Fencing Friends -
If you read my last two emails, thank you! You already know my top two picks for Monday’s USA Fencing Board of Directors Elections. If you didn’t, here are the cliff notes:
No. 1 Pick: Ann Marsh-Senic (Ann’s Bio)
No. 2 Pick: Igor Chirashnya (Igor’s Bio)
Because there are three spots open, we all need to rank our top three candidates: 1, 2, 3. Today I will tell you my No. 3 but before I do, I want to reiterate the voting rules:
- ALL candidates should be ranked.
- If you pick your top three and leave the rest blank, then your least favorite candidates will all be ranked 4th, which could give your least favorite an effective “redistribution boost.” So, pick your top three. And rank the rest in your order of preference 4 to 11.
- Put your least favorite candidates at the bottom. If you know a candidate’s platform includes something you clearly disagree with (like Curtailing National Opportunities for Youth Fencers), put them at the bottom (No. 9-11)!
- If you’re unsure about a candidate, put them in the middle of your list. Maybe there are some people you like but don’t love - those people should go in the middle or closer to the top. If you leave any blank, then your least favorite and the ones you like (but don’t love) will be given equal weight.
- Even though there are more than 2,000 of you, Board Election participation is usually small (but it doesn’t have to be!). So following these rules is absolutely essential because a single vote (or blank ballot) can make all the difference.
IN SHORT: DO NOT LEAVE ANYONE WITHOUT A RANKING ON YOUR BALLOT.
And do your homework.
You can read and watch videos about ALL of the candidates here: Candidate Bios & Videos
You can watch recordings of both Candidate Forum Events here: Candidate Forum Videos
Also, share this with all your friends and club mates as a reminder for them to vote on Monday!
Okay, so enough with the rules…..
My No. 3 pick is [drumroll]:
Coach Andrey Geva (Andrey’s BIO)
I am voting for Andrey because: (1) he’s a fencing parent and (2) he is in the trenches of this sport (and has been for a long time). Like Ann and Igor, Coach Andrey will be a strong voice for youth fencers as well as all of the clubs, schools, coaches, referees, volunteers and families who support them! He is results-driven and has the perspective necessary to represent club owners (both large and small). Local Fencing clubs are the absolute heart and soul of this community. The Board needs people who’ve dedicated their lives to building fencing programs from the ground up. And Coach Andrey has done just that!
We don’t need politics: we need people. We need people who have experience on the ground. Ann, Igor and Andrey have that experience. And their willingness to bring their unwavering voices and immense talents to the table is a testament to their dedication to this sport.
I sincerely hope you will give them your consideration for this most-important job. And my family thanks you all for loving this sport with all your hearts!!!!
My warmest regards,
Christina