Machine Politics vs Beaver Boys, May 2011. Photo by Bruce Carver
I first want to say thank you to NAHBPA for the help that it gave to make ESPI VI what all participants are saying is one of the best tournaments they've ever been to [or some faction of a statement along those lines]. Without the help of all of the board there would have been some pretty disastrous conclusions from the tournament as opposed to the positive and uplifting ones.
Having said this, and having worked closely with Ben, Eric, Kiersten, and all of them recently, I am extremely disappointed about the attacks on the organization as of late. As a whole, bike polo is a progressive and multi-faceted, multi-personality sport. There are thousands of people in North America alone that play this game, love this game, and want this game to keep on getting better and being better. Without the objectives, hard work, and countless VOLUNTEER hours the NAHBPA puts into keeping us happy and listening to all our opinions and trying to satisfy the majority, we would be a wandering group of players. I think it's disgusting how some people feel the need to personally attack those that are on the board of directors or involved in any way shape or form. This is an ELECTED body of people. Instead of demeaning the group why don't you try to be a part of it and help 'change from within'? If you think you're sooooo in the right then be a part of it and help it be better. If you don't have any interest in doing that, then at the very least you should be voicing your opinions to your club and regional representatives. if you cannot even do that then you are just trying to be disrespectful and it's completely unfounded and ugly. There are always going to be flaws in a system that is trying to accommodate a group as large as we are, and in such a short time line, but that doesn't mean you have the right to deliberately attack those that are trying their best to make everyone happy in all aspects of this sport.
Take a look in the mirror. If you know that I'm referring to you then you should be ashamed by your online and offline actions. These people do not get paid for this [no matter what you think the money from the recent tour may or may not be used for], they do not benefit from it any more than the rest of bike polo does, and hurtful comments about them, individually or as a whole, are the grossest thing I've seen coming out of this sport lately. Please respect the voluntary hours they put into this for all of us.
X the milky way
Polo is not about internet controversy, polo is not a chatroom, fuck the haters. Polo is about organizing, attending, and competing in amazing events around the world while meeting top notch folks. This year (with a couple bumps in the road) has been amazing. My how far we've come. Thank you NAH keep up the momentum.
Chandel: Excellent points, all of it, thanks for bringing this point up. NAH is a great organization with many, many great people, you and I included. I couldn't agree more with the majority of what you are saying. Countless hours and dollars have been spent at all levels all without a thought a compensation. All of the people who have ever built boards and goals, and generally herded cats; this means you too. It is safe to say, now that the 2011 season is drawing to an end, that the list of people that have helped in these capacities is pretty long. These NAH sanctioned tournaments (I have been to two of them) could go off without your help and expertise.
Thank you NAH!
I just don't see what is so wrong about knowing where OUR money is going. I think the their delivery may be a little off, but seems like a simple enough question when preparing to pay NAH again, NAs is $75 this year. (and yes, I do realize $50 of this goes to Calgary). I also believe that people are more interested in donating to a good cause if they know what is happening to those donations. My 2 cents.
There was an NAH meeting on Tuesday and everyone recognized that there hasn't been enough transparency on this. There will be a lot of information and documentation coming out in the next 4 or 5 days. Please hold tight and bear with us!
i agree. but i don't think this 'tell me now' attitude that seems to be so disrespectful is right. [and i'm not saying you are being like that....i'm just saying]
i think it's important to keep in mind that these people, the secretary, the director, the treasurer, the any other role, all have their own lives they also have to lead. they all have their own things going on, their own jobs that actually pay their bills. they also all live in different parts of the continent. trying to make sure they have the correct and most accurate information to share with the group is also a priority. Because they also work on a voting system internally about issues I don't think it's fair to expect immediate results. I do think they will share with the community and be as transparent as possible when they have everything in line to do so. and I don't think it's wrong to ask for this information. i just think that some people are taking it too far in their approach to it and it's disrespectful, that is my point.
how is it disrespectful to want to know where our money is going? how is it unfair of us to expect something for our money? you do know the NAH has been receiving money since the start of the tour, right? only one regional left and that's too disrespectfully soon to ask for transparency?
stress the friends tip but not the "they're human" defense. it was spelled out from the beginning that if you could not commit the time to the NAH you should not be a candidate for any of the positions. it isn't a question of respect or disrespect just a question of whether or not people want to continue to pay in to an organization that doesn't communicate or explain its goings-on.
NAs is $75 this year. (and yes, I do realize $50 of this goes to Calgary).
$65 goes to Calgary.
NAs is $75 this year. (and yes, I do realize $50 of this goes to Calgary).
$65 goes to Calgary.
Okay, I got my information from Calgary.
http://leagueofbikepolo.com/north-american-hardcourt-bike-polo-champions...
Trevor wrote $15 on that thread, but it's $10 like all the other tourneys.
I was told $15, Ben told me it was $10 a couple days after that, my apologies! Also on Daniel's thread I brought up the AGM (annual general meeting) point because I think how the poloverse is set up and the people in it need to see what is going on. Just like the meeting minutes, they should be for people to see but not to comment on. This way people will see that the NAH is working on and how it is trying to make polo better and prevent many other issues. And it is the same with the money! Most aspects of cycling are considered as an individual sport, now having this whole organization starting and people paying into it I think they are a little unsure about things. They just want to be some what in the loop...
This is the first year of actual NAH tour, so there is lots going on. Things are changing for good and bad, if we don't go through the bad then we won't learn and grow! The poloverse needs to understand that the tour is just one aspect of polo. There are still all the fun tourneys and other events that are hosted all over the world. Just because someone can't make it on to the NA's does not mean that polo is over for them. We all traveled to tourneys all over before this, so what is stopping everyone from doing so now? If the NFL, CFL, NHL , NBA and MLB and any other professional sporting organizations were to go on strike or end does that mean that the sport would be done.... NO! Kids and anyone else who enjoys it will play it for the love of the game.
If at this point people are not liking the NAH and or the tour, don't go to those tournaments and support them! Work on getting your skill level up (thats what I am doing) or wait till the NAH has evolved more and the organization of it is something you are ok with. The NAH has not asked people to come on the tour, that is your decision. If you disagree with it, then go to non NAH tournaments. If this is pissing you off so much then you obviously don't want to be involved, so don't!
And just a heads up, NAH for what I understand is not going to change next week!! They are working on lots of stuff and changing lots of things next year that people did not like last year. But it is new so Run with the punches and try to help or just read the threads and laugh and ride away.
Fuck yeah for Chandel and her righteous indignation of everything and everyone that makes polo more hateful and lame!
So starting now what do people expect from the NAH and what would you like to see them do or change? (Try to me proactive and mature)
x2
Don't bring cake to a donut fight.