Secretary general apologises for state of CISNOC

At the recent Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) annual general meeting, CISNOC secretary general Rosie Blake apologised for the position in which CISNOC found itself in 2011, namely the well documented financial woes within the national sports body.

Blake made the apology while delivering her secretary general report at the annual meeting.

“In presenting this report, I would first like to apologise to the members of CISNOC as secretary general for the position in which CISNOC found itself in during the 2011 year,” says Blake.

“As members are all aware, the 2011 year has been a difficult one with the organisation facing major financial issues, staff changes, restructuring and at least one major sporting event.

Paid staff took voluntarily reduced paid hours and continued working full time for six months and on this note I wish to specially thank our dedicated staff for their loyalty and support to the NOC.”

Blake also pointed to the call made at a special general meeting for the resignation of the entire CISNOC executive board.

“Although the motion was not carried, it sent a clear message to the board that there were concerns around operations and governance.

Since then we have undertaken a full review of positions, tasks, areas of responsibility and operating procedures. We have also sought the assistance of ONOC in many of these areas. Additionally, we have also undertaken a review of the Constitution which was eluded to in the President’s report.”

Blake highlighted the many activities achieved by CISNOC despite the financial woes including sending Team Cook Islands to the Pacific Games in Noumea in 2011 and to the London Olympics earlier this year.

“2011 was a very stressful and challenging year for CISNOC, its executive board and for me as secretary general,” she told the national federation representatives gathered for the meeting.

“Many reasons can be cited as to why CISNOC fell into the dire position it did but ultimately it falls on the board as the members’ elected representatives to take responsibility for this position. It is on this basis that I offer my sincere apologies.”

Blake also assured members that since she became fully aware of the situation she has worked tirelessly to remedy the position and will continue to do so during the remainder of her term and tenure as secretary general.