After re-reading that section of the letter, it does seem that she believes the Nike deal and her rise in power go hand in hand. As if the USATF can't have one without the other. I think she is just trying to take credit for Max Siegel's work (typical of her type) but I suppose Nike might want her in place for some reason. If that's true, then pressuring Nike to kick her out won't change anything for the better. Another figurehead will take her place.
Mundus Vult wrote:
Because the "tremendous growth" period that SH cited in her letter is about additional revenue brought in by the Nike contract. The argument goes that if Nike experiences backlash because of its partnership with USATF that they will mandate change.
Nike controls running in this country. If they want Hightower gone, she will be gone. The only way to do that is to boycott Nike.
Neither Stephanie nor Lionel work for USATF and it is not a relationship of an executive and a subordinate. If people keep insisting on treating this as a job/business environment rather than an organization which is volunteer driven (at least on this side and not the staff side) then they are going to continue to misconstrue the dynamics in play.
TrackCoach wrote:
I know Tim Baker, Lionel Leach and Stephanie Hightower to varying degrees and they are all good people, hardworking and competent. A lot of people on this board want to believe Stephanie is some incompetent, evil, power hungry person; I can tell you for an absolute fact that is simply not the truth. Stephanie isn’t someone who cheated her way into her position or got lucky, her career speaks for itself. And, Stephanie like just about every USATF executive I have known, could have been making more money elsewhere, but work for USATF out of a desire to be connected to our sport. With that said, the memo from Stephanie to Tim ‘as a public document’ does not come across too warm and friendly, but I assure you that this is normal communications from an executive to a subordinate under the circumstances. Quite frankly, I found Lionel’s letter to be more over the top, on one hand he does not like the way Stephanie spoke to Tim and then on the other hand, he is not respectful in the way he speaks to the USATF Chief. The American Track and Field community has a history of not liking the national governing body, I saw this with the AAU, TAC and now USATF. Descent is sometimes justified, but what bothers me is when I see a lot of people talking on this board without knowing the facts about Stephanie Hightower and the mob mentality when it comes to mischaracterizing her and misinterpreting USATF rules. Btw, the people that really care about USATF, volunteer and/or find other constructive ways to make it better as opposed to just always criticizing.
Can the Board vote be a anonymous vote? I think the Board's initial decision was a case of group think. Stephanie from the letter above clearly shows she wields her power strongly. If the Board voted without names being tied to the votes I think the Board would be more likely to vote against Stephanie.
Mundus Vult wrote:polevaultpower wrote:Becca,
I do not think a sponsor boycott would be productive. The issue is with the Board of Directors, the MOST productive thing people can do right now is email all of the Board members and ask them to rescind the vote for Stephanie and revote at this Saturday's Board Meeting: http://www.usatf.org/about/dir...0Directors
That doesn't make sense to me especially in light of the letter she sent to Tim Baker.
If SH considers L&L to be "her" committee, how could she not think the board also belonged to her? If the board ignored the vote at the annual meeting, why would they suddenly value the voice of the members? If SH will bully a committee head for letting discussion take place, why wouldn't she bully a Board member who dissented?
If revenue is driving growth and change in the wrong direction then people should choke the revenue stream.
That's just my opinion. I have sent my views to the board but I am sure they went in a big pile labeled "sh it we don't care about."
Mundus
The Bylaws don't say either way.
wejo wrote:
Can the Board vote be a anonymous vote? I think the Board's initial decision was a case of group think. Stephanie from the letter above clearly shows she wields her power strongly. If the Board voted without names being tied to the votes I think the Board would be more likely to vote against Stephanie.
Bob disagrees with the the statement that he has done nothing: http://trackandfieldnews.com/i...board-memo
Hayduke wrote:
supporters of Hersh(who by the way has been on the job for how many years and done nothing for the sport????USATF sucks now more than ever)
I know all three as well. Competence is a pretty low bar but how do you give SH a pass for her devisiveness and long history of problems while she has been at the helm? This is not about her person; this is about her performance as President of USATF. In that regard, she has been almost a complete failure at everything except wielding power to maintain power (which I admit is a skill).
TrackCoach wrote:
I know Tim Baker, Lionel Leach and Stephanie Hightower to varying degrees and they are all good people, hardworking and competent.
I try to isolate this one incident since that is what the thread is about. It is easy for people to get clouded and bring opinions of other actions to this one action.
Neutral Observer wrote:
That's a good analysis except that politics is about votes and you are pretty much the first person that is "voting" in favor of Queen Hightower.
I would say that proves my point. Bob actually thinks he brought meets to Eugene?? Hmm I would bet that Vin being there and THEN meets coming to Oregon have more to do with it.
polevaultpower wrote:Hayduke wrote:Bob disagrees with the the statement that he has done nothing: http://trackandfieldnews.com/i...board-memo
supporters of Hersh(who by the way has been on the job for how many years and done nothing for the sport????USATF sucks now more than ever)
The members are complaining.
Ethics wrote:
Polevaultpower, you are completely wrong about the Ethics Committee.
...
The EC serves to oversee any Ethical complaint for any member of USATF. Complaints against the Board of Directors and the CEO do not go to the EC.
Umm the crazy thing is that Tim WASN'T outspoken or particularly critical. I spoke with David Greifinger this morning, and we both wonder if Stephanie somehow confused Tim with David? Or with me?
wejo wrote:
She says, "During the Annual Meeting, in your public statements and committee activity, you were very outspoken and critical of decisions made by the board and committees, and critical of the overall direction of USATF."
re: "she has been almost a complete failure at everything"
Mundus Vult wrote:TrackCoach wrote:I know all three as well. Competence is a pretty low bar but how do you give SH a pass for her devisiveness and long history of problems while she has been at the helm? This is not about her person; this is about her performance as President of USATF. In that regard, she has been almost a complete failure at everything except wielding power to maintain power (which I admit is a skill).
I know Tim Baker, Lionel Leach and Stephanie Hightower to varying degrees and they are all good people, hardworking and competent.