bestbilliardslv
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Dear Fellow Member,
Obviously, being a member of the USBA, you care about the games of carom billiards in the United States. That being so, I not only ask your indulgence in reading this correspondence but in also sending me—with a copy to Jim Shovak (jimshovak@usba.net) for distribution to the Board)—of your thoughts regarding its content.
My name is Ermanno Scalas and I recently opened a billiard room in Las Vegas, Nevada with the main intent of promoting billiards (including 5-pin and 9-pin, a popular carom game in Europe and South America). That is why I decided to organize the upcoming World Cup to be held in Vegas April 4-10, a tournament which almost did not come to fruition because of my dealings with the USBA. In order to hold such an event, as the organizer, I have exposed myself to a substantial financial risk as well as a commitment to expend the hours and energy necessary for its success. With this in mind, please understand that I have chosen this undertaking for you and for billiards and not for any personal gain. Whereas I believe the problems of being able to get the USBA to sanction the tournament (a condition necessary to hold the event and which was withheld for inexcusable reasons by the Association) have been solved, I still find a major conflict exists between us, which is the reason I am writing to you now. Unless there is a change in the Organization, I will seek other avenues to promote this game we all love as I cannot, and will not, be ruled by a hierarchy that does not act in a democratic way.
Because of my recent dealings with the USBA, and with the resignation of the President, I requested that a new election should be held for the office so that the members could have a person of their choosing to lead us forward. Though the Constitution allowed the Board to make their own selection, they could have still held an open election by a two-thirds vote. They declined and voted in Henry Ugartechea as the new president. I have nothing personal against Mr. Ugartechea, but I didn’t want to see the Board continue to perpetuate themselves in their own image. I felt it was time for a change and if Mr. Ugartechea wanted to be president, then he could have run in an open election where the members could make their own selection.
To illustrate my frustrations I quote from a recent correspondence which I received from Mr. Ugartechea:
“I wish to clarify that my reasoning for requesting you correspond directly with me is because of the confusion and chaos it causes our board when your message is disseminated to each and every member of our board. I assure you that topics requiring board approval shall be presented as such for a discussion and a vote. Right now our BOD's has much on their plate and are very busy addressing many topics requiring their immediate attention. Several of these topics are being brought to a vote now.
With regard to minutes of our meetings, our Constitution reads as follows:
There shall be one regular General Membership Meeting to be held each year during the National Championship and at a location at the site of the National Championship as designated by the Board of Directors.
1) A portion of the Annual Meeting shall be given over to business matters pertaining to the membership at large.
2) At any membership meeting, for every action requiring a vote, each member present shall be entitled to one vote.”
Mr. Ugartechea goes on to say:
“The USBA has not held these meetings in the past few years but our BOD's will be deciding on whether to abide by this rule in 2011 or amending our bylaws to change this requirement. Meanwhile we conduct our business on our board forum which is all recorded on our website as an ongoing concern. Unfortunately one must be voted in as an officer or director of this organization to gain access to the board forum content.”(I am USBA Pin Division Director)
Why hasn’t the Board abided by the rule in the past few years? Why is the Board resistant to members input in an open meeting and allowing them to vote on issues? Why has Mr. Ugartechea put himself in the position of deciding what should be brought up to the Board for a vote? Why haven’t we seen a quarterly financial statement as provided by the Constitution? Why is this a secret organization where only an officer or director is privy to board forum content?
Unless you as members—you are the organization—speak out we will continue under this anarchy. The USBA is a democratic organization and it should be run as one, where your voice can be heard and counted.
Respectfully,
Ermanno Scalas
USBA Pin Division Director
Best Billiards lv President
www.bestbilliardslv.net
[best.billiardslv@yahoo.com]
Obviously, being a member of the USBA, you care about the games of carom billiards in the United States. That being so, I not only ask your indulgence in reading this correspondence but in also sending me—with a copy to Jim Shovak (jimshovak@usba.net) for distribution to the Board)—of your thoughts regarding its content.
My name is Ermanno Scalas and I recently opened a billiard room in Las Vegas, Nevada with the main intent of promoting billiards (including 5-pin and 9-pin, a popular carom game in Europe and South America). That is why I decided to organize the upcoming World Cup to be held in Vegas April 4-10, a tournament which almost did not come to fruition because of my dealings with the USBA. In order to hold such an event, as the organizer, I have exposed myself to a substantial financial risk as well as a commitment to expend the hours and energy necessary for its success. With this in mind, please understand that I have chosen this undertaking for you and for billiards and not for any personal gain. Whereas I believe the problems of being able to get the USBA to sanction the tournament (a condition necessary to hold the event and which was withheld for inexcusable reasons by the Association) have been solved, I still find a major conflict exists between us, which is the reason I am writing to you now. Unless there is a change in the Organization, I will seek other avenues to promote this game we all love as I cannot, and will not, be ruled by a hierarchy that does not act in a democratic way.
Because of my recent dealings with the USBA, and with the resignation of the President, I requested that a new election should be held for the office so that the members could have a person of their choosing to lead us forward. Though the Constitution allowed the Board to make their own selection, they could have still held an open election by a two-thirds vote. They declined and voted in Henry Ugartechea as the new president. I have nothing personal against Mr. Ugartechea, but I didn’t want to see the Board continue to perpetuate themselves in their own image. I felt it was time for a change and if Mr. Ugartechea wanted to be president, then he could have run in an open election where the members could make their own selection.
To illustrate my frustrations I quote from a recent correspondence which I received from Mr. Ugartechea:
“I wish to clarify that my reasoning for requesting you correspond directly with me is because of the confusion and chaos it causes our board when your message is disseminated to each and every member of our board. I assure you that topics requiring board approval shall be presented as such for a discussion and a vote. Right now our BOD's has much on their plate and are very busy addressing many topics requiring their immediate attention. Several of these topics are being brought to a vote now.
With regard to minutes of our meetings, our Constitution reads as follows:
There shall be one regular General Membership Meeting to be held each year during the National Championship and at a location at the site of the National Championship as designated by the Board of Directors.
1) A portion of the Annual Meeting shall be given over to business matters pertaining to the membership at large.
2) At any membership meeting, for every action requiring a vote, each member present shall be entitled to one vote.”
Mr. Ugartechea goes on to say:
“The USBA has not held these meetings in the past few years but our BOD's will be deciding on whether to abide by this rule in 2011 or amending our bylaws to change this requirement. Meanwhile we conduct our business on our board forum which is all recorded on our website as an ongoing concern. Unfortunately one must be voted in as an officer or director of this organization to gain access to the board forum content.”(I am USBA Pin Division Director)
Why hasn’t the Board abided by the rule in the past few years? Why is the Board resistant to members input in an open meeting and allowing them to vote on issues? Why has Mr. Ugartechea put himself in the position of deciding what should be brought up to the Board for a vote? Why haven’t we seen a quarterly financial statement as provided by the Constitution? Why is this a secret organization where only an officer or director is privy to board forum content?
Unless you as members—you are the organization—speak out we will continue under this anarchy. The USBA is a democratic organization and it should be run as one, where your voice can be heard and counted.
Respectfully,
Ermanno Scalas
USBA Pin Division Director
Best Billiards lv President
www.bestbilliardslv.net
[best.billiardslv@yahoo.com]
