Information on the governance of Orienteering ACT.

Useful numbers :

Orienteering ACT ABN No: 13 411 591 285

Incorporated Association Number: A00509 dated 8 July 1977

For a copy of the insurance policy please visit the OA website.

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Orienteering ACT (OACT) - Governance

Orienteering ACT (OACT) is an Incorporated Association under the ACT Associations Incorporations Act 1991. The purpose of OACT is to promote and conduct orienteering events in the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW.

OACT is affiliated with Orienteering Australia, along with the six other state based orienteering associations.

OACT is an association of members, however the members belong to one of 5 orienteering clubs that are part of OACT. The clubs are: Abominables, Bush Flyers, Parawanga, Red Roos and Weston Emus. Members can select any club. The purpose of the clubs is to conduct the orienteering events on behalf of OACT. OACT relies upon its members to volunteer to conduct events and hence an important role of the clubs is to develop a social network of its members so that the members volunteer to help at events, and so that members want to keep doing orienteering.

When clubs organize orienteering events, the three main jobs are the course setter, the event organizer and controller. In addition club members help at setting up for the event, manning the registration table and computer, and packing up afterwards.

Because the clubs themselves are not incorporated, OACT is the legal entity that conducts orienteering events for OACT.

Governance. The Annual General Meeting of OACT is held on the last Thursday in February. At that meeting the OACT Board consisting of president, secretary, treasurer and directors is elected. The number of directors is determined at the AGM. The Executive Director is appointed by the Board and is a member of the Board. The OACT Board meets about 8 times each year usually on a Monday evening at a board member’s home. The Board is responsible for the day to day running of OACT.

The governing body of OACT is the OACT Council which consists of the Board and two representatives from each club. The Council meets on the last Thursday of May, August and November. All OACT members are welcome to attend Council meeting. The setting of membership and event fees for the following year is determined at the November Council meeting.

Regulatory and Behaviour

Orienteering is a recognized sport and OACT receives some government funding from ACT Sport and Recreation Services. Therefore OACT must comply with various requirements. These include:

a. Gender Equity Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia (OA) gender equity policy as described at Section 1.15 of the OA Operational Manual.

b. Risk Management Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia risk management policy as described at Section 1.17 of the OA Operational Manual.

c. Member Protection Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia member protection policy which is detailed in Section 1.18 of the OA Operational Manual.

d. Privacy Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia privacy policy as described at Section 1.19 of the OA Operational Manual.

e. National Junior Sport Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia junior sport policy as described at Section 3.4 of the OA Operational Manual.

f. Requirements for accredited officials and coaches. OACT adopts the policy and procedures as adopted by Orienteering Australia and described in Section 4 of the OA Operational Manual.

g. Anti Doping Policy. OACT adopts the Orienteering Australia anti doping policy as described at Section 5.12 of the OA Operational Manual.

h. Strategic and Operation Plans. OACT maintains these plans.

The OA Operational Manual can be accessed at the Orienteering Australia (OA) website.

Also:

www.playbytherules.net.au

Insurance.

OACT is party to Orienteering Australia’s public liability insurance for $20 million and professional indemnity for $2 million. This insurance cover is held with Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd and is renewed in December each year. The certificate can be downloaded from the Orienteering Australia website.

This insurance does not cover personal injury suffered by a competitor during an orienteering event. Competitors take part in an orienteering event at their own risk.

Awards and Competitions

The main social function of OACT is the End of Year dinner held in November. At this function, awards are presented to the various prize winners achievements.

These awards are:

a. The Mike Cassells Award for Services to Orienteering

b. The Jim Sawkins Award for Services to Event Management

c. The Coaching Award

d. Orienteer of the Year and Winner of the Wehner Cup

e. Southern Cross Interclub Shield

f. Age class awards

g. Audun Fristad Junior Encouragement Awards.

Competitions.  The main orienteering competitions conducted by OACT are:

The OACT League competition, based on results in the OACT League program, which are mostly the Sunday events, leading to the Orienteer of the Year award;

The Runners Shop Twilight competition, based on results in the Twilight series; and

The Junior League, based on results achieved by juniors in the Saturday Metro program.

OACT Strategic Plan 2017-2020 (Edition 21 Aug 16): OACT Strategic Plan 2017 - 20.doc.