Petition to recall USFA President

[incider]

There have been a number of interesting points raised. But for those of you who don't understand why this recall is important read the other threads in this website complaining about the USFA. I've not seen any such litany about any other country's national organizing body.

And for those of you who may be concerned about the facts and the unintended consequences of a divided house, read this blog about what's going on in US Handball:

political power struggle in US handball sports | |

In the past week, there has been some upheaval in the US handball world. Apparently, a number of members of the USATH (US handball federation and National Governing Body for the US Olympic Committee) Board of Directors (BoD) have issues with a new set of by-laws hat were passed by the membership with an overwhelming majority of over 89% of the votes. Most recently, these BoD members have called in a short-notice, online emergency board meeting to remove USATH president Mike Hurdle and to overturn the membership vote on the by-laws. The emergency board meeting excluded Mike Hurdle's vote, but included a prohibited vote by proxy, in order to reach the 75% criterion for the removal of the president.
Incidentally, the new by-laws precipitate the removal of the current BoD. The USOC was made aware of the conflict as the dissenting members of the BoD contacted the USOC with their grievances. Consequentially, the USOC has frozen any funding to USATH and is considering to revoke its NGB status.

Sounds like the usual, oh-so-human small-minded in-fighting to me
In a collaboration with John Ryan, I hope to have some interviews with the involved officials availabkle for download (Podcast) soon. No idea if we can pull this off, but you may want to check back and see for yourself

Posted by: bjoern on Tuesday 13 December 2005 - 05:17:21

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Similar power struggles are underway in the NGBs of US Water Polo, the US Equestrian Association, and elsewhere.

The USOC is very clear about the kind of fundamental change they want to see in the NGBs of the Olympic Sport movement. Insider bickering over individual leaders misses the point completely, will retard our sport's development and will incur the wrath of the USOC.

What to do? Drop this recall effort, inspire our current leaders to take corrective actions as positively as possible, push for new bylaws that are inline with USOC guidance and identify a new slate of mostly new and some old faces to lead the USFA forward.

[Andrea]

...
political power struggle in US handball sports | |

...The USOC was made aware of the conflict as the dissenting members of the BoD contacted the USOC with their grievances. Consequentially, the USOC has frozen any funding to USATH and is considering to revoke its NGB status..

The USOC has indeed revoked US Handball's NGB status due to the above conflicts. They will be vacating their office space in Colorado Springs on Monday (Dec 19). FYI, US Handball is located in the same building and floor as US Fencing. The one remaining NBG employee will be relocated to the OTC.

The USOC now has direct control over Modern Penthalon, Tae Kwon Do and US Handball due to the revocation of NGB status. This would not be a good thing for US Fencing.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

A question comes to mind:

Before the instigators of the recall met with Ms Anderson and threatened her with their metaphorical bucket of water, did Mr. Soter and other National Coaches organize themselves and present a united front? Did they request a formal meeting with her to lay out the difficulties facing them because of tardy decisions by the national office?

One thinks if her office was full of a half dozen top-of-the-line coaches, all playing Khrushchev with their shoes on her desk, they might have gotten her attention.

[slartibartfast]

What to do? Drop this recall effort, inspire our current leaders to take corrective actions as positively as possible, push for new bylaws that are inline with USOC guidance and identify a new slate of mostly new and some old faces to lead the USFA forward.

Wow--a constructive suggestion!

[Army Fencer]

The USOC now has direct control over Modern Penthalon, Tae Kwon Do and US Handball due to the revocation of NGB status. This would not be a good thing for US Fencing.

I work with the Pentathletes here at the OTC, and I've personally seen how difficult it is for them to compete in their sport without an NGB. I sure hope this never happens to fencing.

[JEC]

The USOC now has direct control over Modern Penthalon, Tae Kwon Do and US Handball due to the revocation of NGB status. This would not be a good thing for US Fencing.

Entirely agree. A divided litigious house will result in a similar action, which will be detrimental to the sport.

[QueenofSwords]

[QUOTE=jjefferies]Here is the latest as of 12/16/05. Paul Soter is apparently taking a
lead in this drive. I will attach a letter from him. But it is not just
Soter. Apparently all or most (can never be sure if it's all) of the
national coaches are supporting this drive. . And BTW, P. Soter
was the national men's epee coach in Athens and runs
Golden Gate Fencing Center.
In his day he was on the national epee team and has been active in
USFA for the past 30+ years (I'm guessing here)
former PCS Chair, USFA VP, and USFA Secretary.[QUOTE=end]
\
Everything is correct except he has never been PCS Section Chair. Maybe he should have done so back in his time. But since Frank Van Dyke has been in for the last 10+ years he and his staff have taken it to new and higher levels than it has ever been before. If the USFA ever folds I feel the Pacif Coast Section would still run on all cylinders...

Maybe he and his staff should run the USFA....

just kidding..

[jjefferies]

[QUOTE=Capt. Slo-mo]A question comes to mind:

Before the instigators of the recall met with Ms Anderson and threatened her with their metaphorical bucket of water, did Mr. Soter and other National Coaches organize themselves and present a united front? Did they request a formal meeting with her to lay out the difficulties facing them because of tardy decisions by the national office?



I am not privy to the events leading up to the petition which I became aware of in Pittsburgh. But I believe they did meet with Ms. Anderson in Pittsburgh and try to negotiate (not sure how hard a sell it was) with her.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I'm no negotiologist, but it seems to me if you accost the President with "surrender or be recalled" as your opening gambit, then you're asking for a close-the-portcullis and boil-the-oil reaction.

The approach of presenting a united front: "Here's our problem, how can we work together to fix it?" is far different from: "you're the problem and we're going to fix you!"

Pony or no pony.

[JEC]

I'm no negotiologist....

You might be a suitable candidate... despite fencing saber.

[mtarascio]

I believe the recall attempt of Nancy Anderson is doing more harm than good for the USFA. I do not claim to know the facts, however I am very leary of signing a petition of any nature when those wishing for change have not put their names forward. I would like to see a complete list of names of those who are making these claims against President Anderson.

We must also consider that during the last election no one ran against Ms. Anderson for President. I believe it would be much better for those interested in change to start thinking about the next National election.

Ms. Anderson has been a volunteer for many years in many capacities with the USFA and I have only heard good things about how she has performed.

As I feel it is in the best interest for this attempt to recall the President to fail, I support President Anderson.

Michael Tarascio

[davesaint]

As a parent of a competitive fencer who has sacrificed youth and teen years, time, energy, sanity, and a lot of our money, I can give you some idea of a few things that make our teeth grind when it comes to the USFA organization.
No, in the end it doesn't come down only to $$$$$$$$, but to some simple seriousness and sense of accountability.
I don’t know about all the issues, but I have a bunch of comments about how the cadet and junior competitive fencers are treated:
- The US fencers, like the Canadian fencers, have the handicap of the geography since in a season 95% of the World Cups are staged in Europe, another tiny % in Asia, 1 or 2 World Cups in North America (where Europeans or Asians don’t bother to come) and Havana (but try to go there with your US passport, it takes skill and mucho $$$$$!).
- You don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of Junior World Cups where US fencers have been left by themselves to compete, with no coaching, or no chaperone. We pretend to be the most powerful nation in the world, but we can’t even provide the presence of 1 adult to look after our young fencers. Here I want to make the point that almost all of these fencers are under 18 years of age and many under 16. They go and fly all the way to Europe, Asia or South America, missing school, spending a fortune of their parent’s money on air fare and hotels, dealing with the time zones changes, with foreign languages, with lost or broken bags, lack of sleep and proper food, and feeling the pressure of showing results.
- After having spent between $500 and $1000 of your parent’s money, missed major classes, and failed to do your homework, you try to do with the sleeplessness, and on that European strip you face alone the top European fencers and their coaches at 2am your brain time. Of course you do your best, but sometimes you just can’t figure out that touch that would get you to the next DE, or if you did, your legs didn’t follow through, and you come back placing between 33 and 64 out of more than a hundred excellent fencers. You are 16 or 18 years old and you feel like crap because you have failed. To add to the hardship, the USFA will give points only to the top 32 while the FIE goes down to 64 to award points.

- It is fair to observe that almost all the international fencing competitions, World Cups and others, are on weekend days. I have always wondered why the USFA never bothered having someone “on call” and available to answer an emergency phone call at least when Cadet and Junior US fencers are competing in a foreign country, as we can assume that Senior fencers can take care of themselves. We have had numerous horror stories of young teen fencers stuck on Saturdays or Sundays, many times late at night with double the danger for our girls, in remote places of Europe with no money, no ATM, no transportation, not speaking the local language, missing flights, waiting 1 hour in the snow for a hotel to open, or not having a room upon arrival (it has happen to a whole group recently)…etc.
When the USFA chooses to not send any coach or any adult to stand by its young fencers, at least it would show some sense of respect for those fencers and their parents to have a responsible person near a phone and a computer, ready to deal with any emergency.
Yes, the USFA gives us the US Embassies and Consular offices information, but have you ever tried to get in touch with a Consular Office on a weekend? Good luck!

- I would like to know why the USFA can allow to have a perfectly great coach been dismissed in the middle of a season just a few days before going to a major World Cup, leaving the young Junior fencers by themselves at the last minute? And that had nothing to do with $$$$$$$ since this coach had his ticket and was ready to go.

- That the USFA has failed our athletes? It’s getting dangerously close to abandonment!

- Finally, now we come to the $$$$$ part.
The NAC entry fees seem to be the highest fees known for entering a competition. When you have 2 siblings fencing 2 events each, you spend $260 before even going to the competition. Then you add the air fare, the hotel, the taxi or the shuttle, the horrible unhealthy outrageously expensive food (if you can call it that) at the venue. A World Cup entry is only 10 €uros.
Most of the Fencing Federations offer upfront the travel expenses to their top 4 fencers going to international competitions, along with at least 1 coach. The USFA has a policy of reimbursing a fix amount corresponding to a tiny % of the travel expenses to only the fencers coming back with top results. If the fencer had a bad day not making the 32, and it happens to the best in that sport, he/she has to swallow the expenses with no chance of any compensation.
If a fencer wants to make it to the US TEAM, he/she will have to go to as many World Cups as possible in order to accumulate points. It is sad to realize that with such a system, some very good fencers will never be at the top of the points standing for their lack of funds, but other less strong fencers with deeper pockets will go and compete everywhere in the world and gather enough points eventually to make it higher in the points standing. Basically, at equal strength, a US fencer has more chance to succeed if richer.

I hope that I have given you a few points to think about. As for the recall story, I think that we don’t know enough to make up our mind either way, but there is plenty of room for improvement in the USFA management to help the young fencers of today become the top senior fencers of tomorrow.

Here's a silly thought...Why can't the USFA arrange with the local consulate's office to have a guide available for the days in which a world cup is going on in their country? It would seem to me at least this would fix the local language issue.

[heretic]

Clearly recall is a last resort. Based on my personal knowledge of Ms Anderson's actions (more inaction) and the veracity of the claims the Paul enumerated, I think it is the best option for good of the USFA.

Ms Anderson was approached on numerous occasions, by National Coaches, top athletes, etc, regarding her serious lapses in leadership, planning, policy and communication. She continually failed to respond to anyone in a meaningful way. She simply does not seem to have a grip on what’s going on, and that is very scary.

Is this a power grab? None of the initial signatories are asking to be President. In fact, they would accept any more qualified replacement.

The recall is negative PR for the USFA, both domestically (with the USOC) and internationally, with the FIE. But anyone who takes the time to follow up on the allegations against her will realize that they are both substantial and true.

Ask questions. The truth will set you free – and cut her loose.

[dberke]

After reading about this recall drive and speaking with some people about it, I've realized that something is missing. It's all good and well to talk about the failings of the current president, but what I haven't heard is how the proposed replacement is going to remedy the situation.

Perhaps the recall drive would generate more enthusiasm if the likely replacement would step up and provide the membership with a list of goals (both short- and long-term) that they will be working toward. I'd like to see specific, measurable action items that will be used to judge the success of the new president. We need some way to judge that the new president is making a difference and isn't simply a new nameplate on the door.

I think that, regardless of whether the recall is sucessful or not, the USFA also needs to reevaluate the sanity of having the president's position be that of an unpaid volunteer. The amount of responsibility of the position should require that it is a full-time, paid job. I can't imagine anyone could be successful running the USFA in their spare time while also holding down a "real" job that pays the bills.

Also, by making the president a paid position, there's incentive to do a good job because your salary is on the line. If you perform poorly, you're fired. As it stands, if the president is performing poorly and is recalled, what are the real ramifications other than a bruised ego?

I haven't made up my mind whether this recall is a good idea or not. I just don't want to see it go through without a plan to actually improve things...

Dan

[jjefferies]

After reading about this recall drive and speaking with some people about it, I've realized that something is missing. It's all good and well to talk about the failings of the current president, but what I haven't heard is how the proposed replacement is going to remedy the situation.


Dan

My understanding is that there are several possibilities some which hinge on when a successful petition is presented. IF before the half way point in that presidency then a new election can go forward. If after then one of the current vice presidents would be selected. So at this point it maybe premature to be making campaign promises. But the point is that any election is voted on by the USFA congress which is made up of people appointed by the division chairs. I take it this system was patterned after the flawed US presidential system which only allows indirect elections.
J.

[jjefferies]

I believe the recall attempt of Nancy Anderson is doing more harm than good for the USFA. I do not claim to know the facts, however I am very leary of signing a petition of any nature when those wishing for change have not put their names forward. I would like to see a complete list of names of those who are making these claims against President Anderson.

We must also consider that during the last election no one ran against Ms. Anderson for President. I believe it would be much better for those interested in change to start thinking about the next National election.

Ms. Anderson has been a volunteer for many years in many capacities with the USFA and I have only heard good things about how she has performed.

As I feel it is in the best interest for this attempt to recall the President to fail, I support President Anderson.

Michael Tarascio

Think you are a little behind. The names of the most visible persons backing the recall have been published:
Jeff Bukantz, who is the US Team Captain and former Chair of the FOC; Carl Borack, former Team Captain and USFA former EVP; Cathy Zagunas, mother of our only Olympic Gold Medalist and a former Olympian in crew herself; and Paul Soter a former Section Chair, USFA VP, USFA Secretary. My understanding is that the petition is supported by all the recent national coaches. Apparently a number of other higher level persons are supporting it from behind the scene but reluctant to publically say so. Soter on the other hand is too feisty to hang back.

Given the rather clandestine way information is shared out within the USFA, your lack of hearing about Ms Anderson's past performance may not mean much. Usually these things fester until finally someone or in this case some group can no longer stand it and you get this violent upheavel. Apparently Ms. Anderson has been informed over some period about specific problems and has failed to do anything about them. Maybe we'll learn more. I would hold any final decision about how you will jump until we hear more.

J.

[oiuyt]

My understanding is that there are several possibilities some which hinge on when a successful petition is presented. IF before the half way point in that presidency then a new election can go forward. If after then one of the current vice presidents would be selected. So at this point it maybe premature to be making campaign promises. But the point is that any election is voted on by the USFA congress which is made up of people appointed by the division chairs. I take it this system was patterned after the flawed US presidential system which only allows indirect elections.
J.

This is simply not the case. Contested elections in the USFA require a physical ballot to be mailed to everyone elgible to vote (USFA members age 18+). Voting is done by the USFA membership directly. Non-contested elections don't have any vote, being, by definition, non-contested.

There are another ~8 months before the "less than 2 years" bit trips. This current push will certainly be final one way or the other by then.

If we ARE beyond that point when a vacancy occurs then the BoD holds the election. The BoD consists of the USFA officers (6, including the President), Athletes Representatives (6), the Section Representatives (10), the at-large members elected by Congress (4), and any Presidential appointees (up to 4, I believe there is 1 currently).

-B

[mtarascio]

Think you are a little behind. The names of the most visible persons backing the recall have been published:
Jeff Bukantz, who is the US Team Captain and former Chair of the FOC; Carl Borack, former Team Captain and USFA former EVP; Cathy Zagunas, mother of our only Olympic Gold Medalist and a former Olympian in crew herself; and Paul Soter a former Section Chair, USFA VP, USFA Secretary. My understanding is that the petition is supported by all the recent national coaches. Apparently a number of other higher level persons are supporting it from behind the scene but reluctant to publically say so. Soter on the other hand is too feisty to hang back.

Given the rather clandestine way information is shared out within the USFA, your lack of hearing about Ms Anderson's past performance may not mean much. Usually these things fester until finally someone or in this case some group can no longer stand it and you get this violent upheavel. Apparently Ms. Anderson has been informed over some period about specific problems and has failed to do anything about them. Maybe we'll learn more. I would hold any final decision about how you will jump until we hear more.

J.

Don't believe I'm a little behind at all.

As I stated, I am not privy to all of the facts. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who have come forward supporting this recall.

If this recall is important for the good of the USFA then those National Coaches and other high level persons supporting this recall should go public with their support. Are they afraid to? Do they have something to lose if the recall fails? Are their positions more important than the welfare of the USFA membership?

[Inquartata]

Is this a power grab? None of the initial signatories are asking to be President. In fact, they would accept any more qualified replacement.

This is not automatically reassuring. I am quite prepared to accept that all of the persons thus far identified as "movers"---the ones you mentioned---are acting in good faith and from the best of motives. What makes me uneasy is that I keep hearing one name mentioned regarding who would be the probable replacement for Ms. Anderson if the recall is successful. One name, one person who has "agreed to serve", when all the other possibilities have demurred.

It occurs to me that an ambitious person might prefer, like Caesar, to have others offer him a kingly crown by acclamation rather than to campaign openly for it himself. A person with the proper skills could bring about the desired result by manipulating others into doing the work for him or her. I do not insist that this is happening, but it's not out of the question. Certainly politics have gotten quite Byzantine in the USFA before this, there have been acrimonious battles over the leadership before, there have been charges and countercharges and promises made before...

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

This is not automatically reassuring. I am quite prepared to accept that all of the persons thus far identified as "movers"---the ones you mentioned---are acting in good faith and from the best of motives. What makes me uneasy is that I keep hearing one name mentioned regarding who would be the probable replacement for Ms. Anderson if the recall is successful. One name, one person who has "agreed to serve", when all the other possibilities have demurred.

It occurs to me that an ambitious person might prefer, like Caesar, to have others offer him a kingly crown by acclamation rather than to campaign openly for it himself. A person with the proper skills could bring about the desired result by manipulating others into doing the work for him or her. I do not insist that this is happening, but it's not out of the question. Certainly politics have gotten quite Byzantine in the USFA before this, there have been acrimonious battles over the leadership before, there have been charges and countercharges and promises made before...

Yep, all the glory of being in a volunteer position. I think if alot of people wanted the job, we'd have a good president, not the current one. Seriously, who would want this job, if they didnt have the best interest of the USFA in mind?