Plan for those 2014 NACs now!

[fencerX]

Your boss can't say you didn't give enough notice!

http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/2702/162/

[Peach]

Assuming they don't completely revamp the current structure and regionalize everything in the next couple of years.

[fencerX]

Originally Posted by Peach

Assuming they don't completely revamp the current structure and regionalize everything in the next couple of years.

They?

Weren't you a member of the "Task Force" that created that wacky survey and produced the abysmal PowerPoint presentation?

[keith]

Originally Posted by fencerX

They?

Weren't you a member of the "Task Force" that created that wacky survey and produced the abysmal PowerPoint presentation?

Haven't you noticed that the apparent format is for a task force to be convened and then ignored?

This way you get progress without disgruntlement.

[KD5MDK]

Did you see anything about the Tournaments Task Force having any decision making power? I didn't. Is it up to the Board of Directors? I believe it is.

[keith]

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Did you see anything about the Tournaments Task Force having any decision making power? I didn't. Is it up to the Board of Directors? I believe it is.

As a general organisational issue; convening committees ( or even a task force) without the suggestion that its recommendations will be acted on (in whole or in part) is a waste of time - and generates an ongoing guarantee that people will ignore them.

[Tomas N]

Not really useful for planning when neither the dates nor the locations are set except for a handful of locations next year.

[hello?]

Notice Nationals 2009 are at a resort. Sounds expensive. If the Colorado Springs NAC is at the same expensive resort that hosted JOs a couple of years ago, then we are talking two overpriced locations -- I wonder what else they'll come up with for the TBA locations!

[Peach]

Originally Posted by fencerX

They?

Weren't you a member of the "Task Force" that created that wacky survey and produced the abysmal PowerPoint presentation?

I was not on the Tournament Committee, which might be what you're thinking of. The Task Force was a temporary group of people formed to get a sense from representative members of the fencing community about what we thought the issues were. We talked via e-mail, conference call, and once in person (the meeting was in New York so I could make it) in order that the Tournament Committee could get some grassroots input.

I didn't have anything to do with any PowerPoint--what was that? I also didn't create the survey, though I don't think there was much "wacky" about it--it was just inexpensive, user-created, and therefore amiably amateurish in spots. I use SurveyMonkey at work myself because it's a heck of a lot cheaper to make it yourself when you're dealing with a small community, even if the questions tend to be a little redundant and/or awkward. If I want sophisticated information that can be analyzed mathematically, I'd hire one of those expensive survey-creating companies, but if I just want some vague idea of what people think, self-created is the way to go.

[Peach]

Originally Posted by keith

As a general organisational issue; convening committees ( or even a task force) without the suggestion that its recommendations will be acted on (in whole or in part) is a waste of time - and generates an ongoing guarantee that people will ignore them.

However, they serve a number of other social and organizational needs--speaking as a department chair who has to attend a whole lot of them. At least one of the committees I belong to at work serves as a way to make the members feel someone is listening to them even though they are powerless members of a useless category. Another serves as a way to effectively prevent curriculum innovation. A third serves to get certain people into the same room so they can be reminded they're not operating in a vacuum. The USFA is no different from other organizations in that regard.

[teacup]

If there is a location it probably means that the contract has been signed. So it appears that there are no plans for a radical overall until at least November 2009.

[fencerX]

Originally Posted by Peach

I didn't have anything to do with any PowerPoint--what was that?

It was what was offered as the results of the Task Force you were on.

Results of the Tournament Configuration Task Force are available as slides from a PowerPoint Presentation:

http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/2676/409/

[Peach]

Originally Posted by fencerX

It was what was offered as the results of the Task Force you were on.

Results of the Tournament Configuration Task Force are available as slides from a PowerPoint Presentation:

http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/2676/409/

Thanks! Hmmm, though, when I go through it, it seems to be a report of the results of the survey, rather than the results of the Task Force--the Task Force meetings seemed mainly intended to provide a source of directions the Tournament Committee could go in polling the membership.

[Mr Epee]

well, this thread was totally jacked before I got here.... so don't blame me.

I hadn't seen that powerpoint before, but after flipping through it I felt the need to comment.

The biggest failure of that survey is a lack of regional identification for participants and responses. A fencer's understanding/perspective on regional events is going to vary WILDLY based on the areas with which they have experience. A regional event in one part of the country means an hour away. A regional event in another part of the country is 3-8 hours away.

Total apples and oranges.

When 35% of respondants think that that population is more important than geographic area.... I can show you 35% of the population who have never had to deal with Sectional Championships being held 20 hrs away by car.

That KILLS fencing in my part of the country. Even in good years it's still an 8hr trip. It's too hard to expect that from people year after year. The only people who do put up with it turn out to be weirdos.

[keith]

Originally Posted by Peach

However, they serve a number of other social and organizational needs--speaking as a department chair who has to attend a whole lot of them. At least one of the committees I belong to at work serves as a way to make the members feel someone is listening to them even though they are powerless members of a useless category. Another serves as a way to effectively prevent curriculum innovation. A third serves to get certain people into the same room so they can be reminded they're not operating in a vacuum. The USFA is no different from other organizations in that regard.

Fair enough - not saying there is anything wrong with a plethora of committees to keep the hordes entertained and out of the way of those who actually do the work.

... but on a serious note it is notable that the general response from both sets of candidates for the BoD is "lets form a committee for that". Not sure if it is a sign of experience or naivety

[Peach]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

well, this thread was totally jacked before I got here.... so don't blame me.

They obviously needed a category for "this survey is flawed." And it IS your fault. Somehow.

[lindajdunn]

I note that http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordtexan/ has posted rates of about $250 per night but there should be plenty of low rate hotels in the area since it doesn't look THAT far from the airport. Also, that's a major hub so airline fees should be no more outrageous than at other sites).

I suspect the negotiated hotel rates will be much lower than $250.

[teacup]

Knowing the locations, although useful for hotels, doesn't help with air until the day schedules are posted.

Though if one wants to use hotel award points.....