The evolution of VYAK
Posted: 20 Sep 2012, 20:55
To all Members
I am sure you are all puzzled at Tipsta’s recent resignation as a moderator.
There has been some confusion amongst the ranks and I feel it is best to put all the cards on the table.
We assigned Tipsta to help take care of sponsors, comps and run with the bragmats.
Turns out after we assigned him we came to a vote within the admin team that the liability on us is too high to risk running comps under the VYAK banner so the decision was made to change direction.
We will no longer be running comps under the VYAK name.
This may come as a shock to a lot of you but we have grown beyond our small group that VYAK started as, holding impromptu get togethers and generally going with the flow.
The truth is we didn’t contemplate what would happen to us if someone did get injured during a VYAK comp.
If that member decided to be nasty they could possibly sue us and then it would drag us into a legal battle that would frankly cause us to shut the site down.
The last thing I ever want to see is VYAK go offline and this is why we have to seriously think about the direction we take from here.
We volunteer our time and cant afford to be fighting legal battles, financially or time wise.
As a result of this, we will also be winding back our requirements of any sponsors.
If we don’t run comps we won’t need prizes, the only costs incurred will be for server hosting and domain name plus emergency support when its required.
If it comes down to it we/ I am willing to foot the bill to keep the site running.
This does not stop any member/ members organizing comps, get togethers, camping weekends etc but VYAK as a forum will no longer organize it.
So I don’t see any issues here or problems as members are basically taking the reins now and doing this anyway.
Now onto the next thing I want to discuss with members and your input will be required.
I see a chance that we can go bigger and better if we organize an associated organization in which people will have to pay a membership to join.
This avenue will insure the members and comps will be covered.
The organization will be insured and legally the members/ committee is not liable.
I would hope that it can be run in such a way that it partners with VYAK and we can all benefit.
The comps can be organized here but you will have to be a member of the organization to attend.
The organization can also be a voice to lobby for things such as ramps, grants and government policy etc. if the membership base is big enough.
The only catch is that we will need a committee to run it.
A treasurer, president etc…
The organization will also have its own bank account.
So I believe this is why Tipsta has decided to remove himself.
As a mod as he didn’t agree with our direction and cannot achieve what he signed up to do thus making his position redundant.
We were still in negotiations behind the scenes but now that members are confused I will put it in the public domain for you all to assist.
I suggest we create the “Victorian Kayak Anglers Association” hell we can even have a poll for the name on VYAK.
We can give any VYAK member that is a member of the association special access to a separate forum within VYAK so they can have round table discussions there and make decisions between themselves.
I can see this working really well and I am happy to help out with the setting up of it, but I will only offer limited time and will not be on the committee.(maybe to start with for a short period but after that I am out)
The committee members can be nominated and voted for on here as well to decide who gets what position.
The organization will need a constitution which is also something that can be done on the VYAK forum and bounced around so we all get a say on what happens.
So without going too much further what are your thoughts on this fellow VYAK members?
I hope you all are not upset with our decision to limit what we can and cant do with the VYAK forum but I think the suggestions above should satisfy those of you who wish to compete in proper competitions and take Kayak angling to the next level.
Plus this will take the pressures of time and liability from our admin team here so we can stay focused on what I think is a great resource for Kayak anglers.
Regards,
Widsa.
EDIT
Please read this if you are interested in reading about the hows and whys of becoming an organisation.
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/clubs-an ... ssociation
I am sure you are all puzzled at Tipsta’s recent resignation as a moderator.
There has been some confusion amongst the ranks and I feel it is best to put all the cards on the table.
We assigned Tipsta to help take care of sponsors, comps and run with the bragmats.
Turns out after we assigned him we came to a vote within the admin team that the liability on us is too high to risk running comps under the VYAK banner so the decision was made to change direction.
We will no longer be running comps under the VYAK name.
This may come as a shock to a lot of you but we have grown beyond our small group that VYAK started as, holding impromptu get togethers and generally going with the flow.
The truth is we didn’t contemplate what would happen to us if someone did get injured during a VYAK comp.
If that member decided to be nasty they could possibly sue us and then it would drag us into a legal battle that would frankly cause us to shut the site down.
The last thing I ever want to see is VYAK go offline and this is why we have to seriously think about the direction we take from here.
We volunteer our time and cant afford to be fighting legal battles, financially or time wise.
As a result of this, we will also be winding back our requirements of any sponsors.
If we don’t run comps we won’t need prizes, the only costs incurred will be for server hosting and domain name plus emergency support when its required.
If it comes down to it we/ I am willing to foot the bill to keep the site running.
This does not stop any member/ members organizing comps, get togethers, camping weekends etc but VYAK as a forum will no longer organize it.
So I don’t see any issues here or problems as members are basically taking the reins now and doing this anyway.
Now onto the next thing I want to discuss with members and your input will be required.
I see a chance that we can go bigger and better if we organize an associated organization in which people will have to pay a membership to join.
This avenue will insure the members and comps will be covered.
The organization will be insured and legally the members/ committee is not liable.
I would hope that it can be run in such a way that it partners with VYAK and we can all benefit.
The comps can be organized here but you will have to be a member of the organization to attend.
The organization can also be a voice to lobby for things such as ramps, grants and government policy etc. if the membership base is big enough.
The only catch is that we will need a committee to run it.
A treasurer, president etc…
The organization will also have its own bank account.
So I believe this is why Tipsta has decided to remove himself.
As a mod as he didn’t agree with our direction and cannot achieve what he signed up to do thus making his position redundant.
We were still in negotiations behind the scenes but now that members are confused I will put it in the public domain for you all to assist.
I suggest we create the “Victorian Kayak Anglers Association” hell we can even have a poll for the name on VYAK.
We can give any VYAK member that is a member of the association special access to a separate forum within VYAK so they can have round table discussions there and make decisions between themselves.
I can see this working really well and I am happy to help out with the setting up of it, but I will only offer limited time and will not be on the committee.(maybe to start with for a short period but after that I am out)
The committee members can be nominated and voted for on here as well to decide who gets what position.
The organization will need a constitution which is also something that can be done on the VYAK forum and bounced around so we all get a say on what happens.
So without going too much further what are your thoughts on this fellow VYAK members?
I hope you all are not upset with our decision to limit what we can and cant do with the VYAK forum but I think the suggestions above should satisfy those of you who wish to compete in proper competitions and take Kayak angling to the next level.
Plus this will take the pressures of time and liability from our admin team here so we can stay focused on what I think is a great resource for Kayak anglers.
Regards,
Widsa.
EDIT
Please read this if you are interested in reading about the hows and whys of becoming an organisation.
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/clubs-an ... ssociation