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| Organizations (1242 Posts)
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Regions
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On 11/4/2002 slappy
wrote in from
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
I'm suggesting 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
There appear to be too many words on systems and bureaucracy (and this is coming from liberal, commie, tree hugger.)
Keep it short and simple. How is all of this suppose to effect me as a racer?
Are you intending riders that live in the '1990 census population figures regions' to eventually compete for points in that region?
I can tell you right now that Northern Virginia skaters aren't driving their asses down to Florida to compete for regional points when they can go 15 miles and skate in the other region.
Who came up with the regions besides one person? Was there a vote among the directors for these regions?
If you want buy in, you should start thinking of the skaters that don't care about the USGA, AAU, 501(c)3, C3PO, and R2D2.
And yes, I'm very glad Brian Parsons is involved. I pray to my Brian Parsons' shrine every night and thank God for his involvement.
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USSSF Regions
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On 11/3/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
So, what are you suggesting as an alternative, Slappy? It is often very easy for people to identify and point out what they feel doesn't or won't work. Where many people come up short is with the presentation of a well thought-out, comprehensive and logical alternative.
The primary purpose for the existence of the USSSF is the stable, balanced development of a sport, and the region system is just a tool therein. The primary function of the region system is the election of representation to the Board of Directors, but one of the primary, practical advantages to the system is to allow us to work small and replicate, resulting in something like co-equal development from region to region.
The very term "Federation" was chosen for this association specifically because it speaks directly to the unifying of disparate groups, not the encouragement and isolation of them. You may ask then, why would we be dividing up groups, like the metropolitan areas to which you have referred? Well, Slappy, there are many different ways of looking at the same situation. What you regard as the dividing of metropolitan areas, and whatever wrong that represents to you, others consider to be the sharing of two strong communities amongst four regions.
Let me assure you of something. So far as I know, the USSSF has no intentions of enforcing that riders from one region not ride, hang out with, or organize events with riders from other regions. Particularly considering that we are building toward a long-term and steady success for the sport, aren't you glad that Brian Parsons is involved?
Considering that the regions were defined with the future in mind, and make more than good sense in many ways (including that sharing of strong communities amongst regions), aren't you glad Brian Parsons wasn't excluded from consideration because he happened to live near a regional border and focuses some of his personal energies across that border?
Besides, Brian may only be Region Two Director until that position comes up for its' first election (1-3 yrs). To make any decision about defining or re-defining regions based on the geographic location of one individual holding a Director's seat would be beyond short-sighted.
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Regions
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On 11/3/2002 slappy
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
Picking the regions by population census seems to be putting square pegs in round holes.
MD & DC in Region 1 and VA in Region 2 ??? Brian Parsons the 'Region 2 director' holds races in MD.
Wisconsin in Region 5 and Illinois in Region 3???
You're separating two major metropolitan areas (Chicago and DC) that actually currently have groups of skaters.
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USSSF Launch Ramp Contributions
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On 11/2/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
The U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation would like to offer a very sincere "Thank You!", to the first three contributors to the USSSF Launch Ramp Campaign.
Thank you, Glenn Shotwell.
Thank you, Kevin and Yvonne Gamble.
Please note that name of the USSSF PayPal account has been changed to:
contributions@usssf.org
Donatio ns can also be confirmed at that same e-mail address, contributions@usssf.org.
USSSF... Racing Into The Future!
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Curling in the U.S.
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On 11/2/2002
GBJ
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
You said it, not me. I can tell you this... following last winter's Winter Olympic coverage, of which there was actually a considerable amount on CNBC, our club held a two-day, weekend Open House and entertained over 700 prospective new curlers during eight hours with the doors open. There are currently more than 100,000 active curlers in the U.S., and the top professionals in Canadian curling are approaching the ability to make quite a comfortable living of off the game. How long did it take curling to reach this level of success? Well, the historians are really unclear as to when the whole thing started, but the best guesses are somewhere in the vicinity of 700 years. Hmmm... still here after 700 years, pretty impressive. I guess success can be gauged in many ways.
But... let's get back to slalom skateboarding.
Support the USSSF! We've got a long way to go.
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curling
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On 11/2/2002
Brady
wrote in from
(66.21.nnn.nnn)
Hey Andy,
Doesn`t that kwirky sport have a large membership in their organization? And don`t they have bigger cash prize awards at ther championships than what we see at currnet slalom gigs?
Maybe it`s not something we want to shake a stick at :-)
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Curling and Slalom
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On 11/2/2002
GBJ
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
Well, Hugh, one can't be a curler from a pre-teen on and not develop a very thick skin about it. In fact, it was probably the thick skin and indivualism I developed as a nationally competitive junior curler, that enabled me to take all the ribbing I got for slaloming through the 80s, while everyone else was riding vert. In fact, not that I think of it, compared to "mainstream" skateboarding, slalom looks pretty damned silly too. Obviously, I don't get overly concerned about how other people see me, because if I did, I probably would've given up curling AND slalom a long time ago. Of course, Hugh, despite how silly it must look, you know it's gotta be fun, somehow, because by now you should know what a fun junkie I am!
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holding your Tongue
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On 11/2/2002
CKnuck
wrote in from
(24.103.nnn.nnn)
Well Hugh, I don't know how long you can go around holding your tongue, but please make sure you wash your hands and have a good supply of anti perspirent.
Another thing make sure you eat well beforehand because you may have a hard time doing both at once.
Good luck, EH!
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curling up...
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On 11/1/2002 psYch0Lloyd
wrote in from
(24.148.nnn.nnn)
Therein lies the skill Hugh, imagine trying to organize a group of people who enjoy throwing rocks and then go about sweeping after themselves...
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Time to make Andy angry!
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On 11/1/2002
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
I don't care how much skill it takes...
Curling is one of the silliest looking sports I have ever seen!
Now lets see how long it takes for that to get under your skin! ;/ HR
PS I wouldn't have mentioned it, but this is the third time in a year that he brought it up! How long can I possibly be expected to hold my tongue?
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Profit or Not - USSSF
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On 11/1/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
The root reason for the choice is the obvious one. Profit motive makes the entire operation fundamentally different.
You ask how we can call ourselves a charity, but not all 501(c)3 organizations are what anyone would call a charity, particularly when applied to sport governance, amateur athletics, or the ever popular "educational" institution.
The National College Atheletic Association (NCAA) is a 501(c)3 Educutional Association, but not necessarily what most people consider a charity. The curling club that my father helped charter over 40 years ago also just went through getting their 501(c)3 on the "educational" angle.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has its' 501(c)3 for its' focus on amateurism.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is also a 501(c)3, as a sport governing/sanctioning body. I know there's hardly anyone out there that considers the USGA a charity! Whether you happen to appreciate golf or not, the USGA would be the closest call to the direction being taken by the USSSF. It's a sterling example to follow too. In the past 104 years, the USGA developed golf in the U.S. from extreme obscurity in 1898, to the mega-sporting activity that it is today. In fact, it was until 18 years later that the USGA had developed enough of a sport to make the Professional Golfers Association of America necessary.
If the founding members of the USGA had based the total potential and total value of their effort on their level of success in the first two years, and had held expectations that golf was suddenly going to become an ultra-recognized, global sport in that time, they would've quit. I'd also bet that, if we were able to ask those same people just how good they thought it could possibly get, they couldn't even possibly imagine how successful they and the sport have subsequently become. Slalom skateboarding, in this stage of its' existence, can hardly dare to hope.
Now that you mention it... The U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation IS seeking pro bono service from attorneys and/or CPAs, to help us through this chartering period. Contact SlalomFederation@hotmail.com.
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USSSF
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On 11/1/2002
CKnuck
wrote in from
(24.103.nnn.nnn)
Well George if your non-profit you qualify for grants and subsidies. You musy prove numbers, howeveIf it were to ever get accepted into the Olympics or World Summer Games you need governing bodies. Non-Profit is the only way to go.
Since this is a sports group it is even more important. The companies,sponsors and businesses can even write off contributions ad a write-off. So can the lawyers.
Promoters and Manufacturers on the other hand do not need to be non-profit and will prosper by a sound association to support.
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U 3-S F
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On 11/1/2002
george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
Andy, a group my town struggled with getting a 501-3c for 4 years to bring in a skatepark (a lot of wasting time and money imo). in the beginning why does it have to be non-prof when loosing money would probably help you more? i don't know, but how can we say we are a charity? or are we just going for a non prof thing? it will cost about 1K if we got a cheap/free lawyer. can anybody reading give us a hand, don't any lawyers skate???
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USSSF... Want To Help?
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On 10/31/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
This is a very exciting time for slalom skateboarding and the U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation, because the potential for success is greater now than it ever has been. With issues ahead such as regional amateur racing programs, rules standardization, and volunteer coordination programs to support national racing events, it is extremely important for slalom skateboarders of all interest levels, from across the country, to become involved with the USSSF (get used to saying “U, triple-S, F”… it’s easier that way!).
It is equally important that those who have supported the USSSF with their membership dues make an additional effort to support the organization with some time and effort too. That time and effort needn’t be as demanding as serving on the Board of Directors or a committee. The efforts and interests of the U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation can be well served by the committed reading of all USSSF materials that you receive, understanding the intentions, issues and direction that the organization is taking, informed voting for members of the Board of Directors (when that option comes to fruition) and communication of your concerns to those directors whom you’ve elected.
What the U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation needs right now is money. I’ve made no bones about this fact elsewhere, and I’m going to re-assert it now. We are actively seeking major benefactor to distinguish themselves as part of the USSSF’s Charter Member Program, but that is very slow going. That’s unfortunate, because the Charter Member Program is a limited-time offer and I’d hate to see the opportunity pass with nobody getting involved.
Of course, while this has been going on, it has been pointed out to me that there are people out there who do wish to make contributions to launching the U.S. Slalom Skateboarding Federation, but don’t necessarily have the financial independence to be contributing capital funds. Apparently these contributions amount to a figure that is not insignificant to our purposes, so I am initiating the Launch Ramp Program. Not knowing how much funding we will have on hand the day we commence our first membership year, January 1, 2003, there is very little we can promise in return for Launch Ramp contributions. All I can really do is promise that EVERY person making a contribution to the USSSF’s Launch Ramp Program will have his or her name listed here, as well as in Volume 1, Issue 1 of the USSSF’s first major magazine-type publication.
As directed by the Executive Committee of the USSSF, I have now created a PayPal account under the name,
SlalomFederation@hotmail.com
Please feel free to direct your contributions to the USSSF Launch Ramp Program to that PayPal account, or make your check payable to: USSSF
and send to:
USSSF
c/o Andy Bittner
105 Middle Point Court
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Please confirm your contribution at SlalomFederation@hotmail.com.
Thank you
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Region 8
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On 10/31/2002 george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
cool on the cones. because all i really want from a cone is for it to get out of my way when i criddle/hit it.
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Re: Religion 8
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On 10/31/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
George, Your calling USSSF Region Eight "Religion 8" just made me laugh harder than I've laughed in a very long time. Hilarious! Nothing could more appropriately describe the strength of the energy I expect to feel from Region Eight than that!
As for the question of cone standardization, I'd like to refer you to an earlier post that noted, "Everything won't happen immediately either. It is not, and never will be, the intention of the USSSF to foist anything on anyone."
What this means is that there is no one person in this organization with the unilateral power to simply pronounce some cone size as being "standard". Eventually, recommending a cone standard will probably come out of a Rules Committee of some kind of Events Committee. In the meanwhile, we will continue to observe and learn from the experiences and choices made by race organizers across the whole slalom community.
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cones
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On 10/31/2002 george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
in referencing the search engine here i notice there is still no cone standard. this was an arguement from last year. it went away and i am the first to dredge it back up. now that it is almost winter and the USSSF is back can we get a ruling? or at least a three week discussion to be shelved in the spring.
okay i am being a little bit of a jerk, but you gotta admit we should keep a sense of humor and optimism about us. what about the cones.
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oops
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On 10/31/2002 george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
i mean Steven, sorry Jack.
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Religion 8
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On 10/31/2002
george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
since i am in Arizona, cool thanks for clarifying that. all my future correspondence will be directed at the region 8 director Jack, hey Jack ..........:)
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USSSF Regions
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On 10/30/2002
USSSF
wrote in from
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
There are eight USSSF Regions, created primarily for the purposes of reasonably fair geographic representation on the Board of Directors and the benefit to each Region of having at least one Director focused on developing the sport within that region.
The regions were determined based on population figures provided by the 1990 U.S. Census. They are...
Region One - Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.
Region Two - West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
Region Three - Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri
Region Four - Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
Region Five - North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin
Region Six - Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas
Region Seven - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska
Region Eight - California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Hawaii
The Executive Committee has already approached someone to represent Region Six, and is awaiting a response. To the best of our knowledge, we have seen nothing to indicate that anyone is riding slalom skateboards in Region Five. In any case, even if someone is slaloming in Region Five, nobody has emerged from that Region at such a level of involvement that anyone of us has noticed. Should we not find a suitable candidate for the Region Five Director's seat, that seat would revert to a one-year, at-large Directorship, and would continue as such, until such time as Region Five can produce a suitable candidate for the position.
66, Some swag will be provided with each paid membership. If you want to call it "Free", it's all good with me. It certainly reflects better on us that way!
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colorado
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On 10/30/2002
george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
hey Colorado, i would be happy to jump in with New Mex, Northern Arizona and you. whatever works. at least Breakenridge is a go for 2003 as far as i know. maybe Albuquerque for the Bear. so there is something going on.
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USSSF
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On 10/30/2002
cbark
wrote in from
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What happened to Regions 5-6?
What is the purpose/duty of the Regions?
What region does Colorado fit in?
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ussf
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On 10/30/2002 66
wrote in from
(65.83.nnn.nnn)
will there be a free t-shirt with every membership?
:-)
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you boys are into it...............
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On 10/30/2002 cabbage
wrote in from
(216.83.nnn.nnn)
build it and we'll come. this is the wrong forum for me thats for sure. have fun see you boys at someone's event somewhere.
sk8 till u die,
cabbage
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AZ GRS
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On 10/30/2002
george g
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
well all of the below is a repeat. i have heard it all before from each source. all i want from the usssf or whatever is the ability to use or rent a timing system? can you do that? is that possible? unless it is just a few running an outlaw race (and maybe that is one of the most fun ways) i read the stuff about the issf from another source. my simple mind gets muddled by the tech part of things. all these rules, post this race x months in advance, foreign country racers and rights, equipment rules, safety rules etc. then comes the hard part money. i don't know if we are big enough yet. i know sucess comes on the backs of volunteerism, try to have an idea of what is expected of participants. those of you that know me know i will bust my ass to get stuff done. figure out what you want/need and i will try to be there. but the bottom line is i am there because i am trying to race. george.
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