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  • Associations Announcement Legislative update meetings to be scheduled
    around the country.

    USBC Board members and regional managers will be hosting a series of meetings about upcoming legislative and policy items. The board and staff would like input from the field about some important issues.


    Please save the following dates on your calendars as we hope you can attend one of these discussions sessions:


    Thursday, Feb. 9 from 7 - 9 p.m. – Arlington, Texas (International Bowling Campus)
    Friday, Feb. 10 from 7 - 9 p.m. – Houston (Hilton at Hobby Airport)
    Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1 -3 p.m. – San Antonio (Hilton San Antonio Airport)
    Sunday, Feb. 12 from 1 - 3 p.m. – St. Louis (Holiday Inn at St. Louis Airport)
    Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7 - 9 p.m. – SeaTac, Wash. Area (The Clarion - Federal Way)
    Friday, Feb. 17 from 7 - 9 p.m. – Bay Area, Calif. (Courtyard Newark Silicon Valley)

    Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1 - 3 p.m. – Anaheim, Calif. (Holiday Inn Anaheim)
    Saturday, Feb. 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. – Chicago (Embassy Suites at Schaumburg)
    Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1 - 3 p.m. – Denver (Holiday Inn Lakewood)
    Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1 - 3 p.m. – Detroit (Clarion Hotel at Detroit Airport)
    Sunday, Feb. 26 from 3 - 5 p.m. – Columbus, Ohio (Marriott Columbus Airport)
    Thursday, March 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. – Orlando, Fla. (Boardwalk Entertainment Center)
    Friday, March 2 from 7 - 9 p.m. – Atlanta (Best Western Plus at Atlanta Airport)
    Saturday, March 3 from 1 - 3 p.m. – D.C./Baltimore (Holiday Inn Washington Dulles)
    Sunday, March 4 from 1 - 3 p.m. – Scranton, Pa. (Hilton Scranton & Conference Center)


    Association managers and presidents, please pass this information to your association's delegates and members, as the information will be important for the 2012 USBC Annual Meeting.

    Read More
  • HyattAbout USBC Convention

    The annual USBC Convention is one of the longest-standing traditions in the sport of bowling. Each year, the convention brings together everyone from USBC league members to executives on the USBC board and delegates from state and local associations.


    - 2012: Sheraton, Arlington, TX, April 24-28
    - 2013: Silver Legacy, Reno, NV, April 30-May 4

  • USBC LogoContact

    Bowling Information Center
    1-800-514-2695
    convention@bowl.com

  • USBC LogoTravel
    Host Hotel:
    Sheraton Arlington
    1500 Convention Center Drive
    Arlington, TX 76011
    1-866-716-8134

    Call for Special Room Rate of $119.00

    Discount Code: USBC Convention

    Official Airline:
    AA LogoAmerican Airlines www.aa.com
    Discount Code: 3142BK
 
 
The Annual Meeting
  • USBC Logo2012 Annual Meeting Schedule

    The Annual Meeting brings together USBC delegates and members from across the country to discuss the business and future of USBC. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to celebrate USBC’s member achievements and the charitable giving of the bowling community during the past year.

    Traditionally held on the last days of the USBC Convention, the 2012 Annual meeting will be held at the Arlington Convention Center, adjacent to the Sheraton – Arlington, on Thursday, April 26th and Friday, April 27th



    Annual Meeting Agenda

    2011 USBC Convention Credential Report

    2011 Annual Meeting Condensed Minutes

    Friday, July 1, 2011:

    7:00 am - 8:00 amRegistration
    8:30 am - 5 pm Annual Meeting
    Opening USBC Video
    President's Welcome
    Call to Order /Board Introductions
    National Anthem
    Credential Report
    Minutes
    Executive Director Remarks/Memorial Video Intro
    USBC Memorial Video Presentation
    BVL Award Presentation
    Recognition/Special Awards Video & Presentation
    A.E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award
    Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Award
    USBC HOF Announcement/Video
    IBMHOF Presentation
    Break
    Strategic Planning Report
    President's Report
    Executive Director Report
    Susan G. Komen Meet for the Cure
    Lunch [Attendees on own for lunch]
    Legislative Session
    Nominating Report
    Break
    Industry Update
    Old Business
    New Business
    USBC Board Elections
    Town Hall Q&A
    President's Closing Remarks - Adjourn

    *Schedule is subject to change without notice.

  • USBC Board Candidates

    The election of board members will take place during the Annual Meeting at the Arlington Convention Center.

    Nomination from the Floor

    In accordance with Article IV, Section B of the USBC Bylaws, nominations from the floor for a USBC Board position must be received by the Nominating Committee Chairman 30 days prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. This date is March 28, 2012..

    The official form for Nomination from the Floor must be completed and provided by the deadline. The form must include a consent signature from the person being nominated.

    Nomination From The Floor Form


    MEET THE CANDIDATES: If a candidate running from the floor wishes to take part in the Meet the Candidates Workshop, they must notify the Nominating Committee Chairman in writing also by March 28, 2012.

    Meet the Candidates Workshop: The Meet the Candidates session will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 10 a.m. to Noon during the Workshops.


    Announcement of Board candidates


    Board candidate bios will be posted by March 1.

  • 2012 USBC Board of Directors Election Procedures
    1. Nominating Chairman will outline the election process, present the slate, announce the names and read the biographies of the nominations from the floor. The Chair's reading of the biographies for the nominations from the floor will serve as the official motion to add the names to the ballot. (See Nomination from the Floor requirements below).
    2. USBC President oversees the balloting process, calls for the vote and announces the winners or the need for additional ballots.
    3. Voting:
      • Voting at the USBC Annual Meeting is by delegates. All votes of the voting members at the Annual Meeting shall be cast by electronic ballot which shall be the sole method for determining votes at the Annual Meeting unless the President, in his/her sole discretion, determines the circumstances reasonably require a different method of voting.
      • Only registered delegates wearing their official badge and lanyard will be eligible to vote.
      • Delegates must be seated in order to vote.
      • The top four candidates receiving a majority of the vote by the delegates will serve three-year terms beginning Aug. 1. If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate having the lowest total vote shall be dropped from the list. Balloting continues until each position is filled by a majority vote.

      Please note: USBC Board members are required to participate in the Registered Volunteer Program (RVP) prior to serving on the Board. (See Bowl.com for information on RVP).
    Read More
  • 2012 Proposed Amendments
    • Check back with BOWL.COM for updates in the coming days.
  • Darlene BakerDarlene Baker – Mahomet, Ill.

    Darlene Baker, who became USBC president Aug.1, 2010, has been associated with the sport of bowling for more than 40 years. Her involvement at the national, state and local levels has established her as a leader among her peers. She has served on the USBC Board of Directors since the organization's inception and spent time as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

    Baker is chair of the Bowlers to Veterans Link Board of Directors. She has been on the Illinois USBC Women's Bowling Association board since 1993, and is vice president of the Illinois State USBC Youth board, where she has served since 1994.

    Why are you qualified to continue to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    With more than 20 years of experience in non-profit agencies in my professional career and 30 years of association service at the local, state and national levels, all of which I am still actively involved, I bring something a little different than others to the board for USBC. I have proven my abilities of leadership, strategic thinking, business knowledge and building relationships within the industry, all of which are important to help move the organization forward.

  • Marci WilliamsMarci Williams – Wichita, Kan.

    Marci Williams, USBC Board secretary, was Great Plains USBC Association president from 2005-10. The association was named 2005 Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Association of the Year and was the first governing body of a sport inducted into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame (2010).

    A bowler for more than 35 years, Williams had a record qualifying round at the 2007 USBC Senior Queens. She was part of a team that won several Brunswick World Team Challenge women's events in the 1990s. She was named 2006-07 Great Plains USBC Senior Bowler of the Year.

    Williams worked for Learjet, Inc. for 34 years, including 20 as a corporate tax analyst.

    Why are you qualified to continue to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    I am qualified to continue serving because I have kept my promises of open communication and promotion of fiscal soundness. I remain committed to an appropriate awards program and to fighting for the annual meeting being held at one of the national tournament sites. I am a bowler with local association experience who believes my grass roots knowledge, combined with my corporate tax experience and dedication, can help propel USBC successfully into the future.

  • Jo DimondJo Dimond – Columbus, Ohio

    Jo Dimond currently is the Central Ohio USBC Association manager, a position she has held since 2005. She also serves as Conference Coordinator for high school bowling in central Ohio, and as Local Inspection Coordinator is responsible for all lane certifications and lane dressing inspections for the association.

    Dimond served as a director for the Women's International Bowling Congress (2002-05) and as executive director of the Great Columbus Bowling Association (2001-05). She served on the USBC Restructuring Task Force (2008-09), has been on the Nominating Committees for WIBC and USBC, and was an original member of the Membership Development team for Bowling Headquarters in the early 1990s.

    Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    Having served in various capacities at the local, state, and national levels, I have learned there is no "easy button" to meet all the needs of our membership. I have the vision and common sense to work with staff and other board members to address those needs and I am convinced that any successful effort must begin in our local associations. USBC members can trust that I will listen to them.

  • Karen JostKaren Jost – Alexandria, Va.

    Karen Jost served as a director on the Tacoma (Wash.) Women's Bowling Association (1995-2005), and the Washington State WBA and USBC boards (2004-08). She chaired the Transition Board for South Sound USBC and subsequently served as first vice president and president. After relocating to the east coast, she was appointed to the Nation's Capital Area Association in December 2010.

    She was appointed to the USBC Nominating Committee in 2007, serving three seasons including committee chair her final year. In 2001, she was on the National Structure Ad hoc Committee that worked to develop the framework of USBC.

    Jost currently works as Associate Director for American Physical Therapy Association.

    Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    My experiences serving on local and state association boards and on national committees for WIBC and USBC provide me with a broad perspective of the issues that associations face today. These experiences strengthened my leadership skills and helped me to successfully facilitate the merger of four associations in 2005. As an employee for a non-profit association representing more than 78,000 healthcare professionals, I bring additional insight into how non-profit boards, delegates and staff can effectively collaborate.

  • Karl KielichKarl Kielich – El Paso, Texas

    Karl Kielich currently serves as president of the El Paso USBC and has been on the El Paso USBC/El Paso Bowling Association board for more than 14 years. He was actively involved in the local promotion of the 2010 USBC Women's Championships in El Paso and also is the tournament director for the El Paso Scratch Classic.

    A finance manager for AT&T since 2005, Kielich previously worked as an assistant manager at a bowling center. As the program coordinator for the new facility, he created successful leagues and tournaments for the new center in addition to serving as manager of the pro shop.

    Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    In various capacities, I have been passionately serving bowlers for 20 years and been intimately involved in the creation of many successful programs that increased interest and participation locally. I will offer and collaborate on innovative solutions to attain the goals of increasing our membership, growing awareness of our sport and bringing bowling back to mainstream America. I firmly believe that my passion and my skills are an asset for the USBC.

  • Karl KielichKarl Kielich – El Paso, Texas

    Karl Kielich currently serves as president of the El Paso USBC and has been on the El Paso USBC/El Paso Bowling Association board for more than 14 years. He was actively involved in the local promotion of the 2010 USBC Women's Championships in El Paso and also is the tournament director for the El Paso Scratch Classic.

    A finance manager for AT&T since 2005, Kielich previously worked as an assistant manager at a bowling center. As the program coordinator for the new facility, he created successful leagues and tournaments for the new center in addition to serving as manager of the pro shop.

    Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?

    In various capacities, I have been passionately serving bowlers for 20 years and been intimately involved in the creation of many successful programs that increased interest and participation locally. I will offer and collaborate on innovative solutions to attain the goals of increasing our membership, growing awareness of our sport and bringing bowling back to mainstream America. I firmly believe that my passion and my skills are an asset for the USBC.

 
 
USBC Board and Youth Committee Candidates
  • Apply For Board of Directors and Youth Committee positions

    Applications for the 2012-13 year are no longer being accepted.

 
 
USBC Committees
  • Strategic Planning Committee

    Purpose: The Strategic Planning Committee is comprised of representatives from the Board of Directors, Youth Committee and Athletes, all of whom have input to develop, maintain and revise the current and future direction of the organization. The committee has strategic discussions at meetings that also are attended by the executives of the United States Bowling Congress, who have the responsibility to execute the initiatives within the plan.

    Committee Members

    • Libbi Fletcher, Chair
    • Darlene Baker
    • Bob Klatt
    • Jay Nephew
    • Stu Upson, Staff Liaison
    • Cathy DeSocio
    • Wendy Macpherson
    • Frank Wilkinson
  • Finance Committee

    Purpose: To ensure the appropriate financial structure is in place to support the overall organization needs and strategic direction of the USBC and its subsidiaries.

    Committee Members

    • Tom Bluth, Chair
    • Darlene Baker
    • Cathy DeSocio
    • Susan Merrill, Staff Liaison
    • Andrew Cain
    • Mark Martin
    • Marci Williams
  • Legal and Legislative Committee

    Purpose: To ensure due process to our members and athletes while maintaining and protecting the integrity of the sport. The committee reviews proposed amendments and, after review by council, makes a recommendation to the USBC Board of Directors. The committee approves the processes and procedures that are utilized by staff, and reviews appeals of administrative decisions filed by members.

    Committee Members

    • Tamoria Adams, Chair
    • Tom Bluth
    • Suzanne Huebel
    • Mark Martin
    • Mike Spridco, Staff Liaison
    • Andrew Cain
    • Mike Italia
    • Jo Dimond
  • Youth Committee

    Purpose: The USBC Youth Committee promotes, monitors and enhances the activities of USBC Youth programs. Providing opportunities for our young bowlers is a priority that we take very seriously as we continue to create new and exciting programs. The USBC Youth Committee recommends youth rules changes and dues structure to the USBC Board of Directors. Three representatives and a Youth Ambassador from the Youth Committee sit on the USBC board.

    Committee Members

    • Frank Wilkinson, Chair
    • Cera Dailey
    • Erik Galganski
    • Elbert Gibson
    • Amanda Hollenbaugh
    • Kyle Mauerman
    • Chad Murphy, Staff Liason
    • Tommy Gann
    • Brenda Green
    • Suzanne Huebel
    • Debra Haggerty
    • Alan Nordman
    • Rick Pittser
  • National Policy Manual

    Purpose: The National Policy Manual Committee maintains Board-approved polices and, when needed, makes recommendations to the Board for changes and/or additions. It is a subcommittee of the Legal and Legislative Committee.

    Committee Members

    • Tamoria Adams, Chair
    • Tom Bluth
    • Suzanne Huebel
    • Mark Martin
    • Mike Spridco, Staff Liaison
    • Andrew Cain
    • Mike Italia
    • Jo Dimond
 
 
 
 
USBC Committees Cont'd
  • Nominating Committee

    Purpose: The Nominating Committee's responsibilities include recommending candidates for the Board of Directors (elected by the USBC delegation) and for the USBC Youth Committee (elected by the Board of Directors).

    Committee Members

    • Mike Italia, Chair
    • Darlene Baker
    • Andrew Cain
    • Cathy DeSocio
    • Frank Wilkinson
    • Marci Williams
    • Tony Manna
    • Stu Upson, Staff Liaison
  • Equipment Specifications and Certification Committee

    Purpose: Based on USBC strategic planning, this committee shall set direction to maintain and protect the integrity and credibility of the sport of bowling.

    Committee Members

    • Gary Schenk, Technical Advisor
    • Tony Manna, Chair
    • Andrew Cain
    • Mark Martin
    • Neil Stremmel, Staff Liaison
    • Scott Sterbenz, Technical Advisor
    • Kelly Kulick
    • Vernon Peterson
  • Internation Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame Report

    OVERVIEW OF HALL - Formerly located in St. Louis, Missouri, the IBMH/F brings to life the 5,000-year history of our international pastime. The collection of historical artifacts and interactive presentations is the perfect outing for a family, school groups, clubs and bowling teams. A brand new kiosk-based Hall of Fame section of the museum is a dynamic venue that honors the legends of the game, past and present. In addition to outlining the history of bowling, the completely 21st century IBMH/F is focused on the contemporary era of the sport, specifically its youth programs, international competitions and the professional tours. Custom bowling industry merchandise and branded memorabilia is available at Spare Partz, a unique concept in museum stores. A movie theater, digital imaging and state-of-the-art speaker system, uniquely-crafted displays that tell the story of bowling: nostalgia evoking newsstand, restaurant facades, ceiling-to-floor projection images, games, hands on displays and more.

    IBMHF Board of Trustees

    • Keith Hamilton, President/Chairman
    • John Walker, Vice President/Vice Chairman
    • Terry Brenneman, Treasurer
    • Bob Gudorf, Secretary
    • Bill Chrisman, Executive Committee
    • Wally Hall, Executive Committee
    • Elaine Hagin, Executive Committee
    • Mike Aulby
    • Jeff Boje
    • John Davis
    • Cathy DeSocio
    • Daroll Frewing
    • Ferdinand Janka
    • Hans Krol
    • Jack Mordini
    • Jerry Ray
    • Tom Schemm
    • Randy Schickert
    • Fred Schreyer
    • John Sommer
    • Simon Shearer
    • Lori Tessmar
    • Gary G. Voss
    • John B. Walker
    Read More
 
 
 
 
Charitable Organizations
  • The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL)

    Purpose: USBC representatives, along with BPAA representatives, serve on the Board of Directors of the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), guiding the sport's own charity. BVL was founded in 1942 by a group of league bowlers to support the troops overseas, and veterans recuperating at VA Hospitals and State Homes.

    Mission: BVL provides recreational programs and services to active duty military as well as veterans receiving care at our nation's VA Hospitals, Vet Centers, and State Homes. BVL funding picks up where government monies leave off - bringing the 'extras' that boost morale and brighten days of America's heroes.

    Contact the BVL office or visit the Web site to learn more:
    The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL)
    11350 Random Hills Road Suite #800
    Fairfax, VA 22030
    703-934-6039

    www.BowlforVeterans.org

    • Darlene Baker, (USBC) Chair
    • Marci Williams (USBC)
    • Tony Manna, Jr (USBC)
  • Women's Sports Foundation

    The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is the trusted voice of women's sports and physical activity because our work is anchored on fact-based research and 34 years of experience in the design and execution of award-winning education and public policy programs. Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, WSF is a national charitable educational organization dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through physical activity.

    Here are a few of our success stories:

    • The Foundation's advocacy efforts have directly affected the amount of scholarship dollars supporting educational opportunities for female student-athletes in the United States. In 1972, women received only $100,000 but now receive $617 million a year.
    • In the past 34 years, WSF has awarded more than $50 million in educational and cash grants to advance participation, research and leadership in sports activity for girls and women.
    • High school girls who play sports are less likely to be involved in an unintended pregnancy, more likely to get better grades in school and more likely to graduate than girls who do not play sports.
    • Sport is where our children learn about teamwork, goal-setting and the pursuit of excellence. In an economic environment where the quality of our life is dependent on two-income families, our daughters cannot be less prepared for the highly-competitive workplace than our sons.
    • Females have 1.3 million fewer high school and 56,110 fewer college sports participation opportunities than males and receive $114 million less in scholarship funds each year.
    • Women's sports are only 8 percent of all print and television sports media coverage (just exceeding horses, dogs and fishing).
    • Why give to the Foundation? The Foundation is meeting a critical need. When we expand participation and leadership opportunities for girls and women in sport, these experiences pay dividends in the form of a stronger, healthier society. Join the Women's Sports Foundation and help more girls get off the sidelines and into sports and good health.

    Advisory Board Member

    • Elaine Hagin, USBC Hall of Fame
     
    Read More