May/June cover of USMS Swimmer

I was going to let this go because I don't want to publically 'rail' against USMS, but now I think I need to make it clear as to why I have not joined USMS. As Geek pointed out to me in a private email, I don't know what USMS is about because I am not a member of a club. And he is exactly right, I don't know what it is like to be a member of a USMS club. His perrspective of USMS is associated with club membership and all that affords its swimmers. I on the other hand do not have access to a club. I have not joined because USMS does not do very much for its members who do not have access to clubs, and what they do for non club members, in my opinion, is not worth 30.00. USMS need to realize that there is a huge population of swimmers who do not have access to clubs. There are two realities. The have clubs and the have not clubs. According to the FAQs on this site Benefits can be measured in many ways. When you join you're automatically covered by the group's insurance which provides accident and liability insurance during all sanctioned events and organized workouts. (No help here, because I already have insurance that covers me 24/7 and since I wouldn't be swimming any 'sanctioned events or workouts with a club, it wouldn't matter anyway. What other benefits are there?) You receive USMS SWIMMER magazine which keeps you informed of the organization's programs and happenings. (I know of very few magazines worth 30.00/year) One of the greatest benefits is the pool access you get by being a part of a structured group. (I have complete access to a beautiful pool from the time it opens to the time it closes so no help again) Not mentioned in the FAQs, but pointed out as a benefit by some, is the fact that you can swim at USMS competitions. (Nope, not interested in competiting.) I have, over the past year or so, become to feel very unwelcome on this board because 1) of the suggestion that I am mooching off the paying membership 2) I don't wish to compete 3) I do enjoy water aerobis and am highly insulted by the sarcastic attitude of many USMS members concerning individuals, who are mostly middle aged or elderly women, that participate in those type of activities. I tried several months ago to start a USMS Club at our Y. It just didn't workout because the interest in the club was for organized, coached practices. We management of the Y was not willing to pay a coach and we can not find an individual willing to coach for a free membership in the Y. But, now, even if we managed to get a club started I'm not sure I would support the club becoming part of USMS. Lainey

I was going to let this go because I don't want to publically 'rail' against USMS, but now I think I need to make it clear as to why I have not joined USMS. As Geek pointed out to me in a private email, I don't know what USMS is about because I am not a member of a club. And he is exactly right, I don't know what it is like to be a member of a USMS club. His perrspective of USMS is associated with club membership and all that affords its swimmers. I on the other hand do not have access to a club. I have not joined because USMS does not do very much for its members who do not have access to clubs, and what they do for non club members, in my opinion, is not worth 30.00. USMS need to realize that there is a huge population of swimmers who do not have access to clubs. There are two realities. The have clubs and the have not clubs. According to the FAQs on this site Benefits can be measured in many ways. When you join you're automatically covered by the group's insurance which provides accident and liability insurance during all sanctioned events and organized workouts. (No help here, because I already have insurance that covers me 24/7 and since I wouldn't be swimming any 'sanctioned events or workouts with a club, it wouldn't matter anyway. What other benefits are there?) You receive USMS SWIMMER magazine which keeps you informed of the organization's programs and happenings. (I know of very few magazines worth 30.00/year) One of the greatest benefits is the pool access you get by being a part of a structured group. (I have complete access to a beautiful pool from the time it opens to the time it closes so no help again) Not mentioned in the FAQs, but pointed out as a benefit by some, is the fact that you can swim at USMS competitions. (Nope, not interested in competiting.) I have, over the past year or so, become to feel very unwelcome on this board because 1) of the suggestion that I am mooching off the paying membership 2) I don't wish to compete 3) I do enjoy water aerobis and am highly insulted by the sarcastic attitude of many USMS members concerning individuals, who are mostly middle aged or elderly women, that participate in those type of activities. I tried several months ago to start a USMS Club at our Y. It just didn't workout because the interest in the club was for organized, coached practices. We management of the Y was not willing to pay a coach and we can not find an individual willing to coach for a free membership in the Y. But, now, even if we managed to get a club started I'm not sure I would support the club becoming part of USMS. Lainey