Nuwan
03-20-2011, 03:24 AM
The 2010 Rally Sport Ontario Annual General Meeting (RSO AGM) was held today in Peterborough. The AGM was attended in person by SPDA members; Steve Deneka, Trevor Hancher, Warren & Nancy Haywood, Tim Burgess, Perry Ford and myself as your rally sport representative. Warren carried several proxy votes in addition to the 52 proxy votes and 1 club vote I carried on behalf of SPDA. I thank all members who submitted proxies and voting direction so that we (SPDA) as a whole could be appropriately represented at the AGM. All 7 RSO affiliated clubs were in attendance today to achieve quorum with a total of just over 260 votes represented.
From old business a committee was once again struck to review the RSO voting system in regards to proxy voting. The committee headed by Peter Gulliver is to report back to the membership at a special general meeting with the understanding that it will be conducted in time to be voted on and implemented as required for next year's AGM. As a large club with members spanning a large portion of the GTA and through the Ottawa region we feel that a change to the current proxy method can adversely affect the ability of our club to represent our members who are otherwise unable to travel to each AGM due to geographic location and timing. I believe support by our interested members will be necessary throughout this process.
In the area of new business a conclusion to the ongoing issue of the "Road Damage Fund" or RDF was made. The RDF is funded by levies collected on every performance rally entry and solely contributed to by performance rally competitors. Regular road maintenance before and after each event is paid using this fund, which also means that any damages to public property (bridges, culverts, posts, signs etc...) during an event will be paid via the RDF. As Tall Pines organizer Mike Koch mentioned today, there have been several changes in the area of Bancroft with new Mayors, councilors and members of the Ministry of Natural Resources which have an affect on how much we will be charged for road maintenance by each township. It is imperative that an appropriately sized fund be set aside for any unforeseen expenditures during an event. Although there is insurance to cover damages far in excess of the funds value this could lead to financial ruin for RSO.
A motion was approved to strive to maintain the value of the fund whilst also allowing the use of the funds for the purchase of equipment or services that would be of benefit to the RSO as per the discretion of the board. In order to provide transparency in this process the name of the Road Damage Fund and accompanying levy will be changed to more accurately portray it's usage as a "Reserve Fund". This will effectively allow the fund value to be maintained for road damage expenses while allowing the board to use some funds to further and grow the sport when opportunity arises which had been a pain point in the past.
A motion was also approved to purchase a complete electronic timing system that will belong to RSO. This will shortly become mandatory equipment for national level performance events by the CARS committee. There will be several benefits gained from the acquisition of the equipment. This will eliminate much of the human error involved in timing performance rally events which are often decided based on seconds. Also, the image of the sport and how it is perceived by the public and potential sponsors will be greatly improved by the addition of professional timing equipment. Lead by Ross Wood the equipment has been thoroughly researched and found to be successfully used by several racing organizations across the world including US events and Targa Newfoundland. The purchase of the equipment as well as future shipping and maintenance costs will be offset by the income generated from renting the equipment to national and regional events. Please note that the equipment can also be made available to other forms of rally sport such as rally cross events. The equipment is scheduled to debut at Lanark Highlands Rally this May.
RSO board elections for 4 positions that were at end of term were also held at today's AGM.
Ray Felice was re-elected as RSO president for another 2 year term. Ray has been on the RSO board for 10 years, 8 of which he has been president. He also is our regional representative to the CARS board where he along with CARS president Tom McGeer have been key in several changes and improvements in rally sport. His re-election will allow several current projects to be completed in the current term that will be of large benefit to all active members in the rally community.
Warren Haywood of SPDA was acclaimed as Vice President of Performance Rally. As an experienced competitor and active SPDA member in our Ottawa contingent he will be a great addition to the board. Warren replaces outgoing VP Rob MacKenzie who has done an excellent job over his term.
Peter Gulliver was acclaimed as Treasurer for another 2 year term. Peter was also acclaimed as Trustee for
the board in the event of dissolution of the RSO for the next 3 years. Peter has been a long standing board
member and active volunteer and organizer, his tireless work is very appreciated.
VP of Navigational Rally; Rita Moore resigned from the board along with RSO Secretary; Paul Moore due to unresolved conflicts within the board itself. They have been long time rally volunteers in performance events as well as organizers and very competent competitors in navigational events. We thank them for their great work while on the board and their continued involvement in rally sport.
Bruce Leonard was acclaimed as Vice President of Navigational Rally for the next year. Bruce is active in
all areas of rally sport, a full time volunteer on several other boards his experience and knowledge as a volunteer and competitor in both navigational and performance rallying will be a welcome addition and useful tool in the growth of the sport.
Jeannie MacGillivray was acclaimed as RSO Secretary for the next year. Jeannie is an active volunteer and
steward at many events and we welcome her to the board.
I believe the current combination of existing and new board members will yield a strong and productive RSO
board for the next year. On behalf of SPDA congratulations and thanks goes to all those who serve on the board.
Finally I would like to bring attention to the awards portion of the AGM. Once again SPDA has done an excellent job of placing well in both navigational and performance rally events.
In performance rally Warren Haywood took 1st place driver in production GT and 2nd novice driver with wins
at Defi Ste Agathe and Tall Pines.
In navigational rally we had several high achieving members as follows;
Intermediate Driver
- 1st Steve Deneka
- 2nd Trevor Hancher
- 4th Bruce Parke
Intermediate Navigator
- 1st Opal Gamble
- 2nd Ted Doig
Novice Driver
- 1st place tie Tim Burgess
Novice Navigator
- 1st place tie Perry Ford
The combined efforts of our navigational rally competitors allowed SPDA to win the overall club championship for the 2nd year in a row with 409 points.
Congratulations to all our rally competitors!
In upcoming news the annual navigational rally school organized by Paul Henshall and RSO will begin this Monday, March 21st. Information is posted on our main page as well as the RSO website (www.rallysport.on.ca). Note that once again SPDA will subsidize the cost of the school for any of our members and we strongly encourage anyone interested in rally sport to attend this fantastic school.
From old business a committee was once again struck to review the RSO voting system in regards to proxy voting. The committee headed by Peter Gulliver is to report back to the membership at a special general meeting with the understanding that it will be conducted in time to be voted on and implemented as required for next year's AGM. As a large club with members spanning a large portion of the GTA and through the Ottawa region we feel that a change to the current proxy method can adversely affect the ability of our club to represent our members who are otherwise unable to travel to each AGM due to geographic location and timing. I believe support by our interested members will be necessary throughout this process.
In the area of new business a conclusion to the ongoing issue of the "Road Damage Fund" or RDF was made. The RDF is funded by levies collected on every performance rally entry and solely contributed to by performance rally competitors. Regular road maintenance before and after each event is paid using this fund, which also means that any damages to public property (bridges, culverts, posts, signs etc...) during an event will be paid via the RDF. As Tall Pines organizer Mike Koch mentioned today, there have been several changes in the area of Bancroft with new Mayors, councilors and members of the Ministry of Natural Resources which have an affect on how much we will be charged for road maintenance by each township. It is imperative that an appropriately sized fund be set aside for any unforeseen expenditures during an event. Although there is insurance to cover damages far in excess of the funds value this could lead to financial ruin for RSO.
A motion was approved to strive to maintain the value of the fund whilst also allowing the use of the funds for the purchase of equipment or services that would be of benefit to the RSO as per the discretion of the board. In order to provide transparency in this process the name of the Road Damage Fund and accompanying levy will be changed to more accurately portray it's usage as a "Reserve Fund". This will effectively allow the fund value to be maintained for road damage expenses while allowing the board to use some funds to further and grow the sport when opportunity arises which had been a pain point in the past.
A motion was also approved to purchase a complete electronic timing system that will belong to RSO. This will shortly become mandatory equipment for national level performance events by the CARS committee. There will be several benefits gained from the acquisition of the equipment. This will eliminate much of the human error involved in timing performance rally events which are often decided based on seconds. Also, the image of the sport and how it is perceived by the public and potential sponsors will be greatly improved by the addition of professional timing equipment. Lead by Ross Wood the equipment has been thoroughly researched and found to be successfully used by several racing organizations across the world including US events and Targa Newfoundland. The purchase of the equipment as well as future shipping and maintenance costs will be offset by the income generated from renting the equipment to national and regional events. Please note that the equipment can also be made available to other forms of rally sport such as rally cross events. The equipment is scheduled to debut at Lanark Highlands Rally this May.
RSO board elections for 4 positions that were at end of term were also held at today's AGM.
Ray Felice was re-elected as RSO president for another 2 year term. Ray has been on the RSO board for 10 years, 8 of which he has been president. He also is our regional representative to the CARS board where he along with CARS president Tom McGeer have been key in several changes and improvements in rally sport. His re-election will allow several current projects to be completed in the current term that will be of large benefit to all active members in the rally community.
Warren Haywood of SPDA was acclaimed as Vice President of Performance Rally. As an experienced competitor and active SPDA member in our Ottawa contingent he will be a great addition to the board. Warren replaces outgoing VP Rob MacKenzie who has done an excellent job over his term.
Peter Gulliver was acclaimed as Treasurer for another 2 year term. Peter was also acclaimed as Trustee for
the board in the event of dissolution of the RSO for the next 3 years. Peter has been a long standing board
member and active volunteer and organizer, his tireless work is very appreciated.
VP of Navigational Rally; Rita Moore resigned from the board along with RSO Secretary; Paul Moore due to unresolved conflicts within the board itself. They have been long time rally volunteers in performance events as well as organizers and very competent competitors in navigational events. We thank them for their great work while on the board and their continued involvement in rally sport.
Bruce Leonard was acclaimed as Vice President of Navigational Rally for the next year. Bruce is active in
all areas of rally sport, a full time volunteer on several other boards his experience and knowledge as a volunteer and competitor in both navigational and performance rallying will be a welcome addition and useful tool in the growth of the sport.
Jeannie MacGillivray was acclaimed as RSO Secretary for the next year. Jeannie is an active volunteer and
steward at many events and we welcome her to the board.
I believe the current combination of existing and new board members will yield a strong and productive RSO
board for the next year. On behalf of SPDA congratulations and thanks goes to all those who serve on the board.
Finally I would like to bring attention to the awards portion of the AGM. Once again SPDA has done an excellent job of placing well in both navigational and performance rally events.
In performance rally Warren Haywood took 1st place driver in production GT and 2nd novice driver with wins
at Defi Ste Agathe and Tall Pines.
In navigational rally we had several high achieving members as follows;
Intermediate Driver
- 1st Steve Deneka
- 2nd Trevor Hancher
- 4th Bruce Parke
Intermediate Navigator
- 1st Opal Gamble
- 2nd Ted Doig
Novice Driver
- 1st place tie Tim Burgess
Novice Navigator
- 1st place tie Perry Ford
The combined efforts of our navigational rally competitors allowed SPDA to win the overall club championship for the 2nd year in a row with 409 points.
Congratulations to all our rally competitors!
In upcoming news the annual navigational rally school organized by Paul Henshall and RSO will begin this Monday, March 21st. Information is posted on our main page as well as the RSO website (www.rallysport.on.ca). Note that once again SPDA will subsidize the cost of the school for any of our members and we strongly encourage anyone interested in rally sport to attend this fantastic school.