June 2025 Board Meeting Recap: Approves 2025-26 Budget, Operations Plan, Advances Governance Reforms, and Adopts Key Policies

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In an action-packed Zoom meeting on June 7, 2025, the USA Fencing Board of Directors tackled an agenda packed with financial approvals, governance reforms and policy updates.

Highlights included passage of next season’s approximately $17 million operating budget and operating plan, advanced some governance amendments for membership comment, while tabling others for further membership and governance volunteer feedback, and conversation around two event-focused policies covering site selection and national-anthem ceremonies, while giving a more efficient route to background check hearings.

Taken together, these moves aim to strengthen USA Fencing’s financial footing for the coming season while modernizing the association’s bylaws and sharpening our commitment to safe, inclusive and well-run national events.
Minutes are available on the Board Meetings page on our website. This summary is not designed to be a formal record of the Board’s action but instead a summary for the membership. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Secretary Appointment: Jessica Saxon, Esq. was appointed Board Secretary.
• Operations Plan 2025–26 was approved.
• Revised Financial Policy and Coaches Committee Charter were adopted.
• Prior Minutes: The Board approved minutes from the April 15 and May 24 meetings.

What happened: The Board approved a balanced budget that projects approximately $17 million in revenue and approximately $16 million in expenses, while increasing referee pay and allocating additional support for Paralympic athletes. As a part of the Consent Agenda, the board also approved the 2025-2026 Operating Plan which shows the matters and projects USA Fencing intends to complete across its operating team.
The Board approved the budget in three separate votes:

• Core budget — passed.
• Tournament official-pay line item — passed; Damien Lehfeldt, Abdel Salem OLY-EGY, Molly Hill and Maria Panyi recused.
• Paralympic-athlete funding line item — passed; Dr. Scott Rodgers PLY recused.

Why this matters: The budget funds core programs, tackles a historic reserve deficit and aligns dollars with the 2024-28 Strategic Plan. A fuller breakdown of the budget will be published shortly. 

What happened: A proposal to let any voting director — elected, appointed or athlete — serve as Board Chair was sent to members for feedback. 

Why this matters: Broadening the talent pool from five to 12 potential chairs brings USA Fencing in line with most other NGBs and strengthens leadership succession.

Note: Members have 45 days to comment using this form.

What happened: A proposal to restructure the Board to four Athlete Directors, four elected At-Large Directors and four appointed At-Large Directors (at least two independent) was laid on the table after discussion, deferring a decision until the Governance Task Force consults additional stakeholders. The motion to table passed by voice vote with one abstention.
Why this matters: The 4-4-4 model would preserve a strong athlete voice while giving the Board flexibility to recruit directors with specialized skills; tabling allows time to gather broader member input before any change.

Note: Because the motion is tabled, it was not sent to the membership for comment. Members may still share feedback directly with the Governance Task Force.

What happened: The Board voted to publish, for a 45-day comment period, an amended proposal that retains the petition pathway but raises the signature threshold to 6 percent of eligible voting members and directs the Nominating Committee to present at least two more candidates than open seats (the n + 2 rule). The amended motion passed by roll-call vote, two opposed.

Why this matters:  The higher threshold ensures petition candidates have meaningful member support, while the larger vetted slate keeps elections competitive and transparent.

Note: Members have 45 days to comment using this form.

What happened: A package of technical and clean-up edits — including Safe Sport terminology updates, a new voter-eligibility window, and a cap of two non-voting Special Board Members — was approved for a 45-day membership review. The motion, as amended, passed by voice vote with two abstentions.

Why this matters: The omnibus proposal modernizes and simplifies the bylaws, aligns them with USOPC guidance and Colorado nonprofit law, and removes outdated language.

Note: Members have 45 days to comment using this form.

What happened: Adopted a streamlined policy that applies criteria prioritizing cost, safety and convenience to every national-event bid across all 50 states.

Why this matters: Ensures host cities meet stringent member-safety and cost-efficiency standards.

What happened: Appointed Molly Hill, Dr. Scott Rodgers PLY and Marie Donoghue (plus three alternates) to hear background-check appeals, while the remainder of the Board is welcome to attend any hearing.

Why this matters: Creates a nimble three-person panel that can convene quickly, expediting sensitive cases.

What happened: On recommendation of the Tournament Committee, the Board adopted a uniform National Anthem Policy governing all USA Fencing national events.

Why this matters: Provides consistent, respectful minimum guidance for honoring the flag and anthem across nine annual tournaments.

Note: The policy will be implemented beginning with the 2025 Summer Nationals and reviewed annually by the Tournament Committee.
--
The meeting also included a moment of remembrance for longtime fencing servant Rinaldo A. Campana Sr., an operational and financial update from USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews and Director of Finance Tabitha Chamberlin and encouragement to membership to comment on the bylaws by the 22 July deadline.