USSSA 2022 Spring Magazine Ready Set Swim

VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 1 2022

U N I T E D

S T A T E S

S W I M

S C H O O L

A S S O C I A T I O N

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF NEGOTIATION

How to Improve the Hiring Process SPRING WORKSHOP UPDATE

Unleash the Possibilities

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IN THIS ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Letter From the President

5 From the Desk of the Executive Director 7 The Fundamentals of Negotiation!

24 New Year, New Membership

28 Who Benefits from Teaching Children with Special Abilities to Swim?

10 Stay in Touch: How to Improve the Hiring Process with Better Communication

30 Book Buzz

13 USSSA Spring Workshop

35 Ask Al

14 The Foundation for the USSSA Instructor Certification is Under Way 18 Calendar of Events

19 Connect, Re:Engage and Re:Purpose at the ASSA 2022 Conference.

20 Get to Know Your Board of Directors 22 Olympians Kim Vandenberg and Amanda Beard: Dance Parties, Olympic Medals and Championing Hope

32 National Water Safety Month 33 New Member List

ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS 4815 E. Carefree Hwy., Suite 108-480 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480.837.5525 usssa@usswimschools.org usswimschools.org Executive Director Lisa M. Zarda, CAE, CNAP Editor Anne Swanson ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Tracy Koleber, Nitro Swimming Vice President Buffy Folise, Chicago Swim School Treasurer Karen Clay, SwimWest Swim School ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS Brad Grzelka Atlanta Swim Academy Davina Lopez Davina’s Swim House Melissa Taylor Small Fish Big Fish Swim School Dave Tonnesen SwimKids USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 1

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Possibilities start with a thought or a mindset.

We can’t start to achieve possibilities until we first see our possibilities in our own minds.

I think, frequently, we limit possibilities before they even have a chance to take form by finding reasons in our minds as to why certain things can’t be accomplished. As soon as we think about what could be possible, our minds help make things impossible by imposing limitations on what we can do.

In the town that I’m from, a sports league exists for kids who are physically and mentally challenged. Anna is a part of this league and Anna is a cheery sixyear-old. When she first joined the league, it was tee-ball season. At her first “at bat,” she approached the tee and asked the volunteer if she could touch the ball. He obliged and she gave it back. She asked if she could hold the bat and again, the volunteer obliged and helped get her set and ready to bat. The entire time Anna is getting set, she repeats over and over “I’m gonna hit it” and she swings the bat and she does indeed hit it. At the end of the inning, the volunteer inquired as to Anna’s disability because she seemed very normal.

The volunteer was told that Anna is blind. Now let’s think about that. The entire time that Anna is holding the bat, all that she repeats is “I’m gonna hit it”.

Nothing about the many reasons why she couldn’t, only that she would. And she did. Anna didn’t let her mind be controlled by her physical limitation. She just hit it.

TRACY KOLEBER

My question for you is simple. What excuses are you finding in your life, your business, or your relationships, that are limiting what you can do? You can’t unleash your possibilities until you allow yourself to free your mind from the excuses we all make in our minds before we ever get started. I challenge you, be an Anna. Unleash your possibilities and have the mindset of “I’m gonna hit it!”. It’ll change your life, your relationships, and your business. Be an Anna!

TRACY KOLEBER President US Swim School Association

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FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “ Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible” CHERIE CARTER-SCOTT

As we embark on a new year, we are inviting all of our members to unleash the possibilities. Have you ever taken a moment to consider what would be possible if… As the quote above says, by visualizing the impossible you can begin to see it as possible. We will start doing just that with an innovative and inspiring lineup for our Spring Workshop in Meza, Arizona.

With so much interactive content, it’s not being offered virtually, so you’ll want to make plans now to attend. You can learn more at https://www. usswimschools.org/events/.

Hiring continues to be a challenge across the country and across industries. In the CareerPlug article, Stay in Touch: How to Improve the Hiring Process with Better Communication, they will share the latest trends and best practices. This resource and others in our Membership Resource Pool are available to give you the best chance at making the impossible possible by filling all your open positions.

Do you have big plans for expansion and growth in the new year? With the right skills and mindset, you can navigate a negotiation that is a win for you and your company. Be sure to check out the article The Fundamentals of Negotiation by John Spence to learn the top five things that will build the foundation for you to be a successful negotiator.

A new year brings so many new possibilities and while the world can be filled with uncertainty, you can work to prepare yourself and your staff to unleash the possibilities out there to have a healthy and prosperous year!

LISA M. ZARDA, CAE, CNAP Executive Director | US Swim School Association

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF NEGOTIATION A close friend I mentored for five years was looking at expanding his business and buying one of his competitor’s businesses. I sit on the board of directors of his company, and he often comes to me for advice when faced with decisions. He was eager to get some suggestions about negotiating the deal. Here is the memo that I sent to him.

BY JOHN SPENCE

I believe there are only five things you must do to build a strong foundation as a successful negotiator.

1. BE EXTREMELY WELL PREPARED. I am amazed how often people show up to even a colossal negotiation, having done very little homework. Study all the data you can get, anything that will help you make a good decision. Doing this research allows you to take a position based on facts, not guesses.

Continued on next page...

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 7

share information with me or give me misleading information, I quickly realize that they are my negotiating opponent and change my tactics accordingly.

2. HAVE LOTS OF WAYS TO WIN. Most people show up to negotiations with only one way to win: their way.

I recommend that you come to every negotiation with multiple different scenarios that you would consider a win for you. For example, if you went to buy a car and there was only one type of car with the specific attributes you wanted. There might be only one that meets your unique specifications at a car dealership lot with several hundred cars, which gives all the power to the car dealership.

On the other hand, if you come with multiple ways to win, several different colors that you’d be happy with, some attributes you’d like to have, a few attributes you must have, and a whole handful of other attributes that are “nice but no big deal.” With that kind of flexibility, there are probably 20 or 30 cars on the lot that would meet your needs. Now you have all the power in the negotiation. At the most fundamental level, I believe that whoever is the best prepared and has the most ways to win usually wins the negotiation.

3. BATNA Before you get to the negotiation, establish what your BATNA is. BATNA stands for Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement; in other words, it’s your walkaway point. It’s the number that you will not go beyond or below.

It’s the point where you realize it’s better to get up and walk away than to stay in the negotiation because you will not win. Most people only discover their BATNA after they have crossed

8 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

the line. So please write it down, get clear on it, and stay unemotional to ensure you do not go beyond your BATNA. 4. READ THE ROOM. In every negotiation, the person on the other side of the table is negotiating across a continuum of support for a win-win negotiation. At one end of the continuum, the person you’re dealing with is your negotiating “Partner.”

They are on your team, going for win-win, open, honest, willing to share information, and willing to be flexible in trying to make sure that everybody leaves the negotiation happy. In the middle of the continuum, they are your negotiating “Counterpart.” They are neither for you or against you— they’re basically looking for a win-win if it is at all possible. At the far end of the continuum is your negotiating “Opponent,” who has no desire whatsoever to help you. They will lie to you, manipulate you, confuse you, and do everything they can to ensure they win and you lose.

Typically, I enter every negotiation hoping that the other person will be my negotiating partner, but I am not naive about it. As the negotiation progresses, I test them by asking questions to see how forthcoming they are. I also ask the questions that I know the answer to determine if they’re telling me the truth. Suppose they offer all of this information freely. In that case, I treat them as my negotiating partner and share lots of information with them.

However, if I ask these questions and realize that they are unwilling to

5. ANGER IS NEVER THE SOLUTION. Lastly, it is critical never to negotiate with someone who is highly emotional or to continue negotiating if you are getting highly emotional. If this begins to happen, simply ask for a recess, get a soda pop, take a walk around the block, whatever you need to do to let the other person cool down or to cool down yourself. Once you come back and if the other person is still angry and upset, take another break. If you come back again and they are still angry, cancel the negotiation for the day.

Never sit at a table and negotiate with someone angry, as you will always lose that negotiation.

I could share many other things with you, but I believe if you do these five things exceedingly well, you will have covered about 80% of what is necessary to be a successful negotiator.

John Spence is recognized as a Global Top 100 Business Thinker and Top 500 Leadership Development Expert. As a consultant and coach to organizations worldwide, from startups to the Fortune 10, John is dedicated to helping people and businesses be more successful by “Making the Very Complex...

Awesomely Simple.” For more information go to JohnSpence.com.

Reprinted with Permission.

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STAY IN TOUCH: HOW TO IMPROVE THE HIRING PROCESS WITH BETTER COMMUNICATION We’ve all been there.

We’ve all been on the job search at some time or another. We’ve all spent hours perfecting resumes, writing cover letters, and scouring job boards.

We’ve all felt the pre-interview jitters and experienced how slowly time can move when you’re waiting to hear back about a job you really want.

Thinking back on your past experiences, it’s probably not very surprising to hear that in a recent survey, we found that candidates want more communication in the hiring process.

Now that you are on the employer side of things, it’s up to you to effectively communicate with your candidates during every stage, from an accurate job posting all the way to your final offer or polite rejection. Making communication a priority will improve your hiring process and your chances of attracting and hiring the right people.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO CANDIDATES Communication throughout a hiring process can make or break the candidate experience, which we define as the interaction a candidate has with you from the job posting to the offer stage.

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BY SHELBY PALMERI CAREERPLUG

As it turns out, a positive candidate experience is crucial for getting candidates to accept your job offers.

80% of candidates said that a positive candidate experience influenced their decision to say yes to an offer, and 58% of job seekers say that a poor candidate experience led them to decline a job.

80%

of candidates said a positive candidate experience influenced their decision to accept an offer.

Additionally, communicating quickly and clearly with applicants (even those you don’t want to move forward through the process), can have a positive impact on your employer brand. This is important because people are much more likely to apply to companies that have a good reputation.

Simply put, if communication is poor in your hiring process, your candidate experience suffers, and you may miss out on making the right hires for your roles.

So when and how can you communicate better with candidates?

Let’s look at the data.

HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION IN YOUR HIRING PROCESS Communication is important during every stage of the hiring process, but our research (seen in the table) clearly shows that candidates want more information sooner.

Sharing information about compensation, company culture, and benefits early in the process can save time for you and candidates, as all parties can quickly determine whether it’s the right fit. Let’s break down the various stages of the hiring process even further with some recommendations for improving communication in each.

WHEN JOB SEEKERS EXPECT TO LEARN ABOUT THE FOLLOWING DURING THE HIRING PROCESS HIRING PROCESSES

BEFORE APPLYING/ IN THE JOB POST

BEFORE THE INITIAL INTERVIEW

DURING THE INITIAL INTERVIEW

IN THE LATER INTERVIEW STAGES

AT THE OFFER STAGE

Compensation

39%

17%

28%

8%

7%

Benefits

25%

19%

36%

13%

7%

Company Culture

18%

18%

43%

15%

6%

Stages/Next Steps in the Hiring Process

13%

21%

44%

17%

5%

IN THE JOB POSTING More communication starts early. 39% of job seekers in our survey expected to be informed about compensation in the initial job post, and 21% said that employers should focus on more transparency about compensation and benefits to improve their hiring process.

39%

of job seekers expected to be informed about compensation in the initial job post.

We think an effective job posting is an easy way to improve communication with job seekers and applicants. Clearly outlining the role and responsibilities as well as including compensation and benefits can make sure the right job seekers are finding and applying to your role and can prevent late stage candidates from feeling like they were misled.

BEFORE THE INITIAL INTERVIEW As those applications start rolling in, try not to keep candidates waiting. 84% of job seekers said responsiveness after initially applying (e.g. how quickly they receive an email) was “important” or “very important” when evaluating a potential employer.

If you’re running a business, you may not have the time in your day to reply to every applicant as they hit your inbox, so we recommend automating your interview scheduling to improve communication with your candidates.

An applicant tracking system like CareerPlug can allow you to automatically fast-track applicants who check your most important boxes and even send text messages to candidates for a faster follow-up.

After that initial contact is made, job seekers appreciate transparency regarding the rest of the hiring process.

84% said that being told what to expect next (like the number of steps in the process, types of interviews, and the people they’ll be interviewing with) is important.

For example, at CareerPlug, we like to start by sending all our candidates a video to explain the steps of our hiring process and what they can expect in the days or weeks to come.

DURING THE INTERVIEWS Clearly, open lines of communication must be maintained during the Continued on next page...

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 11

interviews as well. In fact, when we asked recent job candidates what they would like to see employers improve, “improved communication between the interviewers & job applicants” was a high ranking recommendation.

Make sure all interviewers provide detailed and correct information to candidates. Interviewers should be prepared to stay present throughout interviews, listen intently, and answer candidate questions.

Keep in mind that interviews are two-way conversations, and that candidates are using that time to decide whether or not they want to work for a company. Interviewers that can communicate well and make candidates feel comfortable certainly have a big advantage. This is also an ideal time to restate the details of this role including compensation and benefits to make sure that everyone is still on the same page.

Pro tip: Avoid conducting one-way video interviews, or interviews in which job seekers record a video of themselves answering a set of questions for the hiring manager to view later. Candidates consider this new trend in hiring to be a poor candidate experience and we agree!

If you’re really in a time-crunch, try to set aside just 5-10 minutes for a quick phone screen with each candidate instead.

C

M

Y

POST INTERVIEW AND BEYOND You’ve almost made it to the end of the hiring process! However, your work is not quite finished. Good communication must continue through this later stage for all candidates, whether you hire them or not.

85% of job seekers said responsiveness later in the hiring process, like follow-up emails after an interview, is an important factor in their decision to accept an offer. Plus, if you’re waiting several days to follow up with a candidate that is pursuing other opportunities, you might just miss your chance to close the deal!

Even if the candidate isn’t the right fit, be sure to let them know promptly so that they can continue their search as well. This respect to all candidates is important and will positively impact the way your company is perceived. Don’t ghost your candidates!

CM

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CMY

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FINAL TIPS Having a standardized hiring process is the best way to make sure no candidate slips through the cracks and that you are communicating with everyone effectively. This will improve your candidate experience and your ability to hire the right people for your team.

We’ve all been on the other side of the recruitment process and know how stressful it can be. Have empathy for all of your candidates and take the necessary steps to ensure better communication to improve your hiring process.

EIAB-Half-page_5.5x8.5_IMB_CMYk ads-0821.pdf 1 8/24/2021 7:20:29 PM

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SPRING WORKSHOP MARCH 1-2, 2022

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UNLEASH THE POSSIBILITIES! This year’s Spring Workshop will truly be like no other before it! The agenda has been reimagined with our most commonly heard feedback at the core of the agenda which is….WE LOVE ROUNDTABLES! So, at this year’s workshop, almost all sessions will be followed up with guided roundtables. This will provide you with a deeper dive on all topics, more networking opportunities, plus an opportunity to take what you have learned and make a specific plan to implement the new knowledge at home. All while having fun with your swim school friends and colleagues.

This year’s highly interactive agenda has something for everyone with General Sessions, an Owner’s Track, and an Instructor’s Track that includes In-Water Sessions.

OWNER’S TRACK Those participating in the Owner’s Track will be treated to engaging and inspiring general sessions which will be followed up with roundtable topic discussions for a deeper dive. During these guided networking sessions with fellow members, you’ll have the opportunity to talk through new ideas and the best way to implement them when you return home. It will be two days of learning with and learning from fellow swim schools!

INSTRUCTOR’S TRACK Not to worry...there’s fun to be had in the Instructor’s Track as well! Not only does the Instructor Track get to participate in the General Sessions, but there will also be ample opportunity to break out into Instructor sessions that focus solely on education for instructors. And back by popular demand...In-Water Sessions! Instructors will have the opportunity to select from two different local swim schools who will each be hosting an afternoon of different content. *Must be selected at registration.

Don’t forget, there’s also a self-guided local Swim School Open House taking place February 28, as well as a Special Abilities Course and an Infant/Toddler Course.

For more details and to register, please visit www.usswimschools.org/events/

In addition to fantastic sessions, an off-site reception will be the perfect way to spend an evening with fellow attendees. Transportation will be provided. Attendees will also have an option to join other attendees for a night on the town in downtown Gilbert, AZ (additional expenses are the responsibility of the attendee) where there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. Transportation back to the hotel will be the responsibility of the attendee.

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 13

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE USSSA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION IS UNDER WAY We are well on our way and excited to launch a new USSSA Instructor Certification in 2022.

The concept has been well received, we had nearly 300 certification exam seats sold to early adopters at our National Conference!

BY LISA ZARDA USSSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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I wanted to take a moment to outline the journey we have been on and give you an update on where we are now. We started in early 2021 working with a consultant and a small group of volunteers to help us identify if in fact we should create an instructor certification. We used a series of calls with members to identify that there would be a need for a certification to assist in training new instructors the fundamentals that ALL swim instructors should know, with less of a focus on curriculum and stroke development, as each school has their own curriculum.

We also identified that Florida swim instructors must be certified from an approved list of state approved certifications, one of the most popular being WSI. We discovered there was a need and that we already had a lot of the content already created. We embarked to create a fundamental

instructor certification with the longer term goal to get it nationally accredited and get it approved by the state of Florida as a swim instructor certification.

From the research done with Pause for Change, we have been working to gather together the materials we already had in order to create an online training program that would prepare new instructors both for the job and for taking the certification exam. We have a large portion of the course material gathered, and have plans to film three of the instructor sessions at the Spring Workshop to edit and include in the fundamental instructor course to help round out some of the content we didn’t have fully developed. The target is to have the course completed by mid to late March.

We are currently working with certification consultants and a

psychometrician to help us through the creation of a certification process to ensure we are following best practices and reducing bias to create a certification that could be nationally accredited. There are certain criteria we must follow along the way to ensure we are gathering feedback from a variety of stakeholders to gain credibility in the program. Manny is our psychometrician (A psychometrician is a type of scientist who studies measurements, or specifically, the measurement of people’s knowledge, skills and abilities, also known as KSAs. Most psychometricians perform their work by developing tests and examinations that measure a person’s innate or learned KSAs.).

CERTIFICATION DEVELOPMENT: Step 1: Bring together a group of subject matter experts to identify what knowledge all swim instructors need to know, what are the basics. This group started with the outline of topics that were identified in the initial research we did uncovering important topics to cover, this is the same outline being used to develop the online course.

Step 2: Send out a survey to the membership to check to be sure the knowledge statements that the group came up with are in fact what all swim instructors need to know from a basics standpoint.

Step 3: Bring together a group of subject matter experts (some that participated in step one and some new people) to review what the survey results are telling us and answer the question, did we hit the mark or were we off? This group determined it would be helpful to combine knowledge statements that were related and re-organize them from being organized by age of the swimmer to being organized by skills that would then include variations by age. This group also weighted each subject category to give guidance on how important each topic is, translating into how many questions should be on the 100 question test related to each topic.

Step 4: *This is where we are at in the process* Bring together a group of volunteers that have some experience writing exam questions and are subject matter experts. This group can have some people from the previous groups

but also need new people. The people that wrote the course content can be involved as consultants to writing the exam questions but ideally should not be the ones to actually write the exam questions, in order to keep the testing valid. Manny will train these volunteer question writers on best practices in writing valid exam questions and will walk the group through the full process to develop the 100 question exam.

Step 5: The exam will go out as a beta test to those early adopters. Those that take the exam will have to wait a little longer to find out if they pass due to analysis that will need to be completed.

Manny will analyze the beta test results to determine the validity of the exam questions, making sure there are no questions that everyone is getting wrong - an indication it’s a bad question that should be replaced or re-written.

He will analyze the statistics to help determine a passing score.

Exam Review Committee: Established in December 2021 as a standing committee made up of volunteers, some that have been involved in the certification process and some new.

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USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 15

This is a new committee for USSSA and is a requirement of having a certification program. This committee is charged with establishing the criteria and maintaining the integrity of the certification. They are deciding what it takes to qualify to take the certification exam (what experience or training do you need before you can sit for the exam). They also determine important factors such as: what would be the process for recertification, if someone fails the exam what are the next steps, how often does someone need to be recertified, and what would be needed in order to be recertified. They also determine what the cost of the certification will be and then work to maintain the integrity of the exam - are there any questions on the exam that are consistent issues for exam takers and should it be changed. Two or three years from now, or later, they will determine if knowledge has changed and we need to update the exam. This committee needs a board liaison which is currently Karen Clay. Our Limitless certification consultants are providing the framework documents and guiding these initial discussions to ensure we are creating what is needed and using best practices.

What is the role of the Education , IT and SA Committees in this process?

As mentioned above, early on in this process we identified that we already had some content that would be useful for the training course. We have asked the Education Committee to provide select content from the PreK course that is in development to also include in the fundamental training course. They have worked on a new video that will be in both the fundamental training course as well as the PreK course once complete. We have also asked IT and SA to provide select content from their course. Something that all swim instructors should know and it should be basic/beginner in nature. We will still encourage swim instructors with interest in working with PreK, Infants and Special Abilities to take the full courses we offer.

16 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

Seeing some of the content repeated makes for improved learning as we need to see things more than once to fully learn the content.

Timeline: The exam question writing is scheduled to take place in January/ February. Beta testing we estimate to run March - May with final review and scoring being set by June/July. The exam review committee will be meeting multiple times in January and February to work to establish the criteria needed in order to be ready to launch the beta testing.

Online Platform: At the same time all of this is going on, we are working with Fabric, our online platform, to ensure we are ready to handle the requirements of an online certification exam. There will be an integration with a third party that would proctor the online exam to ensure cheating and copying of the certification test is not taking place.

This is an exciting time for USSSA and we are grateful for all the volunteers that have been dedicating their time and talents to turn this into a reality.

A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION: The certification will be the 100 question exam that with a passing score you receive the certification, re-certification requirements are TBD. The course that is being pulling together can be prerequisite training taken prior to taking the exam, but does not have to be in other words someone could be qualified to take the exam with prior training from different sources and/or on the job experience - this is being outlined by the exam review committee The terms “accreditation” and “certification” are sometimes used interchangeably, however, they are not synonymous. Certification is used for verifying that an individual demonstrates proficiency or competence on standardized criteria that relate to a specific field. Accreditation is used to verify that a program, organization or institution’s operations are evaluated according to established qualifications or standards.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 16, 2022

HIRING IN 2022: WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO SUCCEED

THANK YOU ANNUAL SPONSORS

WEBINAR

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

ON TOPIC SHARING SOLUTIONS: DO MORE WITH LESS WEBINAR

MARCH 1-2, 2022

SPRING WORKSHOP MESA, ARIZONA

usswimschools.org/events MARCH 23, 2022

GROW WITH CONSTANT CONTACT AND BEST PRACTICES WEBINAR

APRIL 6, 2022

RECOGNIZING AND OVERCOMING BURNOUT WEBINAR

APRIL 11, 2022

NDPA NATIONAL WATER SAFETY CONFERENCE FORT WORTH, TX MAY 4, 2022

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE WEBINAR

JUNE 21-23, 2022

ASSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022 AUSTRALIA

SEPTEMBER 19-21, 2022

USSSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE MAUI, HAWAII

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CONNECT, RE:ENGAGE AND RE:PURPOSE AT THE ASSA 2022 CONFERENCE. After two years of delivering a virtual conference experience, the Australian Swim Schools Association National Conference returns in June 2022 as a Hybrid event.

Themed around the concept of RE:CONNECT, RE:ENGAGE, RE:PURPOSE, this year’s ASSA National Conference is designed to assist swim school owners to work on their business. “Covid has caused so many interruptions to our industry.”

Says ASSA General Manager, Emily McNeill, “As we move towards living with the virus, this is the perfect time for our industry to reflect, adapt and unleash the possibilities that exist in our businesses”.

The international lineup of speakers will bring together experts from both within the swim and complementary industries. “We are so excited with the schedule, and can’t wait to announce who we have locked in to present at this year’s event” says Emily McNeill. With topics ranging from “growing purpose, people and profit” to “sustainable swim schools” through to “growing your business by creating scalable systems”, no matter the size of your business, the content will be engaging, relevant and useful.

All conference delegates have access to recordings of the sessions, and for those that join us online, our virtual delegates will have the opportunity to be engaged through submitting questions in real time. For those joining us in person, our networking events, gala dinner and swim school tour add to the fantastic learning experience the conference has to offer.

CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU IN 2022!

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022

GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE 21-23 JUNE 2022 MORE AT

AUSTRALIANSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG.AU Hosted on Australia’s beautiful Gold Coast, the perfect holiday experience is on your doorstep - from theme parks, to adventure holidays, and just a flight away from the Great Barrier Reef, why not head down under and join us face to face at the conference!

For more information, head to www.australianswimschools.org.au, and follow us on Facebook for more updates https://www.facebook.com/ AustralianSwimSchoolsAssociation

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 19

GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS “What are you most proud of regarding your career?”

I’m most proud of the lives we’ve touched over the years, from our swimmers to our employees. When we started Nitro, one of our goals was to create a place where everyone could come and feel a reprieve from everyday life. Secondly, I’m proud of the success we’ve achieved and how that has allowed me to be a blessing to other people.

TRACY KOLEBER Nitro Swimming 2 locations in Texas & 1 in Indiana USSSA President

I am proud to have been a part of training and giving individuals a path to leadership.

SwimWest has been a stepping stone for educators, nurses, and other professions that love kids and giving back.

I am also proud of the 1000’s of children’s lives in making them safer in and around the water.

KAREN CLAY SwimWest Swim School 2 locations in Wisconsin USSSA Treasurer

20 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

I am most proud that I am starting my 10th year at my school and have built a business that has allowed us to make an impact on thousands including my team, children, families and the community.

MELISSA TAYLOR Small Fish Big Fish 1 location in Florida USSSA Director

I would have to say that building our 2nd location from the ground up is what I am most proud of.

My business partner, Rob and I worked hard to save up enough money to get the second location up and running. We own the land, building and the operations of this facility, which I never thought would happen when we first purchased Chicago Swim School.

I am incredibly proud of this!

If I had to pick 1 thing that I am most proud of regarding my career it would be the opportunity I was given to take the family business that was started when I was a kid and turn it into what it is today.

Of course, I owe a lot of my business success and decisions to this wonderful organization and my swim school friends.

BUFFY FOLISE Chicago Swim School 2 locations in Illinois USSSA Vice President

BRAD GRZELKA Atlanta Swim Academy 1 location in Georgia USSSA Director

I am proud of the SwimKids Team and the more than a million kids’ lives that have been made safer in the past 25 years.

I am super proud of the US Swim School Association and the mission we are on to help swim schools better serve their clients!

I am excited as Cindy and I have been moving into contribution and looking at ways we can use the skills we have learned in the past 25 years as entrepreneurs and contribute even more local, nationally and internationally.

I Love my career. I love that I wake up each and every day with the feeling that I provide an opportunity for people to build confidence in learning a safety and survival skill. I’m proud of my career choice as it provides peace of mind to clients that their loved ones can be safer in and around the water. I also am proud of my choice as I foster a growth and development path of leadership opportunities for my team to become lifeguards and instructors and provide them with the tools to becoming productive members of the community.

DAVE TONNESEN 4 locations in Virginia USSSA Director

“Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life” Confucius DAVINA LOPEZ Davina’s Swim House 3 locations in Ontario, Canada USSSA Director

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 21

OLYMPIANS KIM VANDENBERG AND AMANDA BEARD:

BY CAMILLE OGDEN HOPE FLOATS

DANCE PARTIES, OLYMPIC MEDALS AND CHAMPIONING HOPE When Kim Vandenberg was 12, her aunt gave her an unexpected gift: a signed photo of Amanda Beard, the then 14-yearold Olympic gold medalist. Having just watched Beard win gold and two silvers during her Olympic debut in Atlanta, the photo was fun and exciting to the young swimmer. However, it was Beard’s accompanying words of encouragement that stuck with Vandenberg decades later: “Keep it up…”

And keep it up she did—all the way to her own collection of championships and medals.

22 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

Beard would compete in the 2000 and 2004 Games before crossing paths with Vandenberg again. This time under the training of top coach Cyndi Gallagher at UCLA in 2008. “I remember when Cyndi asked how I felt about training with Amanda. I was so excited! She was a three-time Olympian at the time.

I learned a lot from her, like how to manage stress and execute details. She became like an older sister to me.”

That year, the two swimmers became inseparable. Intense training was balanced with dinners, shopping, and dance

parties—as in full blown dance routines they made up to shake off the intensity and nerves of competitive swimming.

Living and breathing the same training experience created a lasting friendship, well before the Games began in Beijing.

As friends, teammates, and roommates, Beard and Vandenberg found a way to balance the intensity of the Olympic Games with fun and cheerful patriotism. “We decorated our faces with stickers, jewels, everything was red, white, and blue. We were very patriotic,” Vandenberg recalled with a laugh.

“Amanda made it fun. There is a lot of pressure when the world is watching, but we found a way to have fun and find balance.”

While winning bronze in the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay was an obvious highlight, for Vandenberg, the memories of dance parties with Beard and cheering on her teammates with bedazzled American spirit topped the list as well. She says candidly, “You can’t swim fast unless you are in a good mindset.”

Over the next few decades, both women enjoyed wildly successful and meaningful careers.

Beard, a 7-time Olympic medalist, continued to gain notoriety in and out of the competitive swimming world — collecting medals, breaking records, and co-captaining National teams. Life after the Olympics would include advocacy, modeling, philanthropy, a thriving business, family and the New York Times best sellers list.

Vandenberg’s love of travel, education and of course, swimming has taken her around the world. As a two-time gold medalist at the 2011 Pan American games, a silver medalist at the 2007 World Championships, and a three-time National Champion, her competitive swimming career is well decorated. She continues to swim for the New York Athletic Club and travels the globe giving motivational talks and teaching swim clinics and private lessons to international schools. Also a certified yoga instructor, Vandenberg designs classes specifically for swimmers and shares lessons she’s learned along the way with the young athletes she mentors. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in Psychology at Pepperdine University.

In 2021, Vandenberg and Beard, still close friends, found their passions cross paths again through the Hope Floats Foundation. As fierce advocates for water safety and champions of youth programs, Hope Floats is a perfect fit for both women and their commitment to drowning prevention.

For Beard, motherhood and the experience of launching her own swim school ignited her passion for the Hope Floats mission, “Keeping kids water safe is a mission that became more important to me after having children of my own. I believe the ability to swim is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child, and there is a segment of children from disadvantaged families who are under served.”

For Vandenberg, it was a near tragedy that inspired her to support Hope Floats. “I am honored to become a part of the board of directors at Hope Floats Foundation,” says Vandenberg, “One of my earliest memories is of my little brother’s near drowning experience when he was only two. Thankfully, he survived, but this experience at such a young age reinforced that learning to swim is literally life or death. Since then, water safety and everything to do with the life-saving sport of swimming has been my passion. Unfortunately, not every child has the resources or exposure to learn and enjoy the water safely. I look forward to helping young kids gain access to high quality swim instruction through the Hope Floats Foundation.”

A national nonprofit (501c3), Hope Floats Foundation partners with swim schools and businesses across the US to fund swimming lesson scholarships for low-income children. Beard joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and Vandenberg is the newest board member, beginning her term in December 2021.

For Vandenberg, “Amanda always had my back. Whether it was at Trials, the Olympic races or just as a friend. She supported me and gave me confidence.”

Now, the two distinguished Olympians are doing the same for the next generation of swimmers through their work with Hope Floats.

For Vandenberg, “Hope Floats unleashes possibilities by saving lives, but it is also about, teaching kids how to be healthy, how to promote their wellbeing and how to be confident.”

Both Beard and Vandenberg dedicated huge chapters of their lives to the sport of swimming. They unleashed their own possibilities as athletes through hard won competition. Today, they unleash new possibilities for kids across the country, kids who deserve a chance to fall in love with the water and all the opportunities it holds. Kids who deserve to be safe in the water and kids who, like Beard and Vandenberg, may even have Olympic dreams.

To learn more about Hope Floats Foundation, please visit www. hopefloatsfoundation.com You can connect with Amanda Beard and Kim Vandenberg on social: @kimswim @amandaraybeard

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 23

NEW YEAR, NEW MEMBERSHIP As a reminder, minimum standards (https://www.usswimschools.org/usssa-minimummembership-standards/) have been established for members and go into effect this year. Current members have until their renewal to reach these standards and new members will have one year to reach these standards. Resources are available to help you. Please reach out to the USSSA office if you are looking for assistance in any of these areas. When you renew this year you will be asked to confirm that you meet these standards.

New for 2022 we also have revised our dues structure. You will notice in our new dues restructure that dues will now be based on the number of locations you own. This change will allow us to better serve all of our members, as well as give us a more accurate understanding of the number of schools we represent as we communicate with legislative officials and the media. We felt it was important that all members were paying based on the same criteria. Note, if you rent multiple multi-purpose pools for limited hours, those locations within a 50 mile radius will count as one location for dues, the main location will be listed as a member. Also new for 2022, seasonal swim schools open for 6 months or less per year receive a 30% discount on dues. Need based scholarships are also now available. Contact USSSA for more details.

As the board reviewed our dues, we took a look at the benefits being offered, and noted the significant increase in benefits that have been added without an increase in cost or fees, all while the work of the association over the pandemic has increased.

Because of the members and leaders in the past that worked to create a reserve fund, we were able to offer support to our members when you needed it most. As schools have reopened and are recovering, your association needs to do the same. In the fall of 2020, the membership voted to remain an association of small businesses and in order to continue offering a new menu of services and not nickel and dime you, we need an increase to continue to move the association forward. We look forward to continuing to serve you and continuing to cultivate a community that helps swim school owners feel like they have found their tribe.

MEMBERSHIP DUES DETAILS:

https://www.usswimschools.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2021/09/USSSA-Membership-Dues.pdf

24 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

EFFECTIVE 01/01/2022

WHO CAN JOIN?

US MEMBER MINIMUM STANDARDS

A member must be either a Swim School or a business affiliated with the swim school industry. A “Swim School” is defined as a for-profit enterprise organized for the primary purpose of teaching swimming at any age or secondary purpose of teaching swimming that derives at least 80% of its income from childdriven programs. A publicly- traded corporation cannot be a member.

Members shall at all times support the Corporation’s mission and meet other qualifications as may be determined by the Board from time to time.

Swim School Owner(s) are background checked Background checks are performed on all staff over 18 At least one CPR/First Aid Certified individual is in the facility during hours of operation Lifesaving equipment and first aid supplies are easily accessible and replenished as needed (equipment may include rescue tube or ring buoy; shepherd’s crook or reaching pole; spineboard; automated external defibrillator; gloves; breathing masks) No more than 1 to 6 ratio for beginner or intermediate swim lessons when parent is not present in the water (recommend 1 to 4 ratio or less) An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been developed to meet the needs of your swim school Instructors receive formal training that should include first aid, proper supervision during swim lessons, bloodborne pathogens, abuse prevention, emergency action plans, reducing fear & anxiety, child development related to teaching swim and the importance of a positive learning environment Provide proof of insurance for learn to swim program New members have one year to meet minimum standards. Current members have until renewal.

US ME MB E RS Find the number of locations you own on the chart below to determine your membership dues. If you rent multiple multi-purpose pools for limited hours, those locations within a 50 mile radius will count as one location for dues, the main location will be listed as a member.

# OF LOCA T IO NS

M ON TH L Y $

ANNUAL $

1

55

627

2-3

65

741

4-6

75

855

7-10

85

969

11-50

8 / LOC

96 / LOC

OVER 50

7 / LOC

84 / LOC

LIFETIME

10 / LOC

114 / LOC

Seasonal swim schools open for 6 months or less per year receive a 30% discount on dues. Need based scholarships are available. Contact USSSA for more details.

OTHE R ME MB ER SH IP S

INTERNATIONAL WITH VOTE, SAME PRICE AS US INTERNATIONAL NO VOTE $315/YR PROFESSIONAL $448/YR RETIRED $60/YR Only US Members, International with Vote & Professional members may vote. US Members and International with Vote may run for the board, per the qualifications outline in the bylaws.

4815 E Carefree Hwy, Ste 108-480 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480.837.5525 usswimschools.org | my.usswimschools.org Continued on next page...

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 25

To provide resources to assist our members in achieving their goals in the learn-to-swim business

4815 E Carefree Hwy, Ste 108-480 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480.837.5525 usswimschools.org | my.usswimschools.org 26 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

WHO BENEFITS FROM TEACHING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL ABILITIES TO SWIM? ERIN SEAL-GRANDE SEAL SWIM SCHOOL WEST PASCO NEW PORT RICHEY, FL. ERIN@SEALSWIMSCHOOLWP.COM

Providing swim lessons to students with Special Abilities teaches them great skills that they will use for a lifetime.

28 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

It also helps them build up their muscles and improve their coordination in an environment that is easy on their bodies. There is, however, a common misconception that when teaching a child with Special Abilities to swim, you are only teaching the child. While that is important, you are also educating your families and community. By teaching these children we are also teaching others to be compassionate and accepting.

Take, for example, Eric. He has a congenital deformity from which his legs don’t bend; he is unable to walk without a walker unless he walks on all four extremities. Born in Ukraine, he was immediately placed in a facility where he was left to waste away. He never had a human touch, never saw the light of day, and his first time holding or seeing a crayon was when his adoptive parents gave him one at age 3.

Eric began lessons with us, and it was clear from the beginning that he would make a bigger impact on us than we would ever make on him. He affected the lives of our families and staff from the moment he arrived, long before he got in the pool. When Eric was called in the dry door he would ‘walk’, along the deck to the steps in the pool. He would walk on his hands and feet to get from point A to point B. Parents would watch, but they would watch in awe.

Eric’s influence on parents and children was unquestionable and he proved every day that people are always capable of more.

The children in the classes would often ask about Eric. Questions such as,

“Why does he walk on his hands?”

“Why doesn’t he bend his knees?”

“Does he want to join in the race?”

These simple questions were answered by the instructors with simple honesty.

“He walks on his hands because his legs don’t work the same as yours”; “He was born with his legs like that”; “Let’s ask if he wants to join the race”.

This created an open and honest conversation between students and teachers. These simple interactions provided the necessary environment for our teachers and families to have candid conversations about Special Abilities in a positive way.

The instructors were given the opportunity to see that children with Special Abilities are so much more than their diagnosis. They are taught that simply meeting expectations is NEVER enough. They learned to not only expect more but to demand more. They learned a type of patience that many will never achieve. When teaching these children, the goals may be smaller and they may take longer, but when achieved, it’s that much more rewarding.

When teaching a child with Special Abilities, you are not just teaching the child to swim.

You are teaching a community the beauty of honesty, compassion, tolerance, patience, determination; the list goes on and on.

For a half-hour, every week, Eric brought so much joy to every person that was in our swim school. He taught us important life lessons at our swim school, and children with Special Abilities can bring the same education to yours.

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 29

OKRS, KPIS, ETFS, IRAS, AND ROIS! What do all these letters stand for and how do you interpret them?

These letters are just acronyms that we are supposed to remember about business and finance, similar to how physicians and drug companies like to use unpronounceable names like Talimogene and Laherparepvec. Unfortunately, we can’t change the naming conventions but for us in the swim world, if you have never heard of OKRs, this is the one you should consider understanding!

REVIEW BY JOANI & CLIFF MASKELL SWIMMING SAFARI SWIM SCHOOL

John Doerr wrote a book called “Measure What Matters” which he tries to explain OKRs and how they can be used in your business. He also has two free websites that provide both an interview https://www.measurewahtmatters.com with Doerr and a free course https://www.whatmatters.com on OKRs. The interview is about 30 minutes long and the course takes a couple of hours if you take notes. (Both are highly recommended!)

Like updating your company’s website, all companies must keep updating their processes to stay relevant. Of the 500 companies in the 1952 Fortune 500 list, only 52 of these companies still exist, in their same form in 2019. The service industry has gone through even more changes and closures since Covid started.

Doerr’s book talks about how his background at Intel and Sun Micosystems, led him to realize the benefit of making goals and measuring them. He was an initial investor as well as on the board at Google. Doerr’s advice to Google’s founders, Sergery Brin and Larry Page, was to use OKRs. Google implemented OKRs at the very start of the company’s existence and they are still being used at Google today. To show his gratitude toward John Doerr, Larry Page wrote the “Forward” to “Measure What Matters” and describes his understanding of how Google presently uses OKRs and how he embraces this book, saying he wished he had read this book 20 years ago.

THE OKR SYSTEM OKRs is a robust goal setting and tracking system. OKRs help bring the team together and help give focus on what matters most for the business. Setting goals, by using OKRs, increases employee commitment and the “buy-in” that companies want for their team. It’s easy to recognize the names of some of the companies that have adopted the OKR system. They include Airbnb, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Gap, Lear, Deloitte, and Adobe.

30 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

WHAT IS AN OKR? OKR is a simple yet powerful tool for companies to stay focused on what truly matters while keeping the team aligned to gain maximize results and surpass on performance. OKRs are typically written with an “Objective” at the top and 3 to 5 supporting “Key Results” below it.

They can also be written as a statement: An OKR is an OBJECTIVE, simply put, it is the “WHAT” that is to be achieved.

These objectives should be significant, concrete, action oriented, and (hopefully) inspirational. KEY RESULTS are the HOW we get to the objective.

Successful Key Results are measurable and verifiable. They are the benchmarks you can measure that track your progress toward the Objective. Here are two simple examples of what an OKR is:

work on stretching themselves. The three Key Results will show whether the objective has been met or not.

OKRs have more of a “soul” and “directionality” to them, says a writer from the website whatmatters.com.

Example OKR #1 OBJECTIVE: Please our customers

3. Sales Training for front office staff.

We want to have ______sales training by _______.

KEY RESULTS: 1. Collect feedback from 20 customers/month 2. Boost customer retention to 97% 3. Maintain NPS of 9. (NPS measures the loyalty of customers to a company. NPS scores are measured with a single-question survey and reported with a number from the range 0-10.)

Example OKR #2 OBJECTIVE: Run a 10K in under 50 minutes by June.

KEY RESULTS: 1. Go for a run 3x/week for at least 30 minutes.

2. Increase distance of run by 1 mile every week.

3. Increase mile speed by 5 seconds every week.

What is the difference between OKRs and KPIs? OKR is the acronym for Objective and Key Results—more specifically, an objective is tied to key results. OKR is a strategic framework, whereas KPIs are measurements that exist within a framework. Think of our first example,” Please our customers.” This touches the whole company and will make everyone

KPI’s are measurable and specific. They are measured on an on-going basis. KPIs track the operations of your business.

Example of a KPI (Key Performance Indicators): We want to have ______ number of customers by ______.

How to get there: 1. Facebook ads - We want to have ______number ads by ______.

2. Initiate a program for referring customers - We want to have ______a program by _________.

KPIs are all the things we are tracking and measuring. OKRs describe where we want to be, not where we currently are. Regardless of which technique you choose, the bottom line is: the only way to improve is to measure and review performance.

How would you use an OKR in the learn to swim industry?

Start with asking yourself a question “What” do you need to make better?

Example: We would like more families signing up online without calling the Swim School – This becomes your objective.

Now, let’s come up with some Key Results (KRs) to help with this objective.

This is where you get your team involved by coming up with these, so everyone is helping out and feels invested. Here are just three but your team may come up with 5 or more. Working with your team is best. There is an old saying that the janitor knows more about your business than the owner. Doerr stresses the need for the improvement ideas to come from your team members because of “Buy In.” OKRs can have both stretch and non-stretch goals, and if you setup your OKRs correctly, a percentage of these projects should fail. That is ok.

Remember, they can be adjusted every quarter or a short time frame, that you and your team decide on. OKRs are team goals and the OKR results should not be tied to compensation. Here is an example of how to use OKRs in a swim school.

OBJECTIVE: We want more families signing up online KR 1 – 1st – Measure & count families signing up online versus not.

First we need to measure and count how many families are signing up online and how many are not. This is our baseline.

KR2 – 2rd we need to motivate families to sign up online by advertising with reasons they should.

Establish a marketing campaign, 3 x per week, encouraging families to use online portal, by use of contests, reviews from other parents, & general information of ease of using.

KR 3 – 3rd we need to see if some families are making accounts but not signing up.

What percentage of parents make an account but never actually enroll?

Try to reach out to these families.

Ryan Panchadsaram, a co-founder of WhatMatters. com says, “OKRs are a way to capture the ambitions of the team you work on. They are a way to articulate the mission, vision, the objective of what you’re trying to do. And then the path of how you get there.” No matter what your goal is or what area it’s in, OKRs work to answer the “whats” and the “hows” for all goals, whether they are output and customer service-related to more existential, input questions, like how to build a company culture of collaboration.”

Using OKRs in the swim school industry can be quite beneficial. OKRs best practice is to start with high objectives which then can cascade down to each department or team’s OKRs. All OKRs should be supported and contribute to your top company goals. If you aren’t sure where to start with writing your OKRs, take a look at the book which can be downloaded to an e-book or to an audible book.

OKRs are not a “magic remedy.” They cannot substitute for good judgment, solid leadership, or an innovative workspace environment. But if those essentials are in place, OKRs can lead you to reaching the gold! So, dive right in and make a SPLASH by using Okrs!

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 31

NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH Though the weather is still cold for most USSSA members, everyone is thinking about plans for the 2022 high season for swimming lessons. This time of year also brings the annual spike in drownings, members of the aquatics industry get the opportunity to educate the public on risk, safety measures and emergency response.

The USSSA sponsors National Water Safety Month, a joint effort each May by organizations in water parks, pool & spa providers, drowning memorial foundations as well as public interest groups like the American Red Cross and the National Recreation and Parks Association.

For nearly 20 years, NWSM has created the opportunity for swim schools to raise awareness in their communities about drowning and drowning prevention.

Many USSSA members host their own events at their facilities or participate in community fairs that help them spread the word. Stop Drowning Now offers 32 | USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG

USSSA members two easy and effective alternatives for drowning prevention education, that are creative, fun and educational.

First, the SDN Water Safety Challenge is a great way to allow the community to assess their water competency. A seven-part circuit of activities, the WSC makes it fun to assess each kid’s ability and comfort level by navigating the pool.

You can hold it in your facility over one or more days, and invite local media to cover tuna fish sandwiches in the news.

The costs are very low and your team can customize to what works best for you.

BY SARA BISKIE STOP DROWNING NOW

Second, SDN’s storyboards are a simple educational tool that you can bring to schools, community groups, places of worship, moms’ groups or other places where families gather outside the pool.

The story boards help convey what are the most important facts and principles to practice to keep kids and families safe.

For more info on the SDN Water Safety Challenge or the SDN Storyboards, visit www.stopdrowningnow.org

SPREAD THE WORD ON NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH! Sadly, drowning continues to be the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-4. Drowning is fast and silent; it can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds.

As swim school professionals, it is up to us to educate not only our customers, but our communities at large. May is Water Safety Month and a great opportunity to bring awareness about drowning prevention and the life-saving skill of swim lessons.

We asked members of the Membership Connections Committee to share some of their ideas for spreading the word! Here are some of their thoughts: MILLER SWIM SCHOOL • Community education is key – preparing social media campaigns to help educate public on water safety • Increase “Think Safe” water safety presentations in local area schools and day cares • Distribute water safety check lists and “Signs of Struggling Swimmers” info graphics to current swim families. Also distribute graphics in newsletter that hits past and current swim families • Increase training for Instructors on safety/drowning prevention skills taught in classes • Local media (TV) demonstration on “reach, throw, never go,” and drowning prevention techniques • Ask The Expert column in local parenting magazine on drowning prevention and the importance of early aquatic education

SWIMAMERICA-DAVIS • Open house for city and county officials to “see us in action” helping prevent drowning • Passing out water watcher tags to current families • Providing information about back yard pool parties and how to keep everyone safe CHARLOTTE AQUATICS • Have students go on a “Water Safety Safari” hunting for water safety rules.

• Provide handouts, signage, social media posts, newsletter information on drowning prevention and water safety. Include safety info on pools, bathtubs, hot tubs, rip tides, lake, and beach safety • Host an open house for community members to see what your facility looks like, provide water safety info, and a free swim test

NEW MEMBER LIST CHAMPION SWIM SCHOOL Pam Villa Ponte Vedra Beach, FL GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL – LAKEWOOD RANCH Bret Edwards Lakewood Ranch, FL GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL – WINTER PARK Gina Jacobs Thomas Winter Park, FL SAGUARO AQUATICS Josh Franklin Tucson, AZ WATERPROOF SWIM ACADEMY Gisela Morales Guatemala, GT WATER TOWN SWIM SCHOOL Eduardo Velasquez Atlantico, Columbia

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS A3 | p34 Charlie Banana | p9 Counsilman-Hunsaker | p34 Cressi | p2 FINIS | Inside Front Cover

• Simulate falling into the pool and have children swim with their clothes on

iClass Pro | p6

There are additional resources in the members resource section of the USSSA website, as well as, on the Stop Drowning Now website. As you can see, there is no lack of ideas on how to spread the word about water safety. Which ones will you try this May?

Neptune-Benson | p17

Jackrabbit | p9 Pool & Spa Enclosures | p27 Risk Management | p4 Tri Net | p12 Tri Swim | p17

USSWIMSCHOOLS.ORG | 33

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BY ALVARO G. MENDOZA COMMERCIAL ENERGY SPECIALISTS, INC.

NOW THAT THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC APPEARS TO BE OVER, WE ARE PLANNING ON BUILDING A NEW SWIM SCHOOL FACILITY OR TWO, AND HAVE HEARD OF ALL THE HORROR STORIES OF ISSUES DURING THE PROCESS. HOW CAN WE STEER CLEAR OF MAJOR PROBLEMS?

Welcome back to our “Ask the Expert” feature designed to assist you with issues related to swimming pool water, mechanical equipment, space conditioning, and code compliance.

Ask a question, and we will try to answer to the best of our ability.

You are correct, there are hundreds of “Potholes” in the road to building a successful swim school, on time and within budget. The process is quite complex, involves a lot of different folks and the stakes are high, so avoiding major mistakes is very important. The discussion below is focused on both the pool and the dehumidification system, but can often pertain to the entire construction process.

Continued on next page...

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Fortunately, experience is the best teacher, and much can be learned from the mistakes made by earlier schools.

So here are some major areas to watch closely, along with some recommendations to help avoid the big issues.

WHAT & WHERE TO BUILD: First of all, building the right sized school in the right area is key, and we’re not qualified to cover that issue. Fortunately, there are terrific consulting firms dedicated to the USSSA, and they study demographics and competition, among other things, and help you come up with a winning game plan.

Besides that, here are some common issues to watch for: LACK OF RESEARCH: Most successful owners know what they want and got there by observing other operations and seeing first-hand what they like and don’t like, then incorporating those into their schools. Most unsuccessful projects have owners that let others make these decisions for them.

Fortunately, the USSSA provides an unprecedented platform for sharing, that we have not seen in any other industry over the past 40-years. Other owners will also gladly share their thoughts, numbers, and more.

INCOMPLETE TEAM: Most successful projects utilize a team approach. The owner, an architect, a trusted general contractor (GC) that works for YOU, a swim consultant that helps plan curriculum, facility flow, etc., and a swim pool construction & treatment consultant. Leaving one of these out normally creates a void that helps guide you right into these potholes.

Make sure to select a GC that has YOUR best interest in mind, and one who does not have tendencies to be domineering.

Like any long-term marriage, one needs to observe behavior prior to contracting them…. as things may spiral out of control and minor “behavior quirks” often blossom into bigger issues as time goes on.

LACK OF COMMUNICATION: Assembling the team is not enough.

Getting them ALL on the same page is the key. One proven way is to have a

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standing call among the team, pulling in the pertinent team members, depending on what items are on a critical path. The most experienced swim consultants often run this process for the owner, scheduling short weekly calls, and are involved throughout the entire process.

NOT STAYING INVOLVED: This is tough, as owners need to keep their existing businesses thriving during construction. But a distracted owner often experiences more and deeper potholes than those who stay connected to the construction process. Even if you “like” your GC or architect, they may make mistakes or take your school in the wrong direction…. And they won’t be there when you struggle with daily operational shortcomings well into the future.

NOT CALLING THE SHOTS: Some owners seem to forget that all these folks are paid (handsomely) and WORK FOR YOU. Sometimes one has to remind them of this and have the fortitude to say…. “ that’s not what I want, and we’re going to do it our way.” This is easier and better if the owner stayed involved, did their research, and has a complete team.

GETTING BULLIED: Swim school owners are the nicest folks in the world….sometimes too nice. A manipulative GC or pool builder will at times “create a crisis,” and the resolution is one that often favors their pocketbook and short-changes the owner. Having a full team of trustworthy people can help prevent these situations and help keep the project moving in the right direction.

STOPPING BEFORE THE FINISH LINE: Swim School construction is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve seen a solid project go awry at the last minute because the owner got complacent and took his or her eye off the ball. It is best to run the process, and stay connected all the way through the grand opening.

AVOIDING THE LURE OF “DESIGN-BUILD:” Design-build is when the GC or pool builder handle both the design and construction. This sounds great, but often creates a lot of deep long-term potholes,

and doesn’t really save money as advertised. Design costs money, whether the builder buries it in his pricing, or you pay the engineer directly. A popular way to get the best pricing is to create a set of Health Department-approved plans and bid it to several pool companies (AKA Design-Bid). The completed plans clarify details, flush out potential issues and creates a level ballfield for bidding. You’ll get the BEST pricing for YOUR desired pool….and one which you have supplied input all the way through the process.

Also Design-Bid forces collaboration between the pool engineer, the HVAC trade, GC, architect, and others, so it avoids lots of potholes along the way.

NOT DOING THE POOL IN ORDER: The most successful projects seem to follow a certain pattern: • Plan the desire occupancy with your swim consultant.

• Pre-plan the pool with your pool consultant.

• Provide firm budget numbers to the bank.

• Hire the aquatic engineer early to design YOUR dream pool.

• Get Health Department approval for your pool plans.

• Conduct an open bids process with at least (3) pool contractors.

• Do not accept substitutions and short cuts.

CONCLUSION: The swim school construction process can be really confusing, frustrating, draining, disastrous, and expensive.

Historically, many issues can be resolved by: assembling a team of trustworthy folks, staying in touch with them on a scheduled and continual basis, staying involved throughout the entire process, and periodically having you or your team defend your position.

From the first look this may seem like a more expensive way to go, but actually it produces a quicker, cleaner, and smoother process, and one with a lot fewer potholes in the road….and a project that normally comes in at a lower and more predictable cost.

Best Regards, Alvaro G. Mendoza

NOTES

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