“Despite declining membership, now is not the time for us to pay more.”
That was the message delivered to the United States Bowling Congress board of directors last week at the organization’s annual meeting in Reno, Nev., when delegates from local associations throughout the nation voted down a proposal to increase yearly membership dues.
Sixty-one percent of the 1,165 delegates in attendance voted for raising the national USBC’s portion of membership dues from $10 to $15, but the measure fell short because a two-thirds majority was needed for passage.
Delegates also rejected proposals that would have increased state association dues from the current $1 level to either $2 or $3.
Two Genesee Region USBC Association officers – President Paul Spiotta and Manager Steve O’Dell – were among the delegates at the annual meeting. Both voted against a national dues increase, but voted in favor of increasing the amount which would go to the state association.
“We were there representing the members of the Genesee Region and, based on the feedback we have had from many of our members, decided that we would not be in favor of a dues increase,” Spiotta said. “Many bowlers now question the perceived value of USBC membership.”
Spiotta, however, did understand why the USBC was proposing a dues increase.
“They indicated that membership has dropped for the 20th straight year and they needed the increase to maintain the current level of service,” he said.
The dues issue sparked a “spirited debate” among delegates, Spiotta said, with some taking the position that “it’s only $5” and those on the other side of the fence pointing to the economy and the loss of jobs. Three separate dues proposals were put to a vote – one raising national dues to $15, another calling for a raise to $13 and yet another seeking an increase to $12. All three were rejected.
“Even after the meeting had essentially ended and many delegates had left, some delegates tried to reintroduce it (the dues proposal) for vote,” he said. “That, too, was rejected.”
Spiotta said he and O’Dell favored a dues increase for state associations because “many states do lot for their bowlers and they may be unable to keep some of those programs going.”
Spiotta noted that only 449 of 3,200 local bowling associations nationwide (14 percent) were represented at the meeting.
Delegates also said “no thanks” to a proposal that would have required associations to merge by Aug. 1, 2011. The GRUSBC is a merged association, but many associations, such as the Medina USBC Association, are non-merged associations.
In other developments at the annual meeting:
-- Jay Nephew of Dallas, a former Rochester resident and bowling center manager, was elected to the USBC board of directors at the annual meeting. Jeff Boje´ of Tampa, Fla., and Darlene Baker of Mahomet, Ill., were re-elected as USBC president and vice-president, respectively.
-- Chris Bardol of Brockport, son of Brockport Bowl proprietor Ray Bardol, was honored as the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow. Bardol was instrumental in helping Robert Morris College start its bowling program in 2007-08. The team’s captain, he was named Rookie of the Year by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association.
-- Other key amendments voted upon and the outcome:
League Rules – Adopted
n Modified Format: Moves modified format to General Playing Rules and eliminates duplication of rules. Also allows bumper bowling to be certified by USBC.
n Absentee and Vacancy Scores: Gives the league the flexibility for vacancy scores just as they are for absentee scores.
n Substitutes and/or Replacement: Gives the leagues the ability to determine eligibility for its awards.
n Legal Lineup: Allows leagues the flexibility to decide the minimum number for a legal lineup in its league.
n Rule 113a. Definition: Allow leagues to declare co-champions if it adopts a rule; Rule 113b. Procedures: Allows leagues the opportunity to decide what type of tie breaker best suits its needs.
USBC National Bylaws – Rejected
n Chartering State and Local Bowling Associations: Requires non-merged state and local associations to be merged by Aug. 1, 2011.
n Executive Committee: Adds an Executive Committee who has the authority to act on behalf of the Board.
USBC National Bylaws – Adopted
n Chartering State and Local Bowling Associations: Removes the requirement to re-charter an association every five years, effective immediately.
Merged State Association Bylaws – Adopted
n Board Composition, Authority and Duties: Removes the requirement that associations must provide education, training, recognition and evaluations and directs associations to implement USBC programs as requested.
n Officers – Election and Term: Allows option to elect officers by the Board or by delegates/members.
Merged Local Association Bylaws – Rejected
n Board of Directors, Eligibility: Distributes Board representatives equally from bowling centers within the association's jurisdiction.
n Board of Directors-Management, Term: Limits directors to a lifetime maximum of nine years on the Board.
n Annual Meeting: Requires written notice of annual meeting of members/youth representatives be given 15 days in advance; Board Meeting: Requires written notice of board member's meeting be given 15 days in advance.
n Adult delegates, youth delegate and alternates to USBC Annual Meeting: Allows up to 25 percent of delegates and alternates to be elected by the Board.
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THANKS ARE IN ORDER
This column is the last of 36 columns for the 2008-09 season.
Before signing off, I would like to devote a few lines of type in memory of the late Frank “Junior” Calarco Jr., a school buddy of mine who passed away on May 3, 1974 – 35 years ago --- at the age of 18.
Junior and I bowled together in youth leagues at Mancuso Lanes and we were part of the Batavia High School varsity bowling team that won the Section V Championships in 1973.
All I can say is “Thanks for being a friend, Junior. I believe we will see each other again someday.”
I also would like to thank the businesses that advertised on The Bowling Page, and the bowling proprietors, managers, promoters and league members who contributed to this page.
And special thanks to the readers of this column – whether the print edition or the electronic version at www.thedailynewsonline.com Have a great summer.
(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points bowling column appeared every Thursday during the bowling season).