Today is the day, friends!
USA Fencing Board of Directors Elections begin today. Here's what you need to know:
How will I receive my ballot?
Eligible voters will receive their ballot by email through Election Buddy. Each voter will receive a unique voting link. (I actually got mine this morning via text message).
Who are the candidates?
There are eleven candidates running and three open spots. You must rank your candidates by order of preference (1 = favorite to 11 = least favorite). You can learn more about the candidates here: Who are the candidates?
How are the votes counted?
In 2020, USA Fencing amended its bylaws to require the use of Preferential/Ranked Voting. Please rank every candidate (1 = favorite to 11 = least favorite). If you only rank your top three, and leave the rest blank then your least favorite candidates will be given a redistribution boost by defaulting as a rank of No. 4.
If that doesn't make sense to you (me either), you can learn more about how Preferential/Ranked Voting works here: Face Book Video or here: Instagram Video or here: Article
Who is eligible to vote?
Any USA Fencing member age 18 or older in good standing as of Feb. 1, 2023, and who belongs to a membership class that includes the right to vote is eligible to vote. Eligible membership classes are Life, Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Supporting, Access, Olympian Life, Paralympian Life, Life Installment and Coach. (PLEASE POLITELY REMIND YOUR COACHES AND FENCING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO VOTE).
Who are My Top Three Picks in the Election?
- Ann Marsh-Senic OLY (Royal Oak, Mich.)
- Igor Chirashnya (San Jose, CA)
- Andrey Geva (Houston, TX)
Do I like any of the other candidates besides these three?
Yes!! If had to pick a runner-up, it would be Abdel Salem OLY-Egypt. Why? Because, apparently, I read USA Board Meeting Minutes for fun now. And Abdel's voting record speaks volumes about his priorities. Like my top three picks, he is also highly qualified for the job and he's looking out for the little people. So, Abdel will be my No. 4 when I vote today.
What are My Election Priorities?
- Providing opportunities for Youth Fencers.
- Supporting fencing coaches, clubs and community programs.
- Objective, transparent governance.
- Growing the sport!
How long do I have to vote?
Voting runs from May 15, 2023 to June 5, 2023.
Is there anything else?
YES! If you need a reminder why we're here, check out the Board Meeting Minutes from October 2022: October 2022 Board Meeting Minutes. Start on page 7 and continue until you've read enough:
"There are many reasons to consider whether USA Fencing should continue to offer national level competition at NACs in the Y10 and Y12 age groups..." (pg. 8)
If that isn't enough to light your fire, try this recent motion made by Mr. Arias and seconded by Mr. Alperstein:
"To approve . . . a policy that to participate in National Events at Y10 and Y12 levels an individual must demonstrate participation in at least one more sport or activity from the commencement of the 2023-2024 season."
- February 2023 Board Meeting Minutes (see page 18).
Yes, you read that correctly. The proposal was to prevent Y10 and Y12 fencers from participating in National Events unless they demonstrated that they participated in another sport or activity from the beginning of the fencing season.
As if managing work and school and laundry and groceries and birthday parties and mowing the lawn and sick relatives and just regular life isn't already enough . . . we now need to prove that we pay for TWO SPORTS if we want them to come to National Events!?! Wow. Talk about being out-of-touch with reality.
Luckily, that Motion failed by a vote of 7-2. Now, to be fair: there was a reference made in the Motion to the Infamous Youth Fencing Task Force Report (as an attachment to the Board Meeting Minutes). But, there IS NO ATTACHMENT.
Y'all. Y'ALL.
This petition wasn't started because I decided to manufacture a crisis out of thin air. The attack on youth fencers not an "urban myth." IT IS ETCHED INTO THE USA FENCING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES. More than 2,000 parents, fencers and coaches didn't sign this petition (and it's sister-petition by coaches and club owners) because we are all uneducated or had the proverbial wool pulled over our eyes. We didn't make this stuff up. It's real. And it continues. Some people just don't like to look in the mirror.
Where I come from, when we make a mistake - we own it. And then we say we're sorry and we work to find common ground. We don't double-down and call our opponents liars and suggest that thousands of members of our organization are stupid for believing the truth.
If you had asked me last year if I thought I would be writing to a bunch of strangers about Saving Youth National Fencing, I would have told you you're off your rocker and that I don't have time for such things.
Well, I guess we find a way to make time for what matters. . .
Thank you all for voting.
Christina