Ridecamp: [RC] AERC Ride Sanctioning

Dublin Hart, D.C. runthndr@xxxxxxxxxx
I am writing to express my concern with the potentially damaging
sanctioning precedents being set in the Southwest Region. In particular,those pertaining to the Race of Champions (ROC).

Currently AERC rules state that a regional sanctioning director may deny sanctioning to a ride in his/her region without cause or peer review.

If, in an attempt to avoid an adversarial relationship with a
sanctioning director, a ride manager (RM) chooses to add entry
qualifications and send the sanctioning request to the Special
Sanctioning Director, the current rule states the the regional
sanctioning director still retains the right to deny sanctioning. The special sanctioning of the ride may be denied without discussion or action of the Special Sanctioning Director. The RM is then left with no
avenue for appeal.

Adversarial relationships between RMs and sanctioning directors have no current forum for resolution, arbitration or adjudication. The Protest & Grievance Committee (PGC) is not currently an avenue for appeal in these matters. The Committee only hears rule violations. The PGC can not rule on matters of prejudicial sanctioning or non-sanctioning of rides, conflicts of interest, or conduct by an individual (including Board members) that is detrimental to the integrity of the Board of  Directors
(BOD) and/or AERC in general.

I feel the ability of a regional sanctioning director to deny
sanctioning without also having an adequate and impartial appeal
procedure is dangerous for special interest rides such as FEI, multiday and special events. Currently if an sanctioning director is also on the Executive Committee, he/she is able to control the ride schedule and type of events in their home region, and participate in decisions about similar events in other regions. Again, these decisions can be made without RMs and riders having an opportunity to seek review or appeals.

This is a significant amount of power and control over the business of AERC and RMs for individuals or a small group.

I respectfully request the Board repeal the rule giving the regional sanctioning director and the Executive Committee the ability to rule on matters of special ride sanctioning. Additionally, I request a full review of current sanctioning rules, particularly those pertaining to special sanctioning. We must eliminate the sanctioning 'catch 22' where regional sanctioning directors can deny special sanctioning requests
without any possible appeal process. Lastly, we should amend the role of the PGC to allow the Committee to hear and rule on sanctioning appeals, conflicts of interest and conduct detrimental to AERC.

  Tinker Hart
  West region  #2107


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