Wondering how may of you have read the blog, and if you have an opinion?

[Inquartata]

Just to clarify, 2009-2010 is currently forecast to have a $300,000 surplus. We remain underwater, merely $300,000 closer to level ground than at this time last year.

Well, I will take your word for it...but he DID use the word "surplus". Twice, at least. Maybe he was just simplifying, I dunno...

[oiuyt]

Well, I will take your word for it...but he DID use the word "surplus". Twice, at least. Maybe he was just simplifying, I dunno...

Indeed, so did I in the segment you've quoted. Doesn't mean there's money to spend, it means that the revenue exceeded the expenses over the period discussed (2009-2010).

-B

[jfarmer]

Indeed, so did I in the segment you've quoted. Doesn't mean there's money to spend, it means that the revenue exceeded the expenses over the period discussed (2009-2010).

-B

Oh! Just like the government where a tax cut isn't, and a budget reduction means it's growing slower than before?

So the organization is a few dollars ahead this month after paying bills, but still owes megabucks from previous months...

You know, I've been down that road in my personal life and that kind of thinking leads to directly (do not pass go) to fiscal bankruptcy.

[telkanuru]

Oh! Just like the government where a tax cut isn't, and a budget reduction means it's growing slower than before?

So the organization is a few dollars ahead this month after paying bills, but still owes megabucks from previous months...

You know, I've been down that road in my personal life and that kind of thinking leads to directly (do not pass go) to fiscal bankruptcy.

I'm really very sure you have not understood what Brad has posted at all.

[Slacker]

Ok, so I did read the blog. Yes, you have a right to be mad; we all do. BUT- I do think the current administration is trying to dig out from the monstrous sinkhole the USFA has fallen into. As an officer of our division I became aware how widespread (and deep) the problem has become. Refs don't get paid, coaches don't get paid, divisions don't get their dues rebates paid, blah, blah, blah. That seems to be the main aaarrrggg in the blog. The squeaky wheels get the grease, as usual. I will say what I say to my kids: if you want something done right, get involved and do it yourself. If you think a union of referees will work for you, then form it. I don't think there's anything in the by-laws that prevents it. If you want a NAC to succeed financially, local divisions should be there to help. And yes, it goes both ways! The USFA should contact the divisions or regional when setting up NACs, but they don't.

[Mergs]

<snip> The USFA should contact the divisions or regional when setting up NACs, but they don't.

I don't know if this is the case still or not, but in the past they did contact them/work with them, and the divisions and/or sections were the Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), which in essence became slave labor and finacial supporters to the national office. As a result, most LOCs opted out of participating in NACs. Seems that the pendulum is swinging back to the opinion that divisions/sections get involved in the running of national events.

[noodle]

I don't know if this is the case still or not, but in the past they did contact them/work with them, and the divisions and/or sections were the Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), which in essence became slave labor and finacial supporters to the national office. As a result, most LOCs opted out of participating in NACs. Seems that the pendulum is swinging back to the opinion that divisions/sections get involved in the running of national events.

this is still the case, as far as i know. but what can a division do? they're tapped for volunteers and such, but it isn't like they have enough money to be able to push out an actual advertising campaign or anything.

[Inquartata]

Since all Division assets belong to the National Office ( we are told ), they just need to contract for whatever they need and bill the National Office.

[fdad]

Since all Division assets belong to the National Office ( we are told ), they just need to contract for whatever they need and bill the National Office.

I wonder whether a potential short term fix would be to ask the divisions to provide the NO with access to any significant surplus in the Division treasury to be used to pay off the tournament staff. The NO would give the Divisions credit towards future sanctioning fees in return.

[edew]

I don't know if this is the case still or not, but in the past they did contact them/work with them, and the divisions and/or sections were the Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), which in essence became slave labor and finacial supporters to the national office. As a result, most LOCs opted out of participating in NACs. Seems that the pendulum is swinging back to the opinion that divisions/sections get involved in the running of national events.

For the 2008 SN in San Jose, I had fencers from my club and other clubs come to set up the strips and tear down the strips. We did the set up in about 2 hours and similarly for tear down. In return, we got all the USFA water bottles that remained.

It's not likely that USFA will receive any help from any local group in the Bay Area without some explicitly written contract stating some compensation.

[Slacker]

This past spring the Wisconsin division discovered there would be a Youth NAC in Milwaukee, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. We learned of it only because it was posted on the USFA site. It also "happens" to be scheduled the very weekend we have traditionally held our Turkey Meet, a successful Heartland Circuit tournament. I think the move was thoughtless and a bit crass, but we (good-naturedly)rescheduled the date of the Turkey Meet, and we let the USFA know we're available to help with the NAC. We want Milwaukee to be a fencer-friendly experience, and we want repeat performances. After all, it IS about the fencer, isn't it? No, we will not allow ourselves to be abused by the USFA, nor will we be ultimately responsible for everyone's just payment, but we are making a good faith effort. If we "get paid" in water bottles, so be it.

[MBalderson]

This past spring the Wisconsin division discovered there would be a Youth NAC in Milwaukee, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. We learned of it only because it was posted on the USFA site. It also "happens" to be scheduled the very weekend we have traditionally held our Turkey Meet, a successful Heartland Circuit tournament. I think the move was thoughtless and a bit crass, but we (good-naturedly)rescheduled the date of the Turkey Meet, and we let the USFA know we're available to help with the NAC. We want Milwaukee to be a fencer-friendly experience, and we want repeat performances. After all, it IS about the fencer, isn't it? No, we will not allow ourselves to be abused by the USFA, nor will we be ultimately responsible for everyone's just payment, but we are making a good faith effort. If we "get paid" in water bottles, so be it.

Same story, rewind a year, substitute Milwaukee for Virginia Beach.

[edew]

This past spring the Wisconsin division discovered there would be a Youth NAC in Milwaukee, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. We learned of it only because it was posted on the USFA site. It also "happens" to be scheduled the very weekend we have traditionally held our Turkey Meet, a successful Heartland Circuit tournament. I think the move was thoughtless and a bit crass, but we (good-naturedly)rescheduled the date of the Turkey Meet, and we let the USFA know we're available to help with the NAC. We want Milwaukee to be a fencer-friendly experience, and we want repeat performances. After all, it IS about the fencer, isn't it? No, we will not allow ourselves to be abused by the USFA, nor will we be ultimately responsible for everyone's just payment, but we are making a good faith effort. If we "get paid" in water bottles, so be it.

We were, however, verbally hinted to receive $3-6K for the work of setting up and tearing down the strips. Next time, get it in writing.

[Inquartata]

But---you were "volunteers".