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BGonline.org Forums
Exhaustion Take 1
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Exhaustion Take 1 (Stick)
Date: Saturday, 26 August 2017, at 7:18 a.m.
I believe in the United States. Does that mean I agree with all of its laws? All of it's leaders? The decisions they make? They way they spend their money...my money? Hell no. But I can try to be a part of the solution by voting and by trying to take an active part to promote those things I believe our government should be doing.
I feel the same way about the USBGF. I don't agree with all the things they have done and not done with the money. I don't think all of the people who have been on the board or active have always represented the organization and the membership properly. But I do not think we have a better alternative right now to try to organize, promote and improve the game.
When the USBGF failed to write decent rules, I went outside of the organization and, with excellent help, wrote some. Having better rules was important to me and my efforts were not supported within the organization. At the same time, I continued to personally support the efforts of the USBGF to improve things in that area, and they have taken a step in the right direction. I still think they need to develop coordinated rules with the rest of the world, and I will continue, both within the organization and privately, to encourage that.
When the USBGF failed to promote the game to bring in more children, I went outside the organization and raised money and started a program by teaming up with Mochy. Something else that is important to me that I was not seeing the organization support. I am currently trying to get the USBGF to support that program and if they do, great. If they don't, I will do my best outside of the organization.
I thought the USBGF was not doing enough to welcome and help orientate new members, so I started a Mentor's program. It worked very well, and some lasting friendships were made and those who were mentors and those who were mentored will tell you it was a wonderful program. When I was no longer in charge of the program, it died. I will continue to lobby and recommend and do what I can to bring that program back.
I think the USBGF has done far too little to support local clubs, as that is the lifeblood for new tournament players and a great way to find local players and convert them to avid, dedicated backgammon players. I will continue to lobby and encourage (and help where I can) to make this a bigger issue for the USBGF both in use of funds and in dedicated resources (people and marketing).
I think the money added at tournaments does not bring a single additional person to a tournament. I agree that it does increase membership, but it is buying members just to keep the numbers higher. Organizations that provide value and have the cooperation of local tournament directors and organizers don't have to buy members, they get membership because people see the value of membership and/or it is a requirement to participate. That money would be far better spent to do marketing, put boards in the hands of interested kids and new players (either free or at a discount), and even pay people to do the kind of work you just can't rely on volunteers to do properly and be accountable for.
I can list other things I have not liked, but I cannot do that without getting personal about individuals who, while in positions of power, either abused that power or acted in ways that were clearly not in the best interest of the game as they alienated people who were dedicated to helping and supporting the organization and the growth of the game, and I don't want to open up that can of worms on a personal, direct basis. Also, those problems are not a fault with the USBGF as an organization, just poor choices of allowing people to be abusive without standing up to them. But again, these are problems with people, not the organization, just as we have problems with certain politicians in our government...and even there, as with the people in the USBGF, we don't all agree who is a problem and who is not. So some of the people I found to be very bad for the game, others may support, and of course, some of those people, and others, believe I am very bad for the game. BUT I still support the organization IN SPITE of those people because again, it's our best hope to grow and organize the game in the US (currently).
I say currently, because that might change, and if and when it does, or where there are other places I can contribute my support to advance the game, I have and will do that.
Now, Stick, to your direct question about Karen's post. I believe Karen has proven herself to be a generous (with time and money) proponent of the organization and the game, and while I have not always agreed with her, I have never doubted her motives nor her value. And that is why I will not be too critical of her summation. I cannot find much fault with the facts of what she said, but I do believe for all of the above areas where I believe the USBGF has fallen short and not dedicated resources, and has not lived up to it's stated objective of growing the game (instead of primarily supporting the existing tournament structure), I do think the statement was far to glowing and failed to point out how and where the USBGF has not performed. Has it really worked to bring more people into the game? Has it really done what it can to support the growth of local clubs? Has it really tried to reach students and young adults? Has it tried to find out who the millions of people are who play on line and on apps that we never see at a local club or tournament?
So yes, just like our government, I am not entirely happy with the USBGF, and anyone else who feels the same way should:
a) join and pay dues;
b) speak up and express your opinions;
c) become an active part of the solution by either volunteering to serve on a committee, or by supporting your local club and tournament directors to help grow the game, or work on whatever area that interests you where you think you can add value to grow or improve the organization and game.
Bitching and refusing to pay dues and just criticizing others without offering solutions and help is not useful to anyone.
And yes, when you speak out as I do here, and have done in the past, you will make some enemies. But the people who become your enemies simply because you don't agree with them or because you stand for things you believe are right are the kind of enemies I can live with. These are small-minded, threatened and egotistical people that can't stand anyone who doesn't agree with them completely or criticizes what they do in any way. It's part of the cost of being involved. Life's too short to worry about them, and hopefully, eventually, they will go away.
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