Sunrise

The Newsletter of the Eastern Section of the U.S. Figure Skating Association

October 2002,

Volume 2, No. 2

INTRODUCTION:

When you volunteer for an organization you really care about, it’s natural that you wish to see it make what you think is progress. That’s one of the reasons to become involved in its governance, and when you can make a difference, it’s worth the time and energy required. Having been elected as Eastern Vice-President and a member of the Executive Committee for the third year brings the opportunity for input. So do the oversight functions that come with those positions. I’m thankful to the members who have allowed me that chance and pledge to make the most of it. – Ted Clarke

TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION

At my suggestion, the USFSA Executive Committee voted at its September meeting to mandate its International Task Force: “ … to explore possibilities for improving the position of the U.S. within International Figure Skating in conjunction with other figure skating federations.”

The rationale reads as follows: “Our skaters (and those of all nations) deserve fair competition and unbiased judging. Figure skating should be governed democratically with full exploration of new ideas. Figure skating may reach those goals more quickly with an IOC-recognized body that is separate from speed skating, and that possibility should be examined.”

The motion was passed unanimously and with some enthusiasm. Many feel that the U.S. with its unparalleled strength and resources in the sport should use its position to improve or, if necessary, to replace the governing body and that we are at a point where one or both of these can and should be done.

Your point of view and your opinion on these matters are important. Many of you are leaders in the sport or participants in it, and want it to be as good as we can make it. Whatever your opinion is, I’d like to hear from you, and also urge you to attend the Governing Council Meeting and make your views known.

THE JOY OF JUDGING

“This is why we judge.” … “I had tears in my eyes, the skating was so good.” … “They were all trying so hard, it was like a Nationals.” But it wasn’t a U.S. Championship. These comments came from judges watching an Intermediate event at a September qualifying event – the Boston Open. The skating was so good and the competition so keen that a skater with two double axels and two clean triples wasn’t good enough to win. They were all good. The event just kept getting better.

Those of us who volunteer, and even those whose vocations are in skating have moments when we realize (again) why we chose this and not something else. This was one of those moments. Perhaps there are many more ahead. Let’s hope so.

THE WEBSITE/THE MAGAZINE

If you go to www.usfsa.org often, or even once in a while, you may agree that it’s getting easier to navigate and has more information than it had a short while ago. It can still be faster in getting things posted, but there’s improvement. (That’s one of my oversight duties, so complain here if you wish, or better yet – send congratulations via e-mail when you see something you like.)

You may want to check the accuracy of the information they have on you in the Members section – tests you’ve passed, what you’ve judged in the past five years, things you may not have kept track of, but will be glad they have. Some of the material goes back a few years.

The Editorial Advisory Board, chaired by Tina Blackwell, has just begun its work, part of which will be to ensure a USFSA ‘look” to everything that goes out, but which also involves the website and “Skating” Magazine. Our first teleconference, dealing with the magazine, was highly successful, and you’re likely to see some exciting new things coming from a magazine, which has already made progress under editor Laura Fawcett.

EDUCATION IN SKATING

It’s been a pleasure to be the USFSA representative on the Board of the PSA (Professional Skaters Association), because the members of this group have contributed mightily to American success in skating. It’s been a little frustrating to see the large number of skating teachers who have remained outside of this organization, some of whom are untrained and make no effort to gain further education. In any profession there needs to be a licensing system.

Now the USFSA Executive Committee has adopted this concept and will work with PSA and ISI (Ice Skating Institute) to credential individuals who are interested in a career in figure skating instruction.

PSA already offers seminars and conferences for continuing education, and is now looking into distance or electronic learning for this purpose. So is the Judges Committee of the USFSA who are exploring the matter jointly with them.

Another area where joint education is being pursued is in the PSA seminars. These typically are offered in the fall in the various regions. Judges will now be able to use these as education credits along with additional new opportunities such as non-qualifying competitions. That will not only reduce the costs of training, but the seminars will give a different point of view which should round out the perspective for attendees.

The Judges Committee holds a monthly teleconference conducted by its chair, Larry Mondschein. This is a diverse and large committee who are trying to add judges and train them, among other things. This kind of inclusion, when it can be done, is valuable for communication, delegating tasks, and gathering ideas quickly. Teleconferences are less expensive than meetings – which usually require travel, though they lack the face-to-face quality of a meeting, and they are, with the universality of cell phones, easier to arrange. Communication, in an organization as diverse as USFSA is highly important and we still need to improve on it.

80^th Birthdays for 3 USFSA Presidents

Three USFSA Past-Presidents, Oscar T. Iobst, Benjamin T. Wright and George T. Yonekura reached their 80^th birthdays within a short time of one another, and that occurrence was celebrated at the home of Bob and Phoebe Weston (parents of Wendy Weston-Enzmann) in W. Yarmouth, MA during a break in the Cranberry Open non-qualifying competition in late August.

A great many officials were on hand including the current President, Phyllis Howard who presented gifts on behalf of the USFSA and of its Executive Director, John LeFevre, son of former President, Fred LeFevre. Ted Clarke roasted and praised the three men, and Alex Enzmann took photographs which were sent to the USFSA website where they appeared with text the following week. Each of the honorees spoke briefly. It was a wonderful occasion.

VP Fund

The Vice Presidents’ Emergency Fund is currently budgeted at $10,000 annually per section. The three vice-presidents have set out guidelines for dispensing the funds. It is meant for singles, pairs and dance competitors who have qualified for Sectionals or Junior Nationals and who are not receiving funds from one of the envelopes. Emergency financial need must be demonstrated. Those who find themselves in these straits and who qualify may request a form from the Vice-President of their section.

Task Force on U.S. Championships

The President has assigned a group, chaired by Ron Hershberger, to set guidelines on the roles to be played by the USFSA and by Local Organizing Committees in the running of the U.S. Championships. Currently, and through 2006, bids are accepted from LOCs and a contract is signed between the hosting group and the USFSA outlining the duties of each group. While the USFSA runs the actual event, much of the pre-event planning and decision making is done by the LOC, including working with the arenas, hotels, providing transportation, etc. There is some desire to have the USFSA play a greater role in some of these areas. You may expect to hear their findings and give opinions, probably at the Governing Council.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FALL MEETING

The Fall meeting of the USFSA Board of Directors will be held in Colorado Springs November 1 and 2 with the Executive Committee to meet on October 31. This will be the first meeting of the reorganized and smaller Board. Committee Chairs are no longer voting members. However, many of them have been invited, and there will be sessions held at USFSA Headquarters among Chairs and their HQ liasons. Matters voted on by the Board are subject to review by the Governing Council in May.

NORFOLK, VA

Next May the USFSA Governing Council Meeting will be in the East, this time in Norfolk, VA. Chosen three years ago, this should be a great location.. Like many organizations, the USFSA is starting to think of “destinations” instead of just locations for its annual meetings. Norfolk, with its easy access to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, and its location on the ocean, is not far from major east coast cities. It sits at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and also connects well via air, with US Airways its major carrier.

This year’s Governing Council promises to be a lively one, with more debate than last year and some interesting breakout sessions as well. But there should be opportunity to enjoy the sights and get away from the hotel. Right in the area where we’ll be staying are pleasant walks and fun things to do; and easy touring will be available too. You’ll hear more later from the LOC, but start thinking about heading to Virginia for the second weekend in May.

FIGURES STILL LIVE

An ad for the Yarmouth (MA) Ice Club brought rumblings from the past:

“Patch Session”-Saturdays, 3:00-3:50 PM - Tony Kent Arena ~ Dennis, MA - Yarmouth Ice Club

“ Learn to improve edge quality and coordination. Figures teach skaters edge control and body alignment, two of the most important elements of skating. Figure eights, loops, circles, brackets, all of these terms mean just one thing: the basis of which this sport began. Being able to control your edges at all times means that your jumps, spins, and footwork will be much more solid.”

Does all of this mean anything to you? We’ll let you know how they did.

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USFSA – EASTERN SECTION

Eastern Vice-President

Ted Clarke

(T) 781-335-9135

(F) 781-340-5648

E-Mail:Bosnats@aol.com

AT-LARGE MEMBERS:

Mr. Thomas Lescinski (Coach Member)

(H) (617)-923-4534