Conference 7.286::digital

307.0. "leave for representing my country" by SNOV17::BOULT (HP - Hope and Pray) Wed Apr 29 1987 02:58

    I will be asking for "time off without pay" to represent my country
    in an international meeting related to the sport I am involved with.
    I am looking for any advice or experience people can offer.
    
    Background: I have worked over a number of years to build up my minority
    sport. For the last 2 years or so I have been International Secretary
    for the sport in Australia, and have organised for our first australian
    teams to go overseas. At the same time I have done the ground work
    for some International rules for the sport, working with people
    from UK, Germany and Hong Kong, though the sport is actually played
    in 20 countries now. Last year I went to the first International
    meeting of the sport, to thrash out some international rules. since
    then I have been delegated to do a lot more work on these. Another
    meeting has been called in Germany for August, to finalise acceptance
    of the rules I have developed. (Europeans, it seems, never expect
    to travel to other continents for such meetings!!)
    
    Problem: To get to Germany from australia costs a small fortune,
    out of my own pocket. To go there and back in less than 21 nights
    costs considerably more. So I would like to take time off, and combine
    this job with being team manager for the australian team that will
    be in Europe at the same time. But I don't want to use up my annual
    leave, as I haven't had a holiday for a year or so, and this would
    mean no holiday for another year. And beleive me, these meetings,
    and team management, are no holiday! I NEED a holiday!
    
    Considerations: Last year I was an independent contractor, and "I"
    considered that as Iwas representing my country, "I" should give
    "me" time off without pay. A member of the australian team, employed
    by just a small local builder, was even given 4 weeks PAID leave.
    How does Digital, the good corporate member of the community, measure
    up against these examples. Can Digital afford to give me "Time off
    without pay" ? After all, it's me that's paying the airfare and
    foregoing the pay!
    
    If you have any advice and/or experience to offer I would like to
    receive it. If it's a bit sensitive, send it direct to me, rather
    than broadcasting it for everyone to see!
    
    Look forward to the advice of colleagues a lot more experienced
    in the ways of Digital than I am.
    
    Richard.

        I don't think that I quite understand what you are asking.
        If you wan't to go away from work. THen you nominate on your
        leave applications, whether you take leave with or without
        pay.  What is the problem.
        
        q
        

     re .0:
     
     Just to clarify -- has any government agency sanctioned your
     organization?  That is, are you representing your country with the
     explicit support of the government, or are you a self-appointed
     representative?
     
     --Mr Topaz 

	What sport?
	
	Mike

    To clarify the issue.
    
    The sport is CANOE POLO. As I said, a minority sport.
    
    I am Chairperson and International Sec of the Canoe Polo Committee
    of the Australian Canoe Federation, which is sports body recognised,
    and partially funded by, the Australian Federal Govt. But my
    representation is not "sanctioned" by the Govt. I am requested to
    attend the meeting by the Intenatioanl Canoe Federation Polo Committee,
    both as the representative of Australian Canoe
    Polo, and by virtue of the work I have done so far for the Canoe
    Polo subcommittee of the International Canoe Federation(ICF), and even
    partially as an ICF nominated representative of that vague region,
    Oceania.
    
    Ana problem that is not there. I understood I have to "make a case
    to my manager" for applying for leave-without-pay. That may not
    be a problem. He may be sympathetic. But I don't know yet. I want
    to get as much supporting material as possible together first, hence
    the asking for advice and experience. And if he is not sympathetic
    - maybe he doesn't like sport, maybe he doesn't understand the sort
    of commitment that goes into organising sport at the top level (as
    a totally unpaid administrator!), then maybe I have a real problem
    I have to get around some how. If Q <.1> is right, I have no problem.
    I just apply for it and I get it. Is that common experience in this
    kind of case ?