s2k
Well-Known Member
Via Facebook, 5/14:
"It is with sadness that I am announcing my resignation as the Vice President of Social Dance for USA Dance. When I ran for and was elected to this position it was with great plans to reinvigorate and grow our social department, strengthen our chapters and increase the value of being a member. As an elected member of the Executive Committee I wanted to help restore USA Dance to the great level it should be on after the recent years of turmoil. As the months have passed and the newest President and Governing Council have become entrenched I find that I cannot continue to be involved on the path being set or participate in the way the organization is being governed and manipulated.
"Our Executive Committee has been marginalized in such a way that the committee is being bypassed in planning and strategy to where proposals are brought to the GC directly and immediately voted on (where a majority of the voters are direct appointees of the president serving for the first time). Those elected officials on the EC have been considered obstructionists and not progressive if we disagree with any proposal.
"During 2016 our EC and GC worked tirelessly and cohesively to put USA Dance back on track after some trying and difficult times. Great progress had been made. In these few months of 2017 I have seen valuable contributors pushed out of the organization for which they have labored and loved. Even after being told they would hold a position and be involved.
In an organization with declining membership, lost chapters, declining entries at competitions, and loss of membership confidence, our leadership feels it more important to add professionals to positions in the organization and create professional competitions. This is all happening without a published plan of action or authorized budget. Our current EC & GC is populated with a vast amount of business experience from many arenas. However, it has been said that the only ones who know anything are the president and DanceSport VP. USA Dance is supposed to be run for the benefit of its members and the growth of dance in the USA, not as a dictatorship. We are not supposed to be like the other dance organizations but better, honorable and transparent.
"As a leader and team player, I have prided myself on team play and also being a good follower. However, when I cannot support the plays being called I can no longer play on that team.
"For those who elected me and to those who I have been trying to inspire please know that it deeply pains me to be withdrawing and this decision does not come easily. My deepest apologies should you feel that I have failed you.
"Sincerely,
Jim"
"It is with sadness that I am announcing my resignation as the Vice President of Social Dance for USA Dance. When I ran for and was elected to this position it was with great plans to reinvigorate and grow our social department, strengthen our chapters and increase the value of being a member. As an elected member of the Executive Committee I wanted to help restore USA Dance to the great level it should be on after the recent years of turmoil. As the months have passed and the newest President and Governing Council have become entrenched I find that I cannot continue to be involved on the path being set or participate in the way the organization is being governed and manipulated.
"Our Executive Committee has been marginalized in such a way that the committee is being bypassed in planning and strategy to where proposals are brought to the GC directly and immediately voted on (where a majority of the voters are direct appointees of the president serving for the first time). Those elected officials on the EC have been considered obstructionists and not progressive if we disagree with any proposal.
"During 2016 our EC and GC worked tirelessly and cohesively to put USA Dance back on track after some trying and difficult times. Great progress had been made. In these few months of 2017 I have seen valuable contributors pushed out of the organization for which they have labored and loved. Even after being told they would hold a position and be involved.
In an organization with declining membership, lost chapters, declining entries at competitions, and loss of membership confidence, our leadership feels it more important to add professionals to positions in the organization and create professional competitions. This is all happening without a published plan of action or authorized budget. Our current EC & GC is populated with a vast amount of business experience from many arenas. However, it has been said that the only ones who know anything are the president and DanceSport VP. USA Dance is supposed to be run for the benefit of its members and the growth of dance in the USA, not as a dictatorship. We are not supposed to be like the other dance organizations but better, honorable and transparent.
"As a leader and team player, I have prided myself on team play and also being a good follower. However, when I cannot support the plays being called I can no longer play on that team.
"For those who elected me and to those who I have been trying to inspire please know that it deeply pains me to be withdrawing and this decision does not come easily. My deepest apologies should you feel that I have failed you.
"Sincerely,
Jim"
And having been on the board of a volunteer organization which included many "strong personalities", myself included, this is sometimes a good thing.