How to Start the USBC Process

Now that the proposal to create the United States Bowling Congress has been approved, it is time to start thinking of what to do next. While your association still will conduct business as it does today in the 2004-05 season, plans should begin immediately to determine how your association will transition into the new organization that launches Jan. 1, 2005. Remember that whether your association ends up separate or merged with others in your area, there are many important things to do in the coming months. Below is a capsule look at these tasks:

Immediately

Begin the transition process by:

• Discussing the merits of merging with your board, your members and other associations.
• Discussing the Letter of Intent that must be signed and returned to USBC by May 31, 2005.
• Selecting up to three people from your board to attend an initial joint meeting.
• Selecting a point person to compile a list of associations to be invited.
• Contacting Bowling Headquarters to verify those associations.
• Scheduling the initial joint meeting.
• Holding the initial joint meeting to discuss/decide merging/non-merging options.
• Selecting transition board representatives
• Holding a membership/council of delegates meeting to vote on the decision

Every state and local association must begin the process of becoming chartered with USBC either through merging with other associations, remaining separate associations or becoming chartered affiliate associations. But remember that ultimately, local ABC councils of delegates, WIBC members and YABA boards have the final say on local mergers and state delegates have the final say on state mergers, not just the local and state boards of directors.

August 2004

• All associations will be sent Letters of Intent. Associations will have until May 31, 2005 to sign and return this letter to USBC. Associations not returning the Letter of Intent by May 31, 2005 will only receive support from Headquarters for the remainder of the 2004-05 season, however, supplies and services will not be provided thereafter.
• A USBC Temporary Charter will be issued to state/local associations for the 2004-05 bowling season.

Jan. 1, 2005

• USBC officially launched

May 31, 2005

• Deadline for submission of Letter of Intent to USBC. All associations must have signed and submitted the Letter of Intent by May 31, 2005 agreeing to charter with USBC by May 31, 2006.

Spring 2006

• First USBC Annual Meeting. Both merged and non-merged associations that signed and submitted the Letter of Intent will be allowed to attend.

May 31, 2006

• Associations must have completed transition from ABC, WIBC and YABA to a USBC association.

Spring 2007

• Second USBC Annual Meeting. All USBC chartered associations will be allowed to attend. First election of open National board positions to be held.

Complete step-by-step instructions are included in the USBC Transition Manual that can be downloaded at any time from bowl.com. Hard copies will be mailed in August. In between, we will keep you informed through monthly issues of E-Connection, WinLABS updates and on bowl.com. If you have questions, contact Association Relations at (800) 514-BOWL.

Return to the USBC Transition Mainpage