For Flyball’s Sake – one answer has been received

The answer from NAFA CoB has been received regarding the issues and concerns discussed in the previous two blog articles:
What Would You Do For Flyball’s Sake
and For Flyball’s Sake – Part 2.

The topic is regarding the ability of a person to (continue to) play flyball and participate in tournaments after having been convicted of animal abuse and/or neglect related to their participation in a flyball event.

Based on local flyballers comments and a quote they received from NAFA that said basically ‘nothing could be done’ whereby the person was allowed to play flyball after the conviction, I sent a formal request to the Chairman of the Board, dated October 5, 2011. Below are excerpts:

> I request the BoD review the following and determine appropriate action according to NAFA Rules of Racing, Corporate Policy and Procedures and By Laws (stated in combination below as ‘Rules’).

…was convicted…in September 2011; an article was published in the local newspaper whereby other flyballers and the general public were made aware of the conviction and details. The newspaper article stated the abuse and/or neglect occurred during the person’s participation at a flyball tournament.

To many flyballers as well as the public, this is inappropriate and brings discredit to the sport of flyball.

Local flyballers have stated publically that…the Executive Director has spoken with the person convicted…and…that nothing can be done.

To many flyballers this is inappropriate as well as inaccurate and again brings discredit to the sport of flyball as well as NAFA.

Applicable sections in the Rules:

- Chapter 5, Code of Conduct, Section 5.1 a-d

- Article IV, Section 1. Powers (of the Board)

- Article VI, Section 4. Executive Director

Requested action by the BoD:

Review (and) resolution of appropriate action and response to the author herein as well as the NAFA flyball community. >

Here is the answer I received from the Chairman of the Board today:

“Linda:

I just wanted to follow up and let you know that our ED has responded to this issue in what I consider to be an appropriate fashion, pursuant to our rules and bylaws. For reasons that would include potential civil litigation, it would be inappropriate to discuss details with anyone other the the party directly involved. Additional and appropriate details, also pursuant to our rules, will be forthcoming in future minutes. Thanks again for your concern, patience, and understanding.

Sincerely…”

At this point, it appears we all must wait to read future minutes for a possibly-definitive answer. On a personal level, I would like to thank the concerned flyballers who brought this issue to light. Also, in deference to the limited amount of time between when U-FLI became aware of the same issue and subsequently responded to me that my inquiry is presently with the U-FLI Board, I will update this blog when their answer is also received.

v/r, Linda

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