USA Table Tennis
Board Teleconference Minutes
June 14, 1999

Monday, June 14, 1999:

The meeting connected at 5:00 p.m. MST by Sheri Pittman.

Present(proxy): Jim Butler, Jeff Davis, Diana Gee, Tong Lee, Jimmy McClure, Khoa Nguyen (Sheri Pittman), Sheri Pittman, Barney Reed, Dennis Taylor, Bob Tretheway, Jiing Wang (Sheri Pittman), Acting Executive Director Linda Gleeson, and Corporate Counsel Bart Enoch.

Absent: George Brathwaite

The Board went immediately into Executive Session. All statements in Executive Session are confidential and no minutes are kept.

The Board returned to General Session at 5:30 p.m.

MOTION 1: Due to the absence of the permanent Executive Director and for the immediate purpose of obtaining a Communications Director, I move a standing rule be adopted that relegates personnel responsibilities to the Board in the absence of a permanent Executive Director.

Proposed by Lily Yip; seconded by Bob Tretheway.

Discussion.

MOTION 2: Amend Motion 1 to only relegate responsibility for the Communications Director to the Board.

Proposed by Lily Yip; no second.

Failed for lack of a second.

Discussion of Motion 1 continued. The primary supporting argument was that the by-laws specify that the Executive Director has responsibility for the staff. The by-laws do not specifically state anything about an Acting Executive Director. The primary opposition argument was that the Acting Executive Director holds all the powers of the Executive Director. The outcome of this motion will determine whether the Acting Executive Director is authorized to make hiring and firing decisions.

Failed: 1-10-1

IN FAVOR: LY

OPPOSED: JB, JD, DG, TL, KN, SP, BR, DT, BT, JW

ABSTAIN: JM

MOTION 3: Moved that USATT outsource USATT magazine and the maintenance of the USATT website.

Proposed by Tong Lee; seconded by Barney Reed.

Discussion.

MOTION 4: Moved to amend Motion 3 by adding the words, "on an interim basis until publication of the Nov/Dec 1999 issue of USATT Magazine."

Proposed by Tong Lee; seconded by Barney Reed.

The primary supporting arguments were that keeping the magazine in-house limits the pool of qualified applicants; an examination of the quality of the magazine since the editor position was moved in-house demonstrates a failed policy; and outsourcing the magazine would not impinge on the Board’s desire not to micromanage personnel matters, nor would it subvert the power of the Executive Director to hire and fire HQ staff. The primary argument in opposition was that the Executive Director already has the power to outsource the magazine, and the Board should not tie the incoming Executive Director’s hands by forcing the position to be outsourced.

Failed: 6-6

IN FAVOR: TL, KN, SP, BR, DT, JW

OPPOSED: JB, JD, DG, JM, BT, LY

MOTION 5: Moved that the Executive Director work directly with the President to find a new magazine editor.

Proposed by Barney Reed; seconded by Dennis Taylor.

The primary supporting argument was that this was a compromise to Motion 4, in that it would not require the outsourcing of the magazine, but would provide a formal mechanism for the Board, through its President, to provide input in the decision since the Board is ultimately held accountable for whether or not the magazine comes out on time and whether or not its quality is professional. The primary opposition argument was that the Board should have no role in staffing decisions.

Passed: 8-4

IN FAVOR: DG, TL, JM, KN, SP, BR, DT, JW

OPPOSED: JB, JD, BT, LY

MOTION 6: Moved that the Board direct President Pittman at the conclusion of this meeting to call David Huggins and inform him of actions taken in General Session.

Proposed by Dennis Taylor; seconded by Jim Butler.

The primary supportive argument was that this was a courtesy to a former employee. The primary opposing argument was that it would establish a precedent.

Passed: 11-1

IN FAVOR: JB, DG, TL, JM, KN, SP, BR, BT, DT, JW, LY

OPPOSED: JD

The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

Submitted by Dennis Taylor, Secretary