Mike Plant & the USS BOD,
You just spent a whole meeting approving some much ballyhooed bylaws to reform the organization and in the process got rid of most of the committees except for ones like audit, nominating, grievance, and ethics that deal with governing, not operations. Good!
Now, however, you post a job description with references to numerous committees you just got rid of in celebrated fashion. What's up with that?
A) Were you just BSing everyone about getting rid of these committees and board meddling? Or, B) Are you totally incompetent and can't make a policy decision stick, or, perhaps proofread a job description, or, let your right hand know what your left hand is doing? Or is there an answer C)?
SItting on the outside as a member of the organization, or the media, or the fanbase, or the USOC, one is easily confused and kept in the dark. This seems to still be an opaque, private, insiders club where information is hoarded or at best confused, and not the member-driven, transparent, forward-moving, machine we were told we would be getting.
Are the committees gone or not? There are a lot of people that don't even know Ryan Leveille is gone and this position is vacant - no news posting? What is true? What isn't? What else are you not communicating? Are you going to tell the new Event and Program Coordinator the committees aren't around? Or, are you going to tell the rest of us that they still are?
Here's the job description with the committee references in question (lines with 'committee' references (other than LOC's and OC's of course) are marked by ** xxxx ** -
www.usspeedskating.org/node/1136usngbjobs.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=56458Event/Venue Operations: Event Operations/Management
Program & Event Coordinator - US Speedskating (Salt Lake City, UT)
Job Profile
Job Title: USS Program and Event Coordinator
Date: June 21, 2013
Area: High Performance Programs
Department/Unit: Sport Administration
Nature of the Work
The US Speedskating Program and Event Coordinator is a full time position that reports primarily to the USS Director of Sport (or designee). Hours vary from 8-10 hours a day within a typical Monday to Friday work week. Occasional travel during the year will be required for domestic events and flexibility for occasional evenings and weekend hours should be expected as much of the sporting environment occurs during non- office hours, especially during the competitive season from September through April.
US Speedskating is the National Governing Body for the sports of Long and Short Track Speed Skating in the United States. US Speedskating is the most accomplished Winter Sport National Governing Body with 85 Olympic Winter Olympic Medals. The mission of US Speedskating program area is to support Long and Short Track athletes in achieving consistent world-class competitive skating excellence, to embody world class ideals and performance, and to create and implement the model for high performance programs and skaters that allows athletes to reach their goals.
This position is scheduled to work primarily in the environment of the USS National Training Center, currently located at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah. The position supports athletes for the National Long and Short Track Speedskating Racing Program as well as the USS domestic events and interacts closely with other USS staff and functional departments in meeting the goals of the organization.
Qualifications/Expertise Required of the Position:
Strong organizational and multi-tasking ability while ensuring a high level of detail
Ability to seek out efficiencies and operate in a highly efficient manner
Sound communication skills both verbal and written
Advanced computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft office and database experience preferred
Understanding of domestic speed skating event planning, technical rules and regulations, supporting event needs (marketing, communication, medical and ceremonies) is an asset
**Understanding of various USS Committee structures (Specifically the coaches, officials and competitions committee) is an asset.**
Knowledge of USS coaching certification requirements is beneficial
Understanding of the development and certification of USS officials is an asset.
Experience as an athlete and positions familiar with aspects of athlete support services is preferred
Knowledge of various sport organizations, structures, and operations; the International SkatingUnion (ISU), United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Utah Athletic Foundation (UAF), Utah
Olympic Oval (UOO), Pettit National Ice Center (PNIC).
Secondary school training or the willingness to engage in additional training and education is an asset.
The USS Program and Event Coordinator will ensure that the highest level of supporting expertise is provided to the USS Programs, **committees assigned** and the delivery of USS domestic events for Long and Short Track Speedskating. This position is required to work as part of a team of, program staff, support staff and administrators ensuring excellence in program support and organized delivery of such planning.
Accountabilities:
Job Specific Roles
Carries out duties under the direction and guidance primarily at the direction of the Director of Sport (or Designee) and secondly to the Director of Finance and Operation (or Designee)
Conducts business as a member of a strong team environment within US Speedskating and works to instill such an ethic in others.
Manages the domestic technical event requirements for both short and long track speed skating which includes but not limited to:
- Adhering to USS by-laws, regulations , policies and procedures
- Logistics of event officials and technical liaison to respective organizing committees (OC)
- Event entries
- Promotional brand image of events (including logistics of banners and medals)
- Annual event did document and sourcing of domestic event locations with respective input
- Event hosting manuals and communications with OC
- Communication of results
**Staff representative to the USS coaching and officials committee and others as assigned.**
**Maintains USS coaching certification records and liaises with the coaching committee.**
Maintains official’s certification and management of records as needed.
**Liaises with the competition committee as needed in planning the domestic event calendar**
**Regularly provides support for setting up of conference calls, drafting and distribution of meeting agendas and minutes from various committee meetings if/as requested.**
Aids in collecting and analyzing records of performance with the program staff for required reporting and planning purposes for use in the annual high performance plan for the USOC.
Assists administering the membership services database in daily operations of USS membership
Assists in inventorying and distribution of both specific event technical equipment and program specific equipment including athlete team apparel.
Works within office environment ensuring communication to program athletes and membership as needed which includes answering of office telephone, postal and shipping items, and other various daily general office duties.
Responsible for any other reasonable additional duties and tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Budget and Financial Responsibilities
Works within budgetary guidelines, is proactive, and works collaboratively in being a part of USS and achieving the greater goals of the organization.
Helps plan item specific budgets for the needs of the program with the Director of Sport (or designee)
Demonstrates and respects fully USS budgetary policies and procedures.
Produces timely and accurate item specific expense, budget, and status reports as required.
Provides recommendations and input with regard to various budgetary efficiencies and execution when/where possible.
Communication and Professional Development:
Ensures effective communication with athletes, staff, partners and membership.
Show continued self-development and encourage this in others.
**Facilitates a continual two-way exchange of knowledge and ideas with USS Programs, administrative staff, committee members and the membership.**
Educates others regarding USS Speed Skating programs, policies and procedures including athletes, members, and additional third parties when necessary.
Core Competencies
USS has established 8 core competencies that flow from its mission and values. Competencies define the behaviors, knowledge and skills important for USS staff to carry out their roles effectively. Further information about the 8 competencies and detailed definitions can be accessed on...
Each of the 8 competencies is important for staff at the USS. Applying relative weightings to them identifies which of the 8 are especially important for a particular position. Relative weightings assist with selection and performance development processes. Most job profiles have up to 3 competencies selected as having CRITICAL IMPORTANCE, with the rest being selected as having CORE IMPORTANCE.
COMMUNICATION: Ability to share information in an effective and collaborative manner. Critical Importance
FLEXIBILITY: Ability to adapt and respond to the changing environment and to constructively create opportunities for change through active participation.
Core Importance
INNOVATIVENESS/INITIATIVE: Ability to be creative, challenge and demonstrate initiative to generate improvements and foster positive outcomes.
Core Importance
KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS: Ability to demonstrate proficiency in technical and job knowledge aspects of the position to achieve a high level of performance. An ability and desire to continuously learn.
Critical Importance
LEADERSHIP: Ability to achieve positive outcomes by encouraging, supporting, coaching, developing and mentoring others.
Core Importance
PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS: Ability to demonstrate respect, dignity and integrity in interpersonal relationships and to demonstrate positive personal coping and wellness strategies.
Critical Importance
TEAMWORK: Ability to function effectively in team situations both within and across departments and other organizations to achieve optimal collective results.
Critical Importance
ORGANIZATIONAL UNDERSTANDING: Ability to function effectively in team situations both within and across departments and other organizations to achieve optimal collective results.
Core Importance
Mike Plant beat me out for the Braves V.P. job, too - I think it's a conspiracy...