During the last board meeting, the USFA decided to institute a new "Last Call" policy for referees. This policy was enacted to counteract the sobering trend of alcohol consumption among referees. Under this policy, each referee's room will be checked daily for bottled spirits. Any bottled spirits in a room will be confiscated.
This policy is being implemented for several reasons. First, the USFA, through its relationship with THS, has entered into relationships with hotel bars to ensure that each referee gets the lowest "per shot" price on their well drinks (premium brands, exotic drinks, and "doubles" are excluded). This means that hotels will be more likely to work with the USFA to offer better priced drinks and better well brands for future events.
Second, this policy will help ensure that no referee drinks after "last call." One of the unique aspects of the THS/Hotel relationship is the applicability of local law to referee behavior. No longer will referees have to wonder when the drinking will stop - it will stop at the state-mandated "last call" time.
Third, this policy will enable each referee's alcohol consumption to be monitored by the USFA through the use of embedded RFID chips that will be required for each referee. This will also make Sharon's job easier when she's trying to find a referee - as the RFID chip will instantly provide their location and their total alcohol consumption over the prior 24 hour period. For those referees who shun alcohol, caffeine or pork, the RFID chip will provide an immediate warning so that the FOC can remind the referee of their spiritual obligation and, if necessary, contact their spiritual advisors.
Fourth, the Last Call policy will help enforce the lunchroom restrictions on portion size and "seconds." Each time the referee approaches the buffet table, the RFID chip records the referees presence, creating a food record. Referees who eat excessive amounts of food will have the cost of such food deducted, with interest, from their reimbursements. It represents a quantum leap forward from the "PlateMate" policy instituted two years ago, whereby referees were required to share plates to reduce the per-plate fees charged by venue catering.
Finally, this policy will ensure that each referee sleeps in his or her assigned room. Every evening, 15 minutes after last call, the head FOC member will collect RFID locations from each referee. To the extent that a referee is in the wrong room, that referee will be found and placed in his/her proper room or be charged for the unused room. Furthermore, referee locations will be displayed on the in-room television (channel 37 in most cities), providing the competitors, referees and USFA staff with actual information regarding who is sleeping with who, effectively quelling the persistent rumors that abound during fencing competitions.
The USFA expects that the Last Call policy will be seen by the referee community as a great advantage. No longer will they feel compelled to be in someone else's room to consume too much alcohol. No more will they wander through the halls, lost because they forgot their room numbers. No longer will rumors circulate about dalliances between referees - only facts will be known. Also, the USFA, by partnering with THS and the local Convention Bureau, will get a share of the alcohol revenue that previously went to the bartenders in the form of tips.
We encourage each referee to support the Last Call policy...
During the last board meeting, the USFA decided to institute a new "Last Call" policy for referees. This policy was enacted to counteract the sobering trend of alcohol consumption among referees. Under this policy, each referee's room will be checked daily for bottled spirits. Any bottled spirits in a room will be confiscated.
This policy is being implemented for several reasons. First, the USFA, through its relationship with THS, has entered into relationships with hotel bars to ensure that each referee gets the lowest "per shot" price on their well drinks (premium brands, exotic drinks, and "doubles" are excluded). This means that hotels will be more likely to work with the USFA to offer better priced drinks and better well brands for future events.
Second, this policy will help ensure that no referee drinks after "last call." One of the unique aspects of the THS/Hotel relationship is the applicability of local law to referee behavior. No longer will referees have to wonder when the drinking will stop - it will stop at the state-mandated "last call" time.
Third, this policy will enable each referee's alcohol consumption to be monitored by the USFA through the use of embedded RFID chips that will be required for each referee. This will also make Sharon's job easier when she's trying to find a referee - as the RFID chip will instantly provide their location and their total alcohol consumption over the prior 24 hour period. For those referees who shun alcohol, caffeine or pork, the RFID chip will provide an immediate warning so that the FOC can remind the referee of their spiritual obligation and, if necessary, contact their spiritual advisors.
Fourth, the Last Call policy will help enforce the lunchroom restrictions on portion size and "seconds." Each time the referee approaches the buffet table, the RFID chip records the referees presence, creating a food record. Referees who eat excessive amounts of food will have the cost of such food deducted, with interest, from their reimbursements. It represents a quantum leap forward from the "PlateMate" policy instituted two years ago, whereby referees were required to share plates to reduce the per-plate fees charged by venue catering.
Finally, this policy will ensure that each referee sleeps in his or her assigned room. Every evening, 15 minutes after last call, the head FOC member will collect RFID locations from each referee. To the extent that a referee is in the wrong room, that referee will be found and placed in his/her proper room or be charged for the unused room. Furthermore, referee locations will be displayed on the in-room television (channel 37 in most cities), providing the competitors, referees and USFA staff with actual information regarding who is sleeping with who, effectively quelling the persistent rumors that abound during fencing competitions.
The USFA expects that the Last Call policy will be seen by the referee community as a great advantage. No longer will they feel compelled to be in someone else's room to consume too much alcohol. No more will they wander through the halls, lost because they forgot their room numbers. No longer will rumors circulate about dalliances between referees - only facts will be known. Also, the USFA, by partnering with THS and the local Convention Bureau, will get a share of the alcohol revenue that previously went to the bartenders in the form of tips.
We encourage each referee to support the Last Call policy...
Of course this did not happen at the Board of Directors meeting. No, this is another level of wanting to exaggerate a non issue. Gary, do you have nothing more better to do but to now make up things and try to fabricate a lie. I didn't see the "Ha Ha" at the end of your post and of course stating it came from the BOD meeting you think you'll get those here sucked in so you can stick it more to "Stay and Play," which you have also exaggerated. Perhaps you can post exactly where we can find this in the agenda of the BOD Meeting.
Your not being funny by posting on Fencing.net and stating it as something that took place at the BOD Meeting which is absolutely false. You have sunk to a new low.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
Of course this did not happen at the Board of Directors meeting. No, this is another level of wanting to exaggerate a non issue. Gary, do you have nothing more better to do but to now make up things and try to fabricate a lie. I didn't see the "Ha Ha" at the end of your post and of course stating it came from the BOD meeting you think you'll get those here sucked in so you can stick it more to "Stay and Play," which you have also exaggerated. Perhaps you can post exactly where we can find this in the agenda of the BOD Meeting.
Your not being funny by posting on Fencing.net and stating it as something that took place at the BOD Meeting which is absolutely false. You have sunk to a new low.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
C'mon Mark - was my writing that clever that it looked real? Please... have a bit of a sense of humor. Does all satire need a "ha ha" at the end - to chronicle the obvious???? Heck, I even allowed for the Mormon exception on caffeine.
C'mon Mark - was my writing that clever that it looked real? Please... have a bit of a sense of humor.
No Gary, it was not clever. It is annoying that this is what you think you need to do to push another point with your other two threads. If you want to talk about issues but to start a thread as a joke dealing with the actions of the BOD, then I can tell you I don't see it as funny. You are better than that, and I thought better of you.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
No Gary, it was not clever. It is annoying that this is what you think you need to do to push another point with your other two threads. If you want to talk about issues but to start a thread as a joke dealing with the actions of the BOD, then I can tell you I don't see it as funny. You are better than that, and I thought better of you.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
Mark -
If we're going to have this out in public, so be it. Frankly, if an organization (or its board members) takes itself so seriously that it gets that rankled over something that is non-libelous, non-slanderous blatant satire, there is a problem - and it isn't with the satirist. Note that no individual was named (or slandered/libeled), nor was any specific actual policy mentioned.
I'm not quiet about my feelings about Stay and Pay. I think that the trial period/soft launch is a ruse - and I've been very clear about my feelings about that and why. However, the near silence and lack of meaningful response to what were serious and specific questions (both posed publicly and, in more detail privately) supports my assertions that (a) this is a done deal, and (b) it is the intent of the board to force it down the membership's throat without discussion or debate.
However, that is separate and apart from satire - for god's sake, have a bit of a sense of humor. Your sensitivity, however, indicates what many (although not me) have suggested - that the "open communication" policies promised by the new board are clearly not functioning - and the often-criticized imperious nature continues amongst the board and the ED. Only dictators kill satirists. Sometimes, even when the horses are changed, the trail remains the same....
What is clearly obvious is that the ED/board has stepped in it on this one and doesn't know how to respond. Otherwise, like most folks, it could take some reasonably well-written satire (if I may say so myself) with a chuckle - and maybe respond in kind.
Gary M. Zeiss
Chair, Pacific Coast Section (if we need titles)
And, Mark - the dead giveaway should have been the second sentence - "... the sobering trend of alcohol consumption among referees." Do I really need to add a "Ha Ha?"
Let me suggest a healthy does of The Onion (available online or on iTunes via video podcast - thanks edew). Their Taco Bell Green Menu should be a good starting point. Also, their video podcast about Gymnast Shawn Johnson - that one strikes really close to home. Beware, some are "R" rated, but most are pretty funny.
Location: I'm out of time I'm out of time I'm out of time I'
Posts: 1,063
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdstasinos
I didn't see the "Ha Ha" at the end of your post and of course stating it came from the BOD meeting you think you'll get those here sucked in so you can stick it more to "Stay and Play," which you have also exaggerated.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
And on the related note all the Monty Python DVD's will be changed to the World Forum Ha-Ha
Location: I'm out of time I'm out of time I'm out of time I'
Posts: 1,063
Quote:
Originally Posted by flechewounds
I didn't want to use the "T" word - its simply so overused these days...
I did not know 'twas time for the signature change.
IMHO the rioters were not terrorists though - but ignorant, impoverished masses ignited by zealots.
So...
"only the dictators and ignorant masses kill satirists".
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Last edited by Mr.MightyMouse; 07-21-2009 at 10:49 PM..
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
Yes, it was clever and funny. It is also funny but not clever that you felt you needed to reprimand him publicly. Instead of taking offense at a joke, if you want to be serious, you could seriously answer the questions that have been asked seriously. Is this a done deal, no matter what any number of USFA members think of it? If so, who decided this was a good idea to do without taking into consideration any of the problems belabored here? Not who is set up to be the fall guy, but who is actually responsible? Did the Board meet to allow this, or did the new E.D. somehow get away with this? And who is going to take responsibility in what way when the predicted troubles come about?
And most importantly, what happened to the promises made during the campaign about openness and honesty?
Of course this did not happen at the Board of Directors meeting. No, this is another level of wanting to exaggerate a non issue. Gary, do you have nothing more better to do but to now make up things and try to fabricate a lie. I didn't see the "Ha Ha" at the end of your post and of course stating it came from the BOD meeting you think you'll get those here sucked in so you can stick it more to "Stay and Play," which you have also exaggerated. Perhaps you can post exactly where we can find this in the agenda of the BOD Meeting.
Your not being funny by posting on Fencing.net and stating it as something that took place at the BOD Meeting which is absolutely false. You have sunk to a new low.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
I think you either need to take the stick out of your butt, or at least use more lube when you put it there.
In case you are unaware, this is a joke. I don't think you actually have a stick in your anus. It was an attempt at a mildly humorous metaphor to tell you to relax and/or enjoy yourself.
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If you want to be serious, you could seriously answer the questions that have been asked seriously. Is this a done deal, no matter what any number of USFA members think of it? If so, who decided this was a good idea to do without taking into consideration any of the problems belabored here? Not who is set up to be the fall guy, but who is actually responsible? Did the Board meet to allow this, or did the new E.D. somehow get away with this? And who is going to take responsibility in what way when the predicted troubles come about?
And most importantly, what happened to the promises made during the campaign about openness and honesty?
No, this is not a done deal for the fact no contract has been signed. It is still being negotiated. The problems with THS are being discussed and are not being ignored. Again, as I had stated in earlier threads with "Stay and Play," it is a soft rollout if it proceeds. No matter how I state the facts of the program, I am told, in these threads, that is not how it will be therefore I must not know and it makes it difficult to list the information. I have requested for Kurt our E.D. to post all the official information on the US Fencing Website dealing with the "Stay and Play." Tomorrow it shall be up and then you can see what is there instead of speculating what is there. Who is responsible...this has been presented to the EC and the BOD by our National Office and the E.D. as a program to consider.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
No, this is not a done deal for the fact no contract has been signed. It is still being negotiated. The problems with THS are being discussed and are not being ignored. Again, as I had stated in earlier threads with "Stay and Play," it is a soft rollout if it proceeds. No matter how I state the facts of the program, I am told, in these threads, that is not how it will be therefore I must not know and it makes it difficult to list the information. I have requested for Kurt our E.D. to post all the official information on the US Fencing Website dealing with the "Stay and Play." Tomorrow it shall be up and then you can see what is there instead of speculating what is there. Who is responsible...this has been presented to the EC and the BOD by our National Office and the E.D. as a program to consider.
Mark Stasinos
Vice-President
US Fencing Association
The contract draft provided by THS would also be useful for review. The contract is a necessary component of "full information."
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