NEWS

OTU Regional Representative Update: September 2012

By OTU Coordinator | 01 Oct, 2012

OTU Regional Representative Update: September 2012


What an amazing experience was London 2012, with two races that had awesome performances and did wonders in creating interest for our sport to a larger market.  Well done to all competitors at the Olympic Games, we look forward to seeing more flags competing in the future.
The end of the 4 year Olympiad marks many changes for the governance of our sport.  The 2012 ITU Congress will take place on Tuesday October 23rd in Auckland, New Zealand at the time of the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.  It will include election of a new ITU Executive Board and Committees, and we hope that members of Oceania will attend the ITU Congress and actively represent their national federation and region in deciding on the future key decision makers in triathlon.  Full details are at http://www.triathlon.org/about/congress/2012_auckland/
The OTU Congress will be prior to the Auckland World Triathlon Grand Final, from 12pm to 2pm on Friday 19th October.  In line with the election of the new ITU E-Board, a new OTU Council will also be elected and we hope that members of Oceania will also attend the OTU Congress.  The meeting will be held in the Heritage Hotel at Hobson Street, Auckland.

OTU Congress Agenda

The Oceania Triathlon Union Congress is from 12pm to 2pm on Friday 19th October 2012 at the Heritage Hotel, Hobson Street, Auckland.  The agenda is as follows:

a) Attendees

b) a report from the OTU President on the activities of the OTU Council since the previous OTU Congress;

c) a report from the ITU Oceania Representative, summary of OTU activities, and a summary of expenses since the previous OTU Congress;

d) Adoption of a revised Constitution

e) a brief report from each of the Members including their current board, number of registered members, number of accredited coaches, number of technical officials, hosting of major national and international events and representation at international events;

f) a brief report from the OTU Development Officer and OTU Technical Liaison;

g) adoption of financial statements; 

h) election of a new OTU Council

i) evaluation of the OTU Strategic Development Plan;

j) acceptance of the future OTU Strategic Development Plan to align with the ITU Strategic Plan;

k) other agenda items. 

OTU Constitution

You will note there is a revised constitution for consideration. This document will be circulated in the next few days, and it contains a few changes from the present document. The changes are – a change from an ITU Representative to a Secretary General title.   The duties of the OTU President, Vice President and Secretary General have also been described in greater detail.  The term of office has been aligned to the ITU constitution which is four years.  There is also the introduction of members rights and obligations and a disputes clause.
 

OTU Council Elections

The order of business is as above and assuming the adoption of the revised constitution is approved by members, then shortly after this, the election of the OTU Council for the new term will proceed.  As the position of Secretary General will then be one description, then it can be filled.  Nominations for the position of OTU Secretary General shall be provided on the attached nomination form in writing by each Member to the ITU Oceania Representative by email to Jenny.Mann@triathlon.org by the 30th of September 2012.
Nominations for positions may be made only by Members, each Member shall nominate only one (1) person for each position.
Nominations for council positions have been received as follows:
President – Mr Terry Sheldrake (New Zealand)
Vice President – Mr Peter Hedge (Australia)
Secretary General – Mr Geoff Stoddart (Cook Islands)
Each candidate’s supporting statements will be circulated following the close of Secretary General nominations on the 30th of September. 

Members Reports

Please note that members attending should present a brief report on the activities of their federation.  Your report should include for example, the names of your current board, the number of members/coaches/officials, a description of  events held, and possibly what events have been attended elsewhere by your members.

Skype Teleconference

For those delegates not able to attend the meeting in Auckland, attendance will be permitted via Skype teleconference.  To facilitate this a national federations shall send details of the attendee and their Skype name by email to  the ITU Oceania Representative to Jenny.Mann@triathlon.org by the 12th of October 2012.  In case of any problems, my Skype name is Jenny.G.Mann.   Please note that only members present at the congress are entitled to vote. 

Delegates

A reminder that notice of the appointment of one (1) delegate shall be provided in writing by each Member to the ITU Oceania Representative by email to Jenny.Mann@triathlon.org by the 12th of October 2012.

Subsidy for OTU NFs to attend OTU Congress and ITU Congress in Auckland
As the ITU have advised member federations that they will be subsidising member national federation’s travel and accommodation expenses to attend the ITU Congress in Auckland, the OTU council will not be providing a subsidy to members already being subsidised by the ITU.  We greatly encourage members to attend both the OTU Congress and ITU Congress in Auckland.

Barossa OTU Duathlon Championships

Entries are still open for the Barossa OTU Duathlon Championships on Sunday the 7th of October.  Entries close on Wednesday 3rd October.  Race entry includes a post event lunch and refreshments at the Seppeltfield Function Centre.  For more details please see our website http://otu.triathlon.org.   
7 October.

Oceania Website

Please don’t forget to keep regularly viewing the Oceania website http://otu.triathlon.org, and passing on the details to your members. 
Recent stories include:
Chris McCormack triumphant at 2012 ITU Long Distance World Championships
Oceania Triathlon Union held an information based seminar on 13th/14th July 2012
There is also a great story on the Triathlon Australia website regarding last weekend’s Oceania Cup in Tahiti, the first major OTU event in Oceania outside of Australia and New Zealand.  We extend our thank you to the Tahiti Triathlon Federation for organising a successful event.
www.triathlon.org.au/News/Latest_News/NTA_athletes_shine_in_Tahiti.htm
I look forward to meeting many of you in Auckland to enjoy what will be great racing, great competition and meeting friends and associates from the wider triathlon fraternity. Should any member have any queries in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Cheers

Jenny Mann

ITU Oceania Representative
Jenny.Mann@triathlon.org