Legislative Update Meetings to be scheduled around the country
USBC Board members and regional managers will host a series of meetings about upcoming legislative and policy items. The board and staff would like input from the field about some important issues. Please save the following dates on your calendars as we hope you can attend one of these discussions sessions:

• Thursday, Feb. 9 – Arlington, Texas
• Friday, Feb. 10 – San Antonio
• Saturday, Feb. 11 – Houston
• Sunday, Feb. 12 – St. Louis
• Thursday, Feb. 16 – Seattle/Tacoma, Wash. area
• Friday, Feb. 17 – Oakland, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio
• Saturday, Feb. 18 – Orange County, Calif., and Chicago
• Sunday, Feb. 19 – Denver and Detroit
• Thursday, March 1 – Orlando, Fla.
• Friday, March 2 – Atlanta
• Saturday, March 3 – Baltimore
• Sunday, March 4 – Scranton, Pa.

Association Managers and Presidents, be sure to pass the information on to your association’s delegates, as the information will be important for the 2012 USBC Annual Meeting.  The exact times and locations are expected to be announced next week.

USBC President Jim Sturm steps down to assume new
bowling executive position
USBC President Jim Sturm has stepped down as president of the organization and from the USBC Board of Directors to assume a new position as Executive Director of Bowling Operations for the Tri Properties Hotel and Casino group in Reno, Nev.

Sturm's role will be to bring corporate groups and conventions to Reno and the Tri Properties that have an affinity towards bowling such as Bowl for the Cure, Bowlers to Veterans Link and International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame related events. Sturm, a nationally known instructor, also will run a training academy in Reno using USBC coaching and development programs.

The USBC Board of Directors will meet on January 28 for a scheduled board meeting. At that time, they will take action to select a president for the remainder of the term that ends July 31, 2012.

Husted, Monacelli, Baker, Davidson elected to USBC Hall of Fame 
Dave Husted, Amleto Monacelli, Tom Baker and Dede Davidson have been elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category. 

The four players join wheelchair bowler Al Uttecht (Pioneer), Lennie Boresch, Jr., and Gary Daroszewski (Outstanding USBC Performance), and Joan Feinblum and the late Kerm Helmer (Meritorious Service), who were elected in November by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.

The induction ceremony will take place April 26 at the USBC Convention in Arlington. 

Delegates for USBC National Convention
The 2012 USBC Convention will be held in Arlington, Texas from April 25-28. For state associations, please fill out the State Delegate Registration form found on the Associations page of BOWL.com, or by clicking here. Once completed, the form can be emailed to associationservices@bowl.com, mailed to 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX 76011, or faxed to 817-385-8260.

Local associations will enter their delegates in WinLABS and transmit them electronically to USBC Headquarters. It is important to remember that all delegates must have a valid membership at the time of election and throughout their term.

IBC Youth update
USA Bowling
As the weather grows colder, get more kids inside your centers with USA Bowling! Through instruction from a volunteer coach and regular practice outside of weekly competition, children will have fun while learning everything from the fundamentals of bowling to life skills including teamwork and sportsmanship. For details about the program and to learn how you can launch a USA Bowling program in your area today, contact USA Bowling Brand Manager Emily Maier at emaier@ibcyouth.com.

Junior Gold
Encourage your youth bowlers to become members of the Junior Gold Program and compete with the best!

Junior Gold membership is now available for purchase online by clicking here. Please remember that all youth must advance through a qualifying event to be eligible to bowl the North Pointe Junior Gold Championships.