Show your support for the VRC Badminton Program

I've been playing at VRC from three years now, I've gone from a complete beginner B all the way to double AA. Calvin and Morgan have donated so much of their time to make me a better badminton player. I support the current coaches at VRC and I hope the Board will revisit this matter.

As a member of the VRC, and an experienced management consultant professional in the not-for-profit sector, this action by the Board of VRC is of grave concern. There are at least two major issues arising from such an action. First, the financial liability to dismiss the Head Coach without cause or notice after 42 years comes with significant risk to the VRC's ongoing viability. I have been involved with similar actions in BC with what appeared to be far more likely positive outcomes that resulted in awards to the dismissed individual in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Given that the Head Coach has 42 years of continuous service to the VRC, lawyers have estimated the award to be in excess of $400,000 if a legal action is brought by the Head Coach and is successful. This would bankrupt the VRC. It would likely also impact upon their lease renegotiation which is scheduled to take place at what would likely be the timing and process of any lawsuit. Financial stability is taken into consideration by any lessor and that could well be challenged if the result of a lawsuit were not favorable to the VRC. Secondly, this action would rupture the community of the VRC. Any member who supported this action would be at odds with other members and since we all play together would likely result in groups who are of one mind, not welcoming others into their group. We are a community and that feeling of community would be irreparably damaged. This will impact upon membership as few new members want to join a hostile environment. One final repercussion that may also occur when unilateral actions like this are undertaken by a governing Board of Director is the sense amongst the remaining staff that this could happen to them as well. This would not make for a working environment of any quality. Staff morale would be low at best. The Board risks much in their actions, at potentially all of our members' expense. I don't see the upside here as to my knowledge, n

This matter was handled very badly by the current board. Calvin deserves to be treated respectfully, especially given all he has done for the club.

Our family of 4 are VRC members because of the badminton program headed by Calvin and run by Morgan, Duncan and Ming. Our oldest son was the first to take lessons at 11 years old, then our younger son started taking lessons. They loved it so much that they became members. Then my husband became a member and next I also became a member. I also took lessons from Calvin and Morgan to improve my game so I could have more fun. These coaches are irreplaceable gems and they really care about the sport and the players. They are also very encouraging and kind to our youngest daughter who is not yet old enough to play. My husband and I are adult members because we can play with our family and with other families. VRC’s badminton program with its current coaches have helped instill what will be a lifelong love for badminton.

The coaches at VRC have made me the person I am today. They have dedicated so much of their time to help juniors reach their full potential. Some of the top badminton players of my age group have been taught by these coaches. They deserve better treatment and support from VRC.

Junior badminton is vital for the club. My kids love the club because of the junior program. They are the future adult members. Please don't push them out or radically and unnecessarily change the junior program.

I think the coaches at VRC are very good coaches. I hope to continue to work with them and hopefully go to tournaments with them.

I support VRC coaches.

I support the current coaches at the VRC.

Calvin and his assistants deserve better treatment than they are receiving from our Club.

I cannot imagine that a majority of our board would get behind such an outcome. The board should revisit this matter in full, perhaps seeking broader input. How we appear to be going about this is just wrong in so many ways.

As far as I am Aware Calvin is a celebrated badminton Coach with many top flight competitive players to his credit. After 42 years of outstanding dedication to the VRC program there needs to be an explanation other than we thought it was time change. Please look deeply into the real reason for desire to change including potential conflicting relationships that board members may have with potential candidates. Particularly if those have little or no experience. There is no need to fix something that is not broken.

Wow, What a terrible way to tarnish the reputation of the VRC as a fair and equitable club with strong core values. The board needs to give thier collective heads a shake and try to show a modicum of the professionalism that Calvin has over his years of professional service to this club as well as to badminton as a whole.

I think it's disgusting what these self serving board members are trying to do to Calvin. Not to mention their underhanded conniving tactics to get an under qualified relative quick hired as coach. My son has learned so much taking badminton lessons and being coached by a very capable, professional, and compassionate coaching team selected and directed by Calvin. The current board should be replaced if they're going to completely disregard the members' wishes.

VRC is a member owned club. Members need to be informed and onside before any material action like disbanding coaching staff is done.

Calvin has been an institution at this club. He has dedicated 40+ years to VRC. He deserves better. Under Section 4.8 of the by laws, Directors must act honestly and in good faith in the best interest and purposes of the society. Not sure this has happened. Perhaps the Board should reconsider its actions.

I support current badminton program at VRC. The current coaching staff (Calvin, Ming, Ducan, Billy and Morgan) did a great job.

The ill timed and poorly communicated & conceived efforts to alter the Club’s badminton coaching programme puts the Club at considerable risk financially, as well as risking the credibility of the club as a decent place to work and in which to play. It demonstrates an enormous degree of disrespect and insensitivity to a degree not seen in my 40 years as a member.

The news about the VRC Board's decision to terminate Calvin's contract has come as a shock. Besides the timing of advising Calvin, and membership not being consulted, I feel that Calvin's departure would be a big loss to VRC and the badminton world. In my opinion, Calvin has shown dedication and leadership in the 42 years he served the club. He produced many good players who ended up playing at an international level, and having been a coach myself, I know the sense of achievement it creates. He groomed young coaches to assist him, and did an admirable job. I feel that his 42 years of service deserve recognition and accolades rather than sudden termination. This decision of the Board needs to be reconsidered.

I am extremely disappointed with how this has been handled , in particular the disrespect and lack of professionalism exhibited by those that made this decision. It's disheartening to see, such a tenured, experienced and well regarded member of the badminton community treated so very very poorly. He has spent the last 42 years building and encouraging generations of badminton players through the club's program and has beneficially influenced so many young minds. I hope the board will reconsider this ridiculous course of action.