69challenger
13-08-2010, 12:31 PM
UFE Addresses Conflict of Interest Issues in Order to Ensure the Fair Competition
Hey Everyone,
This is a very important note that I hope people will take the time to, not only read, but to add their input...
When it comes to the fitness industry, I am very well versed from the perspectives of a competitor, trainer and event organizer. Through my time in the industry I have paid close attention to what people like or love about some organizations as well as the negative banter to ensure I put together the best organization possible for people to compete in.
The negative banter is something to take seriously, because if there is a strong perceived truth to it and it can't be fully adressed, it can cause a negative outlook on an organization. Being a drug tested organization, I have heard the banter about other organizations using BS "lie detectors" as their drug testing method so I ensured UFE only stuck to urinalysis, and for that matter, the most advanced urine testing methods in existence. I have heard about certain organizations throwing out the drug tests after a show or questions of whether urine tests were even done so I ensure that all of our tests are posted online with the results of each so there can be NO DOUBT about whether competitors were tested or not. I have heard horror stories from people that say organizations promising cash prizes for winners never come through on the prizes so I ensure that all of our winners receive a cheque right on stage for the full amount of their cash prize. In short, with UFE, I have sought to try and plug every hole possible.
As far as judging, I have sought to bring in some of the best and most ethical people in the industry to judge the shows. Our judging software is also equipped with programming that causes a score to be dropped from the average if a judge seems to be way off of all the others to ensure that someone is not giving a score based on liking or disliking a competitor outside of a show. This brings me to a decision that myself and our Head Judge, Pamela Bortmes made yesterday. With the fall season coming up, it had finally gotten back to me en masse, that there were several people that felt there was a conflict of interest with Pam judging and also being in charge of tanning, makeup and hair for the shows. Apparently, the concerns over this conflict go back to last year, however outside of a couple of people mentioning anything, I didn't really hear much, nor did Pam. However, lately, I have heard numerous things relating to people feeling pressure to use Pam's services so they aren't blacklisted or others feeling like there was bias in judging due to their choice to use Pam's services or not. Myself and Pam spoke at length about this yesterday and I can honestly say, I have personally looked over scores after shows and have never noticed Pam's scores being out of line with others. Furthermore, the fact that she was Head Judge put no extra weight on her scores as opposed to the other judges. The Head Judge's role is simply to decide the callouts and to ensure that the other judges understand UFE's guidelines for judging a competitor. However, there seemed to be a fairly large rumbling about the situation and I understand that someone's perception is their reality. And though I don't question Pam's integrity, it has been our mutual decision that Pam step down as Head Judge and from all judging as long as she runs her other business as UFE's exclusive on site tanning, makeup and hair service. This isn't a decision that we liked making; on my end, Pam has been a loyal supporter of UFE and has always judged our shows since the beginning; on Pam's end, she really enjoyed being a part of the panel. However, we both decided it was best that competitors felt comfortable knowing that UFE is an absolutely fair competition for everyone. Pam will now focus on doing tanning, makeup and hair for our competitions and will now be more available for competitors at our shows. We want people to use Pam's services because they are great (which they are) and not because they think it will make or break them on the stage after busting their ass for 16 weeks to get ready for the day.
With that said, UFE has always stated that we are here for the competitors and take every bit of feedback seriously, both good and bad. There is absolutely NO political agendas when it comes to judging our competitors as our goal from the start has been to put a stop to that kind of garbage. Finally, I encourage anyone to come to me with any concerns regarding any perceived agendas or biases as this is taken very seriously. I am a little disappointed that most of the information I received in this case came to me indirectly because people didn't want to be "blacklisted." First, I am absolutely here for the competitors and second, I have no influence over judging. To be quite honest, the judges in our shows are usually very successful in the industry and are judging essentially as a volunteer (they are paid $100 to cover travel and food for the day) so I imagine that if I tried to bias any of them, they would simply tell me where to go. With that said, I have made this a note so that people can respond and include their feedback. This is your forum. UFE is seeking to be the very best in the industry and be as transparent as possible so that people are assured that they are being judged fairly at all times and know that the best competitors on show day are the ones that will win.
I look forward to hearing your feedback, both positive and negative so we can work with it to be the best!
Cheers,
Sean Everingham, President
Ultimate Fitness Events
UFEshows.com
info @ UFEshows.com
Hey Everyone,
This is a very important note that I hope people will take the time to, not only read, but to add their input...
When it comes to the fitness industry, I am very well versed from the perspectives of a competitor, trainer and event organizer. Through my time in the industry I have paid close attention to what people like or love about some organizations as well as the negative banter to ensure I put together the best organization possible for people to compete in.
The negative banter is something to take seriously, because if there is a strong perceived truth to it and it can't be fully adressed, it can cause a negative outlook on an organization. Being a drug tested organization, I have heard the banter about other organizations using BS "lie detectors" as their drug testing method so I ensured UFE only stuck to urinalysis, and for that matter, the most advanced urine testing methods in existence. I have heard about certain organizations throwing out the drug tests after a show or questions of whether urine tests were even done so I ensure that all of our tests are posted online with the results of each so there can be NO DOUBT about whether competitors were tested or not. I have heard horror stories from people that say organizations promising cash prizes for winners never come through on the prizes so I ensure that all of our winners receive a cheque right on stage for the full amount of their cash prize. In short, with UFE, I have sought to try and plug every hole possible.
As far as judging, I have sought to bring in some of the best and most ethical people in the industry to judge the shows. Our judging software is also equipped with programming that causes a score to be dropped from the average if a judge seems to be way off of all the others to ensure that someone is not giving a score based on liking or disliking a competitor outside of a show. This brings me to a decision that myself and our Head Judge, Pamela Bortmes made yesterday. With the fall season coming up, it had finally gotten back to me en masse, that there were several people that felt there was a conflict of interest with Pam judging and also being in charge of tanning, makeup and hair for the shows. Apparently, the concerns over this conflict go back to last year, however outside of a couple of people mentioning anything, I didn't really hear much, nor did Pam. However, lately, I have heard numerous things relating to people feeling pressure to use Pam's services so they aren't blacklisted or others feeling like there was bias in judging due to their choice to use Pam's services or not. Myself and Pam spoke at length about this yesterday and I can honestly say, I have personally looked over scores after shows and have never noticed Pam's scores being out of line with others. Furthermore, the fact that she was Head Judge put no extra weight on her scores as opposed to the other judges. The Head Judge's role is simply to decide the callouts and to ensure that the other judges understand UFE's guidelines for judging a competitor. However, there seemed to be a fairly large rumbling about the situation and I understand that someone's perception is their reality. And though I don't question Pam's integrity, it has been our mutual decision that Pam step down as Head Judge and from all judging as long as she runs her other business as UFE's exclusive on site tanning, makeup and hair service. This isn't a decision that we liked making; on my end, Pam has been a loyal supporter of UFE and has always judged our shows since the beginning; on Pam's end, she really enjoyed being a part of the panel. However, we both decided it was best that competitors felt comfortable knowing that UFE is an absolutely fair competition for everyone. Pam will now focus on doing tanning, makeup and hair for our competitions and will now be more available for competitors at our shows. We want people to use Pam's services because they are great (which they are) and not because they think it will make or break them on the stage after busting their ass for 16 weeks to get ready for the day.
With that said, UFE has always stated that we are here for the competitors and take every bit of feedback seriously, both good and bad. There is absolutely NO political agendas when it comes to judging our competitors as our goal from the start has been to put a stop to that kind of garbage. Finally, I encourage anyone to come to me with any concerns regarding any perceived agendas or biases as this is taken very seriously. I am a little disappointed that most of the information I received in this case came to me indirectly because people didn't want to be "blacklisted." First, I am absolutely here for the competitors and second, I have no influence over judging. To be quite honest, the judges in our shows are usually very successful in the industry and are judging essentially as a volunteer (they are paid $100 to cover travel and food for the day) so I imagine that if I tried to bias any of them, they would simply tell me where to go. With that said, I have made this a note so that people can respond and include their feedback. This is your forum. UFE is seeking to be the very best in the industry and be as transparent as possible so that people are assured that they are being judged fairly at all times and know that the best competitors on show day are the ones that will win.
I look forward to hearing your feedback, both positive and negative so we can work with it to be the best!
Cheers,
Sean Everingham, President
Ultimate Fitness Events
UFEshows.com
info @ UFEshows.com