Board of Directors Election Update

Tom Virgets December 07, 2009

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Date:       December 7, 2009

To:          USA Boxing Membership 

From:      Tom Virgets
              Chair, Board of Directors

RE:         USA Boxing Board of Directors Election Meeting

Because of all of the e-mail traffic, the issue of the Transition Committee's work is becoming a run away train.  There is a lot of information being transmitted at this time, much of which is without validation.  Having been accused earlier of moving too slowly on executing the transition in an attempt to hold on to my position, I have sat back and allowed the Transition Committee do its work without my or the full BOD's interference.  The Transition Committee's tasking were as follows: 

  1. The Committee was asked to poll the LBC's and determine a best date, time and place for having a new election.
  2. The Committee was to develop a process for implementing the governance changes as they related to the election.
  3. The Committee was to determine the site for the election process after selection of a site.  Cost of travel was to be the priority for determining the election city with time also being a consideration, (the Transition Committee was looking for a site that would allow individuals to get in and out on the same day).
  4. The Transition Committee was to determine the most fair and equitable way to insure that the membership had a fair process for submitting candidates, and a fair election process that would allow equal opportunity for the candidates to address the voting delegates prior to a vote being taken.
  5. The Transition Committee was to work with the AAC to insure that the athletes had their appropriate 20% voting rights, and that the athlete delegates were selected in accordance with the USOC requirements for athlete representation, and the Arc's desires.
  6. The Transition Committee was to submit its proposal to the full Board for approval.  The National Office was to work with the Transition Committee to implement the approved Transition Committee's proposal in the most aggressive and ethically correct manner possible.  

WHERE ARE WE NOW! 

  • Information regarding the Transition Committee's work was released prematurely.  The Transition Committee's work was suppose to be a "work in progress", and had not been reviewed or approved by the BOD prior to it being distributed to the membership.  Some of the information released was sent prior to being fully researched, and some of the information was released in an effort to stimulate discussion and receive feedback from membership rather than be considered as a completed work.  None of the information was approved by the full BOD and set on stone.
     
  • There is much discussion regarding the date and place for the meeting to take place. CURRENTLY, THERE IS NOT AN APPROVED DATE.  It is possible that the DATE could be 09 JAN 2009, but no decision has been made by the Transition Committee or the BOD.  The Transition Committee will continue to contact LBCs and determine what the best date is. THERE IS NO CORRECT OR INCORRECT DATE!  The organization has activity going on almost every week.  The membership is demanding a quick transition period.  Cost is also a major factor, and the Transition Committee is trying to find the best and least expensive place for the greatest number of delegates.  This is a very difficult task, and I would ask that membership recognize the difficulty of the Transition Committee meeting this challenge. Help them to determine the best place and date rather than find fault with any decision that incontinences you.
     
  • The BOD is aware of the potential "conflict of interest" with a candidate for a position also being a member of the Transition Committee.  The BOD is also aware that some of the membership is distrusting of the Transition Committee and believe that the Committee is trying to stack the deck in favor of a candidate.  The problem the BOD faces in addressing this issue is; "who is trusted in this organization?"  Those who trust one group are not trusted by the others.  So, just like there being no good date, there is no acceptable transition group.  The full BOD has not agreed or disagreed with the Transition Committee plan, because it has not been formally presented. 
     
  • The BOD is also aware of the athlete representation issue.  The BOD has told the Transition Committee to work with the AAC athlete representative, Angel Bovee, to find an acceptable solution.   Again, the full BOD has not agreed or disagreed with the Transition Committee plan, because it has not been formally presented. 
     

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! 

  • Once the Transition Committee has completed its proposal, they will report back to the BOD. The full BOD will review the proposal focusing on the above six directives that the Transition Committee were challenged to accomplish.  If the proposal does not meet the sanity check, the full BOD will reject the proposal and ask the Transition Committee to do additional follow-up and present a more acceptable plan.
     

WHAT WILL CONSTITUTE AN ACCEPTABLE PLAN? 

The BOD is looking for: 

  • A plan that will provide the athletes with 20% representation in the election; a plan that meets the intent of the USOC athlete participation directives as issued to all NGB's, and a plan that is acceptable to the AAC.
  • A plan that has been developed with the consultation and participation of all LBCs.  A plan that has taken into consideration all of the factors of reasonable transition time, travel cost and time, date, delegate selection, candidate selection, election procedures and security procedures to protect the integrity of the voting process.
  • A plan that has the full involvement and consensus of the Transition Committee.
  • A plan that will have the safeguards to eliminate electoral fraud, reduce paranoia, and insure a proper electoral process.
     

WHY IS THE BOD ALLOWING THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE TO RUN THE SHOW? 

The Transition Committee serves at the will of the full BOD.  They have been given a very difficult job to do and the BOD is going to allow them to do their job.  However, the Transition Committee answers to the full BOD and the full BOD will act upon the proposal that the Transition Committee presents. Until we receive a proposal, their work is a "work in progress", and NO ONE should make travel plans until the transition plan is made official by the full BOD. 

The full BOD does not have an opinion regarding the Transition Process at this time.  We will not act on unofficial e-mails.  We will only act upon a proposal presented to us by the Transition Committee.   Yes, we hear the memberships concerns, and we are working with the Transition Committee to ensure that your concerns are addressed prior to a transition plan being approved.  I promise you that the approved plan will meet the integrity test. 

Sincerely,
 

Tom Virgets
Chair, Board of Directors