Thursday, October 13, 2005
Gary Coy
I have been a member of NBUA since 1994. I am once again humbly requesting your endorsement and support for a third term to serve you on the Board of Directors.
I have served during some vastly different times for our Association from the lowest of lows to pinnacle of where we are today. The Association is in the finest condition it has ever been in, from assigning to financials to our communications with the membership via our website, to evaluations, to continuing to increase the number of clients we serve. During my tenure on the board, we have also implemented a policy of assigning at least two umpires to every game we work. Some schools were not onboard this last season, but we fully expect that they will be for 2006 as we expect all summer and "fall" teams will as well.
I have served on several committees during my two terms on the board. Among those committees are, a Special Judicial Committee, training committee, election committee (chairman and committee member), evaluations committee, (5 year member and chairman past three years), and bylaw committee chairman (current). Recent events reveal the absolute need to update several of the bylaws. I also was chairman of the Jim Evans Northwest Clinic committee in 2004.
One of the most rewarding accomplishments during my tenure on the board has been being a member of the search committee for a new assignor and then ultimately recommending that Leslie Fitzpatrick be hired as our assignor.
My area of specific responsibility for the last three years has been our evaluation program. This program, in its present form, was the brain trust of Tim Stevens. It has been modified each year until 2004 when, in order to provide more stability to the program and to assist the membership in understanding the process, we determined that the program would remain intact through the 2006 season. There WAS a minor change this past season in that members did not need to request an evaluation in order to receive one. There may be more minor changes (if I'm elected) for the 2006 season. Any changes will be in the direction of making the system even easier to understand and participate in. More umpires received evaluations this past season than in the previous four seasons combined! More umpires were promoted to the next tier level mid season and post season 2004 than in the previous several years combined!
There has been three recent resignations from the Board. Through all of these resignations, those remaining on the Board have continued to function and do our jobs without skipping a beat in representing the best interests of our members and our clients. The current Board has performed admirably throughout this period. There is a lot to be said about continuity.
My commitment to you is to do the right thing ... the right way ... for the right reasons, to ensure that the Board conducts business not only as outlined in our bylaws, and policies and procedures, but in the spirit and intent of those documents as well. This has not always been the case in the last few months. Further, and what I consider the most important of all, I pledge to you all that I will NEVER betray the trust you have placed in me and I will NEVER betray the trust of fellow Board members. This also has not been done by some in the recent past.
With your vote and your help, we can continue to move this Association forward in our continuing quest to remain the premier umpiring Association in the Pacific Northwest.