ShowsAs we move into 2009 Dressage Ireland are very aware of the needs of our members and to address these needs members will see a number of changes in the future. The 'suggestion box' on our website has proved very successful with members from all regions sending in suggestions on all aspects of Dressage Ireland. While we do not reply to individual suggestion emails I would like to assure everyone that every suggestion is taken on board by the relevant committee. We intended to remove the 'suggestion box' from the web at the end of October but it has proved so successful, giving members a direct voice, we have now decided to leave this facility on the web indefinitely.
As part of our 3 year strategic plan and as a direct result of suggestions we have received, we have already identified a number of actions that need to be taken.
- Online registration will be available in mid November.
- Trainers List posted on the web by January.
- Board Meeting Feedback link will be available on the web by January.
Bill Delahoyde and Sorrell Klatzko are forming an U25 Dressage Club, full details and a plan for 2009 will be available soon.
Vida Tansey has been appointed 'Friendly International liaison' taking charge of teams attending what has become known as 'Friendly International' competitions, both in Ireland and in the U.K. More details of this will be available soon.
The most ambitious plan we are embarking on in the medium term is setting up a web based competition database. This will require a lot of work for our webmaster but we plan to have the system up and running before the summer season.
We are still working on membership and how we can offer members and new members' different types of membership. The first change we are making is offering a new "parent membership". In the past for children under the age of 18 years, parents who were not already members had to join as an NRO at a cost of €50. Now they can have a "parent membership" of €20 making the overall package for parent and child €75.
Training at all levels is still under review and in conjunction with Horse Sport Ireland we are endeavouring to make training available at all levels in 2009. Details of this will be available in due course.
The board of Dressage Ireland are acutely aware that we are living in a fast moving modern world and in order to keep pace we need to constantly review and adapt to changing times. The website is going to be used as an information tool more and more which will enable us to put member's money to much better use. For example this schedule is printed and posted at great cost to our members, there is no way to change anything that is printed in it and as things inevitably change it soon becomes out of date. This money could be put too much better use, things like training and youth development. From the start of the Summer Season the schedule will only be published on the web. This will enable the schedule to be amended on a regular basis keeping members up to date with any changes made in the regions. Printed schedules will only be posted out upon request.
It is imperative that our 'grassroots' members not only feel part of decision making but take an active role in decision making by using the 'suggestion box' on our website.
Robert McCormick
Chairman Dressage Ireland