USA Fencing

In 2024, a pivotal election will take place, offering referees a unique opportunity to elect their peers to the influential Referees’ Commission. 

Four positions are up for vote: Chair, Vice-Chair of the Domestic Development Committee – Grassroots, Vice-Chair of the Domestic Development Committee – National, and Referee Ombudsman.

Currently, Tasha Martin is Chair, Patrick Webster is Vice-Chair of the Domestic Development Committee, and Sue Borgos is the Referee Ombuds.

The Vice-Chair position for Domestic Development has been newly split into two positions: Grassroots and National Development. 

Step One: Nominating Committee Elections

But before we get to the main event, there's a preliminary round: electing three members of the Referees’ Commission Nominating Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair and representative process for the RC general election. As referees, your vote in this preliminary round election is vital in selecting the team that will oversee the candidate selection for the 2024 Referees' Commission general election.

Why This Matters

Think of it as a two-tiered system. First, you elect the Nominating Committee members, who then curate a list of eligible candidates for the Referees' Commission. Yes, it's an election before an election — but this layered approach is designed to ensure transparency and equal representation.

Join the Nominating Committee

This is your chance to make an impact. We are looking for three dynamic referees to join the eight-member Nominating Committee. To be eligible, you must be an active referee who has officiated at least one national tournament in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 seasons.

Who’s on the RC Nominating Committee?

• The Referees’ Commission Chair if not running for reelection. If the Chair is running for reelection, then a Referees’ Commission vice-chair who is not running for re-election, to be chosen by the Referees’ Commission members who are not running for re-election. This individual will chair the Referees' Commission Nominating Committee; 

•  One additional vice-chair of the Referees’ Commission who is not running for reelection; 

• Three (3) active referees who have indicated a willingness to serve in the position and who have worked at least one North American Cup, July Challenge or National Championship event in the 2022-23 and/or 2023-24 season(s). The individuals will be selected by a vote of referees who are eligible to fill this position on the Nominating Committee. The three referees with the most votes will serve on the Nominating Committee. If there is a tie between candidates, a coin toss will determine the winner(s).

• Two (2) athletes to be selected by the USA Fencing Athletes Advisory Council. 

• One (1) Board member to be selected by the Board of Directors. 

Nominating Committee Duties and Process

Once its composition is complete, the RC Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting applications, vetting and ranking of candidates who have indicated an interest in filling the vacant positions and serving on the Referees’ Commission.

The RC Nominating Committee will review the applications and credentials for each candidate and interview eligible candidates. It will then nominate two candidates for each position (unless there is only one candidate). 

How the RC Nominating Committee Election Will Work

Eligible voters in the Referees’ Commission election to be held in 2024 (and for the Referees' Commission Nominating Committee) shall be those licensed referees who have worked as referees at at least two North American Cup; Summer Nationals and July Challenge; National Junior, Senior or Wheelchair Championship; or international events during the 2021-22, 2022-23, or 2023-24 seasons.

A simple majority is needed. In case of a tie, a coin toss will decide the winner(s). The names of the three winners will be provided to the USA Fencing Chair for submission to the Board of Directors.  

How to Apply for the RC Nominating Committee

If you are interested in serving on the RC Nominating Committee, please send an email to nominations@usafencing.org by 5 p.m. MT on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Include “RC Nominating Committee” in the subject line.

USA Fencing, overseen by the USA Fencing Election Committee, will conduct the election for the RC Nominating Committee positions from Jan. 22–29, 2024.

Election Timeline at a Glance — Referees’ Commission

• Jan. 2, 2024: Window opens for applications for RC Nominating Committee 
• Jan. 12, 2024: Window closes for applications for Nominating Committee (at 5 p.m. MT)
• Jan. 22–29, 2024: Nominating Committee election
• Feb. 1–9, 2024: Call for eligible referees to submit their name for consideration for the Referees’ Commission positions up for election
• Feb 12. – April 5, 2024: Nominating Committee conducts interviews of eligible RC candidates
• April 15, 2024: Final list of candidates for RC election sent to Election Committee.
• April 29, 2024: Bios, one-minute candidate videos posted to USAFencing.org 
• May 13, 2024: General election* opens
• May 27, 2024: General election closes
• May 28, 2024: Winners announced
• Aug. 1, 2024: Four-year terms begin for the newly elected RC members

*Note: The 2024 election also will include a vote for the Board of Directors and the Hall of Fame.