SKI O          Calgary TNT at Confederation park Take care and see you on a map soon! Copyright ©  AOA.  All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Alberta Orienteering Association Box 1576 Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1B5 Canada Do you want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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