BOARD VOTES TO ADOPT NEW STRATEGIC PLAN AND
GOVERNANCE MODEL
BOULDER, Colo.—
By a resounding vote of 25-to-1, USA Rugby’s
Board of Directors approved to adopt a new
strategic plan and a radically different
governance model at its meeting here
Friday.
The vote supports the Board’s unanimous AGM
vote in November to seize change
and grasp the opportunities facing USA
Rugby, measured by five goals: 1. Sustain
strong growth and participation in rugby in
the United States; 2. Be in the top-10 of
men’s rugby and top-4 in women’s; 3. Provide
great, effective leadership; 4. Raise the
profile and respect of rugby in the U.S.; 5.
Generate the revenue to secure the future.
The new governance model will initially
consist of a Congress, which will meet
annually, of representatives from
Territorial Unions. A nine-member Board
that will consist of one Congress-elected
member, two player representatives (one
male, one female) and six appointed
independent high-impact members whose
professional and life experiences can help
propel the organization, and the sport,
forward.
The organizational model of USA Rugby will
be aligned to implement the strategic plan
and ensure the policies of the Board can be
implemented within available capacity. The
employees and Board will be charged with
responsibility for developing and
implementing the annual operational plans
and establishing appropriate networks of
volunteers and expert advisory groups to
assist them in implementing the strategic
and operational plans.
“Following on our initial steps taken last
November, I was proud to chair a Board that
issued a powerful message today in essence
voting itself out of existence and in doing
so put the organization above any personal
or parochial interests,” said outgoing
Chairman of the Board Neal Brendel.
“A message that intends to deliver
fundamental change in the strategic
direction of USA Rugby as well as directing
the implementation of a modern, streamlined
governance structure suited for the
commercial demands of the game and the
expectations of our members.”
In addition to adopting a new strategic plan
and governance model, USA Rugby’s Board of
Directors also elected a new Executive
Committee Friday, promoting previous
vice-chair Bob Latham
(Dallas/South) to chair and electing
Frank Merrill (Atherton,
Calif./Pacific Coast) as vice-chair,
Tom Schmitt (Milwaukee,
Wis./Midwest) its treasurer and Alex
Magleby its player representative
(Norwich, Vt./Northeast). David
Pelton (Kirkland, Wash./Pacific
Coast) and John McConnell
(Arlington, Texas/West) will retain their
roles as secretary and referees and laws
representative, respectively.
--usa rugby--
