President's Message

June 1, 2004

National Governing Body Meeting:

Every year in USA Powerlifting, you have the opportunity to participate in how your organization is run. The National Governing Body, comprised of State Chairs, Athlete's Representatives, and Committee Chairs meets the day prior to the Men's Nationals to set the direction for the coming year. While only these delegates have a vote, members may attend and voice their opinions on policy matters. The public is invited as well.

While the deadline for submitting by-law changes has passed there is still time to submit voting items prior to meeting. Items placed on the agenda must have been received by the 28th of May. Other items to be voted on may be received until the 7th. After this time, issues are reserved for "motions from the floor."

However, this year, the NGB meeting will be conducted with greater attention to voting and business. Time limits will adhered to and items that are just general discussion items will be deferred to the question and answer session to follow. During the Master's Nationals, I held a session, open to anyone just to answer general questions, inform members of the political and long-range plans for USAPL and our international affiliates. It was my observation that our members are invested in our progress and want to know what is going on. Questions included team selection, World Games issues, and things having to do with the health of the organization. Your Executive has made it a policy to be more approachable, individually and collectively, and we want to continue this. By the same token, we must not forget that many of our elected representatives are also athletes. While we appreciate the dedication that keeps the delegates "hanging in" for marathon meetings, our ability to process information and their ability to perform on the platform declines with the succeeding hours. In light of that, my goal is to conduct the business of USAPL in not more than three hours. The formal question and answer session is not time limited and members can come and go. Most members of your Executive Committee will be available all weekend to speak with you individually, and to answer any "private" concerns. Just ask.

USAPL Merchandise:

This prior month, we restarted the USAPL merchandise program. As many of you know, we haven't redesigned our t-shirts, hats, etc. over the past several years. We also haven't done a good job of making merchandise available to the members. Thanks to the efforts of several of our members, the program is up and running with new designs, several new lines of gear, and greater accessibility. Volunteers staffed booths at Collegiate and Master's Nationals and we plan to have similar efforts at our remaining National meets this year. A big thanks goes to Lance Slaughter for negotiating the new supplier contract, and to Lance and Jim Hart for supporting the booth sales efforts. Lea Foreman and Priscilla Ribic have gone the extra mile in designing and implementing the USA Powerlifting E-Store: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/merchandise/index.shtml, or you can click the pull down on the USAPL Main Page. The shopping cart program gives you the opportunity to pay via immediately using your credit card. After a few startup glitches, we hope to ship items within a week. Also look for our wholesale program coming soon. This will allow meet directors to purchase USAPL merchandise at reduced rates to resell to support their events.

Membership Renewal:

We continue our efforts to assess members who have not renewed their membership, and to request that they do so. Two programs are aimed at doing this. The first is via phone contact with members whose membership has lapsed. Those contacted have been asked a number of questions, and Erin Dickey will discuss the responses in an article in this issue. She will also will present her findings at the NGB meeting in July in Baton Rouge. The second program is conducted by the National Office. Barb is sending out letters and membership applications prior to expiration, with a request to rejoin our federation.

USAPL National Office Relocation:

The national office recently relocated. Our new mailing address is
    USA Powerlifting
    PO Box 668
    Columbia City, IN 46725
    OR Email: usapladmin@skyenet.net

The new Office:



North American Region, and other International Competition:

One of the areas where we are trying to improve is opportunities for USAPL lifters to compete internationally. Other regions of the IPF have prestigious Regional Championships, which have had an up and down history in our region. They also have the opportunity, by virtue of short distances and close national ties to compete against athletes from other countries more frequently than we have. To these ends, we are trying to develop regional powerlifting in the North American Region. The second North American Regional Championships was held in April in Ft. Lauderdale. Athletes from Canada, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and the Bahamas attended. Thanks to Rob Keller for his efforts in development of this concept and this meet. Plans are being made for next year's competition, and for a Pan American (North and South American nations) Bench Press Championships.

Several athletes will travel to Brazil the second weekend in June as guests in the Brazil National Championships. Our host have been most generous in inviting us to what will prove to be an exciting, nationally televised event.

Last Word:

I would like to close by noting that we continue to make progress in hosting competitions in underserved regions. Kentucky has had their first meet in several years thanks to new State Chair, Shane Bosaw, Western New York is active again (thanks Geoff Plante and crew), and Florida has come on line with three meets planned for 2004. Rob Keller and new State Chair Vince Lombardi have big plans. North Carolina recently held their second meet under the direction of State Chair Jennifer Thompson. Arizona, under the leadership of Rich Wenner has held their second meet recently. World Champion Dave Ricks has a meet scheduled in Dayton, Ohio in August, and Eric Cordiero and his crew in Massachusetts have restarted high school powerlifting there.

These are just a few of the things going on in USA Powerlifting this spring, and more great things are coming.

See you in Baton Rouge,
Larry

LJM
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