White-coated
Rotarians, a familiar sight at Carisbrook rugby matches, will
make way for surf life-saving volunteers in security uniforms
for events at Forsyth Barr Stadium, leaving Rotary facing a
$15,000 loss of revenue annually.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive David
Davies has confirmed discussions with Rotary, which had been
going on for "some time", had ended, and the fundraising
opportunity had been taken by another group.
Mr Davies said Rotary had issues with training and wearing
the uniforms, but everyone who worked at the stadium was
required to be trained and to wear the correct uniform.
He understood Rotary's membership felt those issues were "a
step too far".
"We did want not-for-profit [organisations] involved. We
still do.
"We've got groups being trained up at the moment."
Surf life-saving volunteers had stepped into the role, would
be paid for their work, and that money would go towards their
fundraising.
The outcome affects the Dunedin East and Dunedin South Rotary
clubs, organisations that have been providing their services
to the Otago Rugby Football Union for about 25 years, in
return for money that goes to charity organisations.
Rotary Club of Dunedin East past president and spokesman
Bevan Meddings said the situation meant his organisation had
lost up to 60% of its fundraising.
"We did have an issue with them wanting us to dress as
security guards," Mr Meddings said.
White coats were "much softer", and allowed the volunteers to
develop a good relationship with punters.
DVML wanted the 200 volunteers to do eight hours training at
short notice, and money had been spent on training before
negotiations fell through.
The volunteers, mostly aged between 50 and 70, would have
been required to arrive early, and change into and out of the
uniforms at the stadium in the middle of winter.
The idea was "plain ridiculous", Mr Meddings said.
"We were not security guards - we were hosts.
"There's a big difference."
A surf life-saving spokeswoman said yesterday volunteers
would be provided for the World Cup, but she was not sure the
organisation had the numbers to carry on after that.
Mr Davies said last night he hoped the group could continue
in the role, but if not, it left a vacancy for another group.
- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz
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