2010 board elections underway
The election for the 2010 NGFFL Board is underway. Four positions are up for election: Rules, Sponsorship and Fund-raising, Secretary/Communications, Gay Bowl Liasion. You can read about the nominees and find your city’s voting rep after the jump.
RULES
Shawn Albritton, Chicago, statement by Brian Kupersmith, Chicago commissioner
I’d like to nominate Shawn Albritton for the rules position. I think you know Shawn quite well but here are some highlights of his qualifications:
* Served as commissioner of Chicago MSA flag football from 5 seasons: 2004-2008
* Served as head ref 2003 and 2009 (when he wasn’t commissioner)
* Reffed in 4 gay bowls (IV, V, VI, IX), including selected for chanpionship game in DC
* Played in 3 gay bowl
* Served as Chicago’s NGFFL Delegate since 2004
* Served on board for Pride Bowl I and II
In addition to his football contributions, Shawn is a VP on our CMSA main board and has founded and run some of our softball leagues.
Shawn is energetic, committed and easy to work with. He has vast experience with football rules and understands how to help organize major tournaments and events. I think he would be an excellent addition to the board.
Wade Davis, New York
I’ve been apart of the national tournament for 4 seasons now, and I’d like to step-up and do as much as possible to continue to help the national tournament grow. I’m currently entering my 2nd yr as the Director of Player Development for the NY gay football league so I have board experience and understand what it takes to make a league successful.
As far as my football experience, I’ve been playing organized football since I was 7. I was captain of my college team for 2 yrs and also played in the NFL and NFL Europe. But more importantly I love and respect the game of football. I believe I know the game well and constantly study and watch the game of football so I have a pretty good understand what things we must do to continue to get people excited about our tournament and guarantee they are enjoying their time being apart of the tournament.
I’d like to thank you in advance for considering me and I promise to work hard and make decisions in the best interest of the league.
SPONSORSHIP AND FUND-RAISING
Kevin Smith, Washington DC
After being the Co-Chair for sponsorship and events for GayBowl IX, im sure i’ll be able to help Phoenix get the ball rolling and making some cash for GB10. I have quite a few contacts from this year’s bowl that were unable to sponsor due to the “recession” that said they would possibly be able to support next year.
Molly Lenore, New York
The goal of the NGFFL Board is to ensure that the national league continues to grow and prosper; I believe that the league is growing and prospering. In 2010 if I am elected I will work with the board and all of our league members to make sure that the league continues to evolve and to ensure that community, inclusion, personal growth and friendship remain the foundation of the NGFFL. ??
The NGFFL has become a huge part of my life as it has for many of you. I can only hope that as we go forward many more people/cities/communities will discover the NGFFL and all that it has to offer. If given the opportunity I will do my part to make this happen. It would be an honor to serve the NGFFL as Fund-raising, Sponsorship Director.
My qualifications for this position include:??
* NGFFL Rules and Regulations Director 2008-2009?
* Registration Director for the Gaybowl 2007
* Played in Gaybowl?2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
* New York Gay Football League Commissioner 2010?
* New York Gay Football League Commissioner 2009?
* New York Gay Football League 2008?
* NYGFL Communications Director 2007?
* Dedicated NYGFL member, 9 seasons
* Successful small business owner?
* I love the Gaybowl and the NGFFL community!
SECRETARY/COMMUNICATIONS
Cyd Zeigler, Los Angeles
This is the first time I won’t be organizing the Gay Bowl or captaining a team, and I finally feel I have the time to be a dedicated board member. So despite helping to found this organization, I’m throwing my hat into the ring for a board position for the first time.
I view the Secretary position as more than just taking notes (though I will certainly focus on that aspect of the role!). Building communication is key to this wonderful group’s success. I’ve already had a strong role in the communication of the NGFFL: I established the league’s current Web site and have operated it since; I created the group’s Facebook page; I’ve secured local and national media exposure; Behind the scenes I have pushed for more updates and transparency from the Board.
Still, there’s tons more we can do; I want to take our communication, and the NGFFL, to the next level. If elected, there are a number of initiatives I will pursue and accomplish in the first year:
- Helping teams and players improve. In order to give team captains and league commissioners the tools to help improve play, I’ll create a series of information pieces that will help close the competition gap, improve individual play and help build the confidence of all our leagues’ members. This will include YouTube videos showing drills and technique, and articles and columns about strategy from some of the Gay Bowl’s best.
- A monthly newsletter. There are entire quarters we go by with little communication between cities about what we’re all doing and what is happening with the Gay Bowl and the National Board. I want to see us all sharing more ideas and being able to better support one another’s initiatives. A monthly email newsletter will include information on member leagues, tournaments, the Gay Bowl, board proposals, and anything else members want to know about.
- Leverage my media contacts. Beyond continued coverage of the NGFFL on Outsports and interviews on ESPN Radio, I want to leverage my relationships to secure more exposure in local and national media outlets. Queerclick, Towleroad, Realjock…these are just a few Web properties read by hundreds of thousands of gay people where I’ll secure placement of our stories and events.
- Promote local tournaments. New tournaments are blossoming and I want to help them grow. I’ll work with the organizers of those tournaments to help market their events to get the strongest participation possible.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, I will listen. The secretary is in a unique position to bring the thoughts and concerns of member groups to the board. Board members are the (unpaid, of course) employees of the member groups. I want every member’s ideas and concerns to be represented and heard, and I will make sure that happens.
GAY BOWL LIAISON
David Donahoe, Fort Lauderdale
I’ve been to the last 4 gaybowls and on the National Board for the last 2, Salt Lake City and Washington DC, so i’ve been in on the planning and execution side of of the 2 largest tournaments yet as well as being involved in the planning of the 2010 tournament in Phoenix. I was also the Tournament Chair for South Florida as we put our bid together to host the 2010 Tournament. I’ve also worked with Jere Becker creating the RFP for the NGFFL. That experience alone makes me extremely well qualified to take on the responsibilities of working with with cities that are both interested in putting a bid together as well as with host cities to plan and execute a successfull tournament. I’m well aware of what the national board looks for when selecting a host city, what has been successful in past cities as well as what things have not worked and what participants are looking for in a host city and Gaybowl. Outside of the NGFFL, i’ve been a part of the planning of several tournaments for high school and club soccer leagues at all age levels. As part of my job, i’m responsible for planning and executing the roll out, implementation and training of software applications for medical practices and hospitals where i have had to coordinate individuals from both our client as well as outisde vendors and IT personnel. So i have the organizational skills to make sure cities are meeting the goals the national board sets for them as well as the ability to assist each host city with meeting thier goals and expectations. Ok that’s it.
Here are the eligible voters. If any of these names is in error (someone new is the rep, for example), please contact commissioner Jim Buzinski:
Chicago
Brian Kupersmith
Atlanta
Thurman Williams
Pittsburgh
Cliff White
South Florida
David Donahoe
Phoenix
Shawn Rea
Washington DC
John Williams
Texas
Jere Becker
Los Angeles
Jim Buzinski
Denver
Shane Kinkennon
Houston
Russell Garrison
Michigan
Leeron Koppleman
New York
Molly Lenore
Philadelphia
Scott Dinkins
Salt Lake City
Mark Barr
San Antonio
Pablo Cruz
Boston
Tony Stuart
Silicon Valley
John Chen
San Diego
Jason Hefley
