September 4, 2002
USATT News a Canupnet Editorial
The free political advertisement masquerading as "President's Report" in the September/October issue of USATT Magazine prompts us to post this 'Editorial Response'.
The free political advertisement masquerading as "President's Report" in the September/October issue of USATT Magazine prompts us to post this 'Editorial Response'.
Ms. Pittman, again flagrantly using our USATT funds to promote herself, states that she is not campaigning for election this year. This is ridiculous. Sheri is ALWAYS campaigning. While it is true we do not have the privilege of removing her from office for gross incompetence by virtue of voting her out this Fall, (a reminder that elections were supposed to be last Spring) nonetheless, this is an election that will reflect how the membership feels about her 'leadership'. We do have the opportunity to rid ourselves of at least a couple of the "yes-men" she claims not to have. Don't believe us? Check Board Member voting records
Her campaign ad is interesting reading. While she admits that her ideas lose money, she defends them because other (foreign) associations benefit, and after all, these foreign organizations WANTED her to do it. (basically it really was beyond her control, she had no choice) We have asked before, and continue to demand answers as to why USATT should be funding foreign associations' interests to the detriment of our own?!? Sheri believes this is a good thing. Her Board (the ones up for election), back her. We thought the purpose of USATT was to promote Table Tennis, not Sheri's personal, international political aspirations.
Sheri finally alludes to (albeit grudgingly) abusing travel during her term. Her validation? Well, sometimes other people pay part of her way. She is not always squandering USATT funds, sometimes she squanders those of others, and after all they WANT her to do it. (basically it really was beyond her control, she had no choice)
She finally admits to appointing herself to a high profile ITTF political position, but she justifies it by saying someone else WANTED her to do it. (basically it really was beyond her control, she had no choice) Is there a bit of a pattern here?
Sheri, after a year passes, finally admits to using negative campaigning.
During her oratory, she writes two very interesting sentences. One emphasizes the negative impact of "Critical letters sent directly to the USOC and/or ITTF [and we may assume other international TT bodies] before attempting to deal with issues internally ..." The second, "It’s encouraging to see a guy like Aly Salam work so hard to obtain an ITTF appointment." Interesting dichotomy of thought when viewed together.
Sheri says, "We
[USATT] need more members. We need a better organizational structure. We
need money. And we need a new executive director. But, without a solid
foundation, we’ll never get anywhere."
Sheri, NEWS FLASH, you are supposed to provide that! You are the
President! You are the person responsible for leadership that creates
a solid foundation! Instead, what have you created? Chaos.