All-Star Usasf Independence

[BlueCat]

I for one am very interested to see how this pans out. However if I was the USASF idk how I would feel about being given ultimatums that come along with the loan. Now being independent is what the industry needs but I don't know how I feel about "we will do X but you have to do Y" independence is independence, what good I'd it to jump from a sole leader to multiple leaders? I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the terms but obviously they accepted the loan previously, why change hands?

Now if this were a buyout if the loan, I'd see things differently.

I didn't get the impression they were taking over control of USASF, just taking over the loan on on the condition that USASF becomes transparent and has open elections for the Board and other leadership positions.

It is worth noting that I actually think most of the members of the board SHOULD be on the board. I would vote for most of them myself if given the opportunity. It is the way that the president, officers, & board have been selected (and essentially given lifetime appointments) that I have issue with.

 

[King]

I think it's a little complex for the general public. If like a website going through everything and explaining the process they see happening. The 5 year plan and what happens at the end of the plan.

 

[ACEDAD]

Hiring any Economists / Analysts?

Very likely. We have more than 800 employees in 16 offices now. Never hurts to send a resume. [email protected]

 

[ACEDAD]

So as someone who works with exact numbers it has to make you a little crazy being invloved in this inexact sport.

A little. But I'm not a CPA. My specialty is corporate retirement plans, though that still involves being very exact.

We all need a creative outlet!

 

[newcheerdad]

Pity that the crashing of the board took down my response. To summarize:

I think we have to be very careful to annoint this growcheer.org initiative as the saviors of the USASF. It is a coalition of industry vendors that directly compete with Varsity which are clearly angling for a bigger role within the organization, no matter how this shakes out.

I believe the time has come for the USASF to live or die as a self-sustaining entity independent from Varsity. But ideally, this move would be made by a far broader coalition than a group of apparel companies.

 

[L5cheermom]

Pity that the crashing of the board took down my response. To summarize:

I think we have to be very careful to annoint this growcheer.org initiative as the saviors of the USASF. It is a coalition of industry vendors that directly compete with Varsity which are clearly angling for a bigger role within the organization, no matter how this shakes out.

I believe the time has come for the USASF to live or die as a self-sustaining entity independent from Varsity. But ideally, this move would be made by a far broader coalition than a group of apparel companies.

But I don't get the idea that they are interested in any long term "ownership" of the USASF. Maybe I'm just naive, but I see this as an attempt to free it from the clutches of Varsity and get it Independent as quickly as possible. Wonder if they are open to other sponsors to share the risk? I'll contribute $50. Hell, I'll even sponsor a car wash or bake sale to increase my contribution and I HATE fundraising.

 

[newcheerdad]

But I don't get the idea that they are interested in any long term "ownership" of the USASF. Maybe I'm just naive, but I see this as an attempt to free it from the clutches of Varsity and get it Independent as quickly as possible. Wonder if they are open to other sponsors to share the risk? I'll contribute $50. Hell, I'll even sponsor a car wash or bake sale to increase my contribution and I HATE fundraising.

Ownership? Probably not. But they were clear to make the point that "industry vendors" need "equal representation" in the USASF.

The new Board of Directors would be composed of equal representation among all segments of our industry - gym owners/coaches, event producers and industry vendors.

 

[CoachTamara]

Ownership? Probably not. But they were clear to make the point that "industry vendors" need "equal representation" in the USASF.

The new Board of Directors would be composed of equal representation among all segments of our industry - gym owners/coaches, event producers and industry vendors.

Let's be honest, I don't think their intentions are to take it over, they are simply looking for a fair shake. Competition is great for the sport, and Varsity does not really allow that. If the USASF were a fair governing body, there would be a place for everyone to have success.

 

[Ashley]

Let's be honest, I don't think their intentions are to take it over, they are simply looking for a fair shake. Competition is great for the sport, and Varsity does not really allow that. If the USASF were a fair governing body, there would be a place for everyone to have success.

I just don't understand why an apparel company feels they deserve a spot on the board. I can't think of a single reason why they should have any say over the rules. And I know they only mentioned that because if they're fronting the money for the loan, they want something in return (like how Varsity has so many spots now), but still.

 

[BlueCat]

I think industry vendors should get a seat or two. I also think a judge representative should get a seat. Coaches should get several more and EPs should get several less. Above all, they all should be freely elected, but have term limits. (Same should be true for the Presidency.)

 

[brandon0309]

As a CPA, that was the first thing that I thought was AUDIT!

Forensic accountant over here!! I'm with you and ACEDAD!!

 

[L5cheermom]

I just don't understand why an apparel company feels they deserve a spot on the board. I can't think of a single reason why they should have any say over the rules. And I know they only mentioned that because if they're fronting the money for the loan, they want something in return (like how Varsity has so many spots now), but still.

I certainly understand what you are trying to say, but I feel there could be significant value in their input into the growth of the sport. Our local school board is not filled with just teachers and parents, but with community and business leaders who have interest in the strength of the community as a whole. The same can be said of the board of directors of the hospital where I work. The Board of Directors should rely on the expertise of subcommittees like the NACCC for technicaI/rules topics. I agree that positions should be elected. I would also like to see regional representation as I suspect the business of cheer is significantly different depending on where you are.

 

[newcheerdad]

I think industry vendors should get a seat or two. I also think a judge representative should get a seat. Coaches should get several more and EPs should get several less. Above all, they all should be freely elected, but have term limits. (Same should be true for the Presidency.)

This. Event producers in general have WAY too much power in the current setup.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[INeverStopCheering]

I'm slightly surprised JAM didn't tack their name onto this, as I consider them Varsity's biggest competitor. I'm proud of these companies for putting their foot down and saying "enough is enough." I think our discontent with Varsity and USASF has been brewing for some time now and if it takes a handful of angry vendors to shake things up, go them!

On the other hand, I'm curious what they've got up their sleeves if this fails. If USASF denies this proposal, are they forming their own governing body? They have everything to lose in this scenario. If things don't go their way are they just going to shrug their shoulder and go "oh well we tried"? Are they going to take some sort of legal avenue I don't know about because I'm not a lawyer? Are they going to pull support and embargo the USASF (which would only hurt themselves)?

And how do things stand for Varsity if they decline? If they choose to keep the hold they have over the USASF? Are we as an industry going to protest them (probably not, they hold way too much)? Are we going to write angry letters? If it were me and I were them, I would begin formulating some serious plan B's right about now.

 

[CoachTamara]

I just don't understand why an apparel company feels they deserve a spot on the board. I can't think of a single reason why they should have any say over the rules. And I know they only mentioned that because if they're fronting the money for the loan, they want something in return (like how Varsity has so many spots now), but still.

I don't know if I interpret it that way... I'm not thinking seat on the board are wanted as much as Varsity NOT being the only one represented. Varsity is the biggest majority represented, and not only does that include apparel, but gyms, camps, competitions, etc. Saying equal representation to me means that someone else is there to stop them from making decisions that financially empower them and tear down the competitors. At this point, there is no stopping it because they have a majority.