Association eNews: Aug. 30, 2012
August 30, 2012
In this week's eNews
Bowlers Journal Interactive replaces US Bowler magazine
“Find a” functions on BOWL.com
Center certification
USBC Scholastic memberships
Changes to Rule 113b and 113c
Check out the new USA Bowling video
IBC will be closed Monday, Sept. 3
Bowlers Journal Interactive replaces US Bowler magazine
USBC will offer a new electronic magazine to adult members starting in October. Bowlers Journal Interactive will replace US Bowler as a member benefit publication. This change will allow members access to the outstanding content published by the sport’s leading magazine. Members can expect to see ball reviews, news from the PBA Tour, plus great tips from USBC coaches. The July edition of US Bowler was the final issue of the electronic magazine, so there will be no magazine for August or September.
Youth content shifts focus to BowlTV and BOWL.com
After careful research and data analysis, USBC no longer will publish US Youth Bowler magazine. USBC instead will focus on delivering news and recognition to its younger audience through BowlTV videos and BOWL.com content.
Research showed a very small percentage of USBC Youth members read the magazine. The key survey:
US Youth Bowler offered readers the opportunity to win an iPad or bowling equipment simply by responding that they had looked at the magazine. Out of more than 200,000 members, only 636 responded.
While a small group of members is very passionate about a member magazine, this data and other surveys show the overwhelming majority is not engaged. In contrast, BowlTV videos and live events on BOWL.com are growing in popularity.
Live coverage of the World Women’s Championships attracted more than 100,000 views and recorded videos on BowlTV receive more than 250,000 views in a typical month.
BOWL.com attracts more than 300,000 users a month to explore the site’s content and use search applications.
Research shows people under 21 are more likely to be interested in video content than a print magazine.
USBC realizes parents and youth bowlers want public recognition for accomplishments. Therefore, a section on the Youth page of BOWL.com is in development to replace the “High Five” section in US Youth Bowler.
USBC staff realizes some members will be disappointed with the discontinuation of the magazine. We hope you will assist in explaining why this was the correct business decision.
“Find a” functions on BOWL.com
In the coming weeks, a preview of the new “Find A … ” functions (Find a Member, Find an Association, etc.) will be available on BOWL.com. Please familiarize yourself with these functions and, as always, feedback can be sent by clicking on the “feedback” tab on the right-hand side of the page.
Please note the previews do not contain full data and additional data will be added during the coming weeks.
Center certification
Center certifications for the 2011-12 season will expire Aug. 31, 2012. Associations should check centers in their area and immediately set up an inspection for any center that has not been certified for the 2012-13 season.
Any center not entered into the database will not be certified for the 2012-13 season and will not receive a Certified Center decal and certificate until it has been entered into our system as certified. Certificates and decals are mailed to the center within a week of certificaton.
USBC Scholastic memberships
Both centers and associations have the ability to process USBC Scholastic memberships. The first step is to secure a league application and membership applications from either the local USBC association or from USBC Headquarters. For those needing these supplies, please contact us at 1-800-514-2695 Ext. 8979.
Once the applications have been received and all forms filled out, a league can be formed in the Youth Processing System and any memberships collected can be processed. Each Scholastic league will be required to designate whether it is Middle School or High School competition.
Please note: Every youth who wants to receive the benefits of the USBC Scholastic membership must complete a USBC Scholastic membership application. If the bowler already has a USBC Youth Standard membership, there is no cost for the USBC Scholastic membership. However, they must fill out a USBC Youth membership application and be entered into the youth processing system using “none” as the product choice in order to receive USBC Scholastic benefits.
Changes to Rule 113b and 113c
Rule 113b and Rule 113c require leagues to report games bowled in roll-offs, playoffs and special contests in bowlers’ final averages. There is no option for a league to adopt a rule stating these games do not have to be reported, as this is in direct conflict with USBC rules.
Leagues should contact their league secretary software help desk for assistance if problems occur while adding these games.
Check out the new USA Bowling video
Association officials should be sure to take a look at the latest video for the USA Bowling program. The short video demonstrates how the new youth sports model is designed to bring in more youth bowlers and to help turn them into lifelong bowlers.
The video can be found by clicking here. Please also share it on your association Facebook pages, websites and share with the bowling centers within your association.
IBC will be closed Monday, Sept. 3
In observance of Labor Day, the International Bowling Campus and USBC Headquarters will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3. The offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Bowlers Journal Interactive replaces US Bowler magazine
“Find a” functions on BOWL.com
Center certification
USBC Scholastic memberships
Changes to Rule 113b and 113c
Check out the new USA Bowling video
IBC will be closed Monday, Sept. 3
Bowlers Journal Interactive replaces US Bowler magazine
USBC will offer a new electronic magazine to adult members starting in October. Bowlers Journal Interactive will replace US Bowler as a member benefit publication. This change will allow members access to the outstanding content published by the sport’s leading magazine. Members can expect to see ball reviews, news from the PBA Tour, plus great tips from USBC coaches. The July edition of US Bowler was the final issue of the electronic magazine, so there will be no magazine for August or September.
Youth content shifts focus to BowlTV and BOWL.com
After careful research and data analysis, USBC no longer will publish US Youth Bowler magazine. USBC instead will focus on delivering news and recognition to its younger audience through BowlTV videos and BOWL.com content.
Research showed a very small percentage of USBC Youth members read the magazine. The key survey:
US Youth Bowler offered readers the opportunity to win an iPad or bowling equipment simply by responding that they had looked at the magazine. Out of more than 200,000 members, only 636 responded.
While a small group of members is very passionate about a member magazine, this data and other surveys show the overwhelming majority is not engaged. In contrast, BowlTV videos and live events on BOWL.com are growing in popularity.
Live coverage of the World Women’s Championships attracted more than 100,000 views and recorded videos on BowlTV receive more than 250,000 views in a typical month.
BOWL.com attracts more than 300,000 users a month to explore the site’s content and use search applications.
Research shows people under 21 are more likely to be interested in video content than a print magazine.
USBC realizes parents and youth bowlers want public recognition for accomplishments. Therefore, a section on the Youth page of BOWL.com is in development to replace the “High Five” section in US Youth Bowler.
USBC staff realizes some members will be disappointed with the discontinuation of the magazine. We hope you will assist in explaining why this was the correct business decision.
“Find a” functions on BOWL.com
In the coming weeks, a preview of the new “Find A … ” functions (Find a Member, Find an Association, etc.) will be available on BOWL.com. Please familiarize yourself with these functions and, as always, feedback can be sent by clicking on the “feedback” tab on the right-hand side of the page.
Please note the previews do not contain full data and additional data will be added during the coming weeks.
Center certification
Center certifications for the 2011-12 season will expire Aug. 31, 2012. Associations should check centers in their area and immediately set up an inspection for any center that has not been certified for the 2012-13 season.
Any center not entered into the database will not be certified for the 2012-13 season and will not receive a Certified Center decal and certificate until it has been entered into our system as certified. Certificates and decals are mailed to the center within a week of certificaton.
USBC Scholastic memberships
Both centers and associations have the ability to process USBC Scholastic memberships. The first step is to secure a league application and membership applications from either the local USBC association or from USBC Headquarters. For those needing these supplies, please contact us at 1-800-514-2695 Ext. 8979.
Once the applications have been received and all forms filled out, a league can be formed in the Youth Processing System and any memberships collected can be processed. Each Scholastic league will be required to designate whether it is Middle School or High School competition.
Please note: Every youth who wants to receive the benefits of the USBC Scholastic membership must complete a USBC Scholastic membership application. If the bowler already has a USBC Youth Standard membership, there is no cost for the USBC Scholastic membership. However, they must fill out a USBC Youth membership application and be entered into the youth processing system using “none” as the product choice in order to receive USBC Scholastic benefits.
Changes to Rule 113b and 113c
Rule 113b and Rule 113c require leagues to report games bowled in roll-offs, playoffs and special contests in bowlers’ final averages. There is no option for a league to adopt a rule stating these games do not have to be reported, as this is in direct conflict with USBC rules.
Leagues should contact their league secretary software help desk for assistance if problems occur while adding these games.
Check out the new USA Bowling video
Association officials should be sure to take a look at the latest video for the USA Bowling program. The short video demonstrates how the new youth sports model is designed to bring in more youth bowlers and to help turn them into lifelong bowlers.
The video can be found by clicking here. Please also share it on your association Facebook pages, websites and share with the bowling centers within your association.
IBC will be closed Monday, Sept. 3
In observance of Labor Day, the International Bowling Campus and USBC Headquarters will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3. The offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4.