USMS Relay 2024
by Terri Stauffer-Schmidt
Members of our AZLMSC community attended the USMS Relay 2024 event in Houston, Texas. It is held every year and is dedicated to community development and collaboration. It is attended by Coaches, LMSC participants, Officials, USMS Board and committee members, and swimmers interested in getting more involved.
Relay is about recognizing the efforts of volunteers that make USMS happen. Many who attend are unpaid volunteers who devote 1,000’s of hours supporting and promoting all the various programs USMS has to offer, including: competitive swimming, recreational swimming, college clubs, Adult Learn-to-Swim, Grown up Swimming and Lane Mate. Multiple presentations and resource sessions were held throughout the 3-day event.
Marketing sessions for Clubs and LMSC, Recruiting New Volunteers 101, and a Leadership Skills Workshop. Community via Competition discussed how pool meets, open water events, virtual national championships and informal competition during workouts or elsewhere can help develop community. Social Media for Clubs and LMSC discussed the best practices for leveraging social media. These were to name a few of the ways those attending could obtain the tools, to help grow and develop what USMS has to offer.
Coaches and officials devote their time, talents and treasures to their local LMSC’s, serving on National Committees, and promoting outreach in their local communities.
What Does Relay Mean to Me
Barb Sloan wrote. TEAM is something I have used throughout my career in an International Non-Profit organization that could not survive without volunteer support (much like USMS). The Relay weekend is all about recognizing and highlighting the volunteer contributions of ALL who participate to make USMS so successful. It was eye opening to again see just how involved USMS is in communities across the country.
Swimming in a relay refers to a team race where each swimmer completes a portion of the total distance before tagging the next teammate to continue the race. It’s TEAM work – Together Each Achieves More.
As a member of a volunteer board (AZLMSC) teamwork for me means working collaboratively withing USMS and achieving the organization’s mission and goals. It involves each member contributing their skills, expertise, and time, supporting each other, and communicating openly and effectively.
What we experienced this weekend is that teamwork is essential for making collective decisions within USMS (at all levels), addressing challenges, and achieving the members objectives. We also learned that it means respecting diverse opinions, building consensus and maintaining a sense of shared responsibility for the organization’s success up and down the ladder.
As a volunteer member of the AZLMSC board, I clearly see the importance of fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic which is so crucial to keep everyone engaged and motivated to contribute their best efforts.
I am blessed to be a part of USMS at the National, State and local levels. I personally get back more than I ever expected, which makes me better as a Coach, Instructor, LMSC Board member and participant on a few National Committees. The friendships we forge are the “icing on the cake”.
It must also be noted that before the weekend was over there was some fun competition. Some of our members came together as a team “Mermaids of the Desert”. Their intent was to exhibit diversity and inclusion within USMS.
They did a great job. CONGRATULATIONS on 4th Place! Love the trophy.
