Board Meeting - February 14, 2010

[keith]

You're reading it wrong. There's no certification included, just as anyone who currently joins as a "coach competitive" or "coach associate" member is not certified.

I suspect a degree of sarcasm in the original post. Might it not make more sense to bestow the title 'professional' to folks with some other qualification beyond the absence of felony convictions?

[keith]

Any relation to Hangastar?

[heretic]

Amazing what you can do when you don't have a real job

Nice to see the enablers of incompetence (or maybe negligence or just plain garden variety arrogance) out in full force.

I guess there is no need for any transparency or inquiry when it comes to the USFA's finances; as long as good old reliable Gregy is minding the mint. It's a real step up from Derek Cotton.

[telkanuru]

Nice to see the enablers of incompetence (or maybe negligence or just plain garden variety arrogance) out in full force.

I guess there is no need for any transparency or inquiry when it comes to the USFA's finances; as long as good old reliable Gregy is minding the mint. It's a real step up from Derek Cotton.

No, he's certainly stealing millions directly from US fencing. That's totally what's going on.

[Inquartata]

Why steal millions when he could steal...billions?

[hello?]

One has to admit that his behavior does seem kind of suspicious. I know that if were stealing billions of dollars, I'd certainly make a dash for somewhere exotic...like, well, Oklahoma.

[Jason]

It's pretty clear that Eric isn't suggesting that Greg is stealing from the USFA. He's suggesting that Greg is incompetent, negligent, or arrogant.

I certainly don't know if any of those apply to Greg, but those characteristics are far from unheard of in the USFA, and transparency in finances should be a top concern for an organization that has had the kind of troubles the USFA has had.

[oiuyt]

Financial reports through the end of January have been distributed to the Board. I expect them to be posted to the US Fencing website later today.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no plan to request budget variances at the upcoming meeting.

-B

[KShan5[PrFC]]

Financial reports through the end of January have been distributed to the Board. I expect them to be posted to the US Fencing website later today.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no plan to request budget variances at the upcoming meeting.

-B

To the best of your knowledge is there a plan to steal millions of dollars?

[heretic]

Financial reports through the end of January have been distributed to the Board. I expect them to be posted to the US Fencing website later today.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no plan to request budget variances at the upcoming meeting.

-B

Perhaps the distinguished Mr Secretary will post the link.

Oh puh-lease. I would never accuse any of our past or present USFA officers or employees of purloining a million dollars. Bernie Madoff, they ain't. IMO, they are more like the audience that gasps in astonishment as a schlocky magician makes his pretty assistant vanish. And, they claim as much responsibility or understanding of that mysterious act of legerdemain.
In any event, it really doesn't matter. It seems to me that most of our membership is sufficiently oblivious or unconcerned about the "organization's" solvency. So, like I said, job well done, Gregy.

[teacup]

From the agenda:
"1. In review of the National Schedule it was apparent that there were events that were being held that created a consistent deficit. North American Cup C, held in December, has consistently lost money for the past 5 years, up to the tune of $30,000."

- According to the committee chair report, the NAC C had the greatest increase, 32%, of all the NACs. Did it lose money this year?

"It was determined that this calendar month created some very difficult combinations of conflict. First, in the month of December there are only two possible weekends to hold the NAC because of the Christmas Holiday and the semester break. In the past it has come in direct conflict with a Junior World Cup or a Cadet International Event, which have a direct relation to the event for the fact of how many Junior and Cadets fence in the Div. 1 NAC’s."

- Isn't moving the Div I to the October NAC creating more international conflicts? (Not to mention SAT and PSAT weekends.)

International designated events from the calendars:
- ME Oct - Jr/Cdt 2, Dec. - 0
- MF Oct - Jr/Cdt 2, Dec - Jr 1
- MS Oct - Jr/Cdt 2, Dec - 0
- WE Oct - 0, Dec - Cdt 1
- WF Oct - 0, Dec - Jr 1
- WS Oct - Jr/2 cdts 2, Dec - 0*
Total Oct - 9, Dec - 3

*And this is only the first two weeks of October, there are more later in October.

None of these events conflicted with the December NAC in 2009.

It seems to me there are fewer Junior WC conflicts in December. There was only one cadet event in December, WE, which wasn't even in conflict and this was the first year it was designated. And if there are cadet conflicts, with 7 - 9 cadet designated tournaments in the ECC, perhaps other tournaments could be designated. (Do cadets really need three cadet designated events in Europe?)

- Also now that Div I points don't count for cadet Group I points, there is less of an incentive for cadets to go to Div I events anyway, making a conflict between a cadet designated or Div I domestic event less of a concern.

- There are conflicting Senior epee world cups in January, what about those conflicts?

"In addition, Universities and Colleges are giving or preparing to give Semester finals, which has impacted our numbers as well. As a result it was determined that the calendar should be adjusted to eliminate the December date and relocate the events."

- An October NAC may conflict with mid term exams

- There are high schools and universities with finals in January. Should the January NAC be moved to accommodate these fencers?

- (there is no perfect date which doesn't conflict with someone's exams)

Anyway, I am not commenting about whether there should or shouldn't be a December NAC, just wondering about the reasons presented in the agenda as why not to have one in December.

If the goal is to not lose money, then something right was done this season. To give cadets more of an incentive to attend Div I events, return to awarding group II points to cadets for Div I placement and/or have fewer international cadet designated events. For more revenue, maybe add additional events, veteran team, Div II or cadet individual events, instead of adding cadet events to the January NAC.

If the goal is to not conflict with junior world cups, then moving the Div I to October would conflict with a greater number of junior world cups.

If the goal is to not conflict with cadet European events, then designate some of the other ECC events, fewer or start a domestic cadet circuit which awards domestic points.

If the goal is to not conflict with exams or the holidays, then consider the last weekend in November or the first weekend in December. But NAC D still conflicts with those who have exams in January or SATs in October/November/December.

But if the goal is to run one fewer NAC then cancel one and just state that as the reason.

[oiuyt]

From the agenda:
"1. In review of the National Schedule it was apparent that there were events that were being held that created a consistent deficit. North American Cup C, held in December, has consistently lost money for the past 5 years, up to the tune of $30,000."

- According to the committee chair report, the NAC C had the greatest increase, 32%, of all the NACs. Did it lose money this year?

It had a surplus of about $29,000 this season.

-B

[schlager7]

I am having a problem pulling up the agenda link now.

[oiuyt]

I am having a problem pulling up the agenda link now.

The agenda was updated to version 2, which broke the old link.

I've updated the link and added links to the financial reports and draft Bylaws to the OP.

-B

[hello?]

It had a surplus of about $29,000 this season.

-B

The NAC that was eliminated because it lost money made money? Seriously?

[telkanuru]

The agenda was updated to version 2, which broke the old link.

I've updated the link and added links to the financial reports and draft Bylaws to the OP.

-B

Brad, you know you ruin perfectly good slander when you post useful information.

[tchwojko]

Brad, you know you ruin perfectly good slander when you post useful information.

Does it count if he tosses it into the cesspool?

[Capt. Slo-mo]

No, but it splashes up into the face of those who lean too close while gazing deeply into the cesspool.

[fdad]

Motion #8 refers to the YDC as a group with oversight responsibility. Why has the YDC not provided a report for the past few meetings?

[keith]

Motion #8 refers to the YDC as a group with oversight responsibility. Why has the YDC not provided a report for the past few meetings?

Because they are wonderful people doing the best job they possibly can?