All,
I'm thinking about attending convention in three weeks. My reasons are several but most important is that I want to become more involved in USMS and I figure the best way to find out how/what/when/where is to attend convention.
Does this make sense? Would it be worthwhile?
Paul
My quick response is to go, if for no other reason to learn about how USMS functions.
That said, I would encourage you to work more on the local (LMSC) level because you will have more of an impact there. Use Convention to make contacts and to learn how other, successful teams/clubs/LMSCs work. Then, work with your local organization in conjunction with the teams that comprise your LMSC. That will enable you to make a positive difference more quickly than at the National level.
IMHO, there are only a few really healthy LMSCs out there. If USMS had more LMSCs like Pacific, PNA, COMSA, and Florida we would be in much better shape as an organization.
Yeah, and represent Potomac Valley, which Doug left off his LMSC list!
I thought that *everybody* knew the Potomac Valley were one of the big Mac Daddies of USMS...
People generally get involved with masters at the local level with their "club" or LMSC.
I think everyone within USMS can gain a lot from attending national USMS (United States Aquatics Sports) convention. First, you see how masters fits with the 4 other parts of the USAS within our national governing body.
To play an active role, you need to be a "voting delegate" and need to see if your LMSC has any unfilled delegate slots. Otherwise, you can petition the USMS President for an "at large" delegate slot.
Other are some who attend convention as "non-voting" delegates as well. I assume you might have looked at the fees to register on the USMS website under Annual Convention ?
Hope you decide to come and become for involved with USMS.
Paul,
Did you know that you are a namesake of an Olympic swimmer? I learned to swim Butterfly (in 1966) from Paul Wolf, a member of the 1936 team in Berlin.
Yeah, when I got back in swimming last year and tried to find out info on my swimming past (because I was stupid about 10 years ago (well more stupider than usual) and threw out EVERYTHING swimming related that I had, record books, ribbons, medals, plaques, trophies, everything) Paul Wolf kept coming up in swimming related Google searches but as I am pretty sure I didn't swim on '36, that wasn't me.
Yeah, when I got back in swimming last year and tried to find out info on my swimming past (because I was stupid about 10 years ago (well more stupider than usual) and threw out EVERYTHING swimming related that I had, record books, ribbons, medals, plaques, trophies, everything) Paul Wolf kept coming up in swimming related Google searches but as I am pretty sure I didn't swim on '36, that wasn't me.
Perhaps you were an alternate on the '36 Olympic team, but just don't recall it?
