EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
When you are at the convention, you should expect the unexpected. Don't sit back and think that everything will be handled in an appropriate manner. Many others have felt that way in the past including myself only to be surprised by the outcome. Rules disappeared from the rulebook during editing and word changes were made in the codes that almost eliminated this year's election. This is the type of character and conduct members have been dealing with for a long time.
Expect that the election process will be tainted somewhat since there are at least 11 votes the President has to give out. Will he give them equally to anyone who asks? Will you know who he has given them to or if he has even given them to anyone? If he hasn't given them away then those votes should not be counted toward the election. That list should be published with the names of those given votes by the President. If it's not published so everyone knows, how can you tell if there are too many votes given out or if real people are voting or if the President uses those votes himself? When a vote is taken, do not trust a secret ballot. A secret ballot is only as good as the honest people counting them. Always ask for a show of hands and be sure to count them yourself.
The athletes' votes are very important and anyone should be allowed to hear the information that is given to them. In the past information has been skewed in favor of the leadership. Athletes were informed in a manner that made the administration's point of view look good. Athletes were not given a perspective of all sides of the issue to be better informed before they voted. They are spoon fed that one sided information in order to get the vote the administration wants. That is not the Democratic way and it's not the way to treat our athletes.
Recent information says that our senior athletes are feeling some pressure to train at the National Training site. Word is that if they practice there they will be on the inside track to make the Olympic Team. How can that happen? Don't the Olympic Trials determine who makes the team? Is this another attempt to select divers for the team regardless of their performance? It's a definite re-emphasis on divers training together with the same coach at the same site (Remember the LRP?). This was the basis for the Training Center concept. Doesn't this sound similar to a process that was viewed negatively by the divers and coaches before the last Olympics? I wonder who started this rumor? Could it be any of the names on the Training Center Task Force?
Be wary of Roberts Rules of Order since we have 2 lawyers who have used them questionably in the past. The purpose of these rules is to operate a meeting in an organized, fair and consistent manner with all sides of an issue to be heard and considered. There are some business practices (recent corporate headlines) used to get the outcome the leaders want. These practices may not be illegal as such but are questionable in an organization like US Diving. Now some of those people (CEO's & CFO's) are being caught because they stepped too far over the line. Maybe you can catch one before or at the convention.
If you have questions during any of the meetings, you have a right to ask those questions. You may not be able to vote in certain meetings but you have the right to be informed about what is going on in these various committees. You are a paid member and that alone gives you the responsibility and the right to be well informed. Since greed and a lust for power is ever-present in our society treat this convention as an Anderson-Enron issue. People are using your money and spending it in some questionable ways. You should be well informed and expect not to be treated like you are ignorant. You are the reason this organization exists in the first place. You can and should hold these people accountable. Secrecy has been the biggest problem. Only a few people seem to know what's going on. Those few are making decisions for everyone and they don't seem to care about differing opinions. I would like to know who gave Tom Gompf the authority to put Steve McFarland on international judging panels replacing Hobie Billingsley? How did Steve McFarland get to be the Chairman of the Training Center Task Force? Here is a guy not voted into office years ago and resurfaces in some pretty prominent positions. It appears that the Ohio State connection is alive and well.
Things have been very quiet for a while in US Diving and I fail to understand why neither side is vying for your vote. That is not normal in terms of any election. Of course this is not any normal election in US Diving. This is an election that by the final results may see US Diving fold or morph into a truly great organization. That is my opinion and is based upon declining membership numbers. As these numbers continue to decrease and they do, membership fees will go up proportionately. Since more coaches are becoming disenfranchised, they are leaving US Diving and forming their own diving organizations. It is the result of a frustration factor with USD. At the rate this is occurring, US Diving will not be able to operate as it has done in the past. They are getting closer to their wish of just a few years ago. They may get the 20 divers and 5 coaches but with no money to do anything. If you agree with the above opinions, then I would suggest a vote for change because "you'll always get what you've always gotten" from the current leadership of US Diving.