Association of Ocean Rowers

[Rowgirl]

Dear Rachel, Naill & AOR Members,

Right, been reading the banter re. AOR website, it's up-to-dateness and need for a volunteer/volunteers to maintain it.

Well I've taken up arms and done this...

www.oceanrowers.squarespace.com

There's only 14 days from today - 28th July before it disappears again into the ether.

Can you please take a look and give me your opinion?

It obviously needs more content but plan is to keep it very simple. Will also need Chris's help to redirect the AOR URL etc. if we decide to go for it.

I will gift the site if people deem it suitable for our needs. I will be happy to maintain it too... with help. No bias... no personal opinion will be expressed, the forum will remain for all that banter.

So what do you think? A go-er?

Sally

[Simon Chalk]

Hi Sally,

Hope you had a good Clipper adventure.

The website looks great. I think that things need to change - structure down.

The new committee needs to be appointed and then an item like the website needs to be voted on. How it gets updated and impartiality are topics that need clear outline.

The new site gets my vote. Not sure whether you need to split up the different oceans or whether it could be on a rolling basis like ORS. The ORSI site maintains a degree of impartiality by listing all the Ocean Rowing activities purely on a chronological basis.

For the AOR to start functioning again there needs to be at least 3 main committee members supported by a further - 3 (at least) non exec type members. The last and only organised meeting at least showed there to be a willingness to get together as a group...

Hope thats constructive...

Simon

[Margaret]

Looks great Sally. I know that as volunteers it can be hard for the AOR to commit the huge amount of time needed to get something like a website overhaul up and running so I am hugely appricative that you've put the time into this. I think it'll be a big improvement, especially as this current site can be a little bit tricky to admin unless you understand how to program. It's nice that whether people are on the committee still or not they can still be involved in such a positive way.
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www.margaretbowling.wordpress.com

[Simon Chalk]

Margaret,

Everyone understands the time commitment in being involved with something like the AOR. It has never been structured however on a basis that only committee members can have input to the website.

It was actively encouraged by the original founding members to gain support and input from ocean rowers. Sally has done that continuously whether a committee member or not.

It's very obvious that changes need to happen. The AOR is now affectively dormant. Rachel has already made it clear that she is resigning from the AOR at a time that suits her. In the meantime the AOR will remain inactive until some new enthusiasm gets injected.

Margaret - you too were a committee member. You resigned without notice and left the group now only standing at two. It is interesting that you should put such a positive spin onto an action that Sally has taken. You were trusted to put effort into the AOR and unfortunately completely failed in that duty.

Lets get some new blood on the committee or at least people that will be committed to it...

A new website is a good start - new people would be fantastic!!! No disrespect meant to those who put the hours in presently....

Simon

[aor]

Just so that everyone is clear on the structure of the AOR:

Committee members are elected for a two year period only. Then the reins are handed over to a new committee, elected from the pool of individuals who put their names forward.

Both Niall and myself committed to complete our two years. Consequently we will shortly be advertising the three positions for new applicants as our two years are complete in December 2010.

For anyone who is interested - the previous nomination information can be found at:
http://www.oceanrowers.com/aor/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=207

[Charlie Rossiter]

It looks good Sally
The ocean rowing community should be very greatful for someone prepared to do this much - but will it?
Anyway good luck with it, I hope you get enough support to carry on.
Charlie
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k b o

[Rowgirl]

Thanks everyone,

Appreciate all replies. As mentioned, happy to do whatever the mass thinks best. Am here... doesn't take too long to set something up.

Sally