February Letter from the CEO

February 01, 2012

Greetings fellow rowers,

Despite entering into February, it seems that winter has missed a lot of the country this year. Here in New Jersey, it will be 60 degrees and sunny this week. It brings to mind the upcoming spring season and preparation for the water.

USRowing has several tools, programs and guidelines to help our members prepare for the inevitable spring migration to the water.

Many clubs change leadership over the winter. Administrative contacts at your club can be updated by calling USRowing Member Services at 800-314-4ROW. It may also be a good time to review your safety and risk management plans by using the Peril Assessment Scoring System: http://www.usrowing.org/DomesticRowing/Organizations/PASS.aspx.

Check to ensure your organization has renewed for 2012. Registered regattas require USRowing organizational membership as well as waivers for individual participants. Our new waiver portal and data integration with Regatta Central, as well as a new agreement with Ronin allow you to sign your waivers online more effectively and with greater ease than ever before. Visit http://www.usrowing.org/DomesticRowing/RosterWaiverPortal.aspx for more information.

Registered regattas are the backbone that supports the volunteer referee corps who keep our sport safe and fair during competition. We have made revisions to the program for 2012 that will allow regattas using third party insurance to continue to access USRowing referees by registering their event for a $100 registration fee. All proceeds are directed to referee training and retention. Contact Scott Stussman in the USRowing Membership Department, ext. 0706 for further details.

Safety on the water is paramount in the spring. If you aren’t using a USRowing certified coach, why not? Registering for a course near you is easy. Check out upcoming coaching clinics at: http://www.usrowing.org/DomesticRowing/Coaches.aspx. Or if you are too busy for a clinic, download one of our educational videos in digital format at: http://www.usrowing.org/DomesticRowing/Coaches/CoachingVideosDVD.aspx.

Cooler water and less reliable weather conditions create greater risk, should something unexpected happen. Be prepared. Kippy Liddle Safety Kits can be purchased at a great discount through the membership department. Also, coaches and coxswains should consider taking part in our PFD program: http://www.usrowing.org/Safety.aspx. USRowing also continues our AED supplier program for member organizations. The link above outlines several safety programs and guidelines for spring training.

So now you are on the water, but your launch won’t run. Have you enrolled in the Mercury Marine Rebate Program? Contact Alison Pollini for details at ext. 0703.
 
Perhaps you are one of our members charged with planning and logistics for your club. Were you aware that USRowing has partnerships with United Airlines for travel to key events and discount programs with the Hilton family of hotels? Or that USRowing members receive a discount through Avis for auto rental?

USRowing continues to build products and services to support your local rowing and competitions. We look forward to serving you in 2012.

Glenn Merry, USRowing CEO

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