[Centres] Forum Guidelines for 4th May , 2024

Tue Mar 19 10:24:36 AEDT 2024

Thank you Jan for sending on this email and totally agree with the name change.  Great topic for our Forum prior to the AGM. 

You are correct RDA is now diversifying with some Centres taking on people who have other issues that benefit from our programs and, with so many different areas, we need to totally ensure all of our Centres know the importance of retaining our brand and philosophies i.e., ensuring our original clients have preference over the newly established core of service provisions.  As you said RDA is certainly a springboard to launch people onto greater heights. 

So pleased RDA(NSW) registered the name ‘Riding Develops Abilities’ round 2008 after RDA(NSW) stepped away from RDAA. 

Yours in RDA

Margaret Norman OAM

Hon. Consultant/Life Member/

Metropolitan Regional Representative

Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW)

Email:  <mailto:mnorman.1 at bigpond.com> mnorman.1 at bigpond.com

Web:  <http://www.rdansw.org.au/> www.rdansw.org.au

Mobile: 0410038752

From: Jan Pike <jan.pike at rdansw.org.au> 
Sent: Monday, 18 March 2024 8:40 PM
To: RDA Treasurer <goulburnrda at gmail.com>
Cc: RDA Centres <centres at rdansw.org.au>; Margaret <mnorman.1 at bigpond.com>; Boardof RDA : <rdaboard at rdansw.org.au>; RDANSW Office <stateoffice at rdansw.org.au>
Subject: Re: [Centres] Forum Guidelines for 4th May , 2024

Hi Jo,

I’ve just realised whilst I acknowledged your email I never in fact answered you. Great topic for the forum I believe. However I think it would be great to circulate it prior to the day, so people have a chance to think on it and come prepared.

My opinion for what it’s worth is I think that RDA has and is now diversifying in so many ways to become inclusive of people who have other issues that can and are certainly benefiting from our programs and whilst I attach no stigma to the term Disability or Disabled, I believe it would be beneficial to evolve our profile.

I have always personally seen RDA as a Springboard to launch people onto greater heights. Not necessarily élite riding but just adding another level of confidence or self worth. 

So I do agree with changing our name but as you say retaining our brand and our philosophies. The only concern I have is that we don’t leave out our original clientele and become solely focused on an easier model of service provision. 

We actually have the name Riding Develops Abilities registered. 

Looking forward to catching up at the AGM.

Yours in RDA,

Jan Pike OAM PLY 

Hon Director 

Company Secretary/Ass. EO

Life Member 

RDA (NSW)

0416525192

On 8 Mar 2024, at 7:04 pm, RDA Treasurer <goulburnrda at gmail.com <mailto:goulburnrda at gmail.com> > wrote:

Hi Jan, 

Thankyou for the information. 

Question?! And I would like the honest opinion from other Centres as well that may feel the same way Goulburn does regarding participant inclusion. 

I Jo Grove  am the Coach/Secretary of the RDA (NSW) Goulburn Centre and is inquiring about the possibility of an alternate change to our organisations name. 

Keep the recognisable RDA but change the wording accordingly. 

The past 3 years it has been brought to my attention on numerous occasions, that primary aged children eligible for our programs (that are more on the behavioural/ intellectual side of living with a disabilty not physically visual) really DO WANT to attend RDA GOULBURN  but DO NOT want to be labeled disabled to their peers. 

When asked where they are going or where they have been OR would they like to attend RDA... children to NOT want to tell their peers that they have been to RIDING FOR THE DISABLED (NSW)” 

I realise this will be a highly sensitive issue, however I feel that so many potential participants are missing out on beneficial therapy services simply because our name (I feel) is out dated for today’s society. 

Is this something that can be raised prior to the AGM? I’d appreciate any feedback from the Board, CASP, RR and any other centres regarding this topic or at least  have a discussion regarding this topic.

I may be the minority. 

Also 4-5pm?! can coaches make this timeframe after the Workshop?! 

Alternatively- Can school programs call it... 

Riding Develops Abilities (NSW) just a thought.. 

Regards 

Jo Grove

RDA (NSW) GOULBURN CENTRE

COACH/SECRETARY 

0409816166

goulburnrda at gmail.com <mailto:goulburnrda at gmail.com>  

Sent from my iPhone

On 8 Mar 2024, at 5:00 pm, Jan Pike <jan.pike at rdansw.org.au <mailto:jan.pike at rdansw.org.au> > wrote:

Morning All,

Please find below guidelines for an open forum to be included in this year’s AGM weekend,

                          Forum May 4th , 2024

A forum for questions from Centres Delegates/Regional Representatives will be included in this year’s AGM weekend. The Forum will be held at Rydges prior to the AGM from 4pm-5.pm

A panel will be available to answer questions from the floor, except for financial questions that must be forwarded to SO 10 days prior to ensure information can be sourced in relation to these questions. The panel will consist of the Board, a RR, CASP representative and Nicole King from training. Should questions raised need advance research it would be prudent to also send them to SO prior to the Forum , otherwise it may require that they be noted and a response sent out as soon as possible following the AGM.

This Forum will be facilitated by an independent chair .

Questions will be time limited to enable everyone the opportunity to participate. It is envisaged that a time frame of 2-3 minutes to ask the questions will be given.

Because this is a new concept it’s in an experimental phase with the intention of allowing Centres the chance to raise issues Face to Face.

It will be expected that a respectful interaction will be maintained and that the Facilitator’s direction will be followed at all times.

Kind regards,

Jan Pike OAM PLY 

Hon Director/Company Secretary.

Assistant EO 

0416525192

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