Note
To the discussion about the merits and demerits of the ED position, I would offer the following:
1. One analysis ought to be about the job -- what is/can/should be in the job description, and what the priorities ought to be. This is an area where there seems to be widely varying opinions and little consensus. That doesn't surprise me. If there were easy answers, we'd probably already be doing those things.
I think you need an ED. At what level (full time or 3/4 time or 1/2 time) and with what duties and priorities, those are tough questions.
2. Another analysis ought to be about the current occupant of the position and his performance in the job. Almost nothing has been said about this, though I think it is of prime importance; of course it can be difficult to discuss because it is by default personal.
My own experience with, and observations of, the current occupant is that he is not the person we need in the job, however the job is defined. Not even close.
3. Nothing (well, almost nothing) ever gets done by talking about it on AP.
I have made my efforts with the powers that be to push for change, with no success. Under the current leadership nothing is going to change.
4. And finally, to all of the wonderful folks who read this log and 15 months ago responded to my suggestion and made significant donations to support the Junior Team, I am distressed to offer you this report card --
-- I became aware in March, 11 months after the roughly 22K of donations were made, that virtually none of it had been spent. Proposals by the Junior Coach had been essentially vetoed by the President and the ED. I'm not aware of any involvement of the Junior Team ESC. Needless to say, I expressed my dismay, and also my view that the money was not donated in order to spend the rest of its days in the bank.
-- In checking this month, now 15 months later, it seems there is still almost no progress. The following was in the minutes of the recent Board meeting in Laramie:
"$22,000 raised by Peter Gagarin will be used to promote junior development over 3 years. The main focus is to use the funds to expand the sport to all and not be reserved for the elites. Funds are available for all disciplines (foot, mtbo, ski, trail). Erin Schirm will travel to facilitate or totally organize training. Glen and Greg Lennon will work on the marketing of this to the clubs. Erin will coordinate with the clubs on what will happen at the training sessions. This initiative is still in the planning stages so clubs should contact Glen Schorr."
-- So, 15 months later (1) things are still in the planning stage (under the leadership of our ED), (2) the original contributions were $21,928 for the Junior Team, by which I and I believe others meant the Junior Foot-O Team, plus $514 for the Junior Ski-O Team, plus $674 for the Senior Foot-O Team, plus $241 undesignated, and (3) funds are being offered for use to all disciplines and it seems for whatever purpose anyone can dream up, which doesn't seem to track with the stated purpose of the donations.
And they can't even get that done.
To all of you I offer my apologies. I thought the marathon fundraiser was a really good thing. But it has come to this...