A Letter from your President...

Good Evening to All Bowlers of All ages.

National Convention was in Kansas City, Missouri from May 6^th through May 10^th.   Workshops started first thing Wednesday morning at 8:00am (6:00am to me).  My first class I took was WinLabs.  Ok this was not what I had hoped it would be.  The instructor started by telling us about the move to Arlington Texas.  Oh yes and they would be losing key people.  Would you believe 6 out of the 7 IT personnel?  Oh they tried to tell us not to worry they would be hiring qualified people, but they have to learn out system, plus any new programs that’s going to be starting up.

 To all Secretary/Treasures.  USBC is NO LONGER accepting Credit Cards for there dues.  Must be paid by check or cash.  NO CREDIT CARDS AT ALL.  

We talked about how good this move to TEXAS would be, because the new headquarters will be in the same area as the BPAA Headquarters. 

Second workshop was on High School Bowling, again trying through out the United States to get all the states to have bowling as a sport in the High Schools.

Changing the perception of Smoke filled/ Beer Drinking Events.  Talked about inviting Principles and Athletic Directors to the centers where not only are we practicing but having tournaments.  Letting them know that the schools wouldn’t be putting out any monies for this SPORT.

If you are a High School Coach, theirs a lot of material that can be obtain on bowl.com.  Anyone interested in coaching should contact their High School in their area.

Also Coaches you must be registered thru the Registered Volunteer Program that is being set up by your association.  This must be done by August 1, 2008.  Please contact Kathy Kaplan at the WVUSBC Assoc.

Speaking of funding for the High School Teams.  Parents are great Booster Club members, and with some help we can get out into the community and let them know what their raising money for –Bowling matches-Uniforms-travel, etc.  

On Wednesday we had the OPENING Ceremonies,   President Jeff Boje Welcome, President’s Report, BVL Awards, and IBMHF Award Presentation Closing for the day, Adjourn.  

On Thursday their workshops from 8:00 am until 4:30.

 I attended the Registered Volunteer Session:

 Objective – learn exactly how to register an association on bowl.com and on the National Center for Safety Initiatives’ (NCSI) site.

Agenda – Background information – program steps/logistics –implementing the program – enrolling our association online – Funding-, each individual that goes through a background check is $25.00.

Key Elements of RVP – Screening – Code of Conduct – you must be 18 years or older, anyone that has contact with youth in the bowling youth programs. – Birthday Parties.  This program will need a KEY PERSON FROM EACH AND EVERY CENTER.  The $25.00 will be for 2years, even though NCSI will run a background check on each person still with the youth program every year.

Next Workshop was Spread the Word:

Marketing techniques Use bowl.com and obtain all the materials they have to offer.  Many flyers and pamphlets

Free, just order them for your center.  Emails/Newsletters/Local Newspaper/Local Radio Stations.  These were all topics of discussion.  This is where all the board members whom will be working with their centers will come in useful.  To help promote their center with their leagues/tournaments/ & / youth programs.

 Next work shop Rules:

Learning the latest in rule changes was legislation is pending, how to help leagues run smoothly.  Please check under Convention all the rules that were approved or rejected.

Thursday evening was the Clash of the Champions.   This was awesome What the TV Showed (2 Hours) was really about 5 -1/2 hours.

Friday was the Annual Meeting at 8:30am – called to order, board introductions, several reports, credential report, and the introduction of the Alberta El. Crowe Star (Brittni Hamilton) and the Chuck Hall (Kyle Kahlden) then we had the Hall of Fame Inductions:

Women – Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg & Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

Men – Parker Bohn III & Brian Voss

After lunch we had some more reports along with meet the candidates running for (4) director position.  There are 9 individuals running the those openings.

Saturday Morning,

President Welcome

Credential Report:                                                                      Association Delegates       1139

                                                                                                Athlete Delegates                     21

                                                                                                Board of Directors                    23

Total Voting                                                                                                                          1183

Association Alternates                                                                                                             130

Members                                                                                                                                 275

Total Attendance                                                                                                                   1458

Memorial Service

Susan G. Komen meet for the cure.

Legislative Session

Nominating Committee Report

USBC Board Elections:                                                            1.    Darlene Baker

2.       Barbara Chrisman

3.       Nicholas Hoagland

4.       Marci Williams

Next Years’ Convention is in Reno Nevada.  April 28^th thru May1st

KathyKaplan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Willamette Valley USBC Association President.

I am updating on a regular basis, if anyone has anything to be posted please email me with the information. It doesn't matter what kind of news it is. weather it be about a bowler who bowled an awesome game or you have a tournament you would like to post. Please feel free to email me at shortarm30@comcast.net I can usually have it posted within 48 hrs.