Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Letter from Vincent Lananna

January 24, 2017 USATF Family,
It has been a little more 23 days since I officially took the helm as President of USA Track & Field, and I can say without hesitation that I am more optimistic now about our future than ever. Your overwhelming support and enthusiasm are game-changing. My consistent conversations with the leadership of the Board and the National Office have gone quite well. As you know, progress will require a collaborative effort; therefore, the majority of my time has been dedicated to working directly with leadership in the National Office, our Board Chair, and my colleagues on the Board to focus on a few key initiatives.
We have work to do – not all of it easy – but I am confident that in 2017 we will continue the momentum begun in 2012 by CEO Max Siegel to strengthen our organization and our sport. With this letter, I want to report to USATF membership the progress during this first month as your President and the goals for the next 100 days. Actions are far more important than words, so please take a look at the following activities and look for places where you can immediately get involved: 1) I pledged during my campaign to be inclusive and engage the membership. I am actively calling for members to volunteer for Presidential appointments for various committees throughout the organization. I seek to balance those who have been appointees in the past with those who are "first timers, and will make decisions after consultation with the appropriate committee chairs as per the bylaws." If you have an interest in one of these positions (see list below), please write to me at vincentlananna@gmail.com, with a paragraph explaining your interest and relevant experience by January 31. You can find more information on these committees and appointments in the 2016 Governance Handbook at www.usatf.org. I will share your interest with the various committee chairs and make the appointments as soon as possible thereafter. Positions Agent Member of the Men’s International Staff Subcommittee Agent Screening Committee Associations Committee, 4 at-large members Para- Athletes Committee and Chair Club Coaches (4) for the Coaches Advisory Committee Diversity and Leadership Development Committee Chair General Competition Division Chair IAAF Technical Officials Subcommittee Chair Law & Legislation Chair and 5 additional members
Medical Services Subcommittee Officials Committee- 4 at large members Organizational Services Chair and 7 additional members Panel on the Order of Business Psychological Services Subcommittee Records Chair and 5 additional members Road Running Technical Council Chair Rules Chair and 5 additional members Scientific Services Subcommittee Sports Medicine & Science Chair 2) I will continue to work with the Board of Directors, the National Office, and the concerned parties within the confines of the USATF Grievance Policy for a swift conclusion to the suspensions currently impacting our organization. I expect this to continue to be an agenda item at our next Board meeting. 3) I will engage your newly elected Board member for Officials and the Officials Committee Chair to explore the recruitment, certification, retention, and rewarding of our sport’s officials. They will present their findings and recommendations at the 2017 USATF Indoor Championships. 4) I will begin discussions with our Board Member representing High Performance regarding the initiatives for the new quadrennial from the High Performance Committee. It is my understanding that the National Office is reviewing ways to better involve and reward the personal coaches who work to help our athletes reach the podium. 5) I will help to facilitate a meeting with USATF CEO Max Siegel, the CEO of USTFCCCA, Sam Seemes, and myself to explore ways that the two organizations can immediately begin the process of working in concert for the betterment of the sport, its coaches and athletes. 6) After consultation with Max Siegel and Board Chair Steve Miller, I am embarking on a Presidential Listening Tour with our Associations throughout the country to better understand how we can improve practices and communications. It will be my goal to conclude these 25 visits at the Junior Olympics in July. The first two stops on the tour will be in New York (January 26) and New England (January 30). Be on the lookout for more information from your Association officers. 7) I will be working with the Board Member representing LDR and the relevant committees, including Cross Country, MUT, and Race Walking, to better understand our collective goals around development, events, championships, and coaching. 8) I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Board and the AAC leadership to identify the pressing issues for our elite athletes. I have asked the AAC officers
and the Elite Athlete members of the Board of Directors, as well as representatives of the National Office, to arrange for a conference call later this month where the athletes can share their goals and challenges for 2017. As you can see, we have set an ambitious agenda for the first quarter of the year – our sport deserves the grandest of goals. I look forward to hearing from you throughout the year and encourage each of you to reach out to me via email at any time at vincentlananna@gmail.com. I am excited to meet with you in person as well at one of the Listening Tour stops. Have a Happy and Healthy 2017! Vin Lananna President USA Track & Field
USATF Board of Directors
Chair: Steven Miller (smiller@agassi.net)
President and Vice Chair: Vin Lananna (vincentlananna@gmail.com)
Treasurer: Mickey Carter (amcarteriv@gmail.com)
Secretary and 5C Rep: Becky Oakes (boakes@nfhs.org)
IAAF Council Member: Stephanie Hightower (shightower@cul.org)
Curt Clausen (curt.clausen@gmail.com)
Michael Conley (usaconley@aol.com)
Fred Finke (finkef@gate.net)
Lauren Fleshman (lauren@pickybars.com)
Sam Germany (redchazz@aol.com)
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (jjksmile@aol.com)
Len Krsak (n2track@aol.com)
William Shelton Jr (bill@shelton-family.org)
Ryan Wilson (rcdubbs@hotmail.com)
Eve Wright (ewrightm@gmail.com)
Athlete alternate: Michelle Carter (KarenSLocke@gmail.com)
Non-Voting
Chief Executive Officer (ex-officio): Max Siegel (ceo@usatf.org)
Board Member Emeritus: Evie Dennis (eviegdennis@msn.com)

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