INTERNATIONAL ROGAINING FEDERATION Inc. A0040409P ~1976-2006 30 years of ROGAINING~

Box 3, Central Park, 3145 Australia Newsletter No. 114 www.rogaining.com March 2006

IRF Team

President: Neil Phillips World Rogaining Championships Manager: Peter Taylor Promotions and Development: Brad Hunt ROGAINING TOWARDS 2010 Secretary/Treasurer: Rod Phillips (Strategic plan for the sport of rogaining) Technical Manager: vacant

Czech Republic: Jaroslav Vavra, Miroslav Seidl A. Our mission is to provide the opportunity Finland: Iiro Kakko New Zealand: Pete Squires for ROGAINING in as many parts of the Canada: Alan Stradeski United States of America: Eric Smith, Clinton Morse, world as practicable. Bob Reddick Australia: Rod Phillips, John Berwick, Neil Phillips, Peter Taylor Founders Representative: Bob Reddick B. We will pursue our mission by: • Expanding rogaining to new regions Observer status Brazil: Jose Nilton Silva Vargas and countries, and within existing Estonia: Andres Käär Ireland: Sean Hassett areas. Israel: Dan Chissick Japan: Kazuhiro Takashima • Increasing participation at both elite Latvia: Guntars Mankus New Zealand: Michael Wood and recreational levels. Sweden: Lars-Åke Svenk Russia: German Shestakov, Sergey Yaschenko • Raising the quality of all rogaines, South Africa: Pieter Mulder Ukraine: Efim Shtempler. especially international th 7 WRC: Alan Mansfield championships.

DRAFT Strategic Plan for Rogaining • Promoting and developing high-

quality World Rogaining The Strategic Plan is an analysis of the future, and a plan to take opportunities and to avoid Championships . dangers. Our mission is to provide the • Developing and growing sustainable opportunity for rogaining in as many parts of the world as practicable. rogaining associations .

Progress towards the plan is recorded in IRF Newsletter #112. Summarizing our global activities preceded an analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the sport. Everyone in the sport Produced by the International Rogaining is given the opportunity to input to the plan, Federation Inc. in consultation with national, and it is not too late for input at this stage. state, province and regional rogaining groups.

Strategic plan for rogaining 2005 to C. Strategic platform 2010 The sport appeals to a wide range of members ,

by providing quality rogaining events that are A. Our mission is to provide the organized through a structure of associations opportunity for ROGAINING in as many parts of the world as practicable. and draw upon financial resources . This strategic plan for international rogaining is B. We will pursue our mission by: built on four major components: members, rogaining events, rogaining associations, and Expanding rogaining to new regions and financial resources. countries, and within existing areas. Increasing participation at both elite and C1. Members recreational levels. Raising the quality of all rogaines, especially Four overlapping member groups can be international championships. recognized who are important to the sport: Promoting and developing high-quality World Participants are central to the sport; they Rogaining Championships. are core to our success, and make up the Developing and growing sustainable rogaining bulk of rogainers by number. Participants associations. in a rogaine come from diverse backgrounds including hikers, bushwalkers, runners, orienteers, Our value proposition adventure racers, eco-challengers, search (the benefits we offer as a sport) and rescue personnel, outdoor groups, Scouting, school teams, hunters, military, Rogaining provides: police, fire department personnel, and - a relatively inexpensive, wholesome 1- friends and family. 2 day outdoor activity Elite competitors are those who aspire to - easy access, under safe conditions, to win rogaining championships. This group bushwalking areas in various parts of may be smaller in number compared to the the world, including areas for participant group, but their presence adds rogaining that might not normally be credibility and excitement to each accessible to the general public rogaining championship and extends the - greater communal awareness of the standards of achievement in the sport. ways to care for the natural Volunteer organizers are essential for environment maintenance of the sport, organizing - physical exercise for individuals activities, and leading its associations. leading to a physically fitter Legacy-leavers include innovators who community take the sport to new levels, founders of - development of teamwork skills, the sport in various regions, and founders greater self-reliance, individual of associations. These members leadership skills in outdoor settings, supplement the organizers group by and cross country skills providing a long-term perspective, and - elite cross-country navigation lead some of the innovative changes within competition. the sport that contribute to growth, relevance and excitement. We want ROGAINING to be your outlet for physical and mental team activity in the Some goals: natural environment; and to provide new - Attract more participants by greater challenges including the opportunity to community awareness of rogaining. enhance navigational skills. Our rogaining - Retain participants at subsequent associations and events can become your rogaines by training, and an passport to global rogaining. atmosphere that provides a quality of experience. 2 - Attract elite competitors especially at with its local communities and with the natural major rogaining championships environment. (recognition, quality event, fair competition, challenging courses). Some goals: - Achieve greater representation of - Regularly review, preserve and build- nationalities at World Rogaining on the four key elements of successful Championships, and major rogaining rogaines. championships (certainty of style of - Maintain uniformity of Rogaining event and rules, greater community Rules and Practices (Rogaining Code) awareness of rogaining). so that events held in different parts of - Use volunteers’ time effectively (look the world foster similar culture, ideals for efficiencies in all our processes, and practices, and provide fair share advancements on a global scale, competition. reuse of courses, encourage new - Increase number of countries ideas). organizing rogaines, especially 24- - Recognize volunteers and legacy- hour rogaines. leavers (formally and informally). - Increase the number of rogaines being - Foster a culture that encourages risk- organized in existing rogaining taking with new developments in the countries. sport (be prepared to try innovations - Increase number of regional rogaining and accept that not all will succeed). centres within existing rogaining - Provide support for those who develop countries, i.e. develop organizational new rogaining associations bases outside capital cities. (information, public support, moral - Increase participation in existing support, recognizing successes). rogaines. - Increase community awareness and C2. Rogaining events support for rogaining. - Take a proactive role in encouraging The sport is built on the foundation that members to respect the natural rogaining events should embody: environment especially where rogaines - Interesting countryside in which to are held. rogaine - Monitor land access issues globally. - Accurate, fair and challenging courses - Friendly hash house atmosphere, and - Professional administration and presentation of events Two further requirements apply to C3. Rogaining associations international rogaining championships: - Wide cross section of participants Rogaining associations provide the framework - Elite and other levels of competition. for membership, co-ordination, The overall quality of each rogaining event communication, history, learning, training, impacts on the level of participation by volunteering, and representation. They are not- members, the attraction of elite competitors, for-profit entities operating under legal the willingness of volunteers to be involved, systems that vary somewhat between nations. the internal financial viability, the access to Sustainable rogaining associations can survive external funding support, and the level of through changes of leadership, community and community support for rogaining. Land access legal environments, funding, and member is critical to every rogaining event; and land preferences, by constantly monitoring and access is very much a community and being aware of each of these factors, by environment issue. For the sport to be remaining flexible and adapting accordingly. sustainable (i.e. operating in today’s Good governance is expected of all environment without jeopardizing the future of associations. the sport), it must safeguard its relationships

3 Some goals: - Record and report responsibly on all - Develop sustainable rogaining financial activities. associations. - Achieve an appropriate balance - Aim for 100 percent compliance with between event fees, capitation fees, national standards for associations. and other fund sources. - Define, communicate and revisit IRF - Ensure grants and donations are Executive roles and responsibilities aligned with the operational mission annually. (B). - Address Strategy on an annual cycle, - Ensure effective use of longer-term revisit whole strategic plan every 3-5 funds held by associations years. - Recognize and preserve those aspects of rogaining that confer ‘lasting D. Programs advantage’ including name, logo, Choice of programs website, history, WRC, reputation. - Monitor and upgrade communication To be decided on an annual basis. to Members through newsletter, ------books, website, IRF meetings and informal connections. - Identify, attract, train, mentor, rotate and retain capable leaders. - Annually discuss succession planning including training of future leaders. - Develop learning processes to spread the benefits of new ideas throughout the sport. - Maintain active co-operation and dialogue between groups responsible for different delivery models for rogaining events including rogaines run by formal not-for-profit associations, commercial rogaining style activities, and local informal rogaines such as within a school.

C4. Financial resources

The sport relies on financial resources to deliver events for its members, and to further the sport globally. The sport has a responsibility to ensure that its funds are used legally, wisely and effectively. Sources of funding include: - Donors and granting agencies - Members’ event fees - Members’ capitation fees - Government grants - Co-funding of initiatives with various rogaining, and other, associations.

Some goals: - Link the budget process directly to Strategy. 4 Appendix A. Our values: Every participant knows when they have competed fairly. Honour comes Description of the sport of rogaining from competing within the spirit and law of the sport. Rogaining is the team sport of long distance cross-country navigation. It is closely related Our history to other activities including adventure sport and , and many people enjoy each The concept of rogaining as a sport in its own of these. The key features that distinguish right originated in Australia and traces its rogaining are: origin to the first public twenty-four hour - it is a team sport, event in 1972 and the first rogaine in 1976, - rogaines are usually 6, 8, 12 or 24 hours, both run by Surrey Thomas Rovers. However, - teams choose their own route as there is no twenty-four hour walks were organized by set , and Melbourne University Club as - the emphasis is on both participation and early as 1947, and since 1967 in New Zealand, competition. while twenty-four hour score events were run The championship rogaine is of twenty-four by Adelaide University Mountaineering Club hours duration, but there are many shorter as early as 1963. The Victorian Rogaining variants. Teamwork, physical activity, Association was formed in May 1976, and endurance, competition, self-reliance, and an operated through a series of strategic alliances appreciation of the natural environment are with Scouting, universities, and orienteering features of the sport. Rogaining involves both organizations to co-host rogaines. The route planning and navigation between Australian Rogaining Association was formed checkpoints using a variety of types. in February 1979, and now acts as co- ordinating body for state and territory Rogaines are generally day and night events in associations within Australia. which teams of two to five members entirely on foot, navigating by map and The International Rogaining Federation was . Teams normally select their own formed in June 1989 to promote rogaining and order of visiting checkpoints, in terrain that provide direction for the sport internationally. varies from open countryside to hilly forest. Rogaining has spread to Canada (1986), USA The sport also embraces other cross-country (1989), New Zealand (1991), Czech Republic navigation activities of different duration and (1997), Sweden (1998), Ireland (1998), Russia means of transport such as canoe, bicycle or (1998), Estonia (1999), Japan (2002), Latvia skis, where the element of navigation is (2002), South Africa (2003), Lithuania (2003), important and the team and environmental Ukraine (2004), Israel (2005) and Brazil values are shared. (2006). At least eight of these countries have run 24-hour rogaines. World Rogaining At many rogaines, a central base camp Championships have been held in Australia provides hot meals and teams may return at (1992, 1996), Canada (1998), New Zealand any time to eat, rest or enjoy the fellowship. (2000), Czech Republic (2002) and USA Teams travel at their own pace, and anyone (2004). A formal constitution was adopted in from children to grandparents can experience 2000. Incorporation proved invaluable given the personal satisfaction that comes from the need for additional legal coverage in cross-country navigation at one’s own level of following years. Regular international competition. rogaining championships include the Australian Rogaining Championships (26th Rogaining aims to support and encourage ARC in 2005), North American Rogaining people to develop respect for and enjoyment of Championships (8th NARC in 2005) and rural and forest environments; and interact European Rogaining Championships (2nd positively with local communities. ERC in 2005). Two hundred to seven hundred competitors from up to thirty different

5 countries attend each World Rogaining the World Championships to associations and Championship. groups rather than the Championships themselves. The Championships should not be Development of rogaining to date can be held on a more regular basis than annually. summarized as a decade to establish rules and Award of the WRC should be restricted to protocols based on what worked well, a decade groups with a track record of organizing major of growth in Australia around the Australian rogaines, who actively want to stage the WRC Rogaining Association, and a decade of and who can nominate a suitably experienced growth internationally including regular World co-ordinator: if these criteria cannot be met for Rogaining Championships. The sport now any particular year, the WRC should not be enters its fourth decade in 2006. awarded.

The name ROGAINE The IRF does not expect extra facilities or activities beyond those normal to The word rogaine was coined from the names championship rogaines run by the particular of the organizers of a twenty-four hour hike in host association. However, this does not 1976, and was retained for subsequent events exclude any WRC organizers from going a by the Surrey Thomas Rovers. When an little further . The intent is to bring the staging association was formed in Victoria, its of the WRC within the grasp of all groups who members adopted rogaining as the name of can demonstrate a history of running a series their sport of twenty-four hour cross-country of successful rogaines and who want to stage navigation, and the word rogaine for each the WRC. event. The word has entered English, American and Australian dictionaries, and The focus of a World Rogaining been translated to several other languages. The Championship is on: rogaining logo of the mountain in sun and a. enjoyable terrain (typical of local events), darkness was designed in 1978 and epitomizes b. accurate course that is fair and challenging, some of the characteristics that set rogaining c. friendly atmosphere of the Hash House, apart from most other forms of human physical d. professional organization, endeavour. e. a wide cross section of participants, f. elite and other levels of competition.

Appendix B. The first four criteria should be met in any rogaining championship, and be established World Rogaining Championships features of rogaines run previously by a group before the WRC are awarded. Significant As the sport's premier event, the World departure from normal rogaines is not Rogaining Championship has significant advocated for a World Rogaining drawing power for international entrants, Championship. The last two criteria (e and f) sponsorship, and elite competition. World can be achieved by careful planning of the Championships are for the benefit of everyone event date and location taking into account in the sport, for elite and non-elite competitors, overseas participants and possible back-to- for organizers, for administrators, and for the back activities at the time of the World public. They also provide a meeting focus for Rogaining Championship: these activities need rogainers. Three further international not be part of the WRC program, and may be rogaining championships (Australia, North better organized by separate parties, even America, Europe) achieve similar outcomes to outside rogaining. The extra publicity to attract the World Rogaining Championship but on overseas and/or elite participants to a WRC regional scales. should utilize IRF expertise and should target particular interest groups and countries. The World Rogaining Championships are the Organizers are expected to provide a profile to championships of the International Rogaining describe rogaining in their area, and may Federation. The IRF has a policy of awarding include a model rogaine prior to the

6 championship. The WRC will be run according to the IRF Code and Rules, and departure from these will require specific IRF sanction.

Regional Rogaining Championships

There are further regional rogaining championships supported and promoted by the International Rogaining Federation, i.e. currently North American Rogaining Championships, European Rogaining Championships, Australian Rogaining Championships. These rogaines closely follow the rules and guidelines of the World Rogaining Championships with scope for minor local variations. These four championships form the basis of a potential world rogaining championship circuit with elite achievement recognized by the IRF.

Draft IRF Strategic Plan 654 13 March 2006

7 Mission To pro vide the opportunity for rogaining in as many parts of the world as practicable

Expand rogaining Increase participation Raise quality World Championships

Members Rogaining events Rogaining Financial resources associations

8