Topic: USAW Budget Discussion

[steve zeigman]

PLEASE READ WHAT MEGAN WROTE & ADVISE HOW WE CAN OVERCOME THIS KIND OF CAVALIER ATTIUDE TOWARDS FUND RAISING & BUDGET ISSUES BY THE USAW GOVERNING BODY?  WE SEEM TO BE SAYING THE SAME THING BUT MAYBE THE MEMBERSHIP WILL BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO MEGAN THAN TO ME SINCE YOU LIKE HER AND SHE IS A DOER! SZ

Marty:

While I applaud your efforts on trying to bring about a real solution, the biggest reason why the budget is what it is is their refusal to be open to new ideas, embrace change and take advantage of opportunity when it comes knocking.

At last year's BOG meeting, I held up almost 4" of grants for non-profit organizations and for which USAW had a good chance of qualifying. Toghether they ranged from $ 500,000 to $ 2,500,000, depending upon how you classified them. Copies of these were sent to Wes after that meeting. To my knowledge, nothing was ever done with them, period. The explanation I received: we don't have the personnel. Use volunteers. No we can't.

Three years ago I inquired about current sposnorship and who was truly a sponsor. Several contracts were supposed "being worked on" but still not signed. At the time I questioned about going to their competition to secure another deal or move the process forward. From what I have gleaned through the grapevine, none of them ever were signed. Another lost opportunity.

Three years ago I inquired about budget and expenses in detail and predicted a dangerous dependence on USOC funding. Sounds like this prediction may be coming true. Where are the alternative funds and the advances towards those?

As one weightlifter, and a very average one at that, I have myself qualified for and received several grants/training funds, all of which were available to the organization as a whole. Yes, it took some time and effort to fill-out a five or seven page grant, but it resulted in something tangible.

The USAW organization was offered several sponsorships by select companies I had connected with through Arnold Classic ties, only to have USAW automatically assume all supplements of all supplement companies are bad and nothing can ever be done with any one of them, period. Another opportunity lost in the mid five-figures.

For three years straight I have offered USAW and its athletes the chance to pursue sponsorship from any company at the Arnold (over 600 to choose from and not all are supplement companies). Two weeks prior to this last Arnold, I even sent a letter to some of the top athletes on how to approach a sponsor, what to put together as a one page promotional, what to say and do and how to follow-up. To my knowledge, no one has ever attempted this.

For three years in a row, Columbus Weightlifting has fundraised all of the administrative costs of hosting the Arnold, so we can keep entry fees low. We have also raised five figure prize money and other awards twice. Twice we have narrowly missed ESPN also.

I know you wanted specific solutions Marty, however, no solution will work if the culture is not right to accept the solution. Ideas, ideas, ideas is all they have been given and they have not responded to them. Hopefully the new BOD and this year's BOG will create or at least begin to create that culture.

Let's face it, USOC is now being run by one smart business man, Peter Ueberroth (I am unsure of the spelling), who knows how to size up companies. It is time for USAW to empower its membership and their talents before they too are a thing of the past, like the extra 100 or so ex-USOC board members. After all, a lean organization is a lot easier to run, as it can adjust much faster to climate changes.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Steve,

I strongly disagree that anyone on the BOD or in the USAW office staff takes the budget and fundraising issues less than seriously. The BOD members have big jobs to do, and they don't even get paid. Add in the fact that all of them have slightly different viewpoints on how to proceed in the best interest of our sport, and you have a tough, big job.

The office staff, likewise, has many, many responsibilities and rules which they must follow and proceed under the direction of the BOD.

No person or system is perfect.

[steve zeigman]

I can relate to that. But than how do you explain Megan's experience?  

She basically is saying, if I read her correctly, that she has over a period of 3 years put contacts and methods and real opportunities right in front of them and gotten no follow-up from them.  And she is not "pie in the sky"  Megan has a proven track record of accomplishing these kinds of things as well as an attorneys background!

Remember the quote from "The Right Stuff"  "NO BUCKS NO BUCK ROGERS!"

I also have suggested some really solvent ideas and no one has yet to say okay Steve we will authorize you to follow through now go for it.  

So I guess they appear unwilling or unable to empower even volunteers to pursue these things?  

Maybe its just me but I keep getting the feeling there is no cohesion at the top to guide the organization except at the top and that seems to me to be a sure road to disappointment.  For a fact, this is the biggest reason I am not involved as others chide me for. I am not like you Chris.  You are more brave than me and have a thicker skin.

Best always Champion and "real deal" record holder.

BTW spell check is great!  Wonderful site!  Good show!  Great job!! SZ

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Steve,

I can't give specifics as to why and why not something I have no knowledge of happened or did not happen. But, from the way I read Megan's post, she presented them with projects that were not completed, not really even started mostly. As to the supplement companies, I agree completely that the USAW should not travel down that path. In other words, it sounds to me like Megan handed the USAW some work and said do it because it will get you money. Perhaps it would and perhaps it would not. I don't think there was any guarantee that they would have received the grant money simply because they applied, or the sponsorships. But, perhaps it could have been done. Perhaps not.

Perhaps the office staff and BOD has their own projects that they are working on and which they hope will pay off? Perhaps they are so busy with the other responsibilities of their job that they couldn't spend the time necessary to fill out 4 inches of grant paperwork.

I don't know. I just think these people that people are constantly dumping on (BOD and office staff) are all great people that care very much about our sport. In fact, I know them all personally, and I am sure of it.

But, different people have different ideas of where our time and resources should be spent. Thats life and weightlifting.  :twisted:

[steve zeigman]

At this point Chris I wish them all the best...nothing more and nothing less.  

I hope that USAW continues to be fortunate to have men and women with resolve like you and Megan and Pork and Glenn P. and Don M. and Mike B. and Rich L. at el that will continue to persevere regardless of whatever obsticals are thrown in your face from whatever source.  

I just cannot forget that it was Megan and that group from Cleveland that actually brought cash prizes and some of the Great European and Asian Champions to the USA.  It was not the USAW!  Why not?  

Oh well never mind.  I want no more low blows or mind blows or any kind of blows from this group anymore.  All I want is to train in peace and a have a few more contests for the thrill / challenge of it.  

Thanks Champ and "real deal" record holder

Steven Zeigman