what percentage of active swimmers are members of USMS?

Doug, Didn’t your membership dollars fund project to identify swimming pools in Arizona? And didn’t USMS membership dollars fund club development in AZ? Are these valueless? And thanks for bringing up Dallas Aquatic Masters; USMS membership dollars made it possible for Jim, Bobby and coaches like them around the country to make a living coaching Masters Swimming programs. If it wasn’t for USMS and our members there would be no adult swimming as we know it today and there would likely not be any masters swimming programs or masters swimming coaches. Obviously from your comments, we have done such a poor job of getting this message out to our local leadership. USMS is more than a magazine, a web site, discussion forum, discounts and swim meets; it is the adult aquatic fitness organization which is trying to provide our members with programs and services to promote health and fitness through swimming.:bliss: Rob, I'm sure its hard to not take things personal (which is a bit how your reply sounds) when people (who are paying your organization dues) want more on a national scale in the way of marketing, benefits, growth, etc. and bring it to your attention...so often it comes across as a defensive posture being taken, lashing out about how we don't care about all the volunteers and get involved if you don't like it. I have been very vocal in my concerns with USMS's lack of optimizing all the potential to grow that exists out there...I voice these opinions because I care and I want the organization and clubs to be successful...not (although many see it differently) because I simply like to complain...if I shut up its because I'm done trying. I think these forums are a great place to post ideas for those who can't be more involved, USMS organizers can and should "poll" more here as it represents a pretty healthy cross section of competitive, OW, Tri and fitness members...yet when I ask why no one takes the time to sort threw a very long document I get the "spoon fed" treatment (which I actually enjoy!). Bottom line is we all need to keep the dialogue/debates coming and have a thick skin...

Doug, Didn’t your membership dollars fund project to identify swimming pools in Arizona? And didn’t USMS membership dollars fund club development in AZ? Are these valueless? And thanks for bringing up Dallas Aquatic Masters; USMS membership dollars made it possible for Jim, Bobby and coaches like them around the country to make a living coaching Masters Swimming programs. If it wasn’t for USMS and our members there would be no adult swimming as we know it today and there would likely not be any masters swimming programs or masters swimming coaches. Obviously from your comments, we have done such a poor job of getting this message out to our local leadership. USMS is more than a magazine, a web site, discussion forum, discounts and swim meets; it is the adult aquatic fitness organization which is trying to provide our members with programs and services to promote health and fitness through swimming.:bliss: Rob, I'm sure its hard to not take things personal (which is a bit how your reply sounds) when people (who are paying your organization dues) want more on a national scale in the way of marketing, benefits, growth, etc. and bring it to your attention...so often it comes across as a defensive posture being taken, lashing out about how we don't care about all the volunteers and get involved if you don't like it. I have been very vocal in my concerns with USMS's lack of optimizing all the potential to grow that exists out there...I voice these opinions because I care and I want the organization and clubs to be successful...not (although many see it differently) because I simply like to complain...if I shut up its because I'm done trying. I think these forums are a great place to post ideas for those who can't be more involved, USMS organizers can and should "poll" more here as it represents a pretty healthy cross section of competitive, OW, Tri and fitness members...yet when I ask why no one takes the time to sort threw a very long document I get the "spoon fed" treatment (which I actually enjoy!). Bottom line is we all need to keep the dialogue/debates coming and have a thick skin...