Candidate Information Name: Meg Smath LMSC: Kentucky Nominated for: Secretary

Summary Statement

I would like to contribute more to USMS by being elected secretary. My job as an editor, as well as having served as secretary in several other organizations, uniquely qualifies me for the position. If elected, I would like to focus on communication as a means to improve USMS and promote intelligent growth—increasing our membership as an outgrowth of us getting the message out that USMS has something to offer.

Response to Questions

Why are you interested in this position and why do you believe you would be a good candidate?

I have been very involved with USMS for many years as chair of the Publications Committee and editor of the rule book. I would like to contribute more as a member of the Executive Committee. I am well qualified for secretary because of my job as an editor at the Kentucky Geological Survey, and because I have held the position of secretary in several other organizations, including my LMSC. I take excellent, complete notes, and my minutes would be an accurate reflection of what took place at meetings. I would also be more than capable of handling the official correspondence. I am well organized and would efficiently deliver notices of meetings. I am proficient in many types of software that would be beneficial for this job, including Word, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat and Excel.

I also feel I could bring a fresh perspective to the Executive Committee. I am not an elite swimmer, although I compete as often as I can and do my very best. Neither am I strictly a fitness swimmer. I’m somewhere in between, and I think I could help USMS strike a balance between the various needs of our members.

What do you consider to be the major issues facing USMS now and in the future? As a person holding an elected position within USMS, how would you address these issues?

Probably the most crucial issue is dealing with growing pains. As our membership has increased, even day-to-day operations have become a challenge. To do more than simply maintain the status quo, we must change the way we operate, a process already well under way with these elections. At the same time, we must not alienate our core membership—growth for growth’s sake will wind up disappointing both current and future members. Increasing our membership must be an outgrowth of us getting the message out that USMS has something to offer. In other words, communication is key. And communication means being willing to listen too. We need to tell the world about ourselves, but we also need to listen to what the active adult population is asking for, and if necessary and feasible, be willing to adapt to meet those needs. And we need to provide more services to our noncompetitive members, while maintaining our commitment to those who do compete. If elected, I would gather and evaluate information, and make appropriate recommendations and decisions.

Please list USMS committees on which you have served. Include the dates you were on the committees and the names of the committee chairs under whom you served:

Communications Committee, 2001–2005 (vice chair 2005). Served under Hugh Moore; Convention Committee, 1991, 1996–2000, 2002–2004. Served under Bill Tingley and Michael Heather; Officials Committee, 1996–97. Served under Sally Dillon; Legislation Committee (ex-officio), 1998–2005. Served under Elin Zander and Rob Copeland; Professional Management Committee, 1998–2000; Publications Committee (previously Rule Book Committee), 1991–2005 (chair 1994–2005). Served under Kathy Casey/Gail Dummer and Julie Paque; Ransom Arthur Award (now Recognition and Awards) Committee, 1993; Rules Committee (ex-officio), 1998–2005. Served under Leo Letendre and Tom Boak.

Please list any other experience that relates to your qualifications for the position.

Secretary of Kentucky LMSC since 1999; formerly Officials Chair; Webmaster for the Kentucky LMSC; President of Wildcat Masters (a subgroup of Swim Kentucky Masters) since 1988, and in that capacity have served as meet director for Wildcat Masters Invitational (the Kentucky LMSC short course championship meet) since then; NCAA-certified swimming official; worked NCAA and NAIA meets (including the SEC championships) as a starter, referee, and stroke and turn judge. Also worked numerous Masters (including 1991 LC nationals in Elizabethtown, Ky.) and high school meets; Secretary, editor, and board member of the Central Kentucky Shetland Sheepdog Club; Member of the board of directors of the Association of Earth Science Editors; Editor of the newsletter and former secretary of the Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists.

Please list any other information you would like included.

I’ve already done this job for two years, and would like to see it through.