President's Report

Nov/Dec 2006

By Sheri Soderberg Pittman

USATT is currently conducting an election to fulfill the following positions: Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and two Vice Presidents.  The election was delayed this year because the Board was in the process of considering a sweeping proposal that the USOC had previously forwarded to all national governing bodies of Olympic sports.  Sharing with you some of the philosophical and technical concerns will be the gist of this issue’s “association primer series.”

I believe that most Board members are amenable to adopting the general concepts that the USOC has outlined.  There are a number of technical amendments needed to bring the document into conformity with our systems and procedures.  Additionally, there are some philosophical issues to consider.  This being an election year, a few Board members wanted to see an immediate dissolution of the Board. 

The Board considered a motion and rejected it, as follows:

As you can see from above, I voted against the motion, as did a majority of the Board.  I won’t presume to speak for the other Board members.  I will, however, share with you my primary reasons for voting against the motion.  First, I believe that disbanding the Board immediately would cause a great deal of chaos and disruption to the organization.  USATT currently has a number of contractual and business relationships; when I contacted those entities to discuss what would have amounted to my immediate resignation, it was not well-received.  Additionally, USATT is in the process of putting together a state association network, and that network will likely figure into future elections.  It’s expected to be in place well before USATT’s next election cycle.  USATT is also pursuing certain other quadrennial priorities and a clean sweep of the Board would disrupt the progress being made on those initiatives.  Finally, individuals who were elected should serve out their terms according to the wishes expressed by the membership in 2004.  Also, during my tenure as president, the Board had agreed, and so it became an established protocol, that in times of reform, terms of elected Board members would be respected. 

Looking at the motion itself, there were three elements.  In fact, I disagree with the premise of each of the three points. 

On the first point, I will quote some of the feedback USATT received in August from Eric Parthen, the USOC’s Director of NGB Development. 

·        Regarding the immediate disbanding of the Board:  “The current Board should not disband until the new governance model is in place.” 

·        Regarding a phased-in transition:  “What’s most important is the process, and keeping members informed.  If it takes two years to get all of the elements implemented, then it’s something you should consider to ensure USATT’s governance is as strong as it can be.  There are advantages to ‘clean sweep transition’ (new ideas, Board can develop its own identity, etc.) and there are advantages to a phased-in transition (retain some institutional knowledge, etc.).  The Board should discuss and decide what is best for the organization.” 

·        On a “clean sweep” Board installation:  “See above.  This is the way the USOC prefers the reform but as previously stated, there are advantages to both and the Board should discuss.”  

So I don’t agree that “an entirely new USATT Board be elected in 2006 based upon the recommendations of the USOC” is an accurate reflection of the feedback USATT received from the USOC. 

The second point contained three ideas, 1) that the position of the president be eliminated and replaced simply by a Chairman of the Board (a USOC proposal); 2) that this position should be selected by the Board members and not the membership (a USOC proposal); and 3) that only one of the Independent Members could be selected (not within the USOC proposal).  I believe that USATT members, who overwhelmingly supported the right of the membership to elect their leader of the Board in an election some years ago, should be apprised of the proposal and given a fair opportunity to provide feedback.  Also, I don’t agree that only “Independent Directors” should be eligible to serve as the Chairman of the Board. 

Finally, on the third point, I don’t believe that anyone should ever be “automatically” re-nominated.  In fact, one of the most significant USOC Bylaw proposals would ensure more suitable and qualified Board members through an independent Nominating and Governance Committee that would be charged with finding, vetting and selecting candidates who possess specified attributes and qualifications to be a Board member.  And this aspect of the motion did not follow the USOC’s excellent recommendation.

In the end, with the defeat of the motion and the passage of time, it became clear that there was only one way forward and that was to adhere as closely as possible to the provisions in our current Bylaws for the 2006 election.

As this magazine issue goes to press, the Board is voting on a couple of technical matters: 1) new language pertaining to logistics for the 2006 election and 2) a proposed 2-year length of office for those elected in 2006 in order to clear the way for a “clean sweep” Board installation in 2008.  

Please take the time to participate in the election process.  It’s one method, but not the only way, of communicating.  To quote again from Eric Parthen, “While USATT’s members don’t necessarily have to approve the reform, they are the backbone of the association and it’s important to get their input, keep them informed, and engage them to be contributing members of your NGB.”

I look forward to moving ahead with USATT’s initiatives and Bylaws reform in accordance with USOC recommendations, membership feedback, and Board participation.  

As always, I want to close with a note of appreciation to all of USATT’s staff and volunteers.  I especially want to acknowledge Treasurer Tong Lee; I believe he is the only incumbent not seeking re-election .  USATT is looking for regional coordinators for USATT’s Team League.  Additional details for these openings are contained in this issue.  Please consider getting more involved in USATT!