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It has been nearly four weeks since the Board of Directors initiated significant
organizational changes for USA Archery and I wanted to update you on our progress.
The Transition Task Force (Lloyd Brown, Derek Davis, Sheri Rhodes) and I met this
past week with Coach Lee and Guy Krueger. The purpose of our meeting was to
review the coach development programs and athlete pipeline with an eye toward
blending new programs implemented by Coach Lee with USA Archery's existing
certification structure. The group evaluated programs such as the Regional High
Performance Coaching program and Champs as well as partner organization's
programs like the Community Coaching Course. The ultimate goal was to develop a
unified path that our organization can support.
I can tell you with unqualified confidence that the meeting was successful. On, or
shortly after, January 1, 2009, we plan to unveil the results of our work along with any
implications it may have for specific individuals. Without going into too much detail,
because we are still working out various transition scenarios, we intend to outline paths
that show how to access opportunities for athletes, coaches and instructors. I can,
however, tell you that for any current Level 2, 3 or 4 coach whose certifications are set
to expire before the end of the year or anytime in 2009, your certification will be
extended to at least December of 2009. Extension letters will be sent no later than
January 15th.
You will also see that we have posted three job openings: CEO; a redefined High
Performance Manager position; and a new Coach Development Manager. This clearly
demonstrates the importance the Board has placed over the next quadrennial on the
development and coordination of the coaching and athlete pipelines. The Board is
determined to create developmental opportunities and provide staffing to administer the
programs.
We have also spent the last month reaching out to industry partners to ask for support
for USA Archery. I am happy to announce the Easton Sports Development Foundation
has strengthened our partnership with a contribution totaling $307,000. The grant is
distributed into two types of funding. The first is $137,000 of restricted funding directed
to College Archery Programs while the balance of $170,000 is unrestricted funding that
USA Archery can use at its discretion.
The staff has also been working on the USOC and USAA Athlete Advisory Council
voting process. We have worked closely with the USOC to ensure that our guidelines
and eligible pool list matched their requirements for these slots. We are recreating the
eligible pool list and are nearly complete. We intend to be prepared to send ballots out
by Monday, December 5th.
I want to thank those of you who have contacted me with suggestions and concerns. I
feel the staff has a good grasp of the issues and is working toward solutions. Thank you
for your patience as we all work toward making USA Archery the best it can be.
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