Transcript for the NAFA Candidate Chat December 17th,
2016
44 mins ago
EmmaMak
Okay, let’s begin.
Good Evening everyone, I’m Emma Mak from the NAFA Election Committee. Thanks
for joining in on tonight’s second of three candidate chats for the 2016/2017
NAFA Election. Thank you to Kyle Mankes, and Steve
Corona for assisting tonight.
44 mins ago
EmmaMak
The Board of Directors
Candidates are: Dirk Elber, Matt Goodyear, Peter Guidolin, John Hendriks, Leerie
Jenkins, Jessica Knox, Lynda Mantler and Donald
Watson. Neil Flood is running for Executive Director.
44 mins ago
EmmaMak
Peter, Lynda and
Donald are participating in this chat.
43 mins ago
EmmaMak
We will now take
opening remarks from the candidates.
42 mins ago
DonaldWatson
I just want to thank
everyone for taking time out of their day and look forward to answering any
questions.
41 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
My name is Peter Guidolin, I am running for the board this year for the
first time. I have in my fifth year as a judge and have served 2 years on the
judges committee. I would like to thank those that put this chat together for
their hard work and those who have taken the time to join us during this busy
time of the year. I feel honoured (Canadian spelling)
to be in this years candidates' group.
40 mins ago
EmmaMak
We don't seem to have
Lynda. Hopefully she'll join us shortly.
40 mins ago
EmmaMak
First question from
Steve Corona: Any prior experience on boards or working on committees and how
did you handle it when opinions differed from yours?
40 mins ago
EmmaMak
0 questions in the
queue. If you have any questions please private message me. Thanks.
38 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
I served on two boards
before I was the treasurer of a junior hockey club for 10 years and served on
several fund raising committees for them, I also was one of the core directors
of an organization that help clubs and non-profit groups to raise funds I was there
for 9 years.
37 mins ago
DonaldWatson
No prior experience
but throughout life you come across people who have different opinions than
yours. Its important to keep
an open mind and try to look at the issue from their point of view.
36 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
I have always been one
that wants to look at things from all sides so if your views are different then
I am happy to listen to your angle then hopefully you can listen to mine and
then I work to find common ground and then the final becomes either yours,
mine, or somewhere in the middle. the best thing is
communication
36 mins ago
EmmaMak
Since we have no other
questions in the queue this one is from Emma Mak: Growth of membership and
sponsorship are always areas NAFA members look to NAFA leadership to focus on.
What could you contribute to either (or both) of these?
34 mins ago
EmmaMak
I have 0 questions in
the queue.
33 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
membership and sponsorship are both very important to
have our sport grow and sustain itself. I have always spoken to people about
our sport and encouraged them to come out to an event or a practice to see for
themselves how things work and how much fun it can be to play with our four
legged friends and the companionship that can be had with team members
31 mins ago
DonaldWatson
Something I have been
trying to do in our area is to reach out to local rescue groups, other dogs
sport organizations, and really anywhere I can promote the sport of Flyball. Currently my team participates in two demos a year
and are always for other opportunities. I believe that the growth of our sport
lies in partnering with other groups that already have a large following.
LyndaMantler **
Sponsorship is very important and something I would be pleased
to work on. Sponsorship does not have to come from large companies only. There
could be small to medium sized companies out there that will be happy to
sponsor. I think of companies that the flyball
community patronizes such as those that supply duct tape, mats and vet wrap to
name a few. I don't know where the current board is at in the process,
however these are thoughts I have. Once a list is compiled, the companies
are contacted and we make our appeal. Social media would be a good way to make
these contacts. I can't speak for what the board would be willing to provide in
return for sponsorship but there are numerous ways a sponsor could be
recognized such as on the website, a booth a CanAm, mentions
on livestream and logos on clothing such 1-TDC has had.
30 mins ago
EmmaMak
Next question from
Emma Mak: how will you make sure that the specific concerns of the various
regions will be heard?
26 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
It is important to
look at how any decision that the board make affects all regions. What works in
Florida may not be so good for Alaska. So every region needs to be looked and
how a rule change will affect all. I have always wanted NAFA to have a ballot
sent out using a system that is similar to are voting when a MAJOR rule is
being changed. Not that the board is bound by that but it can very informative
and hopefully the region that are really adversely affected will vote and leave
comments on how there regions are affect so that the
board can make the best decisions
26 mins ago
LyndaMantler
Hello, sorry that I
was having some technical difficulties. I have prior board experience having
served on non profit flyball
and community club boards and various industry boards. I have served as
secretary, treasurer and director at large. I understand the need for different
points of view and also that once a vote has taken place, all board members
need to support and work towards the chosen outcome.
25 mins ago
DonaldWatson
I believe the Regional
Directors are your best source for what concerns a region has. As a board
member you should be talking with the RD regularly and bringing the concerns to
the board. Also talking with the teams is a good way to get an idea of whats going on.
25 mins ago
EmmaMak
Question for Donald
from Steve Corona: Based on your strengths, which committees do you feel best
suited for and why? Peter and Lynda, you answered this last time, but if you
have anything you'd like to add, go ahead.
25 mins ago
EmmaMak
1 question in the
queue
25 mins ago
LyndaMantler
I would invite NAFA
members to communicate with me and also seek input from those NAFA participants
I interact with.
24 mins ago
EmmaMak
Lynda, if you would
like to catch up on any of the questions, go ahead and we'll wait.
22 mins ago
LyndaMantler
I would love to
contribute to CanAm. I attended CanAm
and was a participant for the first time this year. It was a super event and by
participating for the first time, I had a fresh perspective on the event.
20 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
I have traveled to
just over a third of the NAFA regions and try to hit a few new ones each year
this is also helpful for me to see how different regions work. I would hope if
I am elected to the board that as I travel competitors will approach me with
questions, concerns or just to chat about what they would like to see done.
Then I would be happy to approach the committee(s) involved
18 mins ago
DonaldWatson
I believe my
background would best be suited for either the rules committee or disciplinary
committee. I spent over twenty years in the Coast Guard and the majority of
that was investigations and navigation rules review. I tend to look at a rule
book and rules as how they all apply together and not as individual rules. I
hope that makes sense.
18 mins ago
EmmaMak
Question from Steve
Corona: Being on the board requires travel and a fair amount of time working
with the committees. Do you feel that you can add this responsibility to your
work/life balance?
17 mins ago
LyndaMantler
Growth of membership-
be an ambassador when competing and help with lessons for new prospects. Be
inclusive of new clubs and participants.
15 mins ago
DonaldWatson
Luckily I am at a
point in my life where I have time to travel and to commit to working with NAFA
committees. That is one of the reasons I decided to run for the board at this
time.
15 mins ago
LyndaMantler
I am eager to serve on
the board and participate at every board meeting. It is important for board
members to attend the meetings. I will make the time to do this. I am
passionate about flyball so this fun work for me.
14 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
For me this is one of
the reason that I decided to run this year. In 2014 I moved into a
semi-retirement so with me only needing to work around 15-20 (and 20 if i am under extreme pressure) hours a week and I work from
my home. I am on the computer so to put in time on committees is quite easy. I
head off to tournaments almost every second weekend (we did 22 last year) so I
have a bit of NAFA interaction.
14 mins ago
EmmaMak
Ok, since there are no
more questions in the queue, candidates please prepare your closing remarks.
11 mins ago
LyndaMantler
Thank you again to
those that provided this forum for the candidate discussion. We are lucky to
have so many candidates willing to step up and take on BOD duties. Good luck to
all! If anyone would like to chat further, you can find me on Facebook.
10 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
Thank you again to all
those that participated and organized this chat and some of the great
questions. I am looking forward to the next meeting in January hope everyone
have a safe and festive season and see everyone in the new year. If anyone
wishes to communicate with me outside of this chat please feel free to send me
an email and I would be happy to answer any question you might have. Thanks
again everyone. Good luck all
8 mins ago
DonaldWatson
Thanks to Emma and
Steve for putting on this chat. I look forward to the next chat and another
chance to let everyone know why I would be a great candidate. I will be
available to answer any other questions by email or Facebook. Happy holidays.
8 mins ago
EmmaMak
Ballots were emailed
out December 1st and polls close midnight CST January 11th, 2017. Results will
be announced at the AGM on January 14th, 2017. Club Owners, Regional Directors,
Approved/Supervising Judges and Board Members are eligible to vote. The ballot
email comes from Big Pulse (election company). If you
haven’t received the ballot email, please check your junk mail folder, and if not
there please contact elections@flyball.org.
7 mins ago
SteveCorona
We’d like to thank all
the candidates and members of the NAFA community who joined us this evening. We
understand this is a busy time of year for many of you so your participation is
greatly appreciated. Many thanks to the candidates for sharing their experience
and opinions about topics currently circulating in the NAFA community. Thank
you as well to Emma Mak for being our moderator this evening. The final
candidate chat is scheduled for January 3rd, 2017 at 8:00 PM CST. Happy
Holidays and Happy New Year!
7 mins ago
PeterGuidolin
happy new years all
7 mins ago
KyleMankes
Thanks to all the
candidates. Special thanks to Emma and Steve for organizing and moderating.
6 mins ago
EmmaMak
Good night everyone!
Happy Holidays!
**Lynda Mantler was having technical difficulties so this response
was forwarded later to the moderator to be included in the transcript, and did
not appear in the online chat.