2008 Convention

Securing preferred rates for a rental car company is not very challenging and not much of a real benefit. Now, free shipping and 25% off at Kast-A-Way is a real benefit.

My choice is to focus on the LMSC almost exclusively because I see the ROI being much higher for our members and see the results sooner... I have no doubt that is true for you, and bravo to you for being so involved with your LMSC. What I question is your blanket statement that national committees should consist only of swimmers from "healthy" LMSCs (whatever that means) and that swimmers from other LMSCs who serve on them are somehow neglecting their duty to their LMSC. I have two posts in our LMSC (vice-chair and Records/Top Ten) and am on one national committee. It is only my first year but the work I do for the committee is very small compared to what I do for the LMSC and, far from hurting, what I learn from being involved at the national level generally helps me serve our members. Our LMSC has many people who are heavily involved at the national level: Jim and Patty Miller, Betsy Durrant, and several others. I think our LMSC has benefited greatly from their experience, rather than suffered. But since we weren't on your earlier short list, I suppose that we are an "unhealthy" LMSC and should call them back to the mothership... :)

But what I am reacting to was the sense I get from both you of you that (a) USMS isn't serving its members and (b) serving at the national level is not worth the effort. The latter is a defeatist attitude: if USMS isn't serving its members then how will that change unless people are willing to make the effort for it to happen? I don't think it is a "cop-out" to say that. McDonalds provides "service" which I pay for, however so does Spencers Steak House...which one do you think provides better service? Yes there is a price attached to that better service but just like my choice to pay more to train with a better club/coach I would also be willing to pay more for a higher level of service with USMS. My point again being that I'm not and have never been content to sit back and settle for something I know can be improved. The examples I used were: USMS Swimmer, the web site (and content like "Places to Swim" and the fora), online registration and Top Ten. All took vast effort to implement and maintain but only the last is overtly and completely geared to the competitive swimmer. Not one of these things in my opinion would be of enough value to the vast majority of fitness swimmers that make up 90% of our membership...and as I suggested would probably not be members if it wasn't a requirement of the club/facility they swim at. I'll repeat and earlier suggestion, increase the cost to be a sponsor but offer some exclusivity for that price....instead of having 3 or 4 retailers like Kast Away offer one slot...as part of that sponsorship package they would provide an annual coupon for new and returning registered members of USMS for "X" percentage off purchases. Or how about a sponsorship with a nationwide health club such as 24 Hour fitness that has 25yd pools at many of their locations and fitness swimmers working out there...USMS members get initiation fee waived and their first month free for example. How about a major reorganization of the Places to Swim link on the site and an effort to create a nationwide drop in fee for swimmers who are USMS members and traveling on bisness of vacation and want a place to swim? It is sort of in place but nothing formal and there are a LOT of people always looking for training. How about a sponsorship with Subway or Starbucks that give them rights to sell on sight for national meets and USMS members get some discount coupons as pat of new/rturning memberships.

Worth reading, IMO: www.usms.org/.../actionplan.pdf Any comments? Read it last night and was very impressed. Rob did an outstanding job on this document and I will forward it to my Board members to read. This is a solid action plan that will enable USMS to flourish in the years ahead. The only weakness I see is with sponsors. For real value, there should be exclusivity for a given product/service. Having Agon and Blue Seventy join Speedo and Tyr is not the best move IMHO. Choose one and promote the heck out of them, that would be my suggestion. Also, I would rather have a bunch of smaller sponsors that offer a wide range of services. Maybe a combination like: Delta Best Western Hertz (in place) Liberty Mutual (in place) Verizon Subway Land's End LA Fitness Starbucks DirecTV etc. But back to the point, this was an outstanding document that will serve as an excellent starting point for taking action. I certainly hope that USMS supports Rob in his efforts because we need this if we are to remain relevant.

Would it really last 4-5 minutes though? :bolt: I don't know. The 400 IM would probably be more exciting than watching a boxing match between the two of you. Although, if the boxing match went the same way as the swim did, Chris would put a MAJOR hurting on you in the first 2 minutes. That could be interesting. Regardless, the 400 IM or boxing match are probably not nearly as painful as the aquabike at SavageMan 1/2 IM ;)

Now, how did we get to bantam weight boxing on a convention thread?:whiteflag::whiteflag:

Fortress wrote: However, I have yet to buy a beer for a lost gridge Does this mean your swimming is going well or simply that you are a better negotiator than everybody else? :bolt:

Now, how did we get to bantam weight boxing on a convention thread? You're right, Rob, enough thread hijacking. It's shameful. Mr. President, Julie seems eager for a beatdown of her boyfriend -- we can only speculate on the reasons -- who will probably be in Atlanta. What are the proper channels to get this item on the Convention Agenda? Further, although I am flattered to be considered, I nominate Jill Gellatly to administer the aforementioned beatdown. After seeing her glare at Jeff after he sprinted ahead to cut her off, then slowed down to box her in during an open water swim last summer, I believe she is able and willing to bring on the pain.

Fortress wrote: Does this mean your swimming is going well or simply that you are a better negotiator than everybody else? :bolt: Both! Now, Roddin, don't test me, or I'll be forced to cheer for Stevenson in your next 400 IM showdown.

Chris and I have amicably decided we never care to race that event again! It would have been less painful if we simply had a boxing match on the side of the pool for 4-5 minutes...:laugh2: