Joy Upshaw-Margerum pulls out of race, backs Snyder
Joy Upshaw-Margerum has decided to drop out of the race for USATF Masters T&F Committee chair. She says she attended today's meeting of the Masters T&F Executive Board and realized she's not yet ready to tackle the chair job. Afterward, she and fellow candidate Gary Snyder of Boston went to lunch, and they ended up talking for two hours, she says. In their chat, they realized they shared a lot of the same ideas and management beliefs. So Joy is backing Gary for the job. Joy also may seek election to the Executive Committee as active athletes representative -- in hopes of learning more about board politics.
Joy phoned me this afternoon about her decision, and my respect for her grew. Even though she had the support of a lot of smart and experienced people, including Al Sheahen (a former WAVA treasurer and NMN publisher), she opted to listen to her heart.
She wants to learn more about board procedures before jumping in full-force, she says.
Joy certainly would have been a good leader from the get-go, but she doesn't think she's ready to be as good a leader as she'd like to be -- not just yet. She found that Gary "was on the same page" with respect to many interests, and pledged to help him as much possible from her West Coast perch if he wins tomorrow morning's chair election.
I was one of several people urging Joy to run, but I'm not dismayed by her decision. She will be around for a long time, and will put this experience to good use -- for the benefit of the masters movement. In two years, she might run for vice chair.
If Joy seeks the active-athletes rep position, she'll have a front-row seat on how to run the committee and fight the good fight for masters track within USA Track & Field.
There's no shame in being realistic. Joy is clear-eyed about the job. Give her time.
Joy will be back.
Comments
Way to go Joy, realising its not your time takes courage, i know you are a perfectionist and would want to do the job to the best of your ability.Go learn and be the best.
I support you PAL...
Marie Kay
Australia.
Posted by: Marie Kay | December 1, 2006 1:58 PM
I have worked numerous meets with Joy and she would be perfect to represent Master's Track and Field. If she feels she is not ready at this time, so be it....look forward to the future with Joy's leadership...Joy see ya at the "All-Comer" meets at Los Gatos.
Posted by: Rick Milam | December 13, 2006 8:34 AM