Transcript for the NAFA Candidate Chat January 17th, 2019
EmmaMak
Hi, I'm the NAFA Elections Chair, Emma Mak, and I'm moderating
tonight's third and final 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 Facebook Messenger if you'd prefer to interact that way.
EmmaMak
Steve Corona, Kathy Haney, and Darla Quintern are joining us
tonight. Hopefully Dana Hanson will be on shortly.
EmmaMak
Candidates please make your opening remarks. Oh
there's Dana Hanson! All candidates are on.
SteveCorona
Hello to the NAFA community! Thank you for joining us this
evening and to Emma for moderating the chat tonight. I look forward to
discussing the topics in our sport with you and my fellow candidates this
evening.
DanaHanson
Good evening everyone. Thank you for taking time from your busy
schedules to join our chat. I look forward to hearing what's important to you
and any concerns you have as NAFA forges ahead. I also appreciate an
opportunity to get to know you and for you to learn more about me.
DarlaQuintern
Hello everyone! I believe I can bring a fresh perspective and
positive attitude to the board and am excited for this final chat tonight.\
KATHYHANEY
Hello everyone, Thanks for joining us on our final chat. I am
looking forward to letting you all get to know me a little better
EmmaMak
Question from Emma Mak 1. At times the BoD
discusses issues that are not meant to be made public. Are you willing to
commit to keeping these private discussions totally private, and if yes, why do
you think this is important?
DarlaQuintern
Yes I am willing to keep it private and sometimes it is important
to keep things private that you are working on until you find a
solution/action, then inform everyone.
DarlaQuintern
Sometimes details need to be worked out or a plan of action
before sharing the information with everyone else.
DanaHanson
In my job on a daily basis I deal with protected information.
Confidentiality and trust are often needed to promote free exchange of
information and to inspire confidence from those with whom you deal. In some
cases, information discussed could be damaging if it were inappropriately
shared, and frequently private discussion include sensitive material. Finally, its a matter of maintaining integrity as well.
SteveCorona
During my time on the BoD there have
been some topics that needed this level of privacy and I am 100% committed to
keeping these types of discussions private. I think this is important because
of several factors. This protects people from accusations that until further
investigated may or may not have merit. With the speed of information on social
media these days, whether accurate or not, once a claim is made it is very
difficult to set the record straight. The other component that plays into this
is trust. We must all be able to trust one another on the BoD
to carry out our work. Depending on the subject matter, once a resolution is
reached, then the appropriate information can be disseminated to the community.
KATHYHANEY
Absolutely. there are some things that need to be taken care of
in private and some details are not necessary to be shared by everyone.
EmmaMak
Question from Emma Mak 2. Do you think that an elected board
member should represent their region or the whole of NAFA? For your chosen
answer, how would you make sure you did this?
SteveCorona
I believe that an elected board member should represent the
whole of NAFA. One of the privileges of sitting on the board is learning how
different regions operate and the board is made up of members from all
different regions. It's great exposure to the nuances of how the game is played
across North America. I also believe that we are elected because we have a
strong understanding of the policies and procedures and the decisions
we make effect the entire flyball community.
KATHYHANEY
I think the board members should represent the whole of NAFA,
but should also bring the perspective of their different regions into the
equation. Board members should also reach out and listen to any regions that
are not currently represented on the Board. Even though NAFA has one set of
rules and regulations, different regions have different issues and have certain
ways of doing things.
DanaHanson
I believe it is important for board members to represent the
whole of NAFA. We don't have 20 + board members to ensure that all regions are
represented and doing so would represent a major change in structure. While it
is not possible for me to travel to every region, I have raced in four NAFA
regions over the past several years and believe most people in those regions
would be comfortable reaching out to me. As a board, we float ideas out to
competitors for comments, and we receive that feedback for review. In addition,
our contact information is shared on the NAFA web site so that individuals have
access to us. Still, I don't believe it's possible for me to know unique issues
experienced in far away places unless those are
brought to my attention. I believe having board members from diverse locations
helps promote accessibility to the board.
DarlaQuintern
I think that you need to represent all of flyball, but if need
feedback from flyball people you would most likely consult the people in your
region. As a board member it is important to involve the flyball community as a
whole, and not make it unilateral. It is important to meet and chat with as
many flyball competitors as possible serving on the board. This chat forum
could be used when issues are presented to the board where we could get the
community's input. NAFA is for everyone and the bod needs to do a better job
with communication and reaching out to flyball competitors.
EmmaMak
Question from Emma Mak 3. Do you think it's the responsibility
of clubs themselves to grow the sport, or is it the responsibility of the
board, or both?
DarlaQuintern
It is a shared responsibility. But feel strongly that Nafa needs to do more with promoting to the public. My club
is a big supporter of publicizing the sport and for example have put on several
demos at various venues.
KATHYHANEY
Definitely both. It takes the clubs to get information out to
their local areas by showcasing flyball in a positive way and the board is
there to back them up and help with information.
SteveCorona
I think it falls on both NAFA and the clubs to grow the sport.
At the NAFA level we have marketing material, maintain the web-site and various
social media pages but thats a pretty high level view. Any inquires that come in from people
interested in joining flyball are sent to the regional level so that they get
the most relevant information. I think the clubs can promote themselves and the
sport by performing demonstrations, trying to get local media coverage (print
or TV) of tournaments and being good ambassadors to visitors that may come out
to a tournament or practice.
DanaHanson
Great question that I've heard in the past, with an answer
attached that I somewhat objected to. I believe the behavior of individual
clubs can greatly impact the direction of our regions. Clubs and their members
are the front line - the face of NAFA. A positive experience with one can do a lot to encourage participation. But given the declining
entries and increased number of alternative activities to flyball, I believe it
is important for NAFA to explore ways to maintain its competitor base and grow
it. We need loyalty from competitors, and to do that we need to make flyball
their preferred sport.
KATHYHANEY
The Board supports the local clubs and helps people locate clubs
in their areas. It is a team effort for sure
EmmaMak
Question from Tammy Bonas 4. In early days of NAFA there were
very meaningful reasons why regional directors served "at the pleasure
of" vs being elected offices. Would you consider a change to this
structure?
DarlaQuintern
I am open to new ideas! And would consider other thoughts on
this matter. Regional directors play important role in flyball and hosting
tournaments and we need to do a good job in supporting them!
KATHYHANEY
I do not think the regional directors should be elected, but I
do think that the Board should get more input from the team captains before
selecting a regional director. I have been more than happy with all of our Reg.
6/16 directors since I have been playing flyball, but always curious as to how
they got in that position without much input from their regional team captains.
DanaHanson
I would be willing to listen to any argument put forth for doing
so, although my immediate reaction is that I would have concerns that I'd want
to see addressed in any case made for that. The executive director relies on
these individuals to support much of our operations in areas too distant for
him or her to touch. While all serve in a voluntary capacity and none our
employees, I
SteveCorona
The RD position is a very demanding volunteer position that
actually reports to the Executive Director. In a way, they "work" for
the ED. They approve schedules, handle complaints, attend most every
tournament, and are the eyes and ears of the Region they serve just to name a
few of their responsibilities. It's been my experience that people aren't
lining up to fill the role of RD. With that said, if a proposal was brought
forth to make this an elected position with term limits such as the board has,
I would certainly take it under consideration. At this time, according to our
by-laws, they are appointed by the ED and require board approval. It would take
a major rule change to make this an elected position.
DanaHanson
Sorry, not done. I believe it's important for the ED to assemble
a team that is effective. I would equate this to being able to select my own
team at work rather than someone choosing for me. I have been saddled with some
pretty ugly choices made by others in the past.
EmmaMak
Question from Tammy Bonas 5. In the past the board has made some
changes without going to delegate vote and without having the item on the
agenda. Do you agree with this approach?
DarlaQuintern
In general, no. But I think that would depend on the issue and
how quickly action needs to be taken.
KATHYHANEY
I do agree with this approach depending on the situation. Some
minor changes should not require a delegate vote, while a controversial change
would require one. The Board should be able to make decisions as to what needs
to be sent out for public discussion and delegate votes.
DanaHanson
Judgment is required as to what matters should be brought to a
delegate vote. Any time judgment is involved, there is room for second
guessing. We have been called out on the handling of some matters during my own
tenure. Still, I believe there are changes that can be made without bringing every one to a delegate vote.
SteveCorona
In order to operate efficiently not every item that the board
votes on or makes changes to can go to a delegate vote. It would bring things
to a standstill and really isn't necessary in all cases. I believe we are
evolving into at the very least getting feedback from the flyball community
when it comes to "hot-button" issues and we are working on greater
transparency at all levels. However, with such a large community of people you
will never satisfy everyone with every decision. We strive to make the best
choices for the greatest number of people and their dogs that we can.
EmmaMak
Question from Karen Oleson 6. How familiar are you with the NAFA
rulebook including bylaws? Have you ever read it in its entirety?
DanaHanson
Yes I have read it in its entirety, although its
been some time. With respect to the rules of racing, at one time I did a
comparison of ours to a competing organization. I'm fairly certain I still have
scribbled notes around here somewhere. It is important to be familiar with the
rules, but it is perfectly acceptable to need to pull open the rules for
reference in some situations and as I have seen officials do on many occasions.
DarlaQuintern
Honestly, I have not read it in it's entirety. But I have read many sections of it in
order to have correct information as needed. And I am also always keeping up to
date with all of the new changes coming in. As a board member I will do my due
diligence to consult it as necessary.
SteveCorona
I am extremely familiar with the rulebook and its bylaws. It's
actually part of my job as Chairman to understand the policies and procedures
set forth in the rulebook and to comply with its regulations. As a Supervising
Judge, I mentor up and coming judges and feel I understand the rules of our
sport extremely well also. I am asked questions from competitors at every
tournament I attend as to my views as a NAFA representative or am asked to
clarify or provide a better understanding of a rule or why a certain call may
have been made.
KATHYHANEY
I have not read it in one sitting, but I think I have read most
of it at one time or another. If there is an issue that I need clarification
on, it is easy enough to look it up. I feel confident that I am aware of most
of the rules and regulations and would not have a problem finding out an answers I need at any given time
EmmaMak
Question from Emma Mak 7. What is it about NAFA that makes it
the flyball organization you would like to be contribute to in a leadership
role?
EmmaMak
Last call for questions
KATHYHANEY
When I started NAFA it was the only game in town. Back then as
well as now I had the impression that it was a well run organization that was concerned with the
wellbeing of it's members and the game of flyball. I
have met so many people, both locally and countrywide that I have enjoyed being
around and I would love the opportunity to help keep this organization moving
forward and advancing the sport of Flyball
KATHYHANEY
Meant to say, When I started playing flyball NAFA was the only
game in town
SteveCorona
To me it's about giving back to the sport I love...playing with
my dogs, my teammates and the friendships that have been made over the years.
It's about making this sport as fair and enjoyable to every participant that
plays. We are an extremely high profile organization
in the sport of flyball around the world and I believe I have the skill set
necessary to represent NAFA in the best light possible. There are many
opportunities that come with being on the board whether this is interacting
with the media, running the business side of NAFA, or being a gracious
competitor in the ring, its all about the dogs,
handlers, and making NAFA flyball the sport of choice to people who are being
flooded with a host of other dog sport choices.
DarlaQuintern
NAFA is made up of other flyball competitors to assist and
promote the sport of flyball which we all love. I am enthusiastic about helping
to grow and evolve the sport and continue it for many generations. It would be
my pleasure to bring my can-do attitude to the NAFA board
DanaHanson
It's difficult for me to respond without sounding cocky or as
though I'm taking jabs at any other organizations. NAFA has the longest
standing record of sanctioning tournaments. While it is rich in history, NAFA
in recent years has embraced some exciting changes. Your board comprises
individuals with diverse backgrounds and opinions. Amidst quite a few
differences, board members have a great deal of respect for one another. I'm
rambling in what would probably be better stated in bullet points. It has been
an honor to serve for the past three years, and I would be honored to work with
more of these fine individuals.
EmmaMak
Candidates please prepare 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 Emma Mak and everyone that has attended this chat
tonight. I appreciate this opportunity to have everyone get to know me better.
While serving on the Bod I would work hard and do things to the best of ability
for all participating in flyball.
DanaHanson
Thank you all again for joining this evening. Thanks to all the
other candidates for their willingness to serve this great organization and for
sharing in these chats. I rest assured that your board will move forward with
its sights on bringing its best every day and making flyball better. Goodnight
to all.
SteveCorona
I’d like to close by saying that it’s been an honor and a
privilege to have served the NAFA community for the past 3 years and I look
forward to continuing to do so if re-elected. I believe in my relatively short
time on the board we've made some exciting changes and a few that we've learned
our lessons on and how to move forward with a better understanding of what our
community wants from its board members. Thank you for your questions and I wish
my fellow nominees all best in these elections. Thanks again to Emma, the NAFA
Election Committee and those who participated in tonight's chat and to those
who will be reading the transcripts at a later time. Good night.
KATHYHANEY
I love flyball and am ready, willing and able to help keep NAFA
stay the great organization that it is. Having played for over 14 years and
running my own club for 10 of those years I believe I have some pretty good
insight into how to keep NAFA going srtong. I hope to
be given the opportunity to give back to the sport and to help it grow even
stronger.
EmmaMak
Thanks to the candidates and the members of the NAFA community
for their participation this evening and throughout the election process.
This concludes tonight's final of three chats. Please make sure you vote! Good
night!