An unrated veteran foil fencer. A closet epeeist, a sabreurre wannabe-- I can't really help myself; I love the sport! I expect the best from fencers, am disillusioned at the politics in fencing and of fencers behaving badly.
I just finished reading the draft of the USFA by-laws. I was cowed, I think, by the tone of the document, and the apparent power wielded by the President. Right up there with the Olympic Committee! It seemed to me that qualifications of the President of the USFA are more stringent than those of the President of the USA. And, there are no vice presidents to speak of, or, if there are, they're appointed by the President and dismissed by such at will. Of course, there's a board of directors, and in this case the word director is correctly used- they're not referees. It looks like they have all the bases covered when you review the many facets of the sport; even parents have representation.
There's a Secretary, but that person doesn't have to be a member of the USFA. Huh?
There's the Treasurer, I get that. We've all paid our annual dues and expect something in return, and there will be hell to pay if that is mis-managed...still, I mean, again, well, whatever. The fact remains that something bad went down in the past, and alot of referees went unpaid for their services, and even a famous coach went unpaid. Yeah, people are angry and mistrustful and it better not happen again. I sure wouldn't want that job.
There was a statement about the transparancy of the work of the Officers. I liked that.
Here's the thing: the by-laws committee wants to hear from US- you and me, Joe and Joanna Fencer. This is our chance to give our two cents worth, and the opportunity doesn't come along every day. I could rap this all up with a Yes, We Can thing, but I think you get the picture:
Read the document, Get involved, Know what you pay dues for.
10-14-2009 02:02 PM