Hilton Garden Inn and University
of Wyoming Conference Center
Saturday, August 9, 2008 - 2:30 pm
to 5:00 pm
Agenda
attached:
From
the USOF Board:
|
Present |
Last Name |
First Name |
Init |
Position |
Vote? |
|
Y |
Durand |
Clare |
CD |
USOF
President |
Y |
|
Y |
Kuhn |
Frank |
FK |
USOF
VP Administration |
Y |
|
Y |
Kraght |
Gary |
GK |
USOF
VP Club Services |
Y |
|
N |
Paddock |
Bob |
BP |
USOF
VP Competition |
Y |
|
Y |
Donna |
Fluegel |
DF |
USOF
VP Marketing & PR |
Y |
|
Y |
Minium |
Mike |
MM |
USOF
VP Program Development |
Y |
|
Y |
Murray |
Valerie |
VM |
USOF
Recording Secretary |
Y |
|
Y |
Luis |
Cristina |
CL |
USOF
Board At Large Competition |
Y |
|
E / N |
Shannonhouse |
Robin |
RS |
USOF
Executive Director & Treasurer |
N / E |
|
Y |
Teschendorf |
Gale |
GT |
USOF
Board HEARTLAND
REGION |
Y |
|
- |
vacant |
|
|
USOF Board Alternate HEARTLAND |
- |
|
N |
Eagleton |
James |
JE |
USOF
Board MID-ATLANTIC
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Tolbert |
Ralph |
RT |
USOF Board Alternate MID-ATLANTIC |
A |
|
N |
Tullis |
Eric |
ET |
USOF
Board MIDWEST
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Vaughan |
Stevan |
SV |
USOF Board Alternate MIDWEST |
A |
|
Y |
Sankus |
Joanne |
JS |
USOF
Board NORTHEAST
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Hawkes-Teeter |
Susan |
SHT |
USOF Board Alternate NORTHEAST |
A |
|
Y |
Drumm |
Scott |
SD |
USOF
Board NORTHWEST
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Sincock |
John |
JSK |
USOF Board Alternate NORTHWEST |
A |
|
Y |
Johnson |
Rosemary |
RJ |
USOF
Board PACIFIC
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Irving |
David |
DI |
USOF Board Alternate PACIFIC |
A |
|
Y |
Hall |
Jim |
JH |
USOF
Board SOUTHEAST
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Shannonhouse |
Steve |
SS |
USOF Board Alternate SOUTHEAST |
A |
|
Y |
Carr |
Lisa |
LC |
USOF
Board SOUTHWEST
REGION |
Y |
|
N |
Courtney |
Ralph |
RC |
USOF Board Alternate SOUTHWEST |
A |
|
Y |
Ferguson |
Linda |
LF |
USOF
Board Member AT-LARGE |
Y |
|
Y |
Lennon |
Greg |
GL |
USOF
Board Member AT-LARGE |
Y |
|
N |
Martineau |
Stephanie |
SM |
USOF
Board Member AT-LARGE |
Y |
|
N |
Beecroft |
Kris |
KB |
USOF
Registered Agent |
N |
PRESENT: Y = yes, N = Not present, E = executive
director.
VOTE: Y = yes, N = no, A = alternate
1. Opening of the convention – Clare Durand
opened the convention at 3:05 pm.
2. Approval
of agenda. Motion by Rick Worner, second Linda Kohn. Approved unanimously.
3. Report
by the Credentials Committee (Jim Hall, COK; Ardis Dull COC; Peg Davis TSN)
There is a quorum present: 42 delegates representing 858 members, and
representing 182 members by proxy for a total of 1,040 USOF members.
4. Election
of two certifiers of the minutes. Motion by Frank Kuhn, second Donna Fluegel to
elect Susan DeWitt (WCOC) and Steve Gregg (BAOC), approved unanimously.
5. Motion
to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous Annual Convention
and any Federation Referendums.
Motion by Eric Bone, second Judy Opsahl, approved unanimously.
6. Reports
from the Treasurer and the Auditor. A copy of the Treasurer’s Report was
available. Clare D. will call Robin S. to make sure Cathy Yekenewicz is working
on auditing the books, and that an auditor’s report will be available soon. The
beginning totals for 2007 do not match the ending totals for 2006. Greg Lennon
came up with $217,335 to be the correct number.
7. Budget
for the next financial period. Fred Veler moved to delay budget discussion,
seconded, and approved unanimously. Moved to before 19, Any Other Business.
8. Election
of Officers and At-large Board members.
Nominations from the floor were
called for, none were received. This leaves the position of Vice President
Administration vacant (2 year term), which will be filled by a Board
appointment.
The
following slate was elected by acclamation.
Vice
President Club Services (2 years): Gary Kraght
Vice
President, Marketing and Public Relations (2 years): Donna Fluegel
Heartland
election is still in progress.
Northeast
Region: Joanne Sankus (NEOC), Alternate Susan Hawkes-Teeter (EMPO)
Pacific
Region: Rosemary Johnson (BAOC), Alternate David Irving (SDO).
At –Large
(3 year term): Frank Kuhn.
9. Report
of the President. Clare D. Report attached.
10. Reports of the Vice-Presidents.
VP Marketing (Donna Fluegel) –
No report
VP Administration (Frank Kuhn)
attached.
VP Club Services (Gary Kraght)
(verbal – summary attached).
VP Competition (Bob Paddock) -
No report, but Clare D. noted that in 2008 teams have been sent to JWOC,
Trail-O and Ski-O.
A new chair is needed for the
Sanctioning Committee. Please let the Board know of any suggestions.
VP
Program Development (Mike Minium) attached.
11. Proposals from committees and Board of
Directors None.
12. Proposals from member clubs. None.
13. Questions related to the Constitution and
Bylaws. None.
14. Questions related to the Competition
rules. None.
15. Questions related to competition meets, both national and
international. No course consultants were assigned this year for events – there
is no Committee chair.
Guy Olsen asked if e-punching for
championships will be mandatory. A proposal should be brought by the regional
representative to the USOF Board.
16. Questions related to USOF publications.
Q. Why are publications all print versions?
A. Donna
F. has asked people what they want and they have indicated that they prefer
paper. This needs further discussion to develop high resolution electronic
versions of USOF publications. Mike M. added that there are royalty issues, and
availability of e-versions would likely cut down print sales, thus avoiding
paying royalties.
17. Questions related to the membership situation. Donna F. stated
that around 1,100 copies of ONA are mailed out. Little change in membership
over nine years.
Comment
from DVOA experience: the junior membership tipping point appeared to be around
15 to 20. The social aspect then improves attendance.
Comment
from Cascade: COC has had a school league for 26 years. 350 students signed up
for the 2008 event, which is the center of the calendar, but a lot of work is
involved. Recommendation for seven events in season, with ranking points. This
structure helps get juniors involved. Fred Veler – some outstanding juniors
have come out of the Seattle school program.
Donna F.: watch the Virtual Binder
for changes. It will include developing information for school programs. Let
Donna F. know what is going on in local clubs/schools.
Clare D: each club should have someone monitoring the ClubNet for useful
information.
18. Questions related to membership fees and
other financial matters.
18a.
(7.) The 2008 Budget is available
on line in Virtual Binder. The 2009 Budget will be developed at the fall Board
meeting. The total budget for 2008 is $273,275.70
19. Any other business.
Greg Lennon introduced discussions
(a) on the Staff Transition Task Force Report (notes attached) and (b) as
Mapping Chair.
(a) Mapping. Greg L. asked
how much interest there is in a group purchase of Lydar, which provides
topographic information digitally for the best basemap.
Q. Fred Veler asked why Lydar over others?
A. It is a program which is more accurate
than others. Mark Dominie has used it for good basemaps.
(b) See attached Notes on Staff
Transition Task Force Report.
Peter Goodwin suggested that the issue should be on the website for comments.
Straw Vote: Should the Board pursue the concept of a full
time paid Executive Director?
Ayes: Lots Nays:
1 Abstain: 2
Greg L. reminded the meeting that the Board needs feedback
from everyone.
Clare D.
thanked the Task Force for all their work.
(c) Clare D. reported on the Task Force on Championship Structure. The purpose is to combine the many
championships now being held to ease pressure on clubs for organizing, and for
travel by participants.
The IOF structure is: Sprint –
Middle Distance – Long Distance. Currently being considered:
1) Sprint
– Middle – Long : US Champs
2) Relay,
maybe with
Long-O, or
Night-O.
Proposals will be put on ClubNet for
feedback.
(d) President’s Awards
To Randy Hall – outgoing
Sanctioning Committee Chair, who gave guidance to clubs putting on A meets, as
well as developing the website calendar resource.
To Kent Shaw – for development
of online event registration software, and his work on the rankings committee.
Certificates
of Appreciation
for all their work and support:
Syd Reader Pacific Region
Ian Harding Heartland Region
Jerry Rhodes Marketing
Joanne Sankus Northeast Region
Gary Kraght Club Services
Stephanie Martineau Fundraising
Frank Kuhn VP Administration, 17 years on
the Board
Chuck Ferguson Past President
Janet Tryson Website
Donna Fluegel ONA, etc.
Steve Shannonhouse Various tasks, including Acting Recording
Secretary
David Irving Financial/Budget, Pacific Region
Frank Campbell JROTC Committee
Peter Gagarin Team Chair
Silva Award for 2008 awarded to Mark and
Barbara Dominie for major contributions at the local, regional and national
levels, both in orienteering and rogaine, in particular in the areas of mapping,
and technical innovation.
20. Closing of the convention and announcements. Clare D. thanked
Mikell Platt and Donna Fluegel for the orienteering events, both the Laramie
Daze and the U.S. Champs.
Motion
to adjourn at 5:10 pm by Eric Bone, seconded by Gale Teschendorf., approved
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Murray
Recording Secretary
Agenda Item 6 Treasurer’s
Report Attached as pdf document
Agenda Item 9
Report of the President attached as an MS Word document
2008 Report of the
Vice President Program Development (Mike Minium)
The Task Force was formed in May 2008 and consisted of eight members, plus Clare Durand as USOF President. The IOF, as well as many other national orienteering federations, have paid staff who promote orienteering, increase participation, both competitive and recreational.
(1)
Q. Does
it make sense to have paid Staff?
A. Community and Board feedback so far
has been positive.
(2)
Q. Can
USOF afford it?
A. It does appear that USOF can support
it, with fundraising, increased A-meet fees. After one or two years, it should
be self-funding, but USOF support is necessary at first.
(3) An outside consultant said that it is key to have coordination between hired staff and a board that meets infrequently. The Task Force sees a secondary need to change the structure of the USOF Board.
(4) The Task Force Report will be modified and condensed, then either published in ONA or on the website for public comment. The Task Force will take into consideration all community feedback. The plan is to amend the bylaws at the next AGM.
(5) Q. When would a hired person start?
(6) A. As soon as the Board finds someone. Robin Shannonhouse (current Executive Director) started out as a skeptic, but now is wholly supportive of the plan. It seems to be just what people want. Robin’s job has expanded far beyond the original job description.
(7)
Q. Full-time
vs. half-time.
A. Depends on the commitment level of
the person hired and USOF. Half time may not answer needs. Other NGOs (41 in
number) have full time paid staff.
(8)
Q. On
restructuring the Board – will some responsibilities shift from the Board to a
hired staff person? (Guy Olsen)
A. Boards more often consist of seven
to nine members, not 19 as with USOF. The need for volunteers does not go away.
A hired person is going to need a background in fundraising and sponsorship.
(9)
Q. Is
there any risk in doing this? (Rick Worner)
A. There is a risk of hiring someone
who doesn’t do what is expected, spending money in the wrong direction. Person
goes off at a tangent, or promotes the wrong aspect of orienteering.
(10)
Q. Describe
what Robin has been doing?
A. Robin’s current tasks are listed in
the Report. Role of paid Executive Director will take over some of Robin’s job,
and add other tasks. Robin would retain responsibilities for membership and
treasurer, as well as providing some administrative support.
(11)
Q. Would
like a sense from the meeting: are we heading in the right direction? (Judy
Opsahl)
Clare D. Is it realistic for the Board to continue to look into hiring a
professional Executive Director?
(12)
Q. Can
we find someone? (Sharon Crawford)
A. Yes, there will be candidates.
Experience of NGOs is that there is low turnover for this type of position
(Gary Kraght)
(13)
Q. Should
it be someone with orienteering background?
A. The field is too narrow. USOF needs
to look for fundraising and marketing skills.
(14)
Q. Would
USOF fees be raised in order to fund this position?
A. Yes, for the start-up.
1.
Opening of the convention.
2.
Approval of agenda.
3.
Report by the Credentials
Committee.
4.
Election of two certifiers of the
minutes.
5.
Motion to dispense with the
reading of the minutes of the previous Annual Convention and any Federation
Referendums.
6.
Reports from the Treasurer and
the Auditor.
7.
Budget for the next financial
period.
8.
Election of Officers and At-large
Board members.
9.
Report of the President.
10.
Report of the Vice-Presidents.
11.
Proposals from committees and
Board of Directors.
12.
Proposals from member clubs.
13.
Questions related to the
Constitution and Bylaws.
14.
Questions related to the
Competition rules.
15.
Questions related to competition
meets both national and international.
16.
Questions related to USOF
publications.
17.
Questions related to the
membership situation.
18.
Questions related to membership
fees and other financial matters.
19.
Any other business.
20.
Closing of the convention and
announcements.
|
2007 Treasurer's
Report |
||
|
College
Dev Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, CDF |
$2,711.40 |
|
|
Contributions,
CDF |
$420.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
College Dev Fund |
$3,131.40 |
|
|
Comp
Awards Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, CAF |
$1,112.03 |
|
|
Transfers,
->CAF |
$3,000.00 |
|
|
Comp
Awards shipping to clubs |
-$70.95 |
|
|
Competitive
Awards |
-$3,676.32 |
|
|
TOTAL
Comp Awards Fund |
$364.76 |
|
|
Endowment
Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, EnF |
$1,000.78 |
|
|
Contributions,
EnF |
$4,210.00 |
|
|
Endowment
Transfer |
-$8,010.00 |
|
|
Life
Membership Dues |
$3,300.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Endowment Fund |
$500.78 |
|
|
E-Punching
Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, EPF |
$3,154.78 |
|
|
E-Punch
rental fees |
$2,497.11 |
|
|
E-Punch
Shipping |
-$432.66 |
|
|
EP
Equipment purchased |
-$4,428.50 |
|
|
TOTAL
E-Punching Fund |
$790.73 |
|
|
Insurance
Fund |
||
|
Insurance
Fees from Clubs |
$24,116.33 |
|
|
Insurance
Premiums-Other |
-$38,633.00 |
|
|
Insurance
Premiums:AIG Settlement |
$2,395.39 |
|
|
Beg.
Balance, InsFund |
$66,843.67 |
|
|
TOTAL
Insurance Fund |
$54,722.39 |
|
|
Jr.
Team Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, JTF |
$2,764.82 |
|
|
Contributions,
JTF |
$3,900.00 |
|
|
Transfers,
->JTF |
$7,000.00 |
|
|
Fundraising,
JTF |
$3,563.85 |
|
|
Travel,
JTF |
-$13,123.00 |
|
|
Team
Mgmt Exp, JTF |
-$50.00 |
|
|
Travel
Grant, JTF |
-$160.50 |
|
|
T-shirts,
JTF |
-$248.04 |
|
|
TOTAL
Jr. Team Fund |
$3,647.13 |
|
|
|
||
|
Map
Grant Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, MGF |
$3,815.00 |
|
|
Contributions,
MGF |
$475.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Map Grant Fund |
$4,290.00 |
|
|
Map
Loan Fund |
||
|
Contributions,
MLF |
$30.00 |
|
|
Map
Loans Repaid |
$5,175.00 |
|
|
Map
Loan |
-$5,000.00 |
|
|
Beg.
Balance, MLF |
$43,699.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Map Loan Fund |
$43,904.00 |
|
|
O'
in Schools Fund |
||
|
Books
- Redistribution |
$2,508.00 |
|
|
Contributions,
OSF |
$330.00 |
|
|
Programs,
OSF |
-$25.75 |
|
|
Beg.
Balance, OSF |
$27,252.38 |
|
|
TOTAL
O' in Schools Fund |
$30,064.63 |
|
|
Operating
Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, OF |
$81,886.61 |
|
|
Bank
Charges |
-$34.00 |
|
|
Club
Dues |
$13,206.00 |
|
|
Contributions,
OF |
$6,447.50 |
|
|
Dues
& Charter |
-$1,615.00 |
|
|
Endowment
Proceeds |
$3,588.00 |
|
|
Interest
Income |
$10,772.74 |
|
|
Membership
Dues |
$29,273.00 |
|
|
Office
Support |
-$12,000.00 |
|
|
Postage |
-$1,271.36 |
|
|
Sanctioning
Fees |
$18,698.00 |
|
|
Supplies |
-$1,130.21 |
|
|
Telephone
& ISP |
-$1,136.52 |
|
|
Transfers,
OF-> |
-$15,000.00 |
|
|
VP
Administration & Committees:AGM Expenses |
-$326.31 |
|
|
VP
Administration & Committees:Convention Grants |
-$2,000.00 |
|
|
VP
Administration & Committees:Fundraising Expense |
-$798.52 |
|
|
VP
Club Services & Committees:Junior Development Grants |
-$13,897.42 |
|
|
VP
Club Services & Committees:New Club Support |
-$18.29 |
|
|
VP
Club Services & Committees-Other |
-$8.00 |
|
|
VP
Competition & Committees:Coaching expenses |
-$4,762.24 |
|
|
VP
Competition & Committees:WRE Fees |
-$795.00 |
|
|
VP
Competition & Committees-Other |
-$1,068.38 |
|
|
VP
Marketing & Committees:Marketing Projects |
-$150.88 |
|
|
VP
Marketing & Committees:ONA |
-$24,069.58 |
|
|
VP
Marketing & Committees:Website |
-$300.00 |
|
|
VP
Program & Committees |
-$11.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Operating Fund |
$83,479.14 |
|
|
|
||
|
Program
Dev Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, PDF |
$5,880.86 |
|
|
Contributions,
PDF |
$50.00 |
|
|
Program
Income, PDF |
$71.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Program Dev Fund |
$6,001.86 |
|
|
Ski-O
Team Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, SkiTF |
$13,928.19 |
|
|
Travel,
Ski TF |
-$8,665.95 |
|
|
Contributions,
Ski TF |
$940.00 |
|
|
Transfers,
->Ski TF |
$2,000.00 |
|
|
Travel
Grant, Ski TF |
-$500.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Ski-O Team Fund |
$7,702.24 |
|
|
Sponsor
& Mkt Fund |
||
|
Video
Distribution |
$80.00 |
|
|
Beg.
Balance, SponMkt Fund |
$8,591.10 |
|
|
TOTAL
Sponsor & Mkt Fund |
$8,671.10 |
|
|
Team
Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, TF |
$9,818.92 |
|
|
Contributions,
TF |
$4,224.00 |
|
|
Training,
TF |
-$100.00 |
|
|
Transfers,
->TF |
$3,000.00 |
|
|
Fundraising,
TF |
$10,783.23 |
|
|
Travel,
TF |
-$14,389.42 |
|
|
Travel
Grant, TF |
-$1,000.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Team Fund |
$12,336.73 |
|
|
Trail-O
Team Fund |
||
|
Beg.
Balance, TrTF |
$816.16 |
|
|
Contributions,
TrTF |
$530.00 |
|
|
Travel
Grant, TrTF |
-$1,000.00 |
|
|
Fundraising,
TrTF |
$483.00 |
|
|
TOTAL
Trail-O Team Fund |
$829.16 |
|
|
OVERALL
TOTAL |
$260,436.05 |
|
2008 Annual Report of the President
of the
USOF’s
Our mission is to:
· Provide orienteering as a viable and attractive
recreation choice for US outdoors enthusiasts.
· Promote orienteering for education, personal
development, and environmental awareness.
· Improve the competitive performance of US orienteering athletes to world-class levels.
To increase training and competition opportunities for Juniors.
At last year’s convention a brainstorming session was held to discuss a variety of issues related to the focus on Juniors. Out of this came a list of measures to track progress in Junior training and competition. The following are the baseline measures for 2006 and 2007 for these areas. In the next few years, we will be continuing to report on these measures as a way to determine the success of our Junior Initiatives.
Number and size of Junior Training Camps (incomplete statistics based on 11 clubs reporting):
Year events hours juniors Jr-hrs coaches Jr.
Program
2006 65 138 321 2,902 9 7
2007 79 176 316 3,364 19 8
USOF Performance in
International Competition
Number of Junior
Starts at A-meets, IS Champs and IC Champs
Interscholastic Championships
# Teams 2006 2007 2008
Intermed 12 6 13
JV 16 15 26
Var 19 11 13
Club JV 0 1 2
Club Var 1 3 3
Intercollegiate Championships
# Teams 2006 2007 2008
JV 4 2 2
Var 6 2 5
Club 6 ? 5
Schools 3 1 2
Number of Ranked Juniors
Other Junior related USOF work includes the Junior Development Grant Program, working with Janet Porter to increase the administrative support for the USOF Junior Development team and plans to bid for a future JWOC.
USOF is only as good as the volunteer base that serves it. Many national level positions have been unfilled for quite some time. The Board of Directors is only that – a board. We need enthusiastic members to help us move forward in our efforts. Recruiting and keeping good volunteers is a constant battle that we need to get better at.
Current efforts toward hiring a paid executive director are anticipated to increase fundraising, membership, and services to clubs.
In summary, we are trying hard to push USOF into a new era which is dependent on increasing our administrative support and service and growing our technically trained ranks through Junior programs. We ask for your support, ideas, and cooperation in these endeavors.
USOF is you!
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION REPORT TO THE 2008 AGM
FRANK H. KUHN DVOA AND FLO
This is my last hurrah as Vice President of Administration. To help YOU celebrate this occasion, I am NOT going to give my report in person. Instead, you may read my report from my various Committees in the Virtual Binder, or pick up a copy on your way out, or do none of the above !!
Thank you for your forbearance in my reports over the past years!!!
ACTING CHAIRPERSON,
NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
As the former Chairperson and more recently the Acting Chairperson, I would like to leave you with some thoughts about your responsibilities as USOF Members.
The growth, success and viability of all organizations depend upon the participation and support of every single person in the organization. Here at USOF, we cannot afford to have folks standing on the sidelines while a small group of faithful folks do all of the work year in and year out.
It behooves Regional Nominating Committee Members (RNCMs), Board Members and ALL other USOF Members to assume the responsibility for identifying candidates and securing their willingness to stand for election.
It is well known in the world of securing volunteers that only a very small number of folks will volunteer- YOU HAVE TO ASK THEM !
With the very limited number of folks on the Club Net, it is imperative that you spread the word about the need for candidates in your club newsletters and websites. Our goal has always been to have at least two qualified candidates for each of the Board Positions up for election in a given year.
The key to success of the USOF elections is the candidates that YOU identify and encourage to stand for election. RNCMs are coordinators in securing willing and viable candidates. They and individual USOF members know the best people qualified for the various positions.
The RNCMs and individual USOF members need to be very proactive- the RNCMs in soliciting viable candidates, and in turn, YOU, the members, need to take the initiative in making candidate recommendations to the RNCMs.
There must be a natural progression through the USOF structure. Key members in a club who have progressed through the learning and experience phases need to move up to the Board so the newer members may take their place and become the club’s leaders,
The bottom line is ALL USOF MEMBERS (YOU, ME, WE, US), regardless of our position in USOF, must help in the candidate identification process and then vote for the candidates we believe are the most capable of carrying on the work of USOF in the years ahead !!!
Bylaws
Committee
chair - Rob Wilkison
other members - Francis Hogle; Dave Irving
The bylaws committee's primary activities in the last year
consisted of responding to questions about applications of the bylaws
and related issues. A relatively quiescent bylaws committee is not
necessarily a bad thing since an overactive bylaws committee usually
results from structural deficiencies or turmoil in the organization.
There may be proposed changes in the bylaws to be considered at the
2009 AGM, which the committee will address once the Board or another
body within USOF makes a formal proposal to revise the current
structure of the organization.
CONVENTION
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON: SARA MAE
BERMAN CSU
COMMITTEE
MEMBER: ROBERT BURACZYNSKI CNYO
USOF tries to have a convention every year, but this wasn't possible for
this year. We do not yet have a host for 2009. However, we have gotten an
inquiry from a potential host for the 2010 convention from the northwest. I
have sent an email invitation to consider hosting a future USOF convention
to about 4 dozen USOF clubs as well as to the USOF CLUB NET, included are
the Convention Guidelines.
TO USOF CLUBS: Consider hosting a future convention! It provides a great
tool for your own club's development by giving members an important and fun
goal to work for. Your club can use a convention to engage your wider
community, using it as a way to promote the sport and your club locally.
For your club members, it's a great way to meet orienteers from all over
the country and get the "orienteers are family" feeling, as well as
spread
the word that orienteering is a lifetime family activity.
FUNDRAISING
COMMITTEE
Chairperson:
Stephanie Martineau
Junior team
donations leapt from $2630 in 2006 to $6248 in 2007 reflecting a real response
to the appeal for support of junior programs. The Operating Fund received
$9,633; this was almost double the amount received in 2006 ($5,123). These funds are available for junior programs
such as the grants offered to clubs. The
Endowment Fund received $5169, which was a slight drop from 2006
contributions.
It is
significant that the number of donors increased from 78 in 2006 to 139 in
2007. And the number of large gifts
($500 and over) doubled from the prior year.
Support from USOF members is growing, and hopefully the trend will
continue. The cost of the fund drive was
only 1.6% of the receipts, meaning that over 98% of donations go to the
programs
Annual
Report, USOF Grievance Committee
During the year ending in the summer of 2008, the USOF Grievance received the
first grievance filing in several years, pertaining to the selection of the
team to the World Trail Orienteering Championships. The GC found that the
published selection criteria had not been properly followed, and directed the
Trail-O Committee to change the makeup of the team so as to comply with the
rules.
J-J Cote, RMOC, Chairman
Charlie DeWeese, WCOC
Dick Opsahl, NMO
Nancy Niemann, HOC