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Aug. 2, 2025, Board Meeting Recap: Board Reconsiders Governance Proposal; Tables Other Bylaw Packages

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by Bryan Wendell

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In a Zoom special meeting on Aug. 2, the Board passed a motion to reconsider the Board‑composition bylaw package, with a member comment period available.

Note: This recap is based on the official minutes of the Aug. 2 special meeting, which you can read here.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Fencing Board of Directors meets regularly to help advance the sport for the betterment of our members. On Aug. 2, the directors received updates on finances and operations and observed a moment of remembrance for Meredith Delgado. 

With the Sept. 20 meeting canceled, the Chair Eligibility, Petition Process (6%), and Omnibus bylaw packages were moved to Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. ET for further action.

Here’s what happened, at a glance

  • Approved minutes from the June 29, 2025 Board meeting.
  • Received finance and operations updates.
  • Accepted Committee & Resource Group reports.
  • Passed a motion to reconsider the Board‑composition bylaw package (details below)
  • Tabled to Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. ET: Chair Eligibility, Petition Process (6%), and Omnibus bylaw packages.
  • Observed a Moment of Remembrance for Meredith Delgado.

Votes & Motions in Detail

1) Governance: Board Composition — Motion to Reconsider PASSED

Result: Yes–5; No–2; Abstain–1.

High‑level overview: Restructure the Board to 12 Directors using the 4-4-4 model: 4 Athlete Directors, 4 member‑elected At‑Large Directors, and 4 Board‑appointed At‑Large Directors (at least two meeting independence criteria). The package also increases the independence and clarity of the Nominating Committee, adds nominee timelines, and includes transition language through 2028.

Member feedback: When this proposal is posted for member comment, please use the Member Feedback Form.

2) Petition Process — Amendment FAILED

Summary: Retain a petition pathway using an online signature method; set the threshold at 150 signatures; apply an n+2 slate requirement for Nominating.

Result: Yes–3; No–5.

3) Transgender & Non‑Binary Athlete Eligibility — Amendment FAILED

Summary: Align eligibility strictly with sex‑based categories; allow mixed competition at local/regional non‑designated events only.

Result: Yes–1; No–7; Abstain–1.

4) Bylaw Adoption — Chair Eligibility — TABLED to Next Meeting

Would allow any voting Director (elected, appointed, or athlete) to serve as Chair, broadening the candidate pool.

5) Bylaw Adoption — Petition Process (6% threshold) — TABLED to Next Meeting

Would change the petition threshold for At‑Large Director elections from 1% to 6% of voting members, with dispersion requirements (regions and clubs).

6) Bylaw Adoption — Omnibus — TABLED to Next Meeting

A modernization package (terminology updates; election‑eligibility window; officer/liaison clarifications; independence definitions; removal of outdated clauses; meeting‑notice clarity; and more).

Who Attended

Present: Phil Andrews, Peter Barton, Tabitha Chamberlin, Lauryn DeLuca PLY, Jackie Dubrovich OLY, Andrey Geva, Molly Hill, Kat Holmes OLY, Selina Kaing, Damien Lehfeldt (Chair), Maria Panyi, Scott Rodgers PLY, Abdel Salem, Jess Saxon, Donald Alperstein.

What’s Next

The Sept. 20 Board meeting was canceled. All tabled motions will be taken up at the next Board meeting on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET (Zoom). Preregister here.