January - February 1999 | Vol. 10, No. 1

Otto Dietrich

CHANGING TIMES
by Otto Dietrich

Once again, the USRA’s annual election for the Board of Directors is just around the corner ... the “polls” will close in early May. This recurring event invariably triggers questions about who actually runs the USRA. At the same time, I’m amazed at the number of members who erroneously believe that Luke St. Onge is the President of the USRA or that the Board receives some form of monetary compensation. So, let’s clear up these issues!

The United States Olympic Committee has approved the USRA’s formal constitution as part of their recognition of the USRA as the national governing body of the sport of racquetball in the USA. A rather awesome responsibility!

That constitution calls for the USRA to be governed by a 13-member Board of Directors. At least 20 percent of these members must be “elite” athletes and at least 20 percent must be women. Athlete members (three persons) are elected for four-year terms from and by those persons who have played racquetball at the elite level (i.e. National Team members) during the past 10 years. The ten remaining Board members are elected from the general membership for three-year terms and can be re-elected once before “resigning” for at least two years. For continuity reasons, terms are staggered so that only three or four actually end each May. Thus, an annual election! Officers of the Board are elected from and by the Board and serve a two-year term. After the new board is seated each May, a vote is taken to fill any officer vacancy that may exist.

Board members serve without compensation for their services! This volunteer Board meets twice a year — once immediately prior to National Singles and again in the fall — either September or October — at the National Office in Colorado Springs. The meetings are very intense, 2-3 day affairs usually lasting from 8:00 AM well into the night. Of course, the USRA does underwrite the expenses associated with these meetings.

The Board of Directors makes all key policy and organizational decisions, and sets the direction for the USRA. Perhaps the single most critical decision the Board makes on a recurring basis is “Who should be the USRA’s Executive Director?” The Executive Director is an employee who serves, under contract, at the will of the Board. Each year, the entire Board collectively evaluates the current Executive Director’s performance.

For many years now, the USRA has been indeed fortunate to have an Executive Director who obviously is much, much more than just another “contract employee.” The Board has empowered Luke St. Onge, on the basis of his superior track record and proven abilities, to manage the USRA’s daily operations in accordance with established policies. For instance, Luke makes all personnel decisions for the paid staff at the national office, such as hiring, firing, promoting, or disciplining. However, the Board could vote to cancel a particular program or reduce funding to a level that would mandate a reduction in personnel. At the far extreme, the Board could even terminate or fail to renew Luke’s contract if necessary to impose its collective will!

The Board spends many hard hours working on the USRA’s annual budget, which largely sets the course for each year’s operations. And while Luke actually negotiates most contracts, he cannot sign one without Board approval! Therefore, he regularly seeks input from the board to ensure that he is on the correct course. Since most of the decisions reserved by the Board usually can’t wait for the next scheduled formal meeting, an executive committee provides the mechanism for more rapid feedback. Board officers (President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary), along with one athlete member, serve on the committee, which often meets via teleconference to advise Luke on time-sensitive issues. Executive Committee decisions are later subject to full-board review at the next full meeting.

Who’s currently on the USRA’s Board of Directors? Well, I’m currently in my first year as President, Shelly Ogden is Executive Vice President, Annie Muniz is Treasurer, Janell Marriott is Secretary, and Eric Muller is the Athlete Representative on the Executive Committee. Other Board members are athlete representatives Malia Bailey and Dan O’Bremski; plus Keith Calkins, John Giunta, Jack Hughes, Ron Maggard, Dario Mas, and Carlton Vass.

As you can see the Board of Directors and its officers set the direction of the USRA and are largely responsible for the way it runs. So, your responsibility for electing them shouldn’t be taken lightly! Please take the time to learn about the candidates [ballot information will appear in the next issue] and cast your votes accordingly!

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