Officers and directors of the new Empire State USBC Bowling Association are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get to work on behalf of New York’s 85,000 certified league bowlers.
Empire State USBC BA President Mike Pettinella has called the organization’s governing board together for its first official meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at 715 Old Liverpool Road in the Syracuse suburb of Liverpool.
Pettinella, a Batavia resident who was elected on May 30 to lead the 25-member board, said the group has many important decisions to make as it attempts to distance itself from last year’s scandal involving the embezzlement of funds by the former association manager of the then New York State USBC BA.
“Our top priority is to solidify our financial position,” Pettinella said. “Then, with the help of USBC national, we want to develop a systematic way to communicate with our membership, possibly through an e-mail newsletter.
“Moving forward, I am confident in the abilities of our new board to raise the level of customer service and promotion of the sport to all bowlers in New York.”
The current board includes a president, two vice presidents, two representatives from each of 10 state jurisdictions, and two members appointed by the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association. The association manager is employed by the board.
At the July 18 meeting, the Empire State USBC BA board also is expected to decide on the location for next year’s state association tournament and define the tasks of committees which will focus on awards, scholarship, education and training, tournaments, nominations, finances, by-laws and public relations, Pettinella said.
Last month, the Empire State USBC BA finalized the prize list from the 2009 state tournament in Utica and issued checks to those who cashed in the event.