If I have it right, USS has again put a group of well meaning, enthusiastic volunteers in the position of running Alter Cup. That would be you and the group putting this current iteration together. I have said I will participate in whatever regatta you come up with to judge it from personal experience.

Things that have NOT happened if I'm correct are:

*There has been no statement from the board of directors and the President thanking the last group for their efforts.

*There has been no formal introduction of you and your group. I don't even know who you are, we have not met so far as I know and I've been unable to find any mention of the change on the USS website. Perhaps there is an announcement, I often am unable to navigate the USS site.

*This survey that was put out is a good thing. But there should have been some advance notice. I suspect the lack of response is due in part because people did not know.

*Elections are not nearly so open as they might be.

These matters are a failure of leadership! Of the board and the president! There is no excuse for it!

This haughty, condescending attitude by leadrship toward the members would not be tolerated if USS was an open democratic organization. It would certainly not be tolerated if USS had any competition. Monopolies are a bad idea. Sailors and sailing would be far better off if we had some choice in the organization that represents us.

Where am I going with this? I would like to see a legal challenge to USS's monopoloy on sailing.