skor said:
I agree that having a world wide sanctioning body is a good thing. Every sport need its organizations to run it.
The problem is not with these organizations or their vision, the problem usually is with the people who stand at the head of these organization. History always repeats it self.... people come with good intention and very fast they get greedy and corrupted. This is why there are elections every few years but for some reason it is always the same people remains there...
The founders of these organizations always make sure that they could not be removed.... and who gets to vote anyway????
I am talking about my experience here. I have presided 3 different organizations; a community service org, an Employee Union, and the PR Billiard Federation. In some organizations it is best to go through several positions to gain experience and expertise on the matter (community service), then you go for the Presidency. There are many things to tackle when you are trying to best serve your community. It is not easy and the people supporting the organization needs to know what has to be done to be successful. You may see a few cycles of the same people interchanging leadership positions until the "rest of the people" decide to put more time to their service.
With the Union, you need to know what you are doing. It is not just fighting against management. You need to learn Labor-Law without going to Law School. You don't need a "big mouth"; you need someone willing and able to analyse the problems and come up with solutions to benefit both management and union employees. Not many people are cut-out for this, and the most "intelligent" ones don't want to get "burned" with management or have their precious off-duty time inmersed into resolving conflicts. You need full-time office equipment. Computer, printer, fax, scanner, telephone and internet service, paper and computer supplies, and a comfortable desk. My home dining room was converted to a dining room/office space. Nobody wants the job but want the benefits. Some people need to go through the position cycle to either prove themselves or convince themselves that you are cut for the position. While there will always be bystanders criticizing your position but not stepping up to the plate to help/assist.
In Billiards, we all know the story. Players want the best but offer no help. I had just stepped off the Union Presidency (2 terms) and was able to keep my office equipment. I went on to be the Chief Union Steward of 3 Govmt Agencies and Chief Negotiator for the Collective Bargaining Units, and it was still as if I was the President. The same long work hours after my regular daytime job but with the added task to organize our Billiard Federation. It took me six months to organize the requested paperwork and begin our recognition with the governing bodies. By-laws, constitution, rules, meetings, selling the product to our billiard players (there had been about 3 other failed attempts before we got recognition). For the first year, nobody wanted the Secretary or Secretary/Treasurer positions. I had to do everything. I was working practically 8-10 hours after coming home from work. No assistance. After that we have had 2 Vice-Presidents, and only one Secretary/Treasurer in 5years of being organized because no one wants to handle the "hot potato."
In my experience I have gained no riches but lots of headaches and heartaches. I have used my own personal funds to travel and maintain my home office environment. I have also help players attend U.S., Caribbean and South American Regional and World Events out of my own pocket. Several thousand dollars my friend.
The bottom line is that people want to be organized, obtain benefits, for nothing in return (just their presence) unless there is some money to their pockets. And then, you still get criticized because everything is not peaches and roses. If people are not willing to step-up to the plate, you will see the same people occupying different positions within the organization. Everytime the "election periods" come up, many members shy away of their responsibilities. They don't want to be nominated so they shy away of any participation, and therefore skip their voting privileges.
There might be an appearance that many organizations are swimming in the money, but in most instances, this is not true. The allegations of corruption always seem to come up as a defense mechanizism of those criticizing the organization as a powerful tool to "have another voice" against the people who are serving. There will always be a possibility of "true corruption" within the ranks of an organization but it is the members responsibility to correct the problem at the base, put in new people, and work together for the benefit of the organization; not to bring it down, as we see very often.
Again this is only my experience.
Back on the original thread, Jay had the opportunity to see the other side of the rainbow, and he was humble enough to come on board and let everyone know that he had erred on some of his presumptions. It is also excellent to know he still stands behind some of his opinions, and only he can chose to change them at the appropriate time. There is no need for anyone to think that he was entrapped or cornered. He is a grown man, and he definitely knows what he was doing and seems confortable with what transpired at the meeting. Good for you Jay.
Just my 2 cents....