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Post by osaycanusoc on Jan 31, 2013 11:44:48 GMT -8
I am glad to hear that there doesn't seem to be a racist motivation. Your rationale makes sense and, it does seem quite plausible this was just a poor case of handling a people situation by those officials who were on site and those giving them direction from afar. History and logic do seem to support that vs racism. Also, speaking from firsthand experience, it can be easier to communicate with parents from a background where English may not be their primary language in person, in a face to face meeting. Again, not excusing any poor treatment here if there was such, and, history says there are a whole bunch of paid staff, elected officials, volunteer officials and others within USS who need to get some real people skills, like yesterday! - but it may have been easier to communicate on the phone with the Canadian parents and try to resolve the issues. Again, lot of assumptions here and I wasn't there in person, just trying to offer some relevant experience.
My questions are:
1) If Sally Chea competed last year and indeed did make it all the way to Jr Worlds, how did she do that? Did she file the right paperwork last year, and just not remember to do it this year? Or, did she not file any paperwork last year and those in charge at USS just looked the other way or perhaps did not know they needed to file such paperwork and therefore we in violation with the ISU last year?
2) Why would her coach not be aware of the rules and be able to advise her and her parents of the requirements well in advance?
I could see some of the other, less experienced skaters and parents struggle with this problem, but not her.
Ideas?
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Post by Joyce on Jan 31, 2013 12:53:06 GMT -8
I don't think people in the know went for the "racist" allegation, we all went straight to USS "Incompetence" as the sure bet!
As young teens - not sure how involved these skaters are with the "red tape" aspect of racing, their parents and coaches probably try to relieve them of that burden. Probably just glad that these kids can fit training, recovery, socialization and school work in on a daily basis - much less address elegibility, registration and clearance issues for their competitions. Sally may have figured her paper work was all in order last year and would not have to repeat "clearance" issues each and every year if her status remained unchanged.
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Post by osaycanusoc on Jan 31, 2013 13:01:49 GMT -8
I have another question or two...
I understand that Tim Bostley was present at the meet as a referee. Tim Bostley is a USS Board Member, and, he is also listed as a Co-Chair of the Short Track Committee.
Now, I have to first ask how you let a board member be a meet official at a US Championships, whether it is as a ref, starter, competitor steward or anyone else in a position to interpret and execute the rules and impact team selection. Who holds officials accountable and ensures integrity of the game and the organization? How do you not influence staff trying to do their job at a meet when you are in an official position and a USS board member at the same time? How do you not influence skaters when you have a threat of DQing them or otherwise affecting their performance in the meet? It is the Board, and, the Committees. How does a board and committee chair hold themself accountable? And, even if they had the highest amount of personal integrity, how do you not attempt to avoid even the appearance of potential conflicts of interest and impropriety? How warped is it we have board members acting in positions of conflict of interest?
Second, what's done is done, OK, and Mr. Director ST Chairman Referee Bostley is present at the meet. How do you have the confusion and conflict that you did there? Is this person not in a leadership position in multiple ways? A ref should know the ISU rules and the USS rules. The ST Comm Chair certainly should also know the ISU and USS rules because that committee writes the rules and decides how they are applied in the US, and is responsible for the performance of the ST program. A director should have the ability to consult other directors and the exec director and be a trusted and informed leader and resource "on the ground" communicating with the other officials, staff, and competitors. There are official's meetings, coaches meetings, and athlete meetings at such competitions and plenty of time to have a dialogue over the issues and anything that needs clarification.
If you are going to violate common sense rules of conflict of interest, then at least the person that is there violating good principles and practices should step up and use all those positions of authority to keep such a series of mistakes from happening. I think Mr. Bostley has some questions to answer, though at this point, he may not want to.
My understanding is that USS has been pushing decision-making authority down to the committee and staff levels in an effort to empower and decentralize decision making and be more responsive. Perhaps the staff and the committees are not experienced enough or have the skills or motivation to handle such responsibility? Or perhaps politics and internal battles among the board members with each other, or, current and former staff is complicating operations?
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 31, 2013 13:57:30 GMT -8
My questions are: 1) If Sally Chea competed last year and indeed did make it all the way to Jr Worlds, how did she do that? Did she file the right paperwork last year, and just not remember to do it this year? Or, did she not file any paperwork last year and those in charge at USS just looked the other way or perhaps did not know they needed to file such paperwork and therefore we in violation with the ISU last year? 2) Why would her coach not be aware of the rules and be able to advise her and her parents of the requirements well in advance? I could see some of the other, less experienced skaters and parents struggle with this problem, but not her. Ideas? Sally did compete last year - and if USS' blame-throwing is to be believed, the problem lies with new staff turnover that was not familiar with eligibility rules, and Sally is not at fault. However, those in her camp may have erroneously trusted that because the process was seamless last year, there was nothing to be concerned about this year - and they didn't audit the process in a timely manner.
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Post by osaycanusoc on Jan 31, 2013 14:19:47 GMT -8
Those are good observations. It would be good to learn more about how the process worked last year, timeline, who was in charge, what steps were taken and by whom, which athletes were identified to be put through it, was the info widely published or selectively disseminated, did the ISU get any paperwork from USS... maybe there are other questions too? How did the process differ this year, how was the decision arrived at on how to proceed, and when, and by whom?
I think it would help all the way around to study what happened last year and compare it to this year if we are to learn from this as well as show everyone we're serious about correcting things and helping the athletes.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 31, 2013 14:41:05 GMT -8
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Post by osaycanusoc on Jan 31, 2013 14:43:41 GMT -8
Seamless indeed is an interesting word. The peak of efficient performance! How did the process go from seamless to non-existant? How did it differ? Last year, who from the short track program that is no longer here was involved in the seamless process? There may be others, from what I can see, Jack Mortell is no longer here, nor is Jae Su or Jun the coaches, nor is Chris Weaver the program manager, and Andy Gabel is no longer head of the USS ST committee. Is there anyone else gone? Who is still here? It looks like Tricia Stennes is still here from last year per the staff list and Andy Gabel is still the Chair of the ISU ST Technical Committee like he was last year. Others? New on the scene? We have a much smaller staff now, I only see Guy Thibault as an addition to the ST side. Ryan Leveille is very new, and is working on events. Tim Bostley and Rusty Smith are Co-chairs of the USS ST Comm replacing Gabel. Gabel is still at the ISU. I'm not sure if Sally's coach is the same as last year. Where does Bryce Holbech fit in as High Performance Sport Director? Does he have any job understanding and applying ISU rules to the ST and LT programs and seeing that things are running well, especially when there is turnover or a reduction in staff below?
It would be good to get a statement from USS so we could all understand what happened. Perhaps they can call in White and Case and their crackerjack investigative team to do an impartial, objective investigation and report back to us on the findings?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 15:11:21 GMT -8
Agree with Joyce. I have never seen any activity at USS that would lead me down the "race" road. Incompetence at USS, now that's another road, more well traveled, IMO.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 31, 2013 15:17:57 GMT -8
Well, we wanted change, didn't we? As for the finger-pointing by Tamara Castellano... I'm not ready to give the USS 'newbies' an indictment on this - nor am I willing to give them a pass. But at the same time, there are enough people from the PTB who remain on board that somebody should and could have been on top of this.
I'm so torn with my happiness for those who made the team - and my sadness for Sally and the others, who deserved their shot.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 15:33:45 GMT -8
...additionally, the 4 year cycle of who is "in" and who is "out" at USS needs to end. Just about the time the skaters and their families are familiar with names and faces, USS cleans house and starts all over again. The idea of many of the positions being held for 4 years, and cycling out following the Olympics is not a good business model.
The positions should overlap in a 2 and 4 year cycle so there is some continuity and experience on the board. Those who might be trying to improve and effect changes at USS, must act swiftly before the 4 year cycle runs its course.
The current make up of the board is disconcerting to me. Just as the US skaters represent a cross-section of America, so should the board. If there are team members who speak English as a 2nd language, one would think it would be incumbent upon the board to have a dual-language board member who can communicate with 2nd language speaking coaches and skaters.
I appreciate the conversation here and those participating. It seems we have viable questions that USS should take to heart. We, as fans, have many ideas to share, most of which are just common sense that USS should give consideration.
I guess the future of USS will let us know if they are going to be forward thinking, or stay mired down in their past. I wish them well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 15:47:08 GMT -8
FYI per the USS website 9 of the 12 Board Members' terms end in 2014. Basically leaving only Player Reps in position for 2016. The USS Staff has 18 employees. There are 13 committee members. Within those committees, there are a myriad of "others". Many are pulling double duty within USS. Then of course there is USOC itself with it's group of leaders who are charged with promoting the Olympics within the U.S. and the World. If you would live to meet them go to: www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOC/Organization/Board-of-Directors.aspxI don't know about you guys, but this whole structure seems a little top-heavy on the administrative side.
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Post by mtnme on Jan 31, 2013 18:57:13 GMT -8
I don't know about you guys, but this whole structure seems a little top-heavy on the administrative side. RE: Non profits. Aren't they always? The idea of these entities is to fund and support the people they're supposed to be helping. More often than not, the powers that be are just helping themselves. First class jet setting around, world class accommodations, expensive meals out, tax exempt status...we've all seen the news stories on the abuses and how little ever trickles down to those that the non profit is supposed to be for. Like I've said before, it's just like our school systems. All administration and politics, while your kids have to share text books. Teachers buy class supplies out of their own pockets. As for USS, I didn't 'go there' on the race card... I immediately jumped to 'dumber than dirt'. Which is really what is so annoying about the bloated administration. It wouldn't be anywhere near as irritating if they could just get the job done. That many people and it's still a 5 star cluster f***. What are they supposedly getting paid for? Which comes back to your previous point Gasp. You're right, dumb business model. Who runs any sort of business and hires people with the assumption and expectation that the entire staff is going to jump ship or get tossed overboard within 4 years, often less. Here's a thought. Hire competent professionals, pay them decently, and hire them with the expectation that they're working there for the long haul, not just a couple of years. I'll be willing to bet the board of directors don't want this. They want yes men they can control, manipulate and boot out every couple of years. They're only thinking of themselves, not the athletes and not the sport.
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Post by Joyce on Jan 31, 2013 19:38:58 GMT -8
Not sure how much blame I would attribute to the "newbie"/ 4yr transition theory, especially since we are in the last year of that quadrennial. For an institution long based on a 4yr changeover - established protocols, manuals, website based programs for policy and procedure should be in effect with updates by each 4yr team. A simple protocol of overlapping crucial jobs for 1 month so the person leaving can orient the new person is a no-brainer ( I realize there are budgetary probs in paying 2 salaries for 1 month but that would be negated by the efficiency achieved). Hiring practices should ensure that the new person has a resume that fulfills the job description. There should be no reason why a smooth transition cannot occur with no deficits in service. All the NGB's have 4yr turnovers - do they all suffer the ills of USS? Sorry, but what they do ( or supposed to do ) is not rocket science - it is basic sports administration.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 31, 2013 20:09:15 GMT -8
Excellent analysis, mtnme. Like you, I can't go there on the race card. IMO, it's an unnecessary 'insurance policy' in what is otherwise a bulletproof case of incompetence. I hope it doesn't become that 'bright, shiny object' that diverts attention from the true problem. As for 'yes-men' - I tend to agree. However, maybe we're starting to see what happens when a 'yes-man' embraces the role a bit too much and survives his keepers...
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Post by sailboater on Feb 6, 2013 18:38:49 GMT -8
Did they ever name a team?
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