USFA Election 2008 Debate Question #1: Women’s Epee Program

[oiuyt]

I'd like to know how much time Ro plans to spend on the WE program. According to his bio, "he is currently Vice President of the USFA." Why has nothing been done for the last 1 1/2 years? According to his proposal, the hiring of a national coach would not occur until after Massick steps down and a new ED is hired. What will Ro accomplish with his next term that couldn't have been done this last term?

Ro has asked me to post the following on his behalf:

The amount of impact I have been able to have on any international program has been extremely limited due to the structure of the Executive Committee of the current administration. Each vice president was responsible for a group of committees relating to similar areas. I was tasked with domestic programs and spent a great deal time bringing the RYC/SYC to the national stage and developing the National Youth Program. International programs were not in my purview and the group responsible for the decisions made did not welcome comment, suggestion or criticism.

In the next four years I look forward to an international elite athlete program that incorporates the coaches and athletes involved in these programs, that offers those people direct input and that works transparently in a professional manner. It is probable that an interim National Coach will be named while the ED search and subsequent hiring of a Director of High Performance takes place. We must get on track in Women’s Epee without delay if we are to prepare for London and develop the next generation of athletes.

Women’s Epee is of importance to me personally. I have worked with a number of top athletes in this weapon going back to the beginning of the event in the US. I do not plan to micro manage the program but will help in any way I can, working with whoever comes to fill the NC position. I hope to continue working as a member of the Women’s Epee coaching staff and to help in the further development of the athletes in this weapon.

[Philistine]

Any referee running for office also has a conflict of interest.

Care to explain this one? The overwhelming majority of the referees that I know are extremely foresightful about removing themselves from conflicts of interest, real or perceived.

It seems fairly straightforward. Anyone elected would be in a position to influence details relating to timeliness and amounts of referee pay, and/or other conditions. (Of course, any referee who is a member of the BOD and/or the Executive Commitee would have the same conflict).

To the extent the person still referees, that would be a conflict of interest. Not a huge one, of course, but still there.

Conflicts of interest are very often unavoidable, especially where, like here, management comes from those still actively involved in what is being managed.

--Philistine

[happy]

Ro has asked me to post the following on his behalf:

Originally Posted by Ro Sobalvarro

The amount of impact I have been able to have on any international program has been extremely limited due to the structure of the Executive Committee of the current administration. Each vice president was responsible for a group of committees relating to similar areas.

So can somebody confirm that, if the NC slate is elected, Ro will be responsible for the international program?

The post implies this, and it would seem the obvious choice, but it didn't happen in the current administration so it should be confirmed.

[Greg_D]

So can somebody confirm that, if the NC slate is elected, Ro will be responsible for the international program?

Should the entire NC group be elected, Ro would be in charge of Athlete Development. From our website:

Athlete Development Goals:

• Address the needs of fencers at all ages and skill levels
• Support Veterans fencing domestically and internationally
• Develop youth fencing in ways that adapt to change and promote expansion
• Support coaches at all levels
• Create appropriate competitive opportunities at all levels
• Create a coherent international program that promotes athlete development culminating in London and beyond

Greg

[oiuyt]

So can somebody confirm that, if the NC slate is elected, Ro will be responsible for the international program?

The post implies this, and it would seem the obvious choice, but it didn't happen in the current administration so it should be confirmed.

Should the entire NC group be elected, Ro would be in charge of Athlete Development. From our website:

Just to be clear, we envision a division of labor between the VPs that's somewhat different than what has become standard over the past few quads. Broadly speaking, the new roles could be labelled as Organizational Development, Resource Development, and Athlete Development.

Another change is that more of the technology portfolio would be assigned to the Secretary. This fits both my background (degree in CS) and interests, as well as dovetails nicely with viewing enhanced technology for improved communications as a natural portion of the Secretary's work.

That said, there are a number of initiatives that will span multiple areas. Even aside from that, we believe in working together as a team to handle both problems and opportunities. In the past some areas have had walls erected around them and operated semi-autonomously. While there will be a "point person" with specific oversight responsibility, we expect that there will be frequent, detailed communications between the officers on many topics.

-B