H.A.N.A. Wiki

[chickenhead]

I set up a Google Group that can also be used for H.A.N.A. stuff. The advantage is it is set up for collaborative efforts...anyone who has joined can post files, pages...make suggested edits to things, it has a discussion function, and it will automatically send out emails to members (if you wish) when changes are made etc.

It is currently set up to be viewable to anyone, member or not.

you do need a google account to become a member, but it only takes a second, and has the added benefit (if you don't normally use gmail) that it can be a throwaway account.

If it doesn't turn out to be useful for anything, no worries, but thought it might be worth trying it out.

click on "Join this Group" on the middle right hand side if you're interested. If you don't already have a google account it will prompt you, just follow their lead.

http://groups.google.com/group/horseplayersassociation

[swetyejohn]

I set up a Google Group that can also be used for H.A.N.A. stuff. The advantage is it is set up for collaborative efforts...anyone who has joined can post files, pages...make suggested edits to things, it has a discussion function, and it will automatically send out emails to members (if you wish) when changes are made etc.

It is currently set up to be viewable to anyone, member or not.

you do need a google account to become a member, but it only takes a second, and has the added benefit (if you don't normally use gmail) that it can be a throwaway account.

If it doesn't turn out to be useful for anything, no worries, but thought it might be worth trying it out.

click on "Join this Group" on the middle right hand side if you're interested. If you don't already have a google account it will prompt you, just follow their lead.

http://groups.google.com/group/horseplayersassociation


Thanks, Chick!

[chickenhead]

just reading that back I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about what it's for...I think this was obvious, but if not

that wiki is not intended in any way shape or form to be the HANA website, or a substitute for the website, or a fledging website, or anything of the like.

It's a tool that could help people interested in helping to get HANA off the ground share info back and forth in a way that is visible and able to garner input from all parties simultaneously.

[swetyejohn]

just reading that back I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about what it's for...I think this was obvious, but if not

that wiki is not intended in any way shape or form to be the HANA website, or a substitute for the website, or a fledging website, or anything of the like.

It's a tool that could help people interested in helping to get HANA off the ground share info back and forth in a way that is visible and able to garner input from all parties simultaneously.

What's a wiki?

[cj]

I've been pretty busy this past month getting settled back in the US, but look forward to the meeting Wednesday. I'll be happy to help with any web stuff.

[chickenhead]

What's a wiki?

I looked up wiki on wikipedia, basically:

* A wiki invites all users to edit any page or to create new pages within the wiki Web site, using only a plain-vanilla Web browser without any extra add-ons.
* A wiki is not a carefully-crafted site for casual visitors. Instead, it seeks to involve the visitor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration that constantly changes the Web site landscape.

It is not so different than this message board, except its organization is more dialed in for sharing things back and forth or presenting something for the group that they themselves can edit and present right back.

[chickenhead]

First look at the Track Ratings, up at the Wiki

[Indulto]

Given recent developments since JP’s initial Mission Statement draft including
a) The Congressional hearings
b) The threat to California racing by the TOC/THG
c) The conclusion of the ELP negotiations
d)The emergence of selfappointedfancommittee.com
e)The negative response to SJ’s meeting attendance poll
I’ve taken the liberty of composing the first draft of a more proactive mission statement for HANA in the hopes of generating a little more passion if not enthusiasm:

Mission Statement for Horseplayer’s Association of North America (HANA)

Our mission is to unite as many bettors of North American tracks as possible in order to speak with a single, louder, more influential voice to the various entities that currently, but uncooperatively, control horse racing. This includes track management, horse owners, ADW management, and all levels of government.

The sport we love is dying primarily because each of the above is trying to increase its own share of every dollar wagered by horseplayers. The net result is that the game is not only harder to beat, but also difficult to enjoy because our ability to compete, our convenience, and our satisfaction are of no concern to those in charge. The recent congressional hearings made it clear that, while it is our money that drives the game, we have no say in how it is conducted.

We want to change that.


HANA’s Goals

Our immediate goal is to recruit as many members as soon as possible. The first step was the construction of this website; initially funded by a group of concerned members of the www.paceadvantage.com (http://www.paceadvantage.com/) racing forum.

To continually encourage participation in HANA, our founding principles are
1) Membership will always be free and never require more information than a valid e-mail address and a unique pseudonym to participate
2) Ideas and opinions will always be welcome, and we will attempt to respond to every productive e-mail we receive.
3) Funds subsequently required for advertising, off-line communication, etc., will be voluntary.
4) Anyone wishing to expand their support and/or involvement will be able to engage individual staff directly.
5) Keep membership advised of organizational developments as frequently as possible
6) Poll membership regularly for shifts in priorities.

Upon achieving our immediate goals, we will pursue tasks including
1) Continue to inform horseplayers of the problems that exist within the industry, and formulate strategies for addressing them.
2) Petition the various Other Industry StakeHolders (OISH)
3) Establish a dialogue with OISH
4) Report progress/problems in addressing HANA’s concerns with OISH
5) Exert collective influence as appropriate.
6) Encourage increased participation in the game as well as increased handle through horseplayer-friendly treatment
7) Support the establishment of a central governing authority over the racing industry that includes direct horseplayer representation.

The following sequence of issues reflects HANA's current priorities:
1) Effect a reduction in direct takeout to uniformly lower levels at all tracks or else allow ADWs and tracks to rebate competitively.
2) Make it possible for every in-home bettor to bet all tracks from a single account at his ADW vendor of choice.
3) Support the institution of uniform rules of racing including medication use policy
4) Establish a central governing authority for the industry to effect uniformity of rules and their enforcement, to ensure cooperation among tracks, and to create and maintain a customer-friendly environment for both offtrack and ontrack bettors.
5) Institute IRS withholding reform
6) Maximize the number of races that can be viewed "live" according to the host venue's ranking by average daily handle
7) Incentivize breeders to emphasize soundness and stamina over speed and precocity.
8) Provide the public with greater transparency regarding the physical status of each entrant.
9) Other

When you initially provide your e-mail address you will be able to indicate which issue is most important to you. If you select "Other," you will be prompted to enter a description of your desired alternative. Your vote will be tallied upon your first log-in after you receive a confirming e-mail at the address you entered.

Upon logging-in, you will be able to access all outstanding polls and latest general information postings by staff. Whenever a response to an incoming e-mail is appropriate, a staff member will reply at their earliest convenience based on order received with preference to existing members. Please remember this is a volunteer operation, and that we value any contribution of ideas and funding that will strengthen our collective influence with OISH.


THIS IS JUST ONE PERSON'S VISION OF A STARTING POINT FOR PROGRESS. IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET VOLUNTEERS WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW IF THE MISSION IS ONE THEY CAN GET BEHIND.

WHAT GOOD IS A UNIFIED VOICE IF IT DOESN'T SPEAK FOR YOU?

[chickenhead]

I think you have some very good stuff there Indulto. Permission to wiki-ize?

[Indulto]

I think you have some very good stuff there Indulto. Permission to wiki-ize?Absolutely.

[swetyejohn]

Indulto,

Great job. I think you've laid out things very nicely. There might be a few tweaks needed here and there, but basically, you've gotten this right.

We can discuss it in more at tonight's meeting.

Thanks a million!

John

[DJofSD]

Many, many thanks to Indulto, Chickenhead and others for getting this thing moving.

One benefit I think HANA will provide is an authoritative organization that can function as a "go to" group. When you take a step back and look, it seems pretty obvious to me the focus is changing from a state by state one to more of a national one. HANA should be addressing issues on a national scale. Does the bettor in New York differ at all from the one in Florida or California? I don't think so.

Aiming to catch up.

I'm a little hesitant to sign up for anything having to do with Google. But I'll do it.

[chickenhead]

I'm a little hesitant to sign up for anything having to do with Google. But I'll do it.

Skynet welcomes you.

[Indulto]

Skynet welcomes you.Chick,
Great editing. Fixed 6) last part.

My offspring temporarily "commandeered" my new laptop. ;) Can't risk any program installations on this old machine, so google account will have to wait.
* * * * *


Mission Statement for Horseplayer’s Association of North America (HANA)

Our mission is to unite as many bettors of North American tracks as possible in order to speak with a single, louder, more influential voice to the various entities that currently, but uncooperatively, control horse racing. This includes track management, horse owners, ADW management, and all levels of government.

The sport we love is dying primarily because each of the above is trying to increase its own share of every dollar wagered by horseplayers. The net result is that the game is not only becoming increasingly less competitive with other forms of gambling, but also difficult to enjoy because our ability to participate, our convenience, and our satisfaction are of no concern to those in charge. The recent congressional hearings made it clear that, while it is our money that drives the game, we have no say in how it is conducted.

We want to change that.


HANA’s Goals

Our immediate goal is to recruit as many members as soon as possible. The first step was the construction of this website; initially funded by a group of concerned members of the www.paceadvantage.com (http://www.paceadvantage.com/) racing forum.

To continually encourage participation in HANA, our founding principles are
1) Membership will always be free and never require more information than a valid e-mail address and a unique pseudonym to participate
2) Ideas and opinions will always be welcome, and we will attempt to respond to every productive e-mail we receive.
3) Operating funds required for advertising, off-line communication, etc., will be voluntary, and a full open accounting will be provided to members quarterly.
4) Anyone wishing to expand their support and/or involvement will be able to engage individual staff directly.
5) Keep membership advised of organizational developments as frequently as possible
6) Survey membership regularly to keep our goals and priorities in alignment.

Upon achieving our immediate goals, we will pursue tasks including:
1) Continue to inform horseplayers of the problems that exist within the industry, and formulate strategies for addressing them.
2) Petition the various Other Industry StakeHolders (OISH)
3) Establish a dialogue with OISH
4) Report progress/problems in addressing HANA’s concerns with OISH
5) Exert collective influence as appropriate.
6) Encourage increased participation in the game as well as increased handle through horseplayer-friendly treatment
7) Support the establishment of a central governing authority over the racing industry that includes direct horseplayer representation.

The following sequence of issues reflects HANA's current priorities:
1) Effect a reduction in direct takeout to uniformly lower levels at all tracks or else allow ADWs and tracks to rebate competitively.
2) Make it possible for every in-home bettor to bet all tracks from a single account at his ADW vendor of choice.
3) Support the institution of uniform rules of racing including medication use policy
4) Establish a central governing authority for the industry to effect uniformity of rules and their enforcement, to ensure cooperation among tracks, and to create and maintain a customer-friendly environment for both offtrack and ontrack bettors.
5) Institute IRS withholding reform
6) Maximize the number of races that can be viewed "live" without conflicts.
7) Incentivize breeders to emphasize soundness and stamina over speed and precocity.
8) Provide the public with greater transparency regarding the physical status of each entrant.
9) Eliminate the arcane practice of breakage.
10) Promote an overhaul of the parimutuel systems employed to ensure the integrity of the pools.

Please remember this is a volunteer operation, and that we value any contribution of ideas and funding that will strengthen our collective influence with OISH.

[rrbauer]

Remove this from the first sentence of the mission statement:

, louder, more influential

leaving
"single voice"

How it is amplified is a function of the processes and activities undertaken by the association.