Lets just say there are a whole lot of people who do not even swim any longer - and have not been active in masters swimming in years who are suddenly coming forward to enforce their out of shape opinions.
I want to hear from active swimmers.
My own opinion is that I do not swim because of a tech-suit.
LOVED swimming in it while it was here - happy I tried it and can personally speak to the reality of swimming in the suit.
Will continue swimming in the modified tech-suit that is legal for women.
Hope that the sport of swimming keeps their eyes wide open moving forward.
And I do hope these individuals who are coming forward, will finally get in the pool and actually be a part of the sport of swimming!
Instead of forcing their opinions on those who are actually swimming and working for the good of their sport!
Ahelee,
You've been the SPMA Secretary since January, and apparently are a big proponent of the tech suit coming back, in last 10 days or so anyways. You were at the convention last year too, when the 'polling' was suggested.
How come this issue has never been brought up in the meeting, or made it to the agenda? You and our former chair are close friends, and Chair puts together the agenda. What happened? How come your friends and a cause got so badly neglected?
Nobody in the SPMA is holding a gun to someone else's head to prevent them from speaking up in a meeting, regardless of whether they agree or not, and you are in charge of taking the minutes, so I'm sure nothing was omitted.
As well, this "new" poll is launched in an effort to quiet swimmers who felt they did not have a voice in the decisions made in masters swimming last year.
Wrong.
I would appreciate it if you didn't editorialize, speculate and use other errorneous inductions about what my motivations may or may not be.
Last time I checked, you don't live inside my head, and do not posses sufficient information to judge them objectively.
The way this discussion came about was I was talking to several people at Nationals from the Pacific LMSC and they seemed to indicate that their area was still interested in pursuing the tech suit idea. After we returned, I got to talking with my teammates and one thing led to another and here is the discussion.
Glen, this has been discussed ad infinitum.
Peoplewho have interest in the tech suit coming back need to act... act act act.... SPMA can't do anything if they don't act.
Last SPMA meeting, we made a motion and gave a green light to get the ball rolling on action. Pat McGinnley was approved as the leader of this effort.
people who want the tech suit back need to stop complaining, and move forward and DO something. SPMA gave them the green light.
SPMA can't get inside their head, figure out what they want and do it for them. Ahelee is the secretary, and has access to knowing how things are done, and is in favor of the tech suit, she can be helping Pat do something, rather then complaining here someone is trying to shut them up, or speculating about my motivations.
People who want the tech suit back need to get off the soapboxes, and get out of their quarterback armchairs, and DO, DO, DO, DO something through appropriate channels.
I don't get why they insist on not following the proper procedures, then complaining about not being heard and being gamed and shut up and squished. Noone is preventing them from doing it, but themselves. It's really rather ridiculous.
People from Pacific LMSC who wanted the tech suit got their act together and put something together. SPMA even directed our proponents to speak with them, if that would be of any help.
So, whatever Ahelee is saying about someone trying to squish and shut them up is very bass ackwards. Ahelee is one of the lead tech proponents in a perfect position to do something, who did nothing all year.
Connie,
I have already talked with Patrick several days ago. I met with him this morning and will see him again tomorrow morning. Anything else you would like me to do?
I need to find out more specifically what is going on with the letter that was sent to the SPMA (and also posted here) asking for the emergency meeting. I don't know how much of that I'm allowed to say publically, before official people do. (email me, conniekat8@yahoo.com)
Since time on this is SUPER short, even if the emergency meeting is called succesfully, I don't know how much time is left to do something officially - so you guys need to get the procedure nailed down (there's not time left but for one attempt, as far as I know - but I'm no expert.)
I think you know Jessica Seaton, she is most in touch with the rules, and may already be in communication with Pat... she will know more of the nitty gritty specifics on how things need to be worded.
Personally, I would also investigate what's more in your favor at this time, since the time is so short, to have a new action through SPMA, or to support what Pacific is doing - so get a volunteer in contact with Pacific, and see how much they are willing to share, and what kind of support may be offered to them.
Also, if it comes to the emergency meeting, and a vote is needed, try to rally up as many club reps to come and vote. If a motion is made on the floor for SPMA to 'put a stamp of approval' on any action item, it will need sufficient number of votes to pass. It's a contentious issue, it's likely to be a close vote.
Also, passing it through the SPMA is just a first step in a long battle ahead, to get it pushed through USMS. If SPMA delegates get convinced to endorse it, they need a lot of very solid arguments, and answers on how to put it in practice, to pass it through the USMS.
Things like costs, added administration costs because of not sharing resources with FINA and USAS on technical issues of where to draw the line on which suit is legal and which isn't, USA qualifying times recoprocity and other 'contra' arguments need to be succesfullty diffused and addressed... so delegates will need a lot of very good arguments and solutions to the issues it represents, in order for it to get passed through USMS.
I think the rules committee needs to be convinced first, before they make a reccomendation to the general delegates to vote on it..... So, the whole process needs to be researched and nailed down... a lot like a court case, actually, the whole things works a lot like our government, with committees and delegates and votes and rules and prcedures etc...
Find someone experienced with the process, who is in your favor to go through the nitty gritty of it. Like I said, I don't know what has a better chance of getting farther along in the USMS, offering support to Pacific, or starting a new effort here.
What I gather reading the USMS info (minutes from convention and administration) it's a looooong road to get USMS to shift towards bringing back the tech suit. I'm thinking maybe that's why SPMA leadership hasn't made it a priority (but that's purely my guess)... but, if enough people are interested, and can rally up the troops, power to them.
Shoot! I clicked too quickly and clicked the "wrong" button. How do I unvote?
I have no idea. Nothing here on my end (as a thread starter)
Perhaps send a note to the forum moderators or administrators, see if there is anything they can do about it?
:applaud::applaud::applaud::applaud: And right now, with some asking for a rule to be changed, when it just went in to effect, makes Masters Swimming look like a bunch of whiners to others. Let the rule stay and drop it!
I'm with you, Allison. And, for that matter, Osterber and Knelson... Yikes! :afraid:
Ah! I thought that we weren't talking about this meager, prehistoric issue and focusing on LCM and wearing "normal" swimsuits. Time to move on, people.
Just follow what FINA has decided and start training harder and smarter and embrace the new challenge rather than continuing to beat the already dead horse.
I'm just switching events.
