USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a series of significant moves sure to shape the future of fencing in the United States, the USA Fencing Board of Directors met on June 10 to address a series of important motions, including the approval of the 2023-24 operations plan and 2023-24 budget, the appointment of new data resource and coaching advisory resource teams, the introduction of new pricing structures for clubs and individual members, and the creation of a fencing category for those aged 21 to 39.

One of the meeting’s key highlights was the appointment of Amanda Nguyen, the CEO and founder of RISE, a non-governmental organization that fights for civil rights, as an independent director to the Board. Following a seven-month recruitment process, Nobel Peace Prize-nominee and TIME Woman of the Year Nguyen was selected for her extensive experience in nonprofit management, organizational ethics and fighting sexual abuse. She will fill the seat formerly occupied by Lauren Haynie for the remainder of Haynie’s term, which goes through Aug. 31, 2024. (We thank Lauren Haynie for her service to the Board.)

Fencers in their 20s or 30s will be delighted to hear that the board approved the creation of a 21-to-39 age group category — giving this previously overlooked bracket of fencers exciting competitive opportunities. 

USA Fencing’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion took another step in the right direction when the Board passed a motion to not negotiate arrangements to hold competitions or other events in any facility located in a jurisdiction rated “Negative” by the Movement Advancement Project. Existing contracts will be honored, but future negotiations will consider the ratings of these jurisdictions.

Next, the approval of the operations plan and budget for 2023-24 (both of which you can review in full here) provide a clear roadmap for the organization's priorities over the coming year.

The formation of two new teams, the Data Resource Team and the Coaching Advisory Resource Team, signify a concerted effort by USA Fencing to enhance its sports and business operations while ensuring a more centralized advisory viewpoint from the coaching perspective across different levels of the sport — beginning at the all-important grassroots level.

Revised fees for club and individual memberships got nods from the Board, ensuring the financial stability that will help USA Fencing continue to serve our members. 

On the club membership side, these moves were the result of thorough work from the Membership Review Group in analyzing today's insurance market to ensure each club, regardless of its standing, would be covered. Furthermore, recognizing the need to support smaller clubs, emerging clubs, community-based clubs, high schools, and collegiate programs, the new structure offers a significant discount to these types of clubs.

Here’s a motion-by-motion look at how the meeting unfolded.

Motion 1 (withdrawn): This motion was an amendment to the selection process for the Contributor Category in the Hall of Fame. This new process would prioritize objective evaluations while providing room for special circumstance inductions. Peter Burchard, Lorrie Marcil Holmes, Donald Alperstein and Abdel Salem will meet with the Hall of Fame Committee to resolve some last issues before a final proposal is brought back to the board at the next meeting.

Motion 2 (passed): For the USA Fencing Leadership Academy, the Board designated volunteers Kat Holmes OLY and Samuel Cheris, along with staff members Brad Suchorski and Suzie Riewald to identify speakers who address the members of the 2023-24 class. (Apply for the Leadership Academy by July 1.)

Motion 3 (withdrawn): The motion to adopt a ZIP code system for defining areas encompassed by USA Fencing divisions was withdrawn by the movant to allow Divisions to retain their currently orated geographical boundaries.

Motion 4 (passed): The Board approved the 2023-2024 Operations Plan, aligning with USA Fencing's Strategic Plan.

Motion 5 (passed): The 2023-2024 Financial Year Budget was approved, revealing the organization's operational priorities for the upcoming year. (See a full budget breakdown.)

Motion 6 (passed): The formation of a new Data Resource Team was approved, including the appointment of 10 new team members, who will provide data-driven insights for USA Fencing's sports and business operations:

• Joe Inzerillo (New York City, N.Y.) - Chair 

• Marc Shull (Boulder, Colo.)

• Benjamin Cohen (San Francisco, Calif.) 

• Eliza Mace (Herndon, Va.)

• Yi Yang (New York City, N.Y.)

• Melvin Rodriguez (New York City, N.Y.) 

• Matt Tucker (Boston, Mass.)

• Hashi Vaid (Atlanta, Ga.)

• Jonathan Bartlett (New York City, N.Y.) 

• Jonathan Yergler (New York City, N.Y.)

• Staff Liaison: Brad Suchorski 

• Board Liaison: Kat Holmes OLY

Motion 7 (passed): The establishment of a Coaching Advisory Resource Team was greenlighted, providing a centralized advisory viewpoint for coach members:

• Michael Marx OLY (Acton, Mass.) - Chair

• Greg Domashovitz (Silt, Colo.)

• Matteo Gallo (Torrance, Calif.)

• Haley Ward (Littleton, Colo.)

• Staff Liaison: Dr. Suzie Riewald

• Board Liaison: Ben Bratton

Motion 8 (passed): Amanda Nguyen was appointed as an Independent Director, bringing valuable experience and skillset to the Board of Directors. (Meet Amanda Nguyen.)

Motion 9 (passed): The revised Club Membership Structure was approved, supporting all types of clubs and providing all clubs with insurance coverage. (Link to read more.)

Motion 10 (passed): The Access and Non-Competitive Memberships were combined, simplifying these two membership types. (See more about these changes.)

Motion 11 (passed): The creation of the 21-39 Age Group category was approved, opening new opportunities for fencers who sit between the Junior and Veteran categories, particularly those who don’t qualify for Division I Fencing.

Motion 12 (passed): USA Fencing reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by deciding not to locate competitions or events in jurisdictions with laws or regulations against these values. Existing contracts will be honored, but future negotiations will consider the ratings of jurisdictions as per the Movement Advancement Project.