All-Star Usasf Independence

catlady said:

The water is actually much clearer on this than you think, take it from a different perspective. Think of which would be a greater loss, the line of credit to a non-profit or the risk to a very profitable corporation if they do not have a governing body to enforce safety and creating a more positive and stable public/business perception. I'm all for transparency but, in this case, it makes sense that a profitable corporation would want to protect itself and the public/businesses they profit from. Cheer still has an uphill battle in public perception, and insurance companies and facilities for competitions need that reassurance that safety and ethics are a priority, otherwise, everyone in this business stands to lose. I'm not saying they're saints, however, that was actually a very smart business move on their part.

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I have to agree with Future on this.

As I look at cheer accross the board-from Rec to College level there are major safety gaps and lapses in risk management that could have been fixed years ago if safety and ethics were the priority over particpation.

SharkDad I know this isn't related to this thread, but I sent you a pm a few days ago. If you could get back to me wen you have some time that would be great

Future said:

Respectfully disagree that they are protecting the industry they profit from. This is totally about controlling the industry….for the wrong reasons. Protecting the USASF….who signs the contracts with Disney et al? USASF or Varsity…it is not USASF. Your point is acknowledged….however, safety and ethics will never be a higher priority over profit as long as the industry is controlled by profit companies. Totally agree that everyone stands to lose…especially the safety of our child-athletes.

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SharkDad said:

I have to agree with Future on this.

As I look at cheer accross the board-from Rec to College level there are major safety gaps and lapses in risk management that could have been fixed years ago if safety and ethics were the priority over particpation.

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"Perception" and "reality" are two different things, right now, cheer is battling perception. Public perception if a child is abducted at a football game is, "that's horrible, how tragic", perception if a mini is abducted at a cheer function is, "that's horrible, how sad but, it doesn't really surprise me, have you seen how they dress, the makeup, etc". Football hits the media if someone dies, cheer hits the news if there is an injury or a pedophile because, the perception is "how sad, just for cheerleading". Insurance companies crunch their numbers by sport. If cheer starts standing out as driving up costs and it is seen as "just cheerleading", then the target becomes everyone in the cheer business. If an Arena now states they can no longer provide their facility or they have to now charge triple because, of insurance costs, it most certainly effects everyone. This is where USASF comes in and creates the illusion, and I'll be honest, right or wrong, "perception" in business, takes priority over reality. In other words, we will send people out and talk about all the great strides we are making in safety (warm-ups, make up, hair, midriff covering), the "superficial" that everyone else sees, and make the changes that really need to made according to the experts in the cheer world later. Are they profiting? Someone made money off all those warm-ups. Was it necessary? I guess that depends how powerful you believe "perception" is. As far as money, the water is very clear, loaning money interest free, gave someone the opportunity to put whatever they wanted in the loan docs.

catlady said:

"Perception" and "reality" are two different things, right now, cheer is battling perception. Public perception if a child is abducted at a football game is, "that's horrible, how tragic", perception if a mini is abducted at a cheer function is, "that's horrible, how sad but, it doesn't really surprise me, have you seen how they dress, the makeup, etc". Football hits the media if someone dies, cheer hits the news if there is an injury or a pedophile because, the perception is "how sad, just for cheerleading". Insurance companies crunch their numbers by sport. If cheer starts standing out as driving up costs and it is seen as "just cheerleading", then the target becomes everyone in the cheer business. If an Arena now states they can no longer provide their facility or they have to now charge triple because, of insurance costs, it most certainly effects everyone. This is where USASF comes in and creates the illusion, and I'll be honest, right or wrong, "perception" in business, takes priority over reality. In other words, we will send people out and talk about all the great strides we are making in safety (warm-ups, make up, hair, midriff covering), the "superficial" that everyone else sees, and make the changes that really need to made according to the experts in the cheer world later. Are they profiting? Someone made money off all those warm-ups. Was it necessary? I guess that depends how powerful you believe "perception" is. As far as money, the water is very clear, loaning money interest free, gave someone the opportunity to put whatever they wanted in the loan docs.

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…loan docs?….any idea where those are?

Future said:

…loan docs?….any idea where those are?

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You don't need the loan docs, you already have the most pertinent piece of information. They have a 0% interest line of credit, so whomever is the orginator of the loan holds the power. They determine the priorities and the direction the USASF.

Here is a response to the USASF's letter that I just saw posted on growcheer.org's site. Should make for some interesting conversations.

The purpose of this letter is to discuss the USASF’s letter dated April 10, 2013. Growcheer.org applauds the USASF for responding to our proposal and initiating a self-improvement process. We would also like to thank everyone who offered invaluable insight and suggestions into our proposal, provided ongoing support, and raised issues on their own to the USASF that we hadn’t even considered.
YOU were the impetus for the USASF to begin addressing many of the important (and long overdue) issues that have been plaguing the all-star cheer for years. Now that you’ve “got the ball rolling”, we are hopeful that the USASF will run with it. To be sure, in these busy times, it is imperative that we collectively work with the USASF to ensure that these issues remain at the top of their agenda, so that meaningful, timely progress can occur in our sport.
With that, we respectfully submit the following comments to the Board of Directors of the USASF:
USASF: A 501c status is used primarily for organizations that receive donations, which the USASF does not.
Growcheer.org: While this is a factual statement, Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) provides for organizations that are “organized and operated to foster national or international amateur sports competition.” With rare exceptions, all other national governing bodies for US sports are organized as 501(c)(3) organizations and operate with full transparency to its members. Furthermore, the ability to accept donations is a positive aspect that could serve to generate additional revenue for the USASF, strengthening its financial position and reducing the cost of participating in Worlds for its members.
USASF: The corporate structure is controlled by the USASF Board of Directors and could be changed if the board decided it was in the best interest of the members.
Growcheer.org: We suggest that the Board conduct a third-party administered survey that objectively outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the existing structure and a 501(c)(3), and let the members decide what is in their best interest.
USASF: …it is obvious those bylaws could be improved upon. But remember, when written there was no reason for a formal set of complete statutes. The bylaws made all of the original board seats permanent in order to assure the organization stayed true to its mission. They also required a unanimous vote to change the bylaws. This stipulation is probably not ideal today.
Growcheer.org: We agree 100% with the USASF’s statements that their bylaws could be improved upon. Despite the USASF’s original intentions in establishing permanent Board seats, we believe the mission of the organization should be guided by its members, not a couple of for-profit companies. Successful organizations need to be able to adapt to change, and certainly all-star cheer has undergone significant change since the USASF’s inception nine years ago. Although not specifically addressed in their letter, we urge the Board to put aside their self-interests for the good of the sport and to eliminate permanent Board seats and the unanimous vote provision. We believe that making these changes are, by far, THE most important steps the USASF can take to ensure that the sport of all-star cheer continues to grow and meet the ever-evolving needs of its members.
USASF: This [the Varsity loan] has been an incredible benefit to our organization and members, and it would have been impossible for the USASF to survive without it.
Growcheer.org: While we acknowledge Varsity’s support has aided the USASF, the admission that without it the organization would have ceased to exist altogether is alarming, especially given the sport’s growing popularity over the past decade. This brings into question the validity of the USASF’s business model and/or the financial competence of the Board. Growcheer.org, comprised of management teams of diverse, complex business enterprises, would be willing to work with the USASF gratis in this area in an effort to improve the operating performance of the organization. The USASF’s pledge to publicly disclose their complete, audited financial statements in a few weeks will be an excellent starting point.
USASF: We look forward to working with our entire community to insure we continue to build an even stronger and more effective USASF.
Growcheer.org: Again, we congratulate the USASF for taking this historical step. Growcheer.org’s sole purpose is to do its part to effect positive change in all-star cheer. In this spirit, we offer our services to the USASF and pledge to keep members focused on these important issues by keeping the conversation at the forefront.
Sincerely,
Growcheer.org
Cheer Zone
GK Elite Sportswear, L.P.
GTM Sportswear, Inc.
Motionwear, LLC
Nfinity Athletic, LLC
Rebel Athletic
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