After the furor over "the letter" I decided to look for a USMS charter or similar statement. I expected to find something that said something like USMS serves to promote adult swimming open to all (etc.).
Instead I found nothing. The FAQ is mostly about nuts and bolts of USMS and why join. The Administration pages on this site describe how USMS is run.
I could not find anywhere a general statement of USMS's purpose for being other than to give adult swimmers their own group. I couldn't find any language about non-discrimination or to promote adult swimming, etc.
Shouldn't USMS have something like that?
Why? This thread has been verying telling. Do the people that run their local LMSC not want members to know how greviances work? Are they afraid of being challenged by minions of their area? Is USMS afraid that the members might actually want to understand how greviances work?Now I’m starting to see where some of the confusion is coming from.
From corporate governance perspective a “charter” is more of a vision statement used to lead the organization; instead of a document to run the organization. We have rules, policies, procedures and standards to facilitate running USMS. The charter more closely aligned with the mission and goals.
The US Masters Swimming mission is “To promote fitness and health in adults by offering and supporting Masters swimming programs.” And US Masters Swimming goals are: A) To encourage and promote improved physical fitness and health in adults. B) To offer adults the opportunity to participate in a lifelong fitness and/or competitive swimming program. C) To encourage organizations and communities to establish and sponsor Masters swimming programs. D) To enhance fellowship and camaraderie among Masters swimmers. E) To stimulate research in the sociology, psychology and physiology of Masters swimming.
And while I can’t speak for the LMSC’s or USMS, I don’t think fear of understanding has ever been anyone’s objective. As the guy who plagiarized/authored most of the rules and procedures for the USMS grievance process, I’d be happy to explain how grievances work. Just not on a thread dealing with the USMS Charter. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about USMS Part 4 or other aspects of the grievance process.
Why? This thread has been verying telling. Do the people that run their local LMSC not want members to know how greviances work? Are they afraid of being challenged by minions of their area? Is USMS afraid that the members might actually want to understand how greviances work?Now I’m starting to see where some of the confusion is coming from.
From corporate governance perspective a “charter” is more of a vision statement used to lead the organization; instead of a document to run the organization. We have rules, policies, procedures and standards to facilitate running USMS. The charter more closely aligned with the mission and goals.
The US Masters Swimming mission is “To promote fitness and health in adults by offering and supporting Masters swimming programs.” And US Masters Swimming goals are: A) To encourage and promote improved physical fitness and health in adults. B) To offer adults the opportunity to participate in a lifelong fitness and/or competitive swimming program. C) To encourage organizations and communities to establish and sponsor Masters swimming programs. D) To enhance fellowship and camaraderie among Masters swimmers. E) To stimulate research in the sociology, psychology and physiology of Masters swimming.
And while I can’t speak for the LMSC’s or USMS, I don’t think fear of understanding has ever been anyone’s objective. As the guy who plagiarized/authored most of the rules and procedures for the USMS grievance process, I’d be happy to explain how grievances work. Just not on a thread dealing with the USMS Charter. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about USMS Part 4 or other aspects of the grievance process.
