November - December 2002
Vol. 13, No. 6 | Contents

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FROM THE EDITOR: I forgot my Mantra ... 
by Linda Mojer

It could be that I’m over-reacting a bit, but it seems as though all the small talk in and around the office has gone a bit like this lately —

In a slightly offhand way, Jim offers (to just about anyone who will listen) “Well, the USRA does this-that-and-the-other, and we have a (insert scary figure) deficit in our budget ...” HISER! Is it absolutely necessary for you to share that much detail with every unsuspecting visitor to the office? I may be in some serious denial about lots of things (this is one of them) but ... really ... shouldn’t we be just a tad more discreet? Geez! 

He adjusts the number, after reviewing budgets each day, and releases it like a stock market ticker — publicly, and often. My virtual elbow shoots out, and misses. If we’re in a meeting, I’m aiming for his shin under the table (he’s usually placed himself out of range). He’s unfazed. I’m mortified. But then, it’s not my personal checkbook, so why should I care? I only work here. (I’ve been advised to adopt the phrase as my personal mantra ... I only work here ... I only work here ... ohhhmm)

In fairness, the good doctor is trying very hard (the hole does get smaller some days), and the board is re-shaping itself into one that is more responsive to the financial needs of the organization in its care. Gradually, it’s becoming more of a relief to own up. Like any governing agency, the USRA has been accused of hiding things, but the simple fact is that it’s just been ... well ... embarrassing. I only work here ... um, er, ohm ... 

We’ve tried awfully hard to make everything about racquetball look bright, shiny and bigger than life ... so when we look, hard, at the numbers, we have to admit that we’ve been doing far too much, with far too little, for far too long. And now it’s threatening to come back to haunt us. Cold, hard facts, to be sure, but what are we going to do? Stop? I really, truly, only work here ... 

Over the past year, some very special people have dipped into their very own bank accounts to purchase computer equipment I’ve needed to do the magazine, work events off-site and manage the websites that we offer to the membership and the public. Those computer crashes weren’t “budgeted” but when the needs became urgent these generous donors stepped up to keep things running, and the member/reader never missed a beat. For that I’m extremely grateful. I work here ...

How can I repay them? Discreetly? Nah. I’m going to follow suit, put my money where my mouth is and join Randy Stafford in establishing the USRA Foundation. Oh, it may not be much to start, and it might just go toward covering my own paycheck — but isn’t that the theory behind paying your MasterCard with your Visa? In the long run, I’m hoping that it just might make it seem like I’m doing more than just working here ... Om ...


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