A Message to USA Boxing Membership

 USA Boxing members, 

On Tuesday, AUGUST 4, 2009, USA Boxing representatives Mike Martino, Joe Higgins and Tom Virgets met with USOC representatives Mike English, Gary Johansen and Rachel Isaacs, and Foundation representatives Deni Auclair, Brad Smith and Bill Deeter to discuss the state of USA Boxing and determine a way forward.  The agenda focused on USAB presenting budget data that defined the extent of the USAB debt through 2009, USAB presented a 2010 proposal that balances USAB membership cost with USAB membership income, a discussion on governance change, commitments from all parties, and additional deliverables required from USAB prior to decisions being made. 

Both the USOC and the Foundation were receptive to the presentation made by USAB. The Foundation is committed to working with USAB to overcome this financial crisis but requires additional information regarding the budget. The Foundation also requires assurances that USAB will have the appropriate leadership, governance and a financial plan to appropriately manage the organization. The new USOC leadership is committed to organizational autonomy. They are cautiously receptive to a governance change that gives voting privileges back to the membership for choosing the Board of Directors. This USOC administration is about performance. They want NGB's to self govern, and they understand that no one form of governance fits all NGB's. However, they make it perfectly clear that NGB's must perform based upon their own merits. With the exception of elite athlete funding, NGB's must show that they can meet the duties and responsibilities of a National Governing Body as defined in Chapter 2205 of the ACT.  Specifically, 200521-200523. 

 To summarize the meeting: 

• 1. USAB remains the Boxing NGB at this time. USAB must be able to show that it can meet its duties and obligations as an NGB in order to retain its NGB status.
• 2. The USOC is committed to USAB autonomy, and will entertain a governance change with provisions for membership voting rights on Board of Director positions. USAB must be able to clearly show that a governance change will facilitate the NGB's ability to meet sections 200521-200523 of the ACT, and not simply be a return to the previous governance that failed to efficiently and effectively run the organization.
• 3. USAB must provide both the USOC and the Foundation with additional financial data prior to any debt relief efforts being offered.
• 4. USAB must budget according to a formula that ensures financial solvency by balancing membership administrative and operational expenses with membership income.
• 5. USAB must show a passion and commitment towards fixing the organization and producing competitive Olympic athletes that exceeds its desire to engage in destructive infighting.

Both the USOC and the Foundation have demonstrated a desire to support USAB in overcoming its organizational challenges.  However, both organizations fear that USA Boxing will revert to the political infighting and failed budget practices that have plagued this organization in both past and present administrations.  It is incumbent upon USA Boxing to demonstrate to both these organizations that we can offer constructive governance, support elected leadership, provide leaders that cooperate with our sport partners, and operate with fiscal discipline.  We are currently working on providing the USOC and the Foundation with the additional information that they require and hope to have resolution by October. 

The National Office will make every effort to keep membership aware of the process which we are now undertaking. In addition, there are a number of other tasks and challenges that the office has prioritized and will be requesting Task Force Members to assist in working on for the benefit of our organization. On a very positive note, Mike Martino was able to meet with Everlast Worldwide management after the Foundation / USOC meeting. Next week USA Boxing and Everlast will release a joint statement regarding their relationship through 2012.