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Post by Laura (Lori) on May 28, 2013 12:31:22 GMT -8
Keep your eye on the USISA Charitable Fund, c/o Brian Wanek, 100 North Tampa Street Ste 2700, Tampa, FL 33602, Tax ID# 43-1390251, phone # 810-642-5843. Officers and directors: Steve Cohen, President; Terry McDermott, Vice President; Jeff Fitzrandolph, Secretary; Brian Wanek, Treasurer; Beth Bedford, Director. (source: IRS Form 990 tax returns from As of 8/31/2012, it had assets of $2,870,129. Of this amount, $2,355,457 was in investments, the rest, $339,672 + $175,000 was in the form of loans receivable from US Speedskating. If USS starts running in the black, make sure it is not just bookkeeping tricks such as forgiveness of debt, or, outright transfers of cash from the this trust to USS. That would be financial sleight of hand and not true operational and financial improvement being achieved. Joyce's crack about robbing a bank isn't all that far-fetched, this would be the likely bank. Not sure how tight security is.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 6, 2013 21:39:29 GMT -8
I'm incredibly annoyed with USS again. I'm not going to elaborate now, but check out this post from their Facebook page (posted on July 3) and see if you can guess why I'm on the warpath. (Be sure to 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road' to collect all the necessary clues...) And let me make it clear upfront that the generosity of the 2 organizations, In The Event and Main Event Catering is MUCH appreciated - what I'm upset about has nothing to do with the good and giving heart that they are showing to these very deserving athletes! From USS' Facebook Page: US SpeedskatingWednesday near Salt Lake City, UT As a result of an incredibly generous offer from Salt Lake City-based companies In The Event and Main Event Catering, US Speedskating athletes will get a daily lunch program for the entire month of August. Help us match the generosity of these local supporters by donating to the Athlete-Meal-A-Day Program. You donation will provide lunch for our Olympic hopefuls for months to come as they train to represent the U.S. at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.www.facebook.com/USSpeedskating?sk=app_131146336931100&app_data...and when you get to the above link - click on the red "Make a Donation" button and you'll see what I'm talkin' about. No worries, you won't be committed to a donation by visiting the page...
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Post by mtnme on Jul 7, 2013 16:23:56 GMT -8
If your reason for annoyance is the same as mine was when I saw that post... My brain was IMMEDIATELY screaming, "Ten bucks says USS is trying to get beaucoupe dinero in donations, and the 'lunch' the skaters will get out of it in return (if they're lucky) is a small plate of 'beanie weenies". ...in which case, all I have to say is that great minds (or cynical ones) think alike. Geez, exactly how much more bs is this entity capable of shoveling with absolutely no shame? ...and ahem, the donations made were from the folks who work for USS. Is this coming out of their personal pockets or subtracted from the monies in USS coffers? We've said it before, but I'll say it again. Give money directly to the skaters. You want to buy them lunch or a nutritious meal? Send them a gift card to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. ...and with that last remark, we might be onto something here...
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 9, 2013 11:55:05 GMT -8
mtnme - you got it. Are we feeding the skaters, or are we feeding The Beast???A question was posed on USS' Facebook Page after they started soliciting donations for the Athlete-Meal-A-Day Program via a newly-created GoFundMe account: Can USS please elaborate on what steps are in place so that the public can derive full confidence that the "skaters" are the full beneficiaries of all the funding? Their answer: ...thanks for your question about funds for USS athletes. All of the funds being raised for the meal program are going into a separate account that is not linked to anything else and 100% of what is raised will go to lunches; there are no admin costs. We plan to extend the program for as long as possible.Unfortunately, this appears to be yet another example of 'bait & switch' - misleading at best, fraud at worst. And here's why:If you follow the links for the AMAD Program, you will ultimately land on the new GoFundMe account. On July 4, when I first went through this process, the GFM account duplicated the 'pitch' for the AMAD Program. Sounded good - I was beginning to believe in the integrity of the process...
However, within 24 hours, the 'pitch' changed. The GFM home page now promotes a general "Support USS" message. On Saturday, an article came out about the difficulties of funding for ST athletes, featuring long track skater Patrick Meek: Cost of Becoming an Olympic Athletewww.kutv.com/news/features/local/stories/vid_4315.shtmlNote that there's not a single mention in this article about the AMAD Program, but there IS a donation link: If you want to help with funds for the U.S. Speedskating team you can go to gofundme.com/usspeedskating. And guess what? It goes to the same GoFundMe account that is (supposedly) earmarked for the AMAD Program!My question (and confusion) is this: If they're now using this GoFundMe account as a source for all donations, how can they possibly fulfill their promise to put the AMAD Program donations into a separate account? I.e., is Mary Smith from Kansas expected to know that she must state in a comment with her donation that she wishes it to go to the AMAD Program? What person in John. Q. Public is gonna know to do that? It would seem that in the absence of that stipulation, USS is free to administer those funds in any way they see fit. IMO, after Emily Scott's GoFundMe success, USS saw an opportunity to capitalize on it - and the original AMAD Program pitch was simply a back-door way for USS to ultimately 'elbow in' on the only relatively successful avenue that the skaters have found that helps relieve their financial burdens, such as GoFundMe and other crowd-funding options. The only thing I've been able to gather is that the only living stipends that the skaters receive are 'trickle-down' from a decreasing USOC supply - and USS seems more than willing to take credit for it in their own fundraising efforts. In reality, NO funds donated directly to USS go to the skaters to relieve their daily financial burdens, by their own admission: ------------ Sept 17, 2012 - From Media Q & A regarding skater grievance against Coach Jae Su Chun & USS… Source: Tamara Castellano Q: Has US Speedskating pulled funding from the athletes in the grievance?
A: No, US Speedskating does not provide any athlete with direct funding. There are benefits associated with skating for a National Racing Program, such as payment of coaching fees, some meals, etc, but we have not pulled, nor are we currently able to provide direct athlete support.
-------------
I'm always asking people (from various perspectives) if the above policy has miraculously changed, and the answer is always "no". Note that USA is pretty much the only country in the world that funds its Olympic athletes entirely by sponsorships and private donations. The people you are cheering for every 4 years have to balance full-time training with part-time jobs that cannot possibly fund the tremendous cost of that full-time training - while at the same time competing against the rest of the world that (generally) fully funds their elite sports programs via governmental sources.
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Post by mtnme on Jul 9, 2013 15:05:26 GMT -8
...in other words, exactly as I suspected, the skaters will be lucky to get a plate of beanie weenies...
My bigger question is 'What is the cost of these meals?'- and I'll bet it's hefty. The money supposedly raised for this purpose would go a lot further if that money was taken to a grocery store instead of a catered meal. Not that I think for a second that the money raised by USS is actually going to go to meals of any sort. As you pointed out, it's the same link as the rest of USS's fundraising efforts.
I'm with you on this one though. The skaters finally find some sort of avenue for raising much needed money through 'go fund me', and USS is there to swoop in and grab whatever they can right out of the skater's hands - while yet again - not using the funds to actually help the skaters but for more 'feeding of the beast'. All while misleading the public as to how their donation actually helps the athletes...which is not much at all.
To USS: NOT A BRASS FARTHING!
To the skaters: Whatever I can...(and my intentions are not being helped by my car deciding to p00p out today, thus requiring an expensive tow and repair. Phooey! Just when you think you can see some light at the end of the tunnel...*heavy sigh*)
EDIT: And let's not forget another caveat of these supposed USS meals. USS will decide on which handful of athletes will get them and deny them to any skater who currently isn't in their good graces...as has happened time and time again. Especially denying any skater that has chosen to walk away from the official nat'l skate program and train with others.
Between the SLI and APTE contingency, that would be just about ALL of the past Olympians and most of the present Olympic contenders who would be denied their little plate of beanie weenies, making the recipients of this supposed foodie largesse going to a handful of skaters who actually might have a shot at getting on the team.
And maybe that's the plan...
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Post by been there on Jul 10, 2013 9:16:48 GMT -8
Just got back from a beach vacation, I started by reading last year’s trashy novels and progressed to serious economic works. I ended the vacation by reading the book What Money Can’t Buy, The Moral Limits of Markets by Michael J. Sandel. The book had me thinking about the market decisions a typical family of four would have to make for a vacation to this island. This place happens to be a favorite of east coast politicians but they probably didn’t pay the $170 for the round trip ferry ticket. Think about it, would a typical family of four rather spend that kind of money on a ferry ride or a day at Great America.
For the opportunity to see the bridge where Mary Jo took her last dive escorted by Ted costs an additional $16 for the Chappy ferry. No mention as to the significance of the bridge, access to the beach on the other side of the bridge is free, if you are a member. If you don’t ask me about my membership status then I don’t have to tell. Trust me; it is a really nice beach, nothing like the pictures of Sochi’s. The farce about this island is the boasting regarding being environmentally sensitive because it is accomplished by being economically restrictive.
Applying the book to USS, the book would ask the question is it really a free lunch if USS has to say who are the donors of the lunch. Basically, USS sold the naming rights to “lunch” and the donors get to put their name on it. Can the original two donors claim a benefit with the donation request now posted on gofundme? With short trackers training at SLI, in the DC area and in SoCal who is really benefiting from this lunch? Can JR and Lana express yumminess when asked about the free lunch. If it is really about the athletes, there are ways to provide lunches at these other locations too. I had a 4g connection on the beach. I am looking forward to the Facebook posts and tweets and then I shall see who ate the lunch. My expectation is to see NRP members and long trackers exceeding their daily dietary requirements.
I do find the gofundme posts entertaining. Do the math; Emily Scott is over 100 times more effective at raising cash at gofundme than USS. The daily giving rate to Emily Scott is $794.67 and to USS it is $7.13. In my calculations, I considered Tammy’s and Mike’s contributions the same as seed money in the tip jar at Starbucks. Really, only a quarter k from the man sent by the USOC to turn things around! May be the USOC needs to apply for food stamps or get a job. It worked for Emily. Can we have a count-down meter as to the second when USS surpasses Emily Scott? “What, me worry?”
How the athletes are funded makes this sport economically restrictive, the same as an island. Filing grievances makes the sport even more economically restrictive too. The legal fees had to be paid somehow. In the end we have to respect the athletes that didn’t do it by filing grievances or by taking USS stipends. The book explains when it is done for the money then love for the sport is sacrificed and the athlete has exceeded the moral limit.
I didn’t see the book Fifty Shades of USS at The Coop. What USS needs to figure out is how to provide thrills to a typical family of four, so that they don’t go to Great America. How about placing some thrill in this forum by hosting a fantasy short track league?
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 10, 2013 21:35:43 GMT -8
I just got a note today from a friend who noticed that USS has now gone back to their original 'pitch' on the GoFundMe account - now it is (once again) all about the Athlete-Meal-A-Day Program. I'll call that a good thing - for now.... Welcome back, been there. Good food for thought, as always. As you and mtnme both mentioned, I do wonder who the recipients of the lunch program will be (at least on the ST side). Will the younger skaters on the F.A.S.T. team also be included? Regarding your comment, "Basically, USS sold the naming rights to “lunch” and the donors get to put their name on it. Can the original two donors claim a benefit with the donation request now posted on gofundme?"
My understanding is that the 2 companies mentioned are donating the meals for the month of August, and I'm sure they'll be better than Beanie Weenies... - the GoFundMe campaign is so that USS can continue the program beyond August. As for a fantasy ST league, I'm afraid all my fantasies with regard to this sport are pretty much busted...
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Post by Joyce on Jul 11, 2013 5:18:21 GMT -8
Fact: there are no easy solutions here. As Sochi approaches, so will the plethora of Olympic athlete stories - and each one of them deserves our support. I wish them all the "Emily" success. I am delighted for Emily, but cannot deny that she was the recipient of a big dose of incredible "luck". She had all the elements of need that would appeal to the general populace and was blessed with a reporter looking for his "hook", it was published in a national paper reaching a huge cross-section, and placement on the front page captured greater attention. While her story was unique, it was also common - but she was at the right place at the right time. It will be near impossible for others to duplicate this.
There is not a social institution without funding issues ( except for Harvard - their endowments can support many countries), but it is difficult to be sympathetic to an institution who for decades engaged in fiscal irresponsibility, poor management, poor policies and favoritism. We are seeing the end results of those policies, and unfortunately they impact on our athletes. The response to the USS GFM acct thus far is embarrassing, but deservedly so.
Michelle - agree with you that while I am happy that the athletes' nutritional needs are addressed, funding for continued "catering" did not resonate with me. I like the Whole Food/Trader Joe gift card idea as more bang for your buck! Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are very socially conscious and would probably donate gift cards. We really have not seen any creative or fresh ideas from the new and improved USS - maybe it is the summer hiatus.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 11, 2013 15:20:23 GMT -8
Here is a follow-up of sorts from USA Today - a bit about Emily's GoFundMe success, and info about other Olympic hopefuls who are in the same position: Crowd-funding helps athletes chase Olympic dreamsKelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports 10:02 p.m. EDT July 8, 2013 Crowd-funding in the Olympic world drew attention last week when speedskater Emily Scott raised nearly $48,000 in less than seven days after USA TODAY Sports published a story of her struggles. Scott's hardship isn't unique, as many athletes look for ways to make ends meet while training for the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, in seven months. Read It All: www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2013/07/08/olympic-hopefuls-crowd-funding-sochi/2500835/
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 12, 2013 9:47:58 GMT -8
USS' GoFundMe Page is GONE. EDIT: I got a 'heads-up' that it was gone, and even the link posted on USS' Facebook Page was resulting in an error message earlier today. Maybe they were just doing maintenance... I wanted to share something with you. It's gutsy and heartfelt, and I asked permission to re-post it. Joey Lindsey made the following comment on Facebook yesterday: Just a heads up. I'm officially starting a DON'T fund me page. Do not help me. The only people that have actually cared to support me are my family and friends. (I'm sure most skaters can relate to this)
I've dedicated my whole life to this sport just because I simply love to do it. Otherwise I would have found a much more lucrative profession, or pretty much anything else to do besides Speedskating.
So here I am, fractured back, broke, and out of shape, but I really don't care because these are the last moments in my life I get to enjoy skating. After this next season I will move on to something new so I will not need to ask for help from gracious fans/friends/family. So don't fund me!
Instead there are lots of other top level athletes that you can go fund!
Like Kyle Carr www.gofundme.com/kylecarr
Kyle Uyehara www.gofundme.com/37yob8
Landon Hatfield www.gofundme.com/wwwlandonhatfieldcom
These are only a couple of the many skaters looking for support.
Also. I have NO IDEA why, but US Speedskating has a go fund me page. www.gofundme.com/usspeedskating
I guess it's to help the skaters but if they aren't really funding skaters then why are dipping their fingers in one of the only outlets for skater to get some support?
Make the right decision and fund those skaters that really need it!
P.S. don't fund me.
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Post by osaycanusoc on Jul 12, 2013 10:50:34 GMT -8
Thank you Joey for a refreshing dose of honesty and heartfelt expression for your love of the sport. All the best to you!
Mike Plant, thank you for your personal generosity of $250, but, if you were being honest too, you would admit this is a cheesy 'me-too' cheap knock off of a good idea that, as Joey says, is one of the only outlets skaters have to raise funds because YOUR organization that you are the leader of continues to FAIL in doing its job. People have been hoping to see you succeed, but as time moves along, it seems like you are more 'sizzle' than 'steak'. Too devoid of original fundraising ideas, you have to dip into the turf and piggyback once again on the athletes who are the real providers of labor, initiative, and creativity in this organization as well as the real takers of risk. Your 15 minutes of fame are almost up, and then you can devote 100% of your time to making sure there are enough buns to go with the hot dogs in the Braves stadium and solving all those other challenging operations functions of your day job.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 16, 2013 14:01:41 GMT -8
Here's an even better article about the 'Crowd-funding' phenomenon, with quotes from Chris Creveling and Emily Scott - as well as long track skaters Patrick Meek & Brittany Bowe: Olympic hopefuls crowd-fund to make it to SochiScott Stump / Today.com / July 15, 2013 at 9:47 AM ET "...people can feel like they’re part of our story,’’ said Meek, who also works part-time as a valet at a hotel in Park City, Utah. “I think that’s something fans today relish. You don’t have to spend $10,000 on season tickets. You can spend a little on an athlete and feel like you’re part of the journey. It breaks down the barrier between the athletes and the fans and creates a real connection.”
Chris Creveling, who is the top-ranked U.S. male speedskater in the world, has raised $5,500 on his GoFundMe page toward his goal of $35,000. He sends autographed pictures to donors and will even visit them personally, depending on the size of the donation and his schedule. The sites also provide an easy way for supporters from athletes' hometowns to help out while they are living far from home at USOC Training Centers across the country.
“It’s incredible when you get people saying, ‘I skated with you growing up; here’s a donation,’’’ Creveling told TODAY.com. “I never had the option of even speaking to them until I had my GoFundMe site in my arsenal.”Read It All: www.today.com/news/olympic-hopefuls-crowd-fund-make-it-sochi-6C10622693 ------------------ I'll refer y'all to my post on our 'Support Our Skaters' board with a list of all of the known Crowdfunding options for our ST skaters: www.therockerforum.proboards.com/post/15045
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Post by Guest123 on Jul 19, 2013 5:40:44 GMT -8
Under Armor is a "proud sponsor of US Speed Skating"
Wonder how they feel about that big Nike logo on Celski's website?
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Post by mtnme on Jul 19, 2013 17:02:29 GMT -8
I'll bet they're mad as he!! they weren't able to steal it away from him themselves...like they've been known for doing in the past.
"U.S. Speedskating president Andy Gabel...talked about the necessity of submitting our (the skaters) sponsorships to USS for approval before we'd be able to put the logos on our suits.
Someone who'd been around at the time told me later: 'You gotta love that approval rule. After the 1998 Games, Chris Witty was offered an individual sponsorship from Nike, but when she submitted that to USS for approval, according to the rule, the federation's marketing people actually went behind her back and negotiated directly with Nike to arrange to sponsor the whole team instead of just her. This cost Chris a lot in terms of personal sponsorship.'"
~ From Eva Rodansky's book 'Winter of Discontent'.
Of course, these days, USS is about as palatable to a corporate sponsor as a toxic waste dump, so no doubt Nike doesn't want to touch them with a ten foot pole. Since J.R. has the potential of being the next great, bankable, Olympic star, I'm sure he is much more appealing to a corporate sponsor to back.
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Post by gasp on Feb 11, 2014 21:10:54 GMT -8
I really am enjoying the Olympics and the multiple ways to view the events this year. Not sure the USA medal count is meeting expectations, but these athletes do give it 100% every time they "go for it." (Poor Shawn White!)
I just have one little problem from tonight's NBC prime time broadcast. Am I the only one who believes USOC should be hanging their head in shame when the NBC BROADCASTERS share with the WORLD how the US Athletes have been doing fund raisers and bake sales to support their Olympic dreams.
USS / USOC told the athletes to set up their Rally Me pages with a promise that they would not touch any of the monies received. This was the same time they told them (as happens every time following the Olys) that their funds would be cut by 50%. So athletes who were receiving $1,000, now receive $500. Not sure what rent is like in SLC, but we all know that training and the gear is all expensive. We all have watched young adults eat who aren't burning calories at the rate STers do, so I can't imagine the cost of food---and good food to refuel their bodies--not a bunch of junk trips to McDonalds.
Why is it we watch Pros make tons of money for their performance, yet we can't get sponsors to support our US Athletes thanks to the "mob" that runs the IOC and won't allow these athletes from any nation have corporate sponsors blah blah blah. Yeah we have all heard this before. Maybe it's time to put the hot button on the IOC and tell them to loosen the rules on sponsorship or share more of that money they are receiving from the corporate sponsors. Wonder how much $$ the IOC big-wigs make, cause you just know they aren't doing it for free.
And Colbert is doing it again--Fundraising for USS. Buy a tshirt & the $$ goes to the TEAM. Sure.........
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