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- USBA Update
- Monthly & Breaking News E-mail Service
Billy Brazelton, Editor 1073 Ticonderoga Trail Eagan, Minnesota 55123 651-905-9550 update@usba.org
USBA UPDATE
April 1, 2000
This is an electronic supplement to Many Happy Returns being sent to all USBA members who have submitted their email addresses. If you would like to be removed from this list, or if you know anybody would like to be added to this list, please contact Billy Brazelton at braz0026@tc.umn.edu.
This news update is intended to inform USBA members of all boomerang-related events in a more timely and efficient manner than is possible with MHR. It will be sent at least once a month, plus special announcements that are too important to wait. Possible news items may include but are not limited to: USBA board activities, competition announcements and results, and general discussion about running the USBA. If you have a news item, please send it to braz0026@tc.umn.edu.
We hope these information updates will serve several purposes. First, we want to communicate with USBA members more often than 4 times a year. Most announcements for tournaments or other events can't wait for the next issue of MHR to come out in order to give people enough time to make plans. Secondly, by informing the membership of what exactly is going on in the USBA, members will be able and willing to help the USBA function. There are many USBA members who would love to help the USBA out, but they simply do not know what needs to be done. These news updates will hopefully allow members to actually participate in the USBA rather than just reading a newsletter every 3 months. Finally, we intend for these emails to increase the value of a USBA membership. Not only will this make current members feel that they are getting their money's worth, but it will give more incentive for new members to join. Now there is more to a USBA membership than just a newsletter and a competition ranking.
These news updates will be most useful if they stimulate you to contribute your own thoughts and ideas to the USBA cause. Please send all complaints, suggestions, ideas, and proposals to usba-pr@usba.org. Now for the actual news:
NEW TREASURER
Steve Cook has taken over USBA treasurer duties; you can reach him at:
322 West Park Ave.
Apartment B
Savannah, GA
scook1975@hotmail.com
REVAMPED WEB SITE
Tony Brazelton has just launched a completely revamped USBA web site. The new site has much better navigation, a redesigned format, and is generally more user-friendly. Check it out right now at www.usba.org. The goal is to make the website both a good introduction to boomerangs for prospective members and a useful reservoir of information for current members. Tony can't achieve this goal on his own, though. We need volunteers to work with Tony to make the USBA web site the ultimate source of boomerang information.
Specifically, we need people who are willing to maintain specific parts of the site (such as scores and rankings) or contribute articles and information on specific topics (such as history, science, and craftsmanship.) If this sport is going to grow like we want it to, the USBA web site has to be top-notch. If you are interested in helping out in any way, contact Tony at brazelami@yahoo.com.
TOURNAMENT FEES
Many tournament directors last year have not yet sent in their sanctioning fees. (If you are one of those people, please send it in!) The Board is considering requiring the fees be sent directly to the President, who is responsible for scheduling, rather than the Treasurer and make the fees due at the time of scheduling. This way we can better track who has and who hasn't paid their dues. Plus, by requiring the fee up front, the tournament director will be more likely to remember to send it in. We will continue to update you on this issue, and feedback is welcome.
LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP
In order to increase exposure for the sport, the Board is discussing sending MHR to libraries for a reduced price. We are trying to figure out just how low this price can be in order to at least break even. One proposal is to include extra copies of MHR in tournament packets to be distributed to local libraries along with flyers and posters. If you have experience dealing with libraries or have any ideas about this, please contact us at usba-pr@usba.org.
NATIONALS
The US Open will be held Aug 11-12-13 in Canton, OH, organized by Gary Broadbent. The tournament will be held on a huge 17 soccer field complex, and fun is guaranteed for all who attend, competitors and spectators alike. Be there! Other ideas being thrown around by the Board:
BOY SCOUTS
Are there any USBA members involved with the Boy Scouts? It would be great if there were a "boomerang pin" or badge that scouts could earn.
EDUCATION
One of the best ways to help this sport grow is to teach children about boomerangs in school. We need to develop an educational package complete with construction projects, literature, and instructional boomerangs. Help is desperately needed for this project. Please contact the board if you are interested.
CARDS
Do you have a membership card? Would you like one? Do you think it would help increase our membership? We are thinking about issuing membership cards to new members. Tell us what you think.
SPONSORSHIP
The USBA is always looking for corporate sponsors to support the US Team and publicize the sport. Are there any USBA members out there who are CEO's of international corporations with cash to spare? We'd appreciate feedback from members who just have a few ideas or connections, too. :-) Remember - usba@usba.org.
TOURNAMENTS
May 13: Atlanta, GA, Jason and Laura Smucker, gt5353b@prism.gatech.edu,
404-350-1753
May 20: Toss Across America at a field near you, contact Betsylew Miale
Gix, BMG@adlergiersch.com
May 27-29: 13th Annual Gateway Classic, St. Louis, MO, Tom Fitzgerald,
Fitzreturn@aol.com, 314-839-1604
June 24-25: Twin Peaks Tournament, North Bend, WA, Will Herlan,
blugar@gte.net, 425-883-3231
July 9: 13th Annual Western Oregon Boomerang Roundup, Salem, OR, Dean
Kelly, Dean.A.Kelly@state.or.us, 503-581-8050
July 15: National Team Boom Fest, Amherst, MA, Larry Ruhf,
ruhfhouse@the-spa.com, 413-323-4340
July 29: Burlington, VT, Paul Gustafson, FatElvis@together.net,
802-859-3430
August 5-6: 21st Annual Free Throwers Tournament, Delaware, OH, Chet
Snouffer, Leadingedgechet@columbus.rr.com, 740-363-8332
August 11-13: US Open, Canton, OH, Gary Broadbent, Broadboom@juno.com,
330-492-RANG
September 2-4: 6th Annual Indiana Open, Indianapolis, IN, Tony Brazelton,
brazelami@yahoo.com, 317-883-2334
mid September: central CT, Keith Mullinar, C_K_Mullinar@fleet.com
Please contact the Board at usba-pr@usba.org if you have any questions,
comments, or ideas.
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