THIS WEEK IN NACAC
9 November 2020
Past week in brief
World Athletics/Area Presidents Meeting
NACAC President, Mike Sands, received commendations from World Athletics for his brief to the monthly Area Presidents Meeting held on Tuesday 3 November. The update on the work being undertaken in the NACAC Area proved to be decidedly impressive.
NACAC Executive
The NACAC Executive convened on Thursday 5 November, to address a range of issues. Much attention was given to preparing for the pending NACAC Information Session which was scheduled for two days later.
NACAC Info Session #3
Member federations turned up in their numbers on Saturday 7 November, to participate in the third NACAC Information Session.
The reports of the NACAC Commissions and Working Groups held the attention of participants who were brought up to date on the tremendous amount of work that is taking place.
The Working Group on Gender Leadership delivered a report on the completion of the three-part webinar series that concluded. recently.
Members were also informed of the discussions that took place during the first meeting of the Working Group, held on Wednesday 4 November.
Member Federations
On Monday 2 November 2020, the NACAC leadership met with member federations from The Bahamas and Dominica, as part of the continuing one-on-one meetings planned and executed by President Sands and General Secretary, Joseph.
A spate of technical challenges forced the rescheduling of the meeting with Antigua and Barbuda from Monday to Sunday 8 November.
In each of the aforementioned meetings member federations informed of the good work being done in their respective countries as well as the challenge sin different aspects of their work.
Athletes Commission
The NACAC Athletes Commission convened during the week. The membership has begun to more deliberately address the development of the organization and the planning of a programme of continuous education for athletes.
Important for athletes to know of the existence of the Athletes Commission and that it serves as their voice. A database would be established of athletes in the Area
The Commission’s plans include:
- The establishment of a social media platform with athletes’ video testimonials.
- A marketing campaign to highlight the athletes of NACAC
- A mentoring programme for the younger athletes
- Collaborating with the NACAC Development Commission to facilitate a comprehensive Athletes’ Pathway that addresses the athletes’ post competition life.
NACAC Constitution Review
The NACAC Constitution Review Working Group, led by Robert Hersh, convened on Sunday 8 November to advance its work.
The main areas of focus of the Working Group includes:
- Incorporation
- Congress procedures, including elections
- Gender & Athlete representation on Council
- Status of WA Council members
- Executive Committee
- General Secretary Duties
- Relationships with hosts of championships
- Commissions
- Indemnification
- Resolution of disputes and disciplinary matters
- Transparency
NACAC Development Commission
Chair of the NACAC Development Commission, John Paul Clarke, delivered a comprehensive report to the Information on Saturday last. One of the highlights was the proposed syllabus for administrators of member federations that include:
- Governance
- Conflict Management and Resolution
- Friend & Fundraising
- Financial Management
- Event Organization and Management
- Team Management
- Athlete Management
Emphasis was also placed on the fact that the Commission is currently studying ways in which it can vest leverage access to the World Athletics eLearning platform and development initiative for NACAC specific activities
Medical and Anti-Doping Commission
Interest continues to grow in the work of NACAC’s Medical and Anti-Doping Commission (MADC) following its first in a three-part series of webinars on Friday 30 October 2020. The topic of the webinar was ‘Draft Guidelines for Returning to Training and Competition, Post Lockdown’.
In addition to the planned two webinars on the New Guidelines for Doping Controls during the pandemic and the 2021 WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, member federations have requested consideration to a special webinar involving athletes, coaches and agents regarding whereabouts in all aspects.
THIS WEEK
World Athletics Global Conference: Inspiring Women Leaders in Athletics
Several of the women in athletics in the NACAC area will participate in the World Athletics Global Conference scheduled for 18th November 2020, under the theme, Inspiring Women Leaders in Athletics.
The Conference will be held in two sessions:
Morning Session: 10.00 Paris Time (Central European Time)
Afternoon Session: 16.00 Paris Time (Central European Time)
Chair of the NACAC Gender Leadership Working Group, Dona Raynor, of BER, will be one of the presenters in the Conference.
NACAC continues to encourage our member federations desirous of participating in the aforementioned Conference to communicate with Donna Raynor soonest to have arrangements made.
NACAC Leadership/Member Federations
During the course of this week the NACAC leadership will continue its round of one-on-one meetings with member federations. On Tuesday 10 November, meetings will be held with Belize, Mexico and Honduras. On Thursday, it will be the turn of Bermuda.
The meetings have allowed the leadership to know and better understand the membership of the respective federations, how they work, what are their strengths and limitations and the priorities that they have arrived at in their planning.
NACAC Constitution Review Working Group
The NACAC Constitution Review Working Group will again convene on Sunday 15 November beginning at 11.00am Eastern Caribbean time.
The Group has already made significant progress.
NACAC has agreed the engagement of its Commissions in reviewing the draft amendments before the NACAC Executive addresses them.
A special session will be held with the Athletes of the NACAC Athletes Commission to explain their involvement as well as their own views on aspects of the draft document that speaks specifically to them.
NACAC Communications
NACAC athletes have raised their own concerns about increased communications with each other across all member federations. This is precisely one of the reasons we continue to encourage members to bring to the notice of their own membership the NACAC website and social media platform.
Member federations are being encouraged to send us stories about your activities and athletes to keep our social media platforms active. We are also anxious to receive news items on what is taking place with our member federations, more generally.
We wish to hear from you. Communicate via our website, http://www.athleticsnacac.org/
