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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 6, 2013 21:47:34 GMT -8
Here's the 1983 article. Someone actually "calls out" some of the members for their actions. Brave person & a good reporter! sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121480/1/index.htmChange the date to 2013. Change long-track to short-track, and the story is still the same. One would think that over a 30 year period of its own history, USS would know how to run this program by now and it would be THE EXAMPLE of how an Olympic sport's governing bodies should run. Guess not, guys. Guess not. Holy Fajita! This is definitely worth a read - I repeat... definitely worth a read. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." I hate to say it, but this is not encouraging...
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Post by mtnme on Mar 7, 2013 10:35:31 GMT -8
Here's the 1983 article. Someone actually "calls out" some of the members for their actions. Brave person & a good reporter! sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121480/1/index.htmChange the date to 2013. Change long-track to short-track, and the story is still the same. One would think that over a 30 year period of its own history, USS would know how to run this program by now and it would be THE EXAMPLE of how an Olympic sport's governing bodies should run. Guess not, guys. Guess not. Holy Fajita! This is definitely worth a read - I repeat... definitely worth a read. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." I hate to say it, but this is not encouraging... And with that article, I'm really leaning toward the opinion that anyone on the B of D or working for USS (other than the coaches) should NOT have any affiliation whatsoever to speedskating. You have never skated, you don't have kids who skate...you don't even personally know anyone who skates... And obviously, according to the article, the current 'drama' isn't a new thing. It's just another chapter in the massive, never ending book of SOSDD. I especially loved the part where Sandvig went all the way to the World Championships - no doubt a completely fully expense paid trip on USISA's dime - on a 'fact finding' trip. What? He couldn't 'spy' from home over the course of the year??? Sounds like our freaking Congress. Notice how all these 'fact finding' trips aren't located in places, like say, Detroit? Nope, they're always in some spiffy location, usually involving palm trees and golf courses...or in the case of speedskating, charming little European Villages. Ya know, I'll bet if you ditched every single person working for USS and the B of D, and kept only a couple IMPORTANT people on the payroll (Ya know, like the fundraiser and the one who deposits the checks and writes the checks. He/she can also answer the phones...*snicker*) split the the rest of the money between the skaters, the coaches, ice time, insurance and travel expenses, they'd have more than enough funds to take care of business. I know I'm being a smart @ss with those last comments, but it really does seem like the skaters would be just soooooo much better off with most of administration 'cut loose'. The more people that are involved, the less positive and productive work that actually gets done. And what does get done rarely benefits the skaters. And thank you Gasp for finding that article. It was incredible.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 10:47:11 GMT -8
A member emailed me USS' most recent tax filing - I hope the link works (you might try copying/pasting)... USS_FYE_5-31-2012_Form_990_2012-436065836-08acc21f-9[2].pdf EDIT: Nope, not even copying/pasting will work. It was obtained from a website called Guidestar - they maintain a database of all the irs form 990's that most non-profits are required to file and make public.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2013 10:58:09 GMT -8
Let's start over.... Form 990 through year 2011 are on the USS website. Follow the link a few posts up and follow the "tabs."
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Post by chesapeakemom on Mar 7, 2013 11:32:18 GMT -8
The USOC can take 3 actions: dismiss the Section 10, put USS on probation, or decertify USS. It is unlikely this close to Sochi they will decertify USS. However, it seems like the fans, supporters, and members would prefer that option. At the very least, some substantial changes need to be made. It would be helpful if all who support change would write to USOC. They need to know how many "voices" are seeking change. They need to know how many people are watching and waiting for action.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 11:41:48 GMT -8
The USOC can take 3 actions: dismiss the Section 10, put USS on probation, or decertify USS. It is unlikely this close to Sochi they will decertify USS. However, it seems like the fans, supporters, and members would prefer that option. At the very least, some substantial changes need to be made. It would be helpful if all who support change would write to USOC. They need to know how many "voices" are seeking change. They need to know how many people are watching and waiting for action. Yes, I suppose you're right - this close to the Olympics, the 'nuclear option' is probably unlikely. None of us want the skaters to suffer more than they already have, just 11 months out from Sochi. Probation may be the best way to make the most changes with the least disruption within this time frame. It would be interesting to know just what 'probation' entails, and what the oversight would be...
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 11:59:42 GMT -8
Let's start over.... Form 990 through year 2011 are on the USS website. Follow the link a few posts up and follow the "tabs." Yes, I used your link successfully to see the financial statements - I didn't notice that the 990's were there too! D'oh!Speaking of the financial statements, I'm particularly intrigued with the following expenses: Administrative - $2,671,478 Salaries - $1,397,328 I'd love to see a breakdown of these...
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 12:20:49 GMT -8
It would be helpful if all who support change would write to USOC. They need to know how many "voices" are seeking change. They need to know how many people are watching and waiting for action. I agree - not too far upthread, you'll find that gasp has posted contact info for any who are so inclined. I'm not much of a letter-writer myself - but a member has privately urged me to refer the USOC to this thread. My personal opinion is that they're already aware of it, but I do intend to do that. There have been some amazingly good, insightful points raised by our members here, and it constitutes one very looooong letter that is quite indicative of the feelings of the 'engaged' public!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2013 13:03:55 GMT -8
I think we have "lurkers" among us for sure! USOC, if you are watching this thread, please note the fans do their best to keep one another informed on a range of topics. We have as many diverse opinions as there are members. But we have ONE GOAL---do what is best for the athletes FIRST. Thanks to everyone here for moving this conversation forward. USS may try to ignore the elephant in the room, but they seem to have forgotten how tenacious we can be.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2013 13:08:17 GMT -8
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 13:40:42 GMT -8
Here's the 1983 article. Someone actually "calls out" some of the members for their actions. Brave person & a good reporter! sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121480/1/index.htmChange the date to 2013. Change long-track to short-track, and the story is still the same. One would think that over a 30 year period of its own history, USS would know how to run this program by now and it would be THE EXAMPLE of how an Olympic sport's governing bodies should run. Guess not, guys. Guess not. gasp - I'm seeing that your 'discovery' has suddenly gotten a lot of play among ST peeps on FB today - good job! (And it's a nice affirmation that people are paying attention to our thread...!)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2013 15:54:23 GMT -8
Nice to know "we are not alone!"
It's interesting to see the international skaters on our threads in their skin suits and all the lovely labels for their corporate sponsors proudly displayed. Makes one wonder if the current USS MarCom team has noticed that? If you can't drum up your own sponsors, hit up the ones who already have their name out there. Maybe we can get a small piece of that pie or at least a bowl of Cheerios! Yep Cheerios. Looks like General Mills who is based in Minneapolis has sponsored the Canadians and the Italians in recent years. Has USS asked? As I've said on other occasions--ask---there's just 2 options, YES or NO. But if you don't go with hat-in-hand to these corporations, you will never get an answer.
I don't think Colbert will step up to the plate for 2014. He fed us once, don't see Colbert and his "nation" coming back for seconds.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 7, 2013 16:27:43 GMT -8
Nope - Colbert is following up on "Snow-Quester" and is busying himself naming storms - such as "Drone-cicles" and "Blizzardashian".
I think it's safe to say he's 'moved on'...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2013 9:44:38 GMT -8
With the new Andy Gabel allegations, the fact that the FBI is involved, and USS hiring another law firm to investigate, Scott Blackmun won't have to worry about decertifying the sport....it will just go belly up, financially. Once the FED$ get involved they will look at every $ingle $olitary detail. All of them!
Problem solved regarding USS but the residual fall-out impacts the skaters.
So, should we start preparing to start our own skate club? We could call it: The FBI---Fans Built It. Can't wait to see those t-shirts and promotional products. Happy Saturday everyone.
We had late night company Friday, which found me sleeping in Saturday and I missed the races.
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Post by sk8er on Mar 11, 2013 10:48:44 GMT -8
One of our folks gave an interveiw to a Sports editor at the Wall Street Journal. Who knew the Journal was interested in sports that don't pay gazillions? Anyway this young fellow has talked with various ST folks here. What with the situation at USS and problems in the Southern California program we may just have a self imploding option.
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