For Volunteers USMS National Elections Election 2011 Al Prescott - Candidate for Vice President of Community Services
Candidate Information
Name: Al Prescott
LMSC: New England
Nominated for: Vice President of Community Services (nomination info)
Summary Statement
My name is Al Prescott, and many of you know me simple as “Big Al” from New England. I am running for Vice President of Community Service. I have been involved with USMS at a local level and National level for over a decade now. The single largest issue ALL of USMS faces is access to pools and facilities. Every time an economic crisis hits, and many times even when it does not, the first thing a municipality does is to suggest closing an aquatics facility. Though I have seen a tremendous response from the “grass roots” level, there is no national response, no national resource, and no national knowledge base where USMS members can get support for these critical issues. My solution to this problem is to create a national response (or organization), with USMS as a key play and including other organizations affected by pool access (USA Swimming and USA Triathlon). We would create a model whereby if a pool facility is threatened with closure, a non-profit private/public partnership can be created to effectively “take over” the pool facility, remove it from the municipalities’ cost structure, and preserve it with the eye to providing swimmers (USMS members in particular) access to the facility. I can think of no great Community Service.
Response to Questions
Why are you interested in this position and why do you believe you would be a good candidate?
I have been involved with USMS at a local level and National level for over a decade now. During that time I have served locally as a Director of Marketing, Director of Communications, and a Board member of the New England Masters Swim Club. I am currently the Chair of the New England LMSC with my term expiring in 2011. I have also served on the USMS Marketing Committee, and the USMS task force of Workout Groups.
In my ten years of involvement, I have focused on building bridges between core masters swimmers, members of USA Swimming, and the USA Triathlon Communities. During my tenure in the local program I have overhauled the NE-LMSC’s governance procedures, re-tooled membership communication, and coordinated outreach efforts to our current and new members in New England. Most important to me though, is the number of new people have helped recruit into positions of leadership throughout New England. The result has been a membership that was stagnating in 2003-2005, to a membership that has grown almost two fold since that time.
I would like to take this model of organization building and outreach to the National Level so more of the USMS community, both current and future may benefit.
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?
The single largest issue ALL of USMS faces is access to pools and facilities. Every time an economic crisis hits, and many times even when it does not, the first thing a municipality does is to suggest closing an aquatics facility. In New England, we have seen this happen in almost a half a dozen communities. Though I have seen a tremendous response from the “grass roots” level, there is no national response, no national resource, and no national knowledge base where USMS members can get support for these critical issues.
My solution to this problem is to create a national response (or organization), with USMS as a key play and including other organizations affected by pool access (USA Swimming and USA Triathlon). We would create a model whereby if a pool facility is threatened with closure, a non-profit private/public partnership can be created to effectively “take over” the pool facility, remove it from the municipalities’ cost structure, and preserve it with the eye to providing swimmers (USMS members in particular) access to the facility. I can think of no great Community Service.
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:
- USMS Communications Committee 2007 to 2008 – Hugh Moore Chair
- USMS Workout Group Task Force 2010 to Present –Nadine Day Chair
Please list any other experience that relates to your qualifications for the position.
- Past Director of Communications, New England Masters Swim Club
- Past and Current Board Member, New England Masters Swim Club
- Past Vice Chair, New England LMSC, two terms.
- Current Chair New England LMSC, completing second term.
Please list any other information you would like included.
In Addition to the above, I have played a major role along with others in creating a “Hall of Fame” for masters swimmers in New England. Our first induction ceremony is slated for later this year and we have used this to leverage additional donations to the LMSC and expanding our financial base beyond simple dues.