United States Bowling Association legislation will not be presented in 2002
The United States Bowling Association Structure and Transition Ad Hoc Committees studying the possible consolidation of major amateur bowling organizations are nearing completion of their work. Although the committees were working toward completion of a comprehensive proposal for presentation to the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance, Bowling Inc. and USA Bowling boards of directors this fall, StructureAd Hoc Committee Co-Chair Mitch Mitchell explained the decision to present only an interim report at this time. "The Committee agreed from the beginning that only a thoroughly-developed proposal would be presented to the boards for action," Mitchell stated, "We're almost there, but we have significant areas that still need extensive discussion." It will be at least fall 2002 before the detailed proposal would be presented to the boards and 2003 before action could be taken by ABC and WIBC convention delegates. Mitchell said it is the committee's vision that the national organizations would lead by example to consolidate governance and management first. States and locals would follow at a later date. Although the final proposal will not be completed in time for a vote during the fall board meetings, the Ad Hoc Committees are working toward presenting an interim proposal to the national organizations. Following the presentations, a summary report will be available to the membership. Another interim status report will be presented to the Boards and to the delegates at their spring meetings. "We are still getting a great deal of feedback from the field which continues to guide much of our discussion," Structure Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair Joan Feinblum said. "And even though we are struggling with several complex issues,you can feel the energy and excitement rise as we get closer to finalizing a proposal." The single membership organization feasibility study was started jointly in January 2000 to consolidate ABC, WIBC, YABA, USA Bowling and Bowling Inc.
Recommendations regarding the single membership organization concept should be directed to:
Therese Abair, Project Manager, Single Membership Organization/USBA, P.O. Box 221304, West Palm Beach, FL 33422, Fax: (801)751-1561; e-mail: USBAfeedback@hotmail.com.
