USFA Lifetime Membership for Tournament Officals

[Mike Ross]

Fencing in the United States is now currently in an unfavorable economic situation. Many referees, organizers, and staff of national events are owed hundreds, or thousands of dollars by the USFA for working both national and international events where our fencers represent their divisions, sections, and nation in competition. These people have allocated their own finances with the expectation that they would be reimbursed accordingly. There has been much talk about how people are not being reimbursed in a timely fashion. There has also been much talk of restructuring the entire financial aspect of our organization with the coming change of administration. Talk is good and provides a forum for ideas to be evaluated and decided upon, until appropriate action can take place. Positive action in a time of need speaks just as well, if not more, and can facilitate further action.

This group of people, knowing they will be participating in this sport for years to come, has informed the USFA that we are committed to the development of ourselves and the sport while ensuring our membership in it. This group has submitted a proposal to the USFA Executive Committee, with the work of Derek Cotton and Nancy Anderson, and the support of the Fencing Officials Commission, had it approved to offer a Lifetime Membership in the USFA at a discounted rate of $1000 for officials owed reimbursements for Junior Olympics and/or one or more NACs for the 2007-2008 season. From the Statement issued by Nancy Anderson (see attached cover letter):

In response to the suggestions received from some of our officials, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, has approved a motion to offer a discounted life membership to those officials who are owed reimbursements for the 07-08 season.

Officials can redeem their reimbursements owed towards a $1,000 life membership (a discount of $200.) Those officials who already hold a life membership in the organization can designate another person, if they wish, for whom they would like the reimbursements redeemed. Those who are owed a sum less than $1,000 can redeem the current value of their reimbursements owed and pay only the difference between those reimbursements and the $1,000 total.

I am asking that you consider and take advantage of this opportunity by filling out the attached form and mailing or faxing it back to the National Office. Cost of membership will only increase over the years. If you see yourself participating in this sport in the years to come, this is a very economical decision. Not only will you be aiding the current situation, but bettering it for the future by your involvement and support of US Fencing.

Michael Ross
Vice Chair, Southwest Section of the USFA
USFA Referee

[KD5MDK]

Welcome to crazy-land

[fencerX]

Secret notes from the EC meeting:

"Hey ... these people are gullible enough to finance the USFA's operations for months on end using their personal credit cards. Maybe they'll just be crazy enough to go for this too!"

[hpfencing]

WOW I think it actually has a little merit. It does make good business for the USFA. If only a few of the people take advantage of it; it'll help the USFA lower it's owed money, help coolect extra revinue here and there AND will not cost them anything but a membership card! Good thinking.

[HDG]

I hope they pay careful attention to who takes up the offer -- I wasn't hired for any events and I'm not owed any money, but I got the email.

[RITFencing]

From a purely business standpoint, it might be a shrewd move in the short term.

It can both elminate some debt and provide some immediate cash.

However, it certainly means a(nother) hit on the credibility of the organization, and it may provide some longer term issues if the people involved stay in the organization for long enough.

[fencerbill]

At the time that membership was being raised from $15 to $25 a year I bought a lifetime membership for $300. I did it despite being over 55 years old at the time. It has been well worth it.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[formerfencer]

One of the main reasons I began refereeing is because I complain too much not to. By that I mean I hate bad calls and if you make one, I'm not about to keep quiet about it. I felt I had an obligation to make things better.

Well, here I am a few years later making noise all over again. I may not start threads on f.net about it, but I have been unhappy with the reimbursement timeframe and been vocal to particular individuals about it. And it's time to put up. This is a way that I can financially support the USFA during a time when it desperately needs it.

To those that believe this to be the EC taking advantage, please know that this bold solution was born and developed by referees.

If the USFA owes you money and you plan to be involved in the sport for the next 10 years, this is a good deal. If not, then don't take it. Sit and wait for your check. Just do it quietly.

[notalent]

Looking at the math it will take 13+ seasons for it to balance out. assuming no bylaw changes that allow for more than a 10 dolllar increase per quad. Ofcourse it might take 13 years to get paid as it is now. I will likely take them up on it.

[fencerX]

From: "NANCY ANDERSON"
May 20, 2008
Subject: Assistance/Investment

Dear International Fencing Officials,

Naturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we may not have met, permit me however, I am MS. NANCY ANDERSON, the president of an American Association. I am contacting you as the need for me to have a foreign partner in your country has become necessary due to my plans to relocate and establish a private company in that region, as the present political instability in my country (America), does not encourage financial investment as the environment is not conducive for investment and most of all security is not guaranteed, just as reported by the International media

Therefore, I decided to contact you through the Nigerian FIE representative (Mr. Dennis Udongo) for your assistance so that I can establish a company in your country and relocate there. Also, I must re-iterate the importance of having a citizen of your country to front as the owner of the enterprise, due to the fact that I will be a foreigner in your country. For this purpose, I have deposited in a Security company based in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) all the funds realised by the sale of my association.

Let me use this opportunity to also inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free and genuine and should also be handled in the most confidential manner. This proposal is NOT and must NOT be linked to all the numerous SCAM letters flying around. The money (USD18.5m) already stashed in the two boxes could be termed as consignment and I will not hesitate to link you to my safe contact in the security company for further discussion.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

It's funny because it's tr...well, it's just funny!

Nicely done!

[catwood1]

I would love to help the USFA out with this, and it probably would benefit me in the long run. However, the fact that it would be good, does not mean that I can now afford to give away 400 dollars out of pocket, and forfeit the 600 that is owed to me.

[notalent]

Originally Posted by fencerX

From: "NANCY ANDERSON"
May 20, 2008
Subject: Assistance/Investment

Dear International Fencing Officials,

Naturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we may not have met, permit me however, I am MS. NANCY ANDERSON, the president of an American Association. I am contacting you as the need for me to have a foreign partner in your country has become necessary due to my plans to relocate and establish a private company in that region, as the present political instability in my country (America), does not encourage financial investment as the environment is not conducive for investment and most of all security is not guaranteed, just as reported by the International media

Therefore, I decided to contact you through the Nigerian FIE representative (Mr. Dennis Udongo) for your assistance so that I can establish a company in your country and relocate there. Also, I must re-iterate the importance of having a citizen of your country to front as the owner of the enterprise, due to the fact that I will be a foreigner in your country. For this purpose, I have deposited in a Security company based in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) all the funds realised by the sale of my association.

Let me use this opportunity to also inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free and genuine and should also be handled in the most confidential manner. This proposal is NOT and must NOT be linked to all the numerous SCAM letters flying around. The money (USD18.5m) already stashed in the two boxes could be termed as consignment and I will not hesitate to link you to my safe contact in the security company for further discussion.

FTW
As the kids are won't to say

[Grasshopper]

In Japan, refs are paid in cash at the end of the competition. It is a crazy economic system called: "Do work, get money."

[HDG]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

In Japan, refs are paid in cash at the end of the competition. It is a crazy economic system called: "Do work, get money."

That's the same system that pays everybody else once a month, isn't it?

[foillion]

As far as I'm concerned this is a well thought out move and a good way for both sides to benefit. I have been fencing and reffing for over 8 years and intend to do so for many years to come, why would I not jump at the chance to receive a lifetime membership for a reduced rate and try to help the USFA get back on slightly more sound financial footing?

It's already at the point that I would hope no one is counting on these checks to pay rent, car insurance or feed their families. I'm not saying everyone should be perfectly content to throw this money out the door and get their lifetime membership. All I'm saying is that if you're in a position where these checks aren't going to make or break you, you should give consideration to the idea.

In the end everyone's going to do what they want to anyway. If you need the money take the money, but if you like the idea of what's behind door number two....

-P

[foillion]

Originally Posted by catwood1

I would love to help the USFA out with this, and it probably would benefit me in the long run. However, the fact that it would be good, does not mean that I can now afford to give away 400 dollars out of pocket, and forfeit the 600 that is owed to me.

As far as paying the 400 out of pocket, I've been told that if I wanted to apply the check I would earn from summer nationals to the membership, it was a valid option. Just to let you know.

-P

[arc]

While this is an excellent idea for clearing back debts and for possibly raising some revenue, this potentially triggers concerns that I have voiced before, taking another organization I'm a member of as an example ... this reminds me of the NRA's fire sales on life memberships any time the NRA needs to raise money quick (like, when they sell a 1,000 life membership for 400, or truly massive discounts on the premium life memberships) ...

While this is an offer limited in scope to those who volunteer, I think we should keep a careful eye on massive discounts being used to pay off debts of the Association while generating a large class of individuals that the Association will have to provide services to without prospects of future revenue ...

[Mr Epee]

Originally Posted by Guy with great hair

Hey! I'm effing you over royally... wanna be BFF?

Sweet... this approach is excellent if you are interested in banging overweight, intoxicated, desperate, 22 year old chicks at a frat party....

Actually, now that I think about it, this may be a highly stimulating proposition for the majority of our dedicated referee corp.

I'M A DEDICATED REFEREE. I LOVE THE USFA. LEAVE ME ALONE. DON'T YOU QUESTION MY MOTIVATION.

[CadetVet]

Originally Posted by foillion

As far as paying the 400 out of pocket, I've been told that if I wanted to apply the check I would earn from summer nationals to the membership, it was a valid option. Just to let you know.

-P

Can someone verify this? I'd probably do it if I could apply my SN monies.