Transcript
for the NAFA Candidate Chat January 6th, 2019
EmmaMak
Hi, this is Emma Mak.
I'm the NAFA Elections Chair and I'm moderating tonight's second candidate
chat.
Those joining us who wish to ask the candidates a question, a reminder that
this is a moderated chat, so please send a private message to me.
You can do this by typing //pm EmmaMak and then your
question.
I'm also available on FB chat if you'd prefer to interact that way.
Joining us tonight are: Steve Corona and Kathy Haney, hopefully Dana Hanson and
Darla Quintern will join in soon.
Kathy is currently at a flyball tournament in California and so may have some
connection issues or need to race! Thanks for making
the effort to join in anyway, Kathy.
EmmaMak
Candidates please go
ahead and make your opening remarks. I have 3 questions in the queue.
KathyHaney
Glad to be here. we
have a race coming up in the next half hour or so, so I may need to take time
off for that.
SteveCorona
Hello everyone! Thank
you for joining us on this Sunday evening and the second of three candidate
chats. Thank you to Emma Mak, the Election Committee, and NAFA for hosting
tonight’s chat. Welcome to those in the flyball community for participating in
this evenings chat and for their questions. I look forward to discussing the
issues in our sport with the other nominees tonight.
EmmaMak
First question from
Meagan Langs: 1. Nafa has
some made some changes over the last two years. Are there any other changes or
ideas that you have that would improve the sport or help grow Flyball?
KathyHaney
I have a couple of
ideas. One is that I think the points system is due for an update. It was
originally set up at a time when teams very seldom ran under 24 seconds. Now
that just about everyone races under 24 seconds I
think it is time to recognize the faster times with more points or change the
levels at which you earn more points. I also have a couple of ideas of helping
to get more Multibreed entries. one of those is spolitting
the Mixed breed dogs into large and small groups
SteveCorona
I have some ideas
surrounding our Junior Handlers and how to increase participation in our youth
program. I would like to explore the potential of a scholarship program for the
junior handlers. In addition, I would also like to see if it would make sense
to have a ranking system for these handlers as well with some type of
recognition at the end of the year. I am also very engaged in all sorts of
media awareness for ur sport and have been written
articles about our sport, have been interviewed several times last year and
will soon be in an upcoming podcast to continue to get the word out about our
sport.
EmmaMak
Next question from
Meagan Langs: 2. Do you prefer delegate voting or the
board making changes directly? I have one question in the queue.
KathyHaney
I think that depends
on the situation. I think for the most part I would prefer delegate voting so
that everyone would feel that they have the opportunity to be involved. If it
is a matter that is urgent and concerns safety or something equally important the
board should be allowed to make the change directly
SteveCorona
Honestly it depends on
the issue at hand and I believe we've learned quite a bit over the last couple
of years when it comes to this question. The delegate vote is a time-consuming
process that isn't readily available for ALL issues and would drive progress by
the Board to a halt if every item went to a delegate vote. While the delegate
vote certainly has its merits, the Board needs to be able to move forward and
implement changes on a number of issues.
EmmaMak
Next question from
Lynda Mantler: 3. Have you served on any boards or
volunteered in the past with any similar organizations? If so, what did you
take away from that experience?
KathyHaney
I was on the board on
my original flyball team and have been running my current flyball team for the
last 10 years. My husband and I have owned our own business for over 30 years
and while that is not the same as being on a board of an organization, it does
help to teach you how to work with and deal with a variety of people. From my
flyball team experiences I have learned how to work with that same variety of
people and when to take a stand or when to compromise for the greater good of
the team.
SteveCorona
This is my first time
sitting in an official board capacity however I have volunteered with other
organizations that were run by Boards. One of the main take-aways is to listen
to and respect the number of different opinions that an individual will have on
any given topic. Sometimes the best ideas are a merging of your own and someone
else's ideas. I believe in being a team player and supporting the outcome of a
decision even if it wasn't how I had originally seen it being played out.
EmmaMak
Next question from Lynda
Mantler: 4. What are the characteristics of a great
board member?
KathyHaney
Basically what I and Steve described in both of our
answers to the previous question. Plus, you have to listen to your constituents
and try to help them get what they need or want if it is a feasible request.
SteveCorona
Respecting your fellow
board members and their opinions. An open mind. Flexibility and availability to
the community we serve. Being able to explain decisions and the reasons behind
them in a calm and professional manner. Listening to the needs of our
competitors and trying the best you can to implement policy and procedures that
are fair to everyone that plays this sport and not just a subsection of the
population.
EmmaMak
Next question from
Emma Mak: 5. What are your thoughts on NAFA's participation in future Flyball
Open World Cup Events?
SteveCorona
The exposure that the
World Cup provides to NAFA is invaluable. While there are many logistical
issues to be figured out in the upcoming year, I fully support NAFA's
participation in future Flyball Open World Cup Events.
KathyHaney
I think it is a very
exciting venture and would help to expose flyball to more people, but I would
be very mindful to make sure that it is not something that would take much, if
any, funds from NAFA.
DarlaQuintern
Hello Everyone, Sorry
I was having technical difficulties
EmmaMak
Hi Darla - go ahead
and answer this question and we'll wait for you.
DarlaQuintern
I think it would great
for Nafa to participate in future Open World Cup
Events!
KathyHaney
My team is on deck and
about to go in so I have to leave for a bit. Will be back asap
DarlaQuintern
Like Steve said Nafa certainly could use the exposure.
EmmaMak
Next question from
Emma Mak: 6. Can you describe your region, your level of competitiveness and
commitment to the sport, and how your situation will allow you to represent the
membership in general?
DarlaQuintern
I play flyball in both
Region 13 & Region 2. I believe that the level of competitiveness is very
high. Looking back to the CanAm Invitational a team
from Region 2 has been in the finals every year but this year. This shows a
commitment to the sport of flyball, as you can not
achieve that with out a lot of time and dedication
put into flyball. That being said I also feel like all levels of play are both
included and encouraged. Showing that flyball is for everyone and all kinds of
dogs.
DarlaQuintern
This will help me to
represent the membership by playing and being exposed to flyball at it's fastest and also at it's
most fun with an array of different people and dogs.
SteveCorona
I primarily play in
Region 5 (Texas) and we are a great group of people that love our flyball.
While I enjoy competition, I am not on any team that will be breaking world
records
I love to play
with my dogs, and have had 2 Iron Dogs and one 50K Grand Champion. I enjoy the
bonding experience that flyball provides me with my dogs and I also enjoy the
team side of the sport and have made several close friends outside of the ring.
My commitment to the sport has ranged from serving as Regional Director, to
becoming a Supervising Judge and now I serve as Chairman of the Board. All
these different roles have given me a unique perspective into the wants and
needs of our community as a whole. I always try to bring a balanced approach to
my decisions.
DarlaQuintern
I feel that playing
flyball with both my children gives me a connection to the youth.
KathyHaney
We race in 2 regions,
6 & 16. Our club is very diverse to the point where we are competitive in
Division 1 and have a variety of dogs who run in the other divisions which
means we generally run 2-3 teams in most of our Region 6/16 tournaments. We
have travelled the 2000 miles to CanAm 3 times so far
and are looking to go again in the next couple of years. I have a great support
system on my team and that will allow me to spend the time needed to be on the
NAFA board while keeping our team at the high level it has been for the last 10
years.
EmmaMak
Next question from Dave
Collett: 7. One of the most controversial elements of NAFA flyball is the
measuring of height dogs. Does this need to change or should it be kept the
same?
KathyHaney
I think that measuring
as well as all elements of flyball need to change to keep it relevant and in
accordance with the current times. Any changes need to be done with thought and
keeping in mind that the change is definitely needed for the betterment of the
sport.
DarlaQuintern
Yes I do believe it needs to change. I believe
that Nafa is looking into some good ideas to make
some changes. The current measuring system is too ambiguous. And that the
current system has too much room for variance from region to region.
SteveCorona
There is no denying
that measuring is certainly a hot topic item in our sport. My answer is that no
matter what system of measuring is used, it needs to be consistent across all
regions. The Board spent a lot of time in trying to accomplish this by
approving a new "stand" and providing revised diagrams for measuring
dogs. Beyond this, we also need to educate our Judges and provide any necessary
training that is needed to help them be as uniform across the board as
possible.
EmmaMak
Candidates, please
make your closing remarks. NAFA 2018/2019 Election ballots should have been
delivered to your email inbox if you are a Club Owner, Regional Director,
Approved/Supervising Judge or Board Member. If you have not received the ballot
email, or if you have any questions about the election, please contact elections@flyball.org.
Polls opened December 1, 2018 and close Monday January 21, 2019 at midnight
CST. Results will be announced at the NAFA AGM on January 26, 2019.
DarlaQuintern
Thank you to Nafa, Emma Mak and all that participated tonight. I would
love to serve the flyball community by serving on the Nafa
board.
KathyHaney
Once again, I would
like to thank you for the opportunity to let people get to know me a little
bit. I am at a point in my life and my flyball career where I have the time and
desire to serve on the board and I hope to get the opportunity to do just that.
SteveCorona
I look forward to
continuing to serve NAFA should I be re-elected and working with our community
to make our sport an enjoyable one for all those involved. Thank you to Emma
Mak for moderating tonights chat and to all those who
posed questions this evening. We'll see you for the 3rd and final chat on
January 17, 2019. Good night.
DarlaQuintern
Flyball is a fun,
exciting and challenging sport that should be more well know. I would do my
best to bring my organizational skills, a fresh prespective
and a Can-Do- Attitude.
EmmaMak
A nice lot of
questions from different people tonight! I'd like to thank all the candidates
and the members of the NAFA community for their participation this evening and
throughout the election process. This concludes tonight's chat. Next one is
January 17, 2019 at 8pm EDT. Good night