NUSA’LON WOMENS’ COMPETITIVE DRAGONBOAT TEAM

TEAM PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

Dragon Boat racing is the ultimate team sport!  Every one of the 22 people in the boat must have the same purpose, the same vision – to move our boat through the water in the smoothest, fastest way possible!  The comradeship and team spirit that forms in the boat enhance our training and move us in a positive way toward our goals.

Nusa’lon Team Goals:

1.       To create an environment that challenges the present fitness level of its members and motivates them to achieve their personal best. 

2.       To identify and foster synchronized and effective paddling technique.

3.       To develop a climate where honest, open and respectful communication is encouraged and valued.

4.       To provide opportunities for team members to contribute their time and talent in areas that foster team goals.

5.       To have fun!

EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR TEAM MEMBERS

COMMUNICATIONS

Expectation:   Our team’s style of communication is open, honest and supportive.

Guidelines:

1.       All team members are expected to behave with courtesy and respect to the coach and other team members, providing a supportive environment for each team member to reach their own potential.

2.       The coach will give honest feedback to each individual paddler with the goal of improving each paddler’s technique to assist them in contributing to the best of their ability to the goals of the team.

3.       Concerns about any issue which affects individual paddlers and therefore the whole team, should be discussed with the coach or captain or any other member of the Executive Committee.  If the issue cannot be resolved between those individuals, the issue will be taken to the Executive Committee for resolution and the rest of the team will be advised.  All issues brought to the Executive will be responded to in a timely manner.

4.       Communication with the media, race officials etc. will be handled by the coach, team captains or managers or a team member designated by them only.

5.       Team business will be kept within the team.

COMMITTEES

Expectation:   Committee formation fosters team participation in research, organization and responsible decision making for the good of the team. This shared accountability divides workload among all team members in a fair and equitable manner.

Guidelines:

1.       All team members are expected to participate regularly on one or more active committees.

2.       Committee members play the lead role in developing, organizing and directing a selected activity. Activities shall be presented to the team for their consideration and endorsement, prior to any binding commitments.

3.       Committees may be created or dissolved at the discretion of the executive or upon resolution at general team meetings.

4.       Committee members may solicit help or advice from other team members at their discretion.

5.       Committees will select a spokesperson for presentations to the team or executive. A brief status report at team meetings would normally be expected.

6.       Committees may request a team meeting for direction or to update team members. This request should be submitted to the executive for review and scheduling.

7.       Committees will be formed at the first team meeting of the year and will exist for a term of one year.

FINANCES

Expectations:   Although the team will, through the efforts of all members, raise some of the funds required to function as a competitive team, some expenses will be the responsibility of individual team members.  

Team finance reports are confidential and available to team members only.

Guidelines

1.               Team Dues and Coaching Fees:  All members are required to pay their own team dues.

2.               Payment Schedule:  In their first year, new members will be required to pay this fee at the beginning of the season.  Returning members who have financial concerns may apply to pay fees in installments, if team resources allow.

3.               Uniform costs:  Unless a sponsor is located to pay for team shirts, each team member will be required to pay for one team uniform shirt.  Jackets (if available), additional shirts, lifejackets etc. will be optional. 

4.               Race Fees:  Unless otherwise decided by the team as a whole, entry fees for competitions will be paid by the team, through fundraising.  It is expected that all members will contribute to the fundraising efforts of the team.

5.               Expenses for Festivals and Competitions:  Depending on the success of fund raising efforts, it will be decided by the team what other expenses, such as travel, accommodation etc., will be paid for by the team. 

6.               Financial Statements:  Financial reports are prepared by the Treasurer and presented at each Executive and team meeting.  Any individual member who wishes to look at the financial records may do so upon request to the Treasurer.

RACE DAY PROTOCOL

Expectations:   To keep stress and fatigue on race days to a minimum, punctuality and good communication are essential for all team members.

Guidelines:

1.       Prior to race day, the coach, manager and/or coach designated contact person are clearly identified to all team members.  Team members are responsible for ensuring they have this information prior to race day.

2.             All assembly times are determined by the coach or coach designate. 

3.             Each team member is responsible for knowing morning check in times and assembly

times and for being punctual.  Any variations from the pre-determined assembly

times required by individual team members must be directly communicated to the

coach or coach designated contact person.

4.             Team attire is required for all races.

5.             After the completion of a race, all team members are expected to walk as a group directly to a debriefing area that has been determined and communicated to members by the coach prior to the race.

6.             Line up for the next race will be confirmed at the debriefing session.  Placement in the boat is determined by the coach, or coach designate.  Although individual team members may be asked to sit out of a race, no one will be asked to sit out more than one race in a festival or competition.

7.             All team members, including those who have been asked to sit out a race, are to assemble at the appointed time prior to the next race (unless arrangements have been made otherwise with the coach or coach designate).  This will ensure that there are enough team members available to cover for unexpected events that may have occurred between races.

ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS, ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, TERMINATION OF TEAM MEMBERSHIP:

1.       A full team is 24 members plus drummer and tiller. 

·       When there is a vacancy, application for membership can be made to the Recruiting Committee, who will review the application and make a recommendation to the Executive regarding acceptance for tryout. 

·       The Executive and Coach will assess the applicant during the tryout period and put forward qualified applicants to the team for final acceptance.

·       It will require a vote of a minimum of 80% of active team members to accept a new member to the team.

·       The Captain will notify the applicant of the team’s decision.

2.       Regular attendance at practice is expected for all team members.  If a team member cannot attend practice, the coach, captain or co-captain or designate must be notified with as much advance notice as possible.

3.       Resignations or requests for leave of absence are to be given to the team captain/co-captain in writing. 

4.       If a team member does not attend practice for one month without advising coach, captain, co-captain or designate, it will be assumed that they have resigned from the team.

5.               It will require a vote of a minimum of 80% of active team members to remove an individual from active team membership, if and when this is considered to be in the best interest of the team.  The member will be advised of the team decision in writing including reasons for removal from the team.