Am I correct in my (typically) uninformed observation that we were without serious rain at any of the spring events? Bread and butter. Fiddleheads and Parmesan cheese. Carrots and peanut butter. Head cheese and mint sauce. Rain and spring orienteering meets. It's as natural as, well, ... rain and fall orienteering meets.
The 95 orienteering season brought with it a new batch of recruits, judging by the mailing list. An increase in members benefits the association twofold: there are more participants at the meets plus recognition at the federal (COF) level in terms of potential funding. Alas, the well at the COF level is dry, or will be shortly. What does this bode for the provincial organizations? If a sport does not continue to enjoy recognition at the federal level, does it imply that provincial governments will shortlist the same sports, and therefore provide funding for fewer provincial associations? Even if a complete loss of funding does not occur, any marginal sport (i.e. relatively low participation level) should realistically expect a reduction in available funding.
All of which gives food for thought. At what membership level is the sport best served, or most efficiently served? A membership of 1000 persons, perhaps comparable to that in Ontario, might require part-time or even full-time staff, at least through the summer months. And likely some permanent office space. Then the solidarity of the provincial association may be weakened as the individual clubs develop more power and resource to act individually. Running a meet then becomes a serious undertaking, and there would likely be less understanding for a delayed start or a slightly misplaced control. It makes one wonder whether everyone currently involved in organizing events at a smaller scale would be willing to maintain or increase their efforts for a larger membership. Also, despite our association's and the clubs' best efforts, the sport of orienteering in New Brunswick seems to grow only marginally each year.
At the other end of the spectrum, there lies an unfunded association which caters chiefly to the core of participants who enjoy the sport for what it is - and pay entirely for the cost of running it. In all likelihood, if the actual cost of keeping the sport of orienteering alive and well in New Brunswick had to be borne by the participants, the fees alone would be prohibitive enough to discourage marginal orienteers from participating. And how much would an individual, or a family, be willing to pay per season? Further, orienteering in New Brunswick continues to benefit from the time and effort of several individuals devoted to promotion of the sport, efforts which are not always recognized in terms of increased club memberships. How does one determine the most efficient level of promotion, in terms of participants gained over time and energy expended?
Orienteering in New Brunswick has little choice in accepting what funding is continued at either a federal or provincial level. And ONB is not likely to encounter logistics problems at meets resulting from a burgeoning membership. Perhaps we should be falling into maintenance mode and preparing ourselves for a leaner operation. Let's make plans for the first bake sale.