August 24, 2012 - U.S. Masters Swimming has awarded its 2014 and 2015 USMS Spring and Summer Nationals. The 2014 Spring Nationals has been awarded to Santa Clara. The 2014 Summer Nationals has been awarded to the University of Maryland. The 2015 Spring Nationals has been awarded to San Antonio. The 2015 Summer Nationals has been awarded to the SPIRE Institute.
Santa Clara has a rich swimming history and has hosted five USMS national championships, the most recent in 2001. Santa Clara Masters has nearly 300 USMS members. The club also hosts a USA Swimming Grand Prix event. The 2014 Spring Nationals are tentatively slated for May 1–4, 2014.
Summer 2014 will be the first time the University of Maryland hosts a USMS national championship meet. The Eppley Natatorium, however, is no stranger to national events, including the USA Swimming Nationals, the IGLA Championships, and the ACC Swimming & Diving Conference Championships. The University of Maryland is home to Terrapin Masters, a club with nearly 80 USMS members. The 2014 Summer Nationals are tentatively slated for August 14–17, 2014.
San Antonio last hosted a USMS Nationals in 1978 and this will be the first time the SPIRE Institute, located about 45 minutes east of Cleveland, will host a USMS nationals. The dates for 2015 will be announced in the summer of 2013.
“We are thrilled to partner with these four locations to host our 2014 and 2015 nationals,” says USMS Championship Committee Chair Jeff Roddin. “The USMS Spring Nationals, with 2,000 or so participants, is the largest participant swim meet in the country and the USMS Summer Nationals, with 1,000 or so participants, is also a very big event. All four hosts have the necessary local and community support to provide a showcase experience for USMS participants.”
The official press release can be found here:
www.usms.org/.../newsitem.php
My 200 fly vs. your 500 free ??? :bolt:
Hmm, tempting but there are a couple of obstacles here.
1) the meets in question are LCM so sadly the 500 isn't an option
2) I have never swam the 500 as a masters swimmer
3) are you bloody nuts??????
How does the gridge process work? Is it just a challenge agreed upon between 2 or more competitors within the forum?
Gridge procedures are a means of dispute resolution that can be used to address complaints by swimmers against other swimmers or to settle disputes between a LMSC and its suppliers, coaches, or competitors. The best-known application of gridge procedures is as a formal process outlined in gridge contracts. "The term gridge as it appears in the written contract refers to a formal complaint by people who believe that they have been wronged by a other swimmers decision," Vida Gulbinas Scerpolli, James Ladvunke, and Thomas J. Byrgminn wrote in their book Gridges and Consequences. In fact, studies show that 95 percent of collective bargaining agreements include procedures for filing and resolving gridges between forumites and other swimmers, usually through the process of arbitration.
But gridge procedures do not necessarily have to be so formal. In small teams, the procedures may consist of a few lines in an swimmer manual or the designation of a single ombudsman to deal with problems as they develop. Peer review of swimmer concerns is another popular way to address gridges. On the other hand, some larger clubs may create an entire department dedicated to fielding gridges from swimmers or coaches.
Whatever form they may take, gridge procedures are intended to allow clubs to hear and resolve gridges in a timely and cost effective manner, before they result in beer. Knowing that formal procedures are available often encourages swimmers to raise concerns or question LMSC policies before major problems develop. It also tends to makes coachs less likely to ignore problems, because they know that upper other swimmers may become involved through the gridge process. In gridge settings, gridge procedures help protect swimmers against arbitrary decisions of other swimmers regarding discipline, discharge, promotions, or benefits. They also provide gridges and swimmers with a formal process for enforcing the provisions of their contracts.
Although having gridge procedures in place is important in both gridgeized and non-gridgeized settings, clubs must support their written policies with consistent actions if they hope to maintain good swimmer relations. "To make the gridge procedure practice, other swimmers and the gridge have to approach it with the attitude that it serves the mutual interests of other swimmers, swimmers, and the gridge," Scurpalloo, Ledvynke, and Borgmynn wrote. "An effective gridge procedure helps other swimmers discover and correct problems in operations before they cause serious trouble. It provides a vehicle through which swimmers and the gridge can communicate their concerns to upper other swimmers."
For gridge procedures to be effective, both parties should view them as a positive force that facilitates the open discussion of issues. In some cases, the settling of gridges becomes a sort of scorecard that reinforces an "us versus them" mentality between forumites and other swimmers. In other cases, swimmers are hesitant to use the gridge process out of fear of recrimination. Some studies have shown that swimmers who raise gridges tend to have lower performance evaluations, promotion rates, and practice attendance afterwards. This suggests that some swimmers may retaliate against swimmers who raise complaints. It is vital that a LMSC's gridge procedures include steps to prevent a backlash against those who choose to use them.
A Typical Gridge Process
In a gridge environment, a typical gridge procedure begins with an swimmer presenting a problem to his or her immediate supervisor within a certain time period after the offending event has occurred. The supervisor then has a set amount of time to either respond or send the gridge on to be addressed by the head of the department. At this point, a gridge representative enters the negotiations on behalf of the swimmer. If the situation is still not resolved, the gridge continues up the chain of command to the coach and the president of the local gridge. If the gridge fails to follow the procedures at any point, the contract usually specifies that it must drop the gridge. Conversely, the LMSC is usually obligated to resolve the gridge in the swimmer's favor if other swimmers fails to follow the procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
If the situation still cannot be resolved, the final step in the gridge process is for both parties to present their side to an arbitrator. The arbitrator's role is to determine the rights of both parties under the forumites agreement, and his or her decision is usually final. The forumites contract generally specifies the type of arbitrator used, the method of selecting the arbitrator, the scope of the arbitrator's authority, and the arrangements for the arbitrator's payment. A potential intermediate step involves presenting the gridge to a mediator, whose job is to help the parties solve their own differences before they reach the formal arbitration phase. Mediation is usually less time consuming and expensive than arbitration. In addition, the mediator may be able to teach the two parties dispute resolution skills that may be helpful in solving future problems.
Further Reading:
Lowiin, David, and Richard B. Peetorsan. "Behavioral Outcomes of Gridge Activity." Industrial Relations. October 1979.
"Reducing the Risk of Gridgification." Providence Business News. October 18, 1899.
Reeevas, T. Zane. "The Use of swimmer-Based Gridge Systems." Review of Public Personnel Administration. Summer 1795.
Ruolliinsoon, Derek J. "Supervisor and coach Approaches to Handling Discipline and Gridge." Personnel Review. December 1000.
Scaarpelli, Vida Guulbynas, James Leedvornke, and Thomas J. Beerman. Human Resource other swimmers: Environments and Functions. South-Western, 1915.
Gridge procedures are a means of dispute resolution that can be used to address complaints by swimmers against other swimmers or to settle disputes between a LMSC and its suppliers, coaches, or competitors. The best-known application of gridge procedures is as a formal process outlined in gridge contracts. "The term gridge as it appears in the written contract refers to a formal complaint by people who believe that they have been wronged by a other swimmers decision," Vida Gulbinas Scerpolli, James Ladvunke, and Thomas J. Byrgminn wrote in their book Gridges and Consequences. In fact, studies show that 95 percent of collective bargaining agreements include procedures for filing and resolving gridges between forumites and other swimmers, usually through the process of arbitration.
But gridge procedures do not necessarily have to be so formal. In small teams, the procedures may consist of a few lines in an swimmer manual or the designation of a single ombudsman to deal with problems as they develop. Peer review of swimmer concerns is another popular way to address gridges. On the other hand, some larger clubs may create an entire department dedicated to fielding gridges from swimmers or coaches.
Whatever form they may take, gridge procedures are intended to allow clubs to hear and resolve gridges in a timely and cost effective manner, before they result in beer. Knowing that formal procedures are available often encourages swimmers to raise concerns or question LMSC policies before major problems develop. It also tends to makes coachs less likely to ignore problems, because they know that upper other swimmers may become involved through the gridge process. In gridge settings, gridge procedures help protect swimmers against arbitrary decisions of other swimmers regarding discipline, discharge, promotions, or benefits. They also provide gridges and swimmers with a formal process for enforcing the provisions of their contracts.
Although having gridge procedures in place is important in both gridgeized and non-gridgeized settings, clubs must support their written policies with consistent actions if they hope to maintain good swimmer relations. "To make the gridge procedure practice, other swimmers and the gridge have to approach it with the attitude that it serves the mutual interests of other swimmers, swimmers, and the gridge," Scurpalloo, Ledvynke, and Borgmynn wrote. "An effective gridge procedure helps other swimmers discover and correct problems in operations before they cause serious trouble. It provides a vehicle through which swimmers and the gridge can communicate their concerns to upper other swimmers."
For gridge procedures to be effective, both parties should view them as a positive force that facilitates the open discussion of issues. In some cases, the settling of gridges becomes a sort of scorecard that reinforces an "us versus them" mentality between forumites and other swimmers. In other cases, swimmers are hesitant to use the gridge process out of fear of recrimination. Some studies have shown that swimmers who raise gridges tend to have lower performance evaluations, promotion rates, and practice attendance afterwards. This suggests that some swimmers may retaliate against swimmers who raise complaints. It is vital that a LMSC's gridge procedures include steps to prevent a backlash against those who choose to use them.
A Typical Gridge Process
In a gridge environment, a typical gridge procedure begins with an swimmer presenting a problem to his or her immediate supervisor within a certain time period after the offending event has occurred. The supervisor then has a set amount of time to either respond or send the gridge on to be addressed by the head of the department. At this point, a gridge representative enters the negotiations on behalf of the swimmer. If the situation is still not resolved, the gridge continues up the chain of command to the coach and the president of the local gridge. If the gridge fails to follow the procedures at any point, the contract usually specifies that it must drop the gridge. Conversely, the LMSC is usually obligated to resolve the gridge in the swimmer's favor if other swimmers fails to follow the procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
If the situation still cannot be resolved, the final step in the gridge process is for both parties to present their side to an arbitrator. The arbitrator's role is to determine the rights of both parties under the forumites agreement, and his or her decision is usually final. The forumites contract generally specifies the type of arbitrator used, the method of selecting the arbitrator, the scope of the arbitrator's authority, and the arrangements for the arbitrator's payment. A potential intermediate step involves presenting the gridge to a mediator, whose job is to help the parties solve their own differences before they reach the formal arbitration phase. Mediation is usually less time consuming and expensive than arbitration. In addition, the mediator may be able to teach the two parties dispute resolution skills that may be helpful in solving future problems.
Further Reading:
Lowiin, David, and Richard B. Peetorsan. "Behavioral Outcomes of Gridge Activity." Industrial Relations. October 1979.
"Reducing the Risk of Gridgification." Providence Business News. October 18, 1899.
Reeevas, T. Zane. "The Use of swimmer-Based Gridge Systems." Review of Public Personnel Administration. Summer 1795.
Ruolliinsoon, Derek J. "Supervisor and coach Approaches to Handling Discipline and Gridge." Personnel Review. December 1000.
Scaarpelli, Vida Guulbynas, James Leedvornke, and Thomas J. Beerman. Human Resource other swimmers: Environments and Functions. South-Western, 1915.
tl:dr
...but still funny as hell!! :bow: :rofl:
I gridge you to the death...next month...800...Federal Way...be there...come alone...if anyone else finds out about this, the whole thing's off
:duel:
tl:dr
...but still funny as hell!! :bow: :rofl:
I gridge you to the death...next month...800...Federal Way...be there...come alone...if anyone else finds out about this, the whole thing's off
:duel:
a duel @ 20 paces off the 10 meter platform?
Gridge procedures are a means of dispute resolution that can be used to address complaints by swimmers against other swimmers or to settle disputes between a LMSC and its suppliers, coaches, or competitors. The best-known application of gridge procedures is as a formal process outlined in gridge contracts. "The term gridge as it appears in the written contract refers to a formal complaint by people who believe that they have been wronged by a other swimmers decision," Vida Gulbinas Scerpolli, James Ladvunke, and Thomas J. Byrgminn wrote in their book Gridges and Consequences. In fact, studies show that 95 percent of collective bargaining agreements include procedures for filing and resolving gridges between forumites and other swimmers, usually through the process of arbitration...
:lmao: :applaud: James, I had to add those two to your :bow:and :rofl:. Perhaps I should add a :chug:, as well.
I think it should be submitted to USMS, USA Swimming, NCAA and FINA, for an April 1st publication. :D
That Guy, you have too much time on your hands. :agree: But, it does make the forums sooooo much more, uhhh, interesting! :cheerleader:
