The I.S.S.A Wants You To Join!

[Parallel Man]

The International Slalom Skateboarding Association is in the process of electing FOUR new board members to the seven-member Board Of Directors. There are now 79 members of the ISSA. Only members have a vote in the election, on ISSA agenda items and in ISSA initiatives.

I STRONGLY appeal to every serious and even casual slalom skater to please join the ISSA. The ISSA was originally founded in the 1990s in Europe but as with most things slalom fell dormant over the years. Recently revived in the past two years, the organization is taking the lead in sanctioning, organizing and most importantly standardizing slalom racing in all its various iterations. Although many issues still have to be decided (as everyone knows there's a burning question of the use or no use of six-wheeled skateboards), ISSA has done quite a bit in recent months to benefit slalom racing. The most important of these was making a more equitable and understandable process for race sanctioning (Plain, Basic, Prime, Majors and Mains) in accordance with the World Slalom Ranking. This term the Board and the members will tackle full on the issues of standardized racing rules and formats. There are issues ranging from start ramps to cone spacing still needing some sort of international standard.

But, the only way to be a part of the decision-making process is to be a part of ISSA.

Yes, it costs money: $25.00 (US). That's it. As of right now there are no annual dues or repeating call for more cash. PAYPAL $25.00 (US) to:

issa@slalomskateboarder.com

. . . and you are a member. If you want to change the cash issue, become a member and make it an issue for a vote. The majority rules. Right now the money received is used for one purpose: maintaining Slalomskateboarder.com. With more funds available in the future the Board of Directors and the Membership can determine new ways to fund better efforts to foster more slalom racing around the world.

Once you join you will be able to see "private" forums on SS.com for ISSA members only. That's where all the fun takes place. Pay your $25 and get in on the rapidly-rising ground floor of ISSA's growth and continued development.

Wesley Tucker
ISSA Board Member, Secretary
Slalomskateboarder.com Administrator

P.S. Before anyone complains, just so you'll know, EBasil and Malakai are members of the ISSA and Silverfishlongboarding.com and the ISSA are cosupporters. There's no conflict in promoting the ISSA through this venue.

Carry on.

[WAX]

I refuse to give money to any orginazation that doesnt have the balls to take a stand regarding rules, whats the point of having a governing body that wont take a stand?

[Parallel Man]

I refuse to give money to any orginazation that doesnt have the balls to take a stand regarding rules, whats the point of having a governing body that wont take a stand?

Wax,

That's totally bogus and you know it. The ISSA took a stand and stuck to it: on the issue of six-wheeled skateboards every race promoter through the end of 2007 could decide whether or not the equipment was permitted.

That was the decision of the ISSA in 2006 through this year and the ISSA did not bend in the face of an unending barrage of endless typing on several websites.

Did you not like the decision? Where was your voice when the decision was being made? Where was ANYONE'S voice?

Anything else? Am I unaware of some other rule issue?

And by the way, about all the typing back in June of this year and before and after the Dixie Cup last year: where is it now? Where's the outrage? Where's the activism? Where's the initiative to "get something done?" I'll tell you where: completely dormant and forgotten . . . until the next time it comes up around race time.

Isn't NOW as the season is winding down a good time to deal with these and other situations BEFORE 2008? And isn't NOW a good time to get involved instead of just waiting until later to complain about what was not accomplished?

Or don't. It's up the slalom skater who decides to pay the $25 to become a part of what ISSA is trying to do.

[bucksaw87]

ladies, ladies CTFO...let's not turn this into another 6-wheeler thread

what exactly does this board of directors do?

[Parallel Man]

ladies, ladies CTFO...let's not turn this into another 6-wheeler thread

what exactly does this board of directors do?

There are seven board members and four officers: President (currently Claude Regnier), Vice President (Pat Chewning), Treasurer (Vincent Berruchon) and Secretary (Me.) The other current board members are Jack Smith, Joe Iacovelli and Hans "Corky" Koraeus who has managed the World Slalom Ranking website for four years. Jack, Joe, Me and Claude are up for reelection. Claude and Joe I have already said they would not like to run again.

The board's main purpose is to discuss proposed initiatives both from the board and from the members. The Board then votes on whether or not to put the initiative to the members. If a motion gets a majority then the members are asked to vote and a majority carries. We vote using the the polling feature on the Slalomskateboarder.com website. We have 79 members and each and every one cannot take it upon themself to open a vote on whatever they please. Anything a member wants to propose should be sent to a board member and the board member will then discuss it with the entire board. Then, if the board decides it's worth pursuing (not if it's good or bad but if the members should make the decision,) it's put up for a vote.

I would say (just my opinion) the most important thing we accomplished this term was standardizing and formalizing the process for determining race status's. Originally, Corky just said "that race is a main and that one's a prime." Then in 2005 before I was elected I opened a poll on SS.com to determine what status each EAST COAST race would have. There was a lot of competition then for getting the Mains and Primes. This process worked OK but it wasn't satisfactory. Since then in the US and Europe and more formal and standard form for a promoter to get a race status is achieved.

The big thing for the next term (and the rest of this term) is the revision of the ISSA rule book. Yes, there is a slalom rule book. It's about 13 years old and needs serious updating. There's lots of things to nail down and it's going to take a lot of commitment from people to get it done.

For me my goal is to eliminate this stuff of showing up on Saturday and people standing around trying to decide the rules. That should be determined long before a race starts. Everything from cone penalties to 'tight' or 'hybrid' definitions need to be addressed. Also, there are some internal things to decide like membership status, whether or not to alter the dues from a one time fee to an annual payment and also website maintenance. Little stuff that goes a long way.

Most importantly we as the Board must work to get every member and ideally every slalomer involved in the process. That should be every Board member and also every ISSA member's number one priority (after racing, of course,) is to see the organization grow. No one in slalom should be on the outside looking in. It's open to everyone.

[mangels]

My name is on the "Member List", but that has waaaaay more than 79 people. So I'm guessing that's not the real deal, huh? So if I pay the $25 I can be a true member and get my secret decoder ring and learn the secret handshake?

[TwinTown Skater]

My name is on the "Member List", but that has waaaaay more than 79 people. So I'm guessing that's not the real deal, huh? So if I pay the $25 I can be a true member and get my secret decoder ring and learn the secret handshake?

I think you may be referencing the ss.com member list? That's the forum user list, not the ISSA membership that WT is referring to.

And screw the decoder ring, I want the waterbuffalo hat. Vote for Barney R for the board!

[Parallel Man]

[Parallel Man]

Nominations for the 2008 ISSA Board Of Directors have rolled in ahead of the Friday, October 5 deadline. So far the following ISSA member have accepted their nominations:

Richie Carrasco - USA
Gary Fluitt - USA
Daniel Gesmer - USA
Keith Hollien - USA
Peter Klang - SWE
Eddy Martinez - USA
Ron Olsen - USA
Paul Price - UK
Marcus Seyffarth - SWE
Jack Smith - USA
Wesley Tucker - USA

Remember, the Board is elected from the membership and the membership votes for the Board Of Directors. If you are not a member and wish to participate, join the ISSA now.

Also, in case there is any mystery as to where all this is taking place, here's the low down: there is a forum on Slalomskateaboarder.com restricted to ISSA members only. Ya' gotta join to participate. It's not secret, just restricted to the membership. I'll gladly answer any questions about the ISSA and it's agenda, objectives and performance.

Just for the record, there was some concern expressed about the number of American nominees compared to Europeans, Canadians and Australians. Know why so many Americans are nominated? Because so many were nominated. The nominations are open to ALL ISSA members and anyone who is a member may nominate another member. If you want your country represented in the election, then nominate a countryman or get a fellow ISSA member to nominate you. It's not difficult.

Look for more updates as the nomination and election process proceeds.

[EBasil]

I nominate Donald Campbell(GMN) and Michael Stride(UK)!!

[Parallel Man]

LaCosta Boys Racer Kevin Dunne and Texas Outlaw Zack Levitt are now on the rolls of the ISSA membership.

[EBasil]

LaCosta Boys Racer Kevin Dunne and Texas Outlaw Zack Levitt are now on the rolls of the ISSA membership.

Quality people, both.

[IGSA-1]

I just sent in my $25 via PayPal. Looking forward to receiving an email telling me how to get on the members only forum!!!

[Parallel Man]

Marcus,

Already done.

[Parallel Man]

We Have A Goal!

I just did a quick check of the Slalomranking.com rolls.

There are currently a total of 938 skaters with points in all classes (Pro Men, Am Men, Women, Junior Girls, Junior Boys)

The ISSA now has 84 members.

Let's push to make sure the membership represents a MINIMUM of 10% of the active slalom racers!!!

[Parallel Man]

The nomination period for the 2008 ISSA Board of Directors is now closed. This afternoon the voting opened for all ISSA members for the following 12 nominess:

2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Richy Carrasco - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board nominee: Jean-Sebastien Dennebouy - (FRA)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Gary Fluitt - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Daniel Gesmer - USA
2008 ISSA Board nominee: Keith Hollien - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Peter Klang - (SWE)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Eddy Martinez - USA
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Ron Olsen - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Paul Price - (UK)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Marcus Rietema - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board Nominee: Jack Smith - (USA)
2008 ISSA Board nominee: Wesley Tucker - (USA)

The membership will vote to elect FOUR Board members from the list of nominees. The polls will stay open until Sunday, 14, 2007.

Oh, in case there's any wondering, the vote is taking place on Slalomskateboarder.com on PRIVATE forums for ISSA members only. It's not so much a "secret" ballot as much as it is a "protected" process. Only ISSA members can vote and therefore the process is kept restricted from the general public. Anyone wishing to participate is more than welcome. Please PayPal $25 (US) to:

issa@slalomskateboarder.com

Receipt of your membership dues prior to next Sunday will allow you to vote for these nominees.

[Parallel Man]

As a respected and disinterested 3rd party, Marion Karr has agreed to be the MODERATOR of all five voting forums. As it stands right now only the Board members (including me) can see ALL the results. Marion brings an OBJECTIVE eye to the proceedings and can keep an eye on the vote.

Marion was nominated and declined and I think his integrity is absolute. I wanted to make someone a moderator not involved in the election (meaning someone not ME) who could observe all five forums and keep an eye on the vote.

I just spoke on the phone and he agreed to my request.

Thanks, NCL.

[Parallel Man]

Our membership drive is having some impact. We'd like to welcome these newest members to the International Slalom Skateboard Association:

Gregory Girard, Canada
Mark Harris, USA
Marcus Rietema, USA
Toby Warg, Sweden
Cat Young, USA

[Parallel Man]

[Parallel Man]

France's Fabrice Andre' joined today

And

Some surprising news:
It looks like the entire Australian Slalom Racing Association opted to join the ISSA:

James Hopkin
Hagbarth Strom
Greg Ambler
Peter Smith
Colin Beck
Gareth Fitzgerald

Welcome to all those from Down Under!