Board of Directors — Favorite Member Benefit

My favorite USSSA member benefit by far is the swim school friends that I have made over the years.

This would not have been possible without this great organization, conferences, and awesome members. I talk to at least 1 swim school friend a day and we always have things to discuss. This has and continues to help me grow and develop my business to be the very best it can be. Just this morning I said to my Customer Service team it sure is nice having swim school friends who use the same software that I can call for help at any time. Before joining the association, I would spend way more time and money figuring out how to implement new ideas, being able to call a friend and get swim school cliff notes is invaluable. So please make sure at the next conference to introduce yourself if I have not already done so because I know a 10-minute talk can save and make both of us money and help grow our businesses. Swim School Friends Rule!!!

BRAD GRZELKA

ATLANTA SWIM ACADEMY

I LOVE THE RELATIONSHIPS

I love the relationships that one can make as part of the USSSA, the personal and business connections and the knowledge gained is priceless, never mind the connections with other swim school owners and vendors that help you save money on products and services for your clients and customers.

Another advantage is the efforts to make change and make a difference within our communities, educating all about the importance of swim lessons and water safety that ultimately saves children’s lives.

BOBBY HAZEN

SAF-T-SWIM

My favorite member benefit is “connections to other swim schools.”

Why: When I have a business challenge, I can always find an answer through social media, calling a member, joining a zoom call created by the association for help, or going to a conference.

Another why is that swim school owners “understand me.” When I go to a conference or join a zoom call, I feel as if I am around my tribe. My trials and tribulations are understood and my “why” is unspoken but known.

Lastly, the connections I have made through this association has guided me through this pandemic. I would have been lost without the many connections that the USSSA has helped me to create. To say I am blessed, does not cover my enormous gratitude to the members and the leadership team.

KAREN CLAY

SWIMWEST SWIM SCHOOL

MY FAVORITE MEMBER BENEFIT IS THE CONNECTION WITH OTHERS.

If I have a question or need help with anything my swim school friends are always willing to help. With the knowledge and experience of everyone in the association there is always someone who can give guidance through any situation. My second favorite member benefit is the 30% discount on Constant Contact. The savings in Constant Contact pays for my USSSA membership and then some!

BUFFY FOLISE

CHICAGO SWIM SCHOOL

The lifelong connections made at USSSA is the best part of membership by far.

I enjoy visiting other schools and having members visit mine. This is a community that a year ago rallied around me when battling health issues which has meant so much to me. It’s been a great sharing environment, helping me grow my business. Membership has also offered me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, serving as a board member, committee liaison and on the teacher certification task force has been a really rewarding experience.

MELISSA TAYLOR

SMALL FISH BIG FISH SWIM SCHOOL

My favorite benefit is the other members.

I too agree with other BOD members, my favorite benefit is the other members. I feel as if there is a whole new level of camaraderie, since the COVID shutdown of 2020, and now with the opportunity I’ve been afforded to work with and communicate with owners all across the state of Texas on newly proposed regulation of swim schools. Having access to so many great minds is a huge benefit as a business owner. I’ve also benefited from many of the sponsors over the years, but in particular Cintas has been a huge savings for us. We were working with them prior to their sponsorship of the USSSA, and the price we pay now is a fraction of what we spent without that benefit.

TRACY KOLEBER

NITRO SWIM

ALONG WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, THE CONNECTIONS MADE AND SUPPORT OFFERED AMONG OUR MEMBERS IS MY FAVORITE BENEFIT.

All y’all are important to me and I hope you’ve been making those connections and checking in on one another this past year. Another benefit that has made a difference for our swim school is CareerPlug. As one of the early adopters, I was happy to see we could work out such a great discounted price in addition to adding a job board to our association website. Now more than ever, we need as many avenues as possible to spread the message that we are hiring and an efficient way to track it all. CareerPlug does that for us, saving us time and money.

JOHN KIRK

LITTLE OTTER SWIM SCHOOL