UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
ATHLETES’ ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Charlotte, North Carolina
January 10-11, 2015
SATURDAY, January 10, 2015
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Sarah Konrad, Chair
Jessica Cloy, Vice Chair
Catherine Raney, Vice Chair
Kerry McCoy, At-Large (Saturday)
REPRESENTATIVES:
Archery
Baseball
Basketball
Bobsled
Canoe/Kayak
Curling
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Judo
Karate
Modern Pentathlon
Para Athletics
Para Cycling
Para Cycling
Para Skiing
Para Summer Sports
Para Summer Sports
Para Summer Sports
Para Winter Sports
Racquetball
Roller Sports
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Ski and Snowboard
Softball
Nick Kale (Representative)
John Gall (Representative)
Katie Smith (Representative) - Saturday
Curt Tomasevicz (Representative)
Aaron Mann (Alternate)
Doug Pottinger (Representative)
Jame Carney (Representative)
Cassandra Metzler (Representative)
Michael Pollard (Representative)
Carrie Lingo (Representative)
Mark Ladwig (Representative)
David Durante (Representative)
Jamie Hagerman-Phinney (Representative)
Christal Ransom (Representative)
Brian Mertel (Representative)
Monica Rowland (Representative)
Lex Gillette (Representative)
Sam Kavanagh (Representative)
Greta Neimanas (Alternate)
Candace Cable (Representative)
Katie Holloway (Representative)
John Ruf (Representative)
Karin Korb (Representative)
Augusto Perez (Representative)
Jason Thoerner (Representative
Grant Schnell (Substitute)
Scott Gault (Alternate)
Amanda Clark (Representative)
Mary Weeks (Representative)
James Southam (Substitute)
Valerie Arioto (Representative)
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Speedskating
Squash
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Team Handball
Tennis
Track & Field
Track & Field
Triathlon
USOPA
Volleyball
Water Polo
Water Ski
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Sports not represented:
Badminton
Biathlon
Bowling
Boxing
Fencing
Rusty Smith (Representative)
Michelle Quibell (Representative)
Peter Vanderkaay (Representative)
Olivia Morgan (Representative)
Han Xiao (Representative)
Lynda Laurin (Representative)
Tomuke Ebuwei (Representative)
Jeffery Morrison (Representative)
Mechelle Freeman (Representative)
John Nunn (Alternate)
Sarah Reinertsen (Representative)
Greg Louganis (Alternate)
Cynthia Barboza (Representative)
Jessica Steffens (Substitute)
Andrew Adkison (Representative)
Emmy Vargas (Representative
Jordan Holm (Alternate)
Luge
Para Swimming
Rugby
Soccer
GUESTS:
Benita Fitzgerald-Mosley
Rick Adams
Julie O’Neill
Kacie Wallace
Sara Clark
Ben Leopold
Sheri Escher
Cheri Blauwet
Carl Swenson
Molly Tomlonovic
USOC, Chief of Operational Excellence
USOC, Chief of Paralympic Sport & NGB Organizational Development
USOC, Paralympic Sport Team Leader
Ombudsman
Ombudsman
USOC, Sport Performance
USOC, Sport Performance
USADA
USADA
USADA
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Athlete’s Advisory Council convened January 11-12, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The
Executive Summary of the meeting will provide a brief explanation of highlighted topics. The
full meeting minutes will follow the summary.
AAC/NGB BEST PRACTICES DOCUMENT
Discussion ensued regarding holding the NGB’s to accountable measures of success based on the
best practices document. The AAC has chosen to endorse the guidelines of the document to the
NGBs. The guidelines promote standard best practice expectations all for NGB board members,
including legal and fiduciary duties, board responsibilities and governing standards.
SAFESPORT
The new National Center for SafeSport organization is planning on opening in the third quarter
of 2015. The vision of the organization will be to lead the fight against all forms of abuse by
leveraging sport, and its unique ability to fight social change.
The organization will have 5 purposes:
1. To develop national SafeSport programs and policies
2. Interface with sporting organizations with its’ programming
3. Develop educational awareness and prevention programs through research
4. Provide fair, timely, and independent investigation of allegations
5. Undertake other activities based on the four other purposes
Discussion ensued regarding the provisional Bylaws of the organization. Please refer to the full
minutes for the topics of discussion.
INITIATIVE WORK
Each initiative working group delivered an update on what they have accomplished in the last
two years, and what they hope to accomplish in the coming two years. Please refer to the full
minutes for each initiative section.
FLAG BEARER ELECTIONS
Former Athlete Service Coordinators wrote up procedures for the flag bearer elections. Changes
have been made to the selection of the closing ceremonies flag bearer for the Toronto Pan and
ParaPan American Games. This position will be chosen by a popular vote where athletes can
vote electronically. After the Toronto games, the AAC will reevaluate this process for possible
improvements to be made to the process.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES and OPENING REMARKS
Sarah Konrad
Ms. Cloy called the meeting to order with a moment of silence for the two alpine ski team
members who passed away earlier in the month. Jon Ruf called for a motion to approve the
minutes from the September meeting in Chicago, seconded by Emmy Vargas, and approved by
the whole. Motion passes.
Ms. Konrad notes that this AAC is now halfway through the quad and would like each initiative
section to review what work has been done as well as to look forward to where they want to be in
the next two years. She called for all AAC members to think about what they have done to help
the AAC, NGB’s, and athletes improve.
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OMBUDSMAN ONBOARDING
Kacie Wallace
Ms. Konrad introduced the new athlete ombudsman, Kacie Wallace, to the AAC. Ms. Wallace
then delivered a presentation. See attachment 1 for her presentation.
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AAC/NGBC BEST PRACICES DOCUMENT
Benita Fitzgerald-Mosley
Ms. Fitzgerald-Mosley delivered a presentation about the best practices document. See
attachment 2 for her presentation.
Discussion ensued regarding holding the NGB’s to accountable measurements of success based
on the document. John Ruf then called for a motion to have the AAC endorse the guidelines of
the document to the NGB’s. This was seconded by Tomuke Ebuwei and approved by the whole.
Motion passes.
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BREAK
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AAC CHULA VISTA
Rick Adams
Mr. Adams led a discussion about the Chula Vista OTC and what it would mean to have a third
party operate the training center. The key point of the discussion was that if there is any change,
it will take place after the Rio Games as to not disrupt training of athletes in Chula Vista.
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SAFESPORT
Cassandra Metzler
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Ms. Metzler delivered an update on the new National Center for SafeSport organization that is
planning on opening in the third quarter of 2015. The vision of the organization will be to lead
the fight against all forms of abuse by leveraging sport, and its unique ability to fight social
change.
The organization will have 5 purposes:
1. To develop national SafeSport programs and policies
2. Interface with sporting organizations with its’ programming
3. Develop educational awareness and prevention programs through research
4. Provide fair, timely, and independent investigation of allegations
5. Undertake other activities based on the four other purposes
Discussion ensued regarding the makeup of the board structure for this organization. The AAC
feels the new organization’s bylaws should be created from scratch, and not piecemealed
together from other organizations, like USADA. The AAC also feels there should be at least
20% athlete representation (currently 18%). The initiative groups will look into these issues
during the breakout sessions.
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OMBUDSMAN TASKFORCE
Mark Ladwig
Mr. Ladwig delivered a presentation on the Ombudsman taskforce that was created after the
Chicago meetings. See attachment 3 for his presentation.
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BREAK
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AAC BEST PRACTICES
Katie Holloway
Ms. Holloway delivered a presentation about best practices within NGB governance and
structure. See attachment 4 for her presentation.
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INITIATIVE WORK
Initiative 1 – Two Year Review
Accomplishments
 Redesigned Website
 Increased communication between meetings:
o Through website, Facebook, Twitter
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o Creation and distribution of Newsletters
o Executive summaries and action items
o Post meeting surveys
Created AAC directory to help members get to know each other better
Increased use of AAC intranet Google site
Created AAC roles and responsibilities document for member reference
Created task management program to track progress of projects-internally with our
initiative then expand to full AAC
Initiative 1 – Tasks for the Future
 Update directory with new members
 Add more info to Newsletters
 Establish and implement presentation guidelines for presenters and audience
 Increase communication on social media
 Full participation on the Google site
 Begin using calendar invites as reminders
 Update video on website
 Review our website to make sure info is current and relevant
 Review USOC website for relevant source of athlete support
 Continue to increase awareness of other sports
Initiative 2 – Two Year Review
 Establish website for the athlete career and education program
Initiative 2 – Tasks for the Future
 SafeSport Board Recommendations
o Want minimum 20% athlete representation on the board for the new SafeSport
organization
o Establish a process for athlete nominations, if the first candidates are rejected. The
AAC will find and present a new candidate to the SafeSport board.
o Any vacancy will be filled on original voting process as the first candidate
Cassandra Metzler called for a motion to put forth the three (above) formal recommendations to
be included in the SafeSport organizations bylaws. This motion was seconded by John Ruf and
approved by the whole. Motion passes.
Initiative 3 – Two Year Review
 Identify Areas of Voting required by our election - AAC Duty of Care
 Identify Areas of AAC influence (is there a position for current AAC - yes/no)
 Rate (areas) - is the voting representation (influenced by or transferred to an outside
authority) or over 20% in any instance, inclusion welcomed
 Identify Term Limits
 Review of current "how we vote" per each election
 Review of current "candidate qualification" per each election
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Review length of time (process for election & approval)
Review of USADA Bylaws (How did it transition from electing 2 athletes, to "only
providing suggestion?" = Transfer of Athlete Right/Power (Review of History)
USOC Board/ USADA: If candidates are "rejected" how often do we need to re-submit
Incorporation of Paralympic Rep in discussion of IPC
Review of "an athlete once elected, they are up for re-confirmation and this review is
reconfirmed by USOC, but not currently reconfirmed by the AAC) - Process for a "dual"
reconfirmation? (USOC - process for ratification of extension of terms)
US Olympic Foundation - Review Bylaws of New Organization & Athlete
Representation – Process
USADA Review—coach member nominations
Initiative 3 – Tasks for the Future
 Identify current positions that AAC votes on—where and when there should be athlete
representation
 Review bylaws – create a highlight on the election process for each position. (Headed by
Mary, Monica, and Lynda)
 Review voting styles pros and cons. (Headed by Eli, Grant, Mark, and Lynda)
 Review how the AAC currently votes per each election and position. (Headed by Mary,
Monica, and Lynda)
 Hard completion date of the Olympic and Paralympic Assembly in September 2015
** Any AAC member is welcome to join in this process
Initiative 4 – Two Year Review
Establish regular communication between Paralympic athletes, USOC Paralympic leadership and
staff, USOC Board, and other groups (USOF, NGBS, etc.) to increase the various groups’ level
of knowledge, experience and competency with Paralympic sport and related issues.
 In-person meetings with US Paralympics executive staff at all AAC meetings
 Regular conference calls between executive staff and some or all Paralympic AAC
representatives
Create an internal athlete group to recommend pathways for both the AAC and USOC to be
more responsive to Paralympic needs.
 Athletes liaisons have been identified in majority of Paralympic sports
 Quarterly meetings held between Paralympic AAC reps and athlete liaisons
 Athlete liaisons were educated on the creation of High Performance plans, selection
procedures, etc. and encouraged to become involved in the structuring of these
documents
 Overall, the voice of Paralympic athletes was increased and strengthened
Promote a joint Olympic and Paralympic mindset among internal and external stakeholders.
 “Opened up the conversation”
 Consistent use of Olympic AND Paralympic terminology
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Paralympic-focused AAC Outreach event held in May in San Diego that provided the
AAC the opportunity to share Paralympic sport, the Paralympic movement, and
Paralympic values with both the community and members of the AAC
An educational video focused on Paralympic sport and classification was created by
Candace Cable. The goal is for this video to be included in the AAC orientation packet.
Chris Aherns, Paralympic summer team sports alternate, was elected to USA Soccer’s
athletes’ council
USA Volleyball voted in favor serving as both the managing and governing body for
sitting volleyball. An athlete representative position was added to the USA Volleyball
Board of Directors for the discipline of sitting volleyball.
Increase Paralympic representation on the USOC Board of Directors
 A Paralympian is one of two AAC finalists presented to the USOC Board Nominating
Committee for the vacant USOC athlete representative position
Initiative 4 – Tasks for the Future
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Governance working group: Working group being put together to examine current state
of governance for all Paralympic sports and to make recommendations and glean best
practices. Findings will be shared with Paralympic Advisory Committee in September
2015.
a. Proposed members:
i. USOC: Rick Adams, Gary Johansen, Chad (strategic planning)
ii. AAC: Jessie Cloy (PAC), Katie Holloway & Sarah Konrad
iii. HPMO’s: NWBA/USABA/Lakeshore/Blaze/UCO rep (1 rep)
iv. USP NGB’s: T&F/Cycling/Swimming/Skiing (1 rep)
v. NGB’s rep (1 rep)
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AAC Representation: Discussion surrounding Paralympic representation on AAC. Sam
Kavanagh will be leading a working group to include Greta Neimanas, Candace Cable
and Karin Korb to examine this topic.
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NGB Working Groups: Paralympic athlete reps are breaking into three working
groups: USOC governed and managed; HPMO managed; and NGB managed. Reps will
work with liaisons to discuss best practices taking place at the NGB level.
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BREAK
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SUNDAY, January 11, 2015
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USADA
Molly Tomlonovic
Ms. Tomlonovic delivered a presentation about the new 2015 WADA code. See attachment 5 for
her presentation.
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USOC BOARD UPDATE
Whitney Ping
Ms. Ping delivered a presentation based on the last USOC Board of Director’s meeting. See
attachment 6 for her presentation.
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BREAK
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FLAG BEARER ELECTIONS
Sarah Konrad
Ms. Konrad discussed the flag bearer election process and how a group had been being formed to
put together formal documentation on how to select the position. The document was sent out
prior to the meeting to all AAC members.
Mechelle Freeman called for a motion to apply the flag bearer doc, as written, to Toronto Pan
and ParaPan American Games, then to have the AAC revisit the document after the games to
discuss any changes they would like to make. The motion was seconded by Jordon Holm and
approved by the whole. Motion passes.
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OMBUDSMAN UPDATE
Sara Clark
Ms. Clark delivered a presentation on the Ombudsman office. See attachment 7 for her
presentation.
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OLD BUSINESS
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NEW BUSINESS
Mark Ladwig called for a motion to continue the Ombudsman Task Force with amendments to
mission and timing: The task force will be charged with making recommendations to the AAC in
oversight, management and operation of the Ombudsman office through the remainder of 2012
quad. This motion was seconded by John Ruf and approved by the whole. Motion passes.
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ADJOURN
Motion to adjourn called by Jamie Hagerman, seconded by Jon Ruf, and approved by the AAC.
Motion to adjourn passes. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.
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