PCC's USA Curling Position
January 31, 2023 - Potomac Curling Club Resignation from USA Curling
January 31, 2023
Gordon Maclean
Secretary, USA Curling
2685 Vikings Circle, Suite 210
Eagan, MN 55121
Dear Mr. Maclean:
This letter is to inform the United States Curling Association (USAC) that the Potomac Curling Club (PCC) Board of Directors has voted to discontinue our membership with USAC, effective January 31, 2023. This was a difficult decision following extended and detailed discussions, but we do not believe the current state of USAC is in line with PCC’s mission and values.
We have been disappointed and concerned by multiple actions over the past several months, including the handling of the situations with the Grand National Curling Club and former CEO Jeff Plush, as well as the disarray and disrespect shown at the October 2022 Members’ Assembly. As such, we have lost confidence in the leadership and direction of USAC and its ability to serve us as a member club and the sport in general.
We strongly believe in the value of a well-organized, transparent, and efficient national governing body to serve all levels of the sport. We are encouraged by recent steps taken by USAC to reflect and begin making necessary changes, and we hope to be part of ongoing discussions and to see continued progress. Our goals are to restore the mutually beneficial relationship between USAC and PCC and to rejoin as a member club. For these to happen, and in addition to the work already underway, we would like to see the following items specifically addressed:
- A formal apology for the poor management of the October 2022 Members' Assembly and the disrespect shown to multiple members by the Chairperson and others.
- Resignation of all current Directors that served under the leadership of CEO Jeff Plush. The lack of transparency and united and unwavering support for Mr. Plush prior to his resignation gives us no confidence in the ability of these Directors to serve in leadership roles going forward.
- A review of meeting procedures, including any necessary updates, to ensure that any members that wish to speak on a topic will have the opportunity to do so during open debate, and that other members may not use their votes to suppress the voices of other members.
- A formal commitment from the Athletes' Advisory Council that they will not use their powerful vote to suppress the voices of other members as was done at the October 2022 Members' Assembly, particularly when discussing topics that broadly affect all parts of the curling community.
- Evidence of steps taken to improve relationships with all regions and curling clubs across the country. We believe a national governing body (NGB) should seek to represent all clubs and that there is value to all club members of the NGB. Therefore, we expect that USA Curling will engage with the GNCC and work towards a solution that will allow the GNCC to be reinstated as a member region. We also expect USA Curling to engage with individual clubs that have decided to not be members of the NGB to assess why and if anything can be done to provide a mutually beneficial relationship.
It is our sincere hope that USAC will work to regain our trust and confidence and make necessary changes to better serve all current and future members and our great sport. We are always willing to engage in discussions and efforts to move forward, and we look forward to those opportunities.
Sincerely,
Lauren Luethy
President, Potomac Curling Club
president@curldc.org
CC: Mr. Dean Gemmell, CEO, USA Curling
CC: Ms. Gabby Tachis, Manager, Member Services, USA Curling