by Larry Eder
Stephanie Hightower, Chairman/President,
USATF, photo courtesy of USATF
I found this letter on the USATF.org site, dated October 15, 2009. I had not read it and my guess was that many of you had not seen it. I encourage you to not only go to the convention, but also send Stephanie an email noting concerns that you have for the organization.
Evolution is a painful, invasive process. The changes in USATF over the past year have been many, and surprisingly, they have come with little bloodshed.
RBR will provide updates from the convention and also tweet important updates and information.
October 15, 2009
MESSAGE FROM USATF CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT
STEPHANIE HIGHTOWER
After nine months as your President and six months as Chair of the Board of Directors I offer the following review of the work and activities I have been engaged in, together with a preview of the topics of focus at our upcoming Annual Meeting.
WOW! This year has been an exciting and invigorating listening and learning experience. I started the year by attending the Youth Workshop which provided insight into the complex workings of that committee structure. Then at the Indoor Championships in February, Doug
Logan and I hosted the Volunteer Council, which graciously imparted their wisdom and facilitated the handoff to the new leadership. The new Board of Directors met for the first time in March to set the stage for our work and to elect its Chair and officers. In June, Eugene hosted another stellar Outdoor Sr. National Championships to select our World Championships Team. Then in July, the Board held a planning retreat with Consultant Erica Andersen of Proteus International to develop our Federation’s strategic vision for our future (I will talk more about this). We are excited about presenting it to you at the Annual Meeting and hearing your feedback. The Association Workshop in Iowa provided insightful feedback
to the Board regarding revisions and changes that should be addressed in the draft Strategic Plan prior to it being unveiled to the full body. And in September, the USOC Olympic Congress in Chicago revealed the unfortunate discourse within the USOC family and the difficult work they have ahead.
So what is next for USATF? Armed with only 75% of the information I need to effectively guide our organization, I am preparing for the Annual Meeting where I can join you to continue my listening tour – I will be hosting a couple of “Coffee/Tea with the President and CEO†sessions during the Annual Meeting to hear and learn from you as we roll out the
proposed Strategic Plan for the future.
It is the Board’s intent to introduce to the membership the new Strategic Plan during the opening session on Dec.3, and hope that all of our constituencies – Athletes, Coaches, Youth, Masters, Officials, LDR, Race walkers, and Associations – will join us in entering into the next quadrennium with a roadmap that will lead our organization to new heights, that is inclusive of all its members and is governed by a set of transparent best practices that we all can be proud of. So register for the December 3-6 Annual Meeting at www.USATF.org and
make your reservations. We have lots of work ahead and we need your expertise. I look forward to seeing you in Indy.
Yours in Sport,
Stephanie Hightower
Chairman/President
For more on USATF, please check out http://www.usatf.org
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