Well, I can't comment on the magazine. I have not yet received mine. I didn't join USMS until about 6 weeks ago, but I thought I would get the March/April issue.
Maybe this isn't politically correct, but yes, I do want a magazine about competitive swimming. Swimming World primarily addresses the needs and interests of the age group, high school and college level swimmers. I understand that USMS tries to be all-inclusive, but often when you try to please everyone you end up not really satisfying anyone.
From the 2005 United States Masters Swimming Code of Regulations and Rules of Competition:
Goals and Objectives
A To encourage and promote improved physical fitness and health in adults.
B To offer adults the opportunity to participate in a lifelong fitness and/or competitive swimming program.
C To encourage organizations and communities to establish and sponsor Masters swimming programs.
D To enhance fellowship and camaraderie among Masters swimmers.
E To stimulate research in the sociology, psychology, and physiology of Masters swimming.
How did we get from the magazine being of interest to all USMS members to being of interest to pool noodlers? I don't think anyone has proposed catering to pool noodlers, just catering to all of the members.
If you are a USMS member then you automatically get a subscription. If you aren't a member and want to subscribe, take a look here.
www.usmsswimmer.com/subscribe
Hi Fritz,
Thank you for the question. Because the magazine is one of our most important communication vehicles, we have several goals and objectives for the publication:
• Inform members of activities within the national organization.
• Fulfill the goals and objectives of USMS.
• Stimulate interest in Masters swimming.
• Provide diverse content of interest to the wide variety of members.
• Educate, entertain and enlighten readers.
• Provide a marketing tool for potential members.
It is very important to note that the balance of editorial content was determined by detailed examination of the most recent USMS member survey. We studied the responses to this survey and established a working matrix for balance of editorial content. This general balance is reviewed annually, but we always welcome new ideas from our members.
Bill
Does the mission statement say we have to have a watered down publication that caters to anyone who sets foot in a pool, lake or ocean? Talk about a boring magazine!
I've looked for USMS's mission statement. I'm not sure exactly what is the most current one but no where does it say (that I can find) that swimming competition or promoting swimming competition are parts of the organization. As far as I can tell, the mission is promoting health through swimming and promoting swimmign programs.
The most current mission statement I could find was dated 2002.
