Jim Miller addressed the issue of recognition rings for people to represent different award categories or to denote positions within our organization in the latest USMS executive meeting minutes (located Here).
While I applaud the openess of our managment, I still have to ask the question:
Why do we need rings in the first place? The pro's are we are giving somthing nice to those people who have served USMS well or otherwise extra-ordinary service.
The con's are much more numerous:
1) Why spend the money to do this when we can certainly find other uses for it?
2) If people are that critical to the organization, then they should already know how integral they are.
3) Any time an item is given to denote someones position in an organization, a level of elitism inevidably creeps in. While it is tempting to do this simple gesture because people volunteer and should feel recognized - Isn't it more that we feel good because we participate and promote an activity important in our lives?
Pretty easy to see where I fall on this issue, but I am interested in knowing what other peoples view points on "rings of recognition." As a sport why do we need this symbolic gesture?
If anything, we should give them to people who donate money to the endowment fund...
Chris B.
I saw a proposal, and I dont know if this is the same one, where the individual would purchase the ring. If you won a national championship, you could purchase a ring commemerating the event. Or if you were the recipiant of the Ransom Arthur award, you could purchase a ring.
What I had seen, had the individual purchasing the ring. I have no problem with an individual spending money how he/she wants to spend his/her funds.
With regards to your "cons"
1) Why spend the money to do this when we can certainly find other uses for it?
You can always find other uses for money. You choose your priorities. Sometimes it is the recognition of your volunteers.
2) If people are that critical to the organization, then they should already know how integral they are.
Your point is? You dont recognize them? I have put in a lot of hours for Masters Swimming, both national and Pacific Masters. It is always very nice to hear a heartfelt thank you. It makes up for the those other comments, where some swimmers think that all I do is sit around and wait for them to contact me so I can do something for them.
3) Any time an item is given to denote someones position in an organization, a level of elitism inevidably creeps in.
Fine with me. Maybe we will get more volunteers to join the elite. (Be a USMS volunteer - where the elite meet).
While it is tempting to do this simple gesture because people volunteer and should feel recognized - Isn't it more that we feel good because we participate and promote an activity important in our lives?
I think we can do both. It is not an either or situation.
A couple of years ago I received a USMS Service award (now called the Dorthy Donnelly USMS Service Award). It is a little pin that I proudly wear for special occasions (USMS Convention- or working high level meets). Sometimes I wished I could buy another as I am afraid of losing or misplacing the award.
michael
I saw a proposal, and I dont know if this is the same one, where the individual would purchase the ring. If you won a national championship, you could purchase a ring commemerating the event. Or if you were the recipiant of the Ransom Arthur award, you could purchase a ring.
What I had seen, had the individual purchasing the ring. I have no problem with an individual spending money how he/she wants to spend his/her funds.
With regards to your "cons"
1) Why spend the money to do this when we can certainly find other uses for it?
You can always find other uses for money. You choose your priorities. Sometimes it is the recognition of your volunteers.
2) If people are that critical to the organization, then they should already know how integral they are.
Your point is? You dont recognize them? I have put in a lot of hours for Masters Swimming, both national and Pacific Masters. It is always very nice to hear a heartfelt thank you. It makes up for the those other comments, where some swimmers think that all I do is sit around and wait for them to contact me so I can do something for them.
3) Any time an item is given to denote someones position in an organization, a level of elitism inevidably creeps in.
Fine with me. Maybe we will get more volunteers to join the elite. (Be a USMS volunteer - where the elite meet).
While it is tempting to do this simple gesture because people volunteer and should feel recognized - Isn't it more that we feel good because we participate and promote an activity important in our lives?
I think we can do both. It is not an either or situation.
A couple of years ago I received a USMS Service award (now called the Dorthy Donnelly USMS Service Award). It is a little pin that I proudly wear for special occasions (USMS Convention- or working high level meets). Sometimes I wished I could buy another as I am afraid of losing or misplacing the award.
michael
