Division News - Annual Meeting & Election in July

Hi Everyone,
We hope everyone is doing well in their preparations for Summer Nationals! The Long Island Division of the USFA just wanted to reach out quickly to make everyone aware that we will be having an annual meeting and election at the end of July. Though the official date and time have not yet been set, we expect it to be the weekend of July 30-31, 2016 at Hills Fencing Institute. (Thank you Hills for offering to host us all!) Below please find some more information about our election:
Who Can Vote?
If the all following criteria apply to you, you’re eligible to vote:

• You are 18 years old as of February 1, 2016
• You were a member of the USFA as of February 1, 2016
• Your membership type as of February 1, 2016 entitles you to vote - Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Professional (but not necessarily “+ Professional”), Supporting, Life, Life Installment.
• You are listed with the USFA as a member of the Long Island Division (and were as of February 1, 2016)

Not sure if this applies to you? Shoot us an email and we can check for you!
What are We Voting On?

1. The Executive Committee would like to make sure we are appropriately assessing the needs of the Division from all angles so that we can always keep the objectives of encouraging the growth and development of athletes, programs, and the sport at the forefront of what we do. To that end, we are proposing to the members the creation of 2 new Executive Committee (“Board”) positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a Coach or Club Owner member of the Division, for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – This position would be held by a member of the Division who is a parent (having one or more child who fences), for a term of two fiscal years. As with our other Board member at Large, this member shall perform such duties as delegated to them by the Chairperson, and shall provide additional support to the other Executive Committee members. They would, of course, have a vote in all Board matters.

(Next year, we are going to bring forth a vote to change our current “Board Member at Large” position to a “Referee Board Member at Large” position so we make sure that group is represented as well!)

1. If the membership votes to add these new positions, we would like to elect members to them right away! The Board is making the following nominations for these positions:
   1. “Coach/Club Owner Board Member at Large” – Dennis Daly, Coach, Hills Fencing Institute
   2. “Parent Board Member at Large” – Penny Jane Chin, Island Fencing Academy
2. We have a couple more positions to elect as well. Please see the Board’s nominations below:
   1. Division Chairperson (to be held for a term of 4 years) – Chris Zebuth, Referee, Unattached
   2. Vice Chairperson (to be held for a term of 2 years) – Jennie Salmon, Coach, Mission Fencing Center

What if I want to be in the running for a position?
You can be! Candidates may nominate themselves for an office by petition to the Executive Committee. Petitions shall contain signatures of no less than 5% of Division members eligible to vote in the election. (This year, that’s 8 signatures you need.) You must submit your petition to the board by July 20th so the signatures can be verified as valid eligible signees, and if all is good you will be added to the ballot.
 
The Division will be in touch with you all again as we finalize the date and time of the meeting, will provide directions, and will be sure to include any new candidates who petition for your consideration. In the meantime, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us. Good luck at Nationals, and we look forward to seeing you in July!