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Reply to "Kevin Lucas' Proposed Amendment"

Change is not always bad, but change on the scale proposed by Kevin will move things in an irreversible direction.

As a certifier I’ve always considered that I serve measurers, first and foremost. They are the only people with whom I come in contact during the process of certification. I receive applications from them, I am asked questions. I process the applications and answer the questions. All this is between me and the measurer. I don’t need help.

The resulting certificates are sent to the registrar and are listed.

Typical turnaround time between me and the measurer is one to three days. If all is well this means that the measurer gets his certificate within a week of the time he mails it to me. If we do it electronically it will happen within a day – sometimes the same day.

I do not interact with either of the Ohio associations.

I could do more, but I don’t want to. I consider that what I am doing is of large benefit to USATF and I believe certifiers should be, if not thanked, at least not criticized for not doing more interacting with USATF. My interests do not lie in kids’ track or racewalking, and my focus on road running is all on the technical side, and not in promoting or putting on races. I am doing what I enjoy doing, and it helps USATF.

Some certifiers are active in their local associations and some are not. But active or inactive, as long as they are out there certifying courses the road running community is being well served.

RRTC has evolved into a smooth-running bureaucracy in which the people we serve – the measurers – get fast and accurate service. We have all the people we need, and are constantly recruiting from the pool of experienced measurers who know the work. Few in RRTC are overloaded with RRTC work.

Nothing stands in the way of the associations promoting certification, but I have seen few do so. RRTC has been available to help anyone for over 20 years, and this has included any association that cares to ask.

I would bet that any change will result in higher cost to the measurer, as certification will be seen as a cash cow by the association. There will be more time between application and receipt of a certificate, and more work for the certifier. I’d also bet that some of those chosen by their associations to be certifiers will not be qualified to do the job.

As for RRTC folks being power-mad and kings for life, I need only point to the recent example of several certifiers willingly giving up a state to accommodate a newly-appointed certifier. Anyone who thinks being a certifier gives one "power" needs to adjust.

The proposed amendment should be put down, not tabled. It is a bad idea.
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