Friday at Governing Council

The day started with the Pacific Coast Sectional meeting where we come together with all the club delegates of our section to review issues, present awards and elect members for the Nominating Committee.  Local judge Dave Hopson received his 25 year pin as a judge. Hal Marron, our Pacific Coast Vice President, had a nice moment where he got to award himself his 40 year pin as a Referee!

The best news, however, was seeing that our own club member, Laurie Lind, received her National Dance Judge appointment. Congratulations to Laurie - we are very proud of you!!  Another of our local officials, Rick Perez, received his National Synchronized Skating Referee appointment.

After lunch, the Governing Council meeting was called to order (theme this year is Grass Roots to Gold). Introductions of the Board and past presidents was followed by a presentation and behind-the-scenes Olympic photo diary before our keynote speaker, Ashley Wagner, shared her experiences. She gave a good speech sprinkled with humor and emotion; it was a great way to start off our meetings.

Proposed changes to the bylaws were first up for the delegates to consider. Changes to Exhibits A, B, D, and F passed easily (if you would like to review any exhibits or rule change proposals, go to the U.S. Figure Skating website, sign into Members Only, click the General Info tab, then Governing Council. Open the Meeting Book and/or Interim Report of Action).

Exhibit C, which deals with a change to the President's term from 1 year maximum 4 consecutive to 2 years maximum 2 consecutive, passed with modifications.  Exhibit E, which proposes to make Olympic & World Gold medal winners honorary members of USFS, had the most activity. It was proposed to strike the word "Gold" (so all medal winners would be made honorary members). After much discussion on whether this type of change would be allowed, several questions and clarifications, and a vote on if the change could move forward, another delegate got up to request the whole thing be referred back to committee.  This motion passed (if only that delegate went to the microphone sooner, we could have saved a lot of time!)

The day ended with a meet the candidates forum where questions were answered by candidates for the contested positions for the Board of Directors, which are President and Athlete Group Coordinator.

Lisa