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  • Associations PhotoAbout AssociationsThe USBC depends on its small army of volunteers who work mostly behind the scenes, implementing services that make your bowling experience fun, exciting and fair.
    The United States Bowling Congress has a national network of about 35,000 USBC volunteers who manage more than 3,100 USBC local and state associations across the country.
    They provide the following services to bowling centers and leagues near you:

    • Managing and operating USBC local and state tournaments.
    • Administering, processing and reporting bowler information, tournament scores, award requests and association board data.
    • Promoting the sport of bowling through association Web sites, newsletters, news releases and public relations committees.
    • Recruiting new USBC members, particularly youth bowlers.
    • Offering local training and education opportunities.
    • Running fund-raising events for charities.
    Read More
  • Associations PhotoFrequently Asked QuestionsHave a question? Need a little help? Find the answers here , in our list of questions most frequently asked by association officials. Topics include committees, boards, elections, insurance and more.
  • Associations PhotoJoin USBCYour USBC membership allows you to:
    • Compete in certified league bowling – where each bowler has an internationally recognized average.
    • Be eligible to compete in local, state, more than a dozen national USBC championships and other USBC-certified tournaments.
    • Experience fair, competitive play with USBC standardized rules and regulations.
    • Be confident that your league money is safeguarded under USBC bonding protection.
    • Receive a subscription to US Bowler or US Youth Bowler, USBC's quarterly magazines. Adult members also receive the monthly US e-Bowler, USBC's electronic newsletter.
    • Earn individual and league awards based on standardized achievements.
    • Access up-to-the minute bowling information on bowl.com, bowling's premier Web site, featuring special member sections and chat forums, plus league and tournament standings.
    • Locate a USBC-certified coach in your area by using the "Find a Coach" feature of the USBC Coaching section of bowl.com.
    • Lead and grow the sport of bowling at the local level by becoming a USBC volunteer.
    • Take pride in wearing and displaying your USBC official merchandise, available at USBC events and on bowl.com.
    • Enjoy the fun and social opportunities of being a part of one of America's largest participatory sport.
    To get started, or find our more about the United States Bowling Congress Click Here .Read More
  • Associations PhotoAssociation DevelopmentContact a member of this team for questions about association products and services, education, association tools and the delivery system.Association ServicesThis team will assist you with issues regarding association bylaws, policy, taxes, charters, board meetings and other topics in the general operation of an association.Read More
 
 
ASSOCIATION BUSINESS
  • Grow the SportAssociations are an essential element of growing the sport, and promotion of USBC is a fundamental part of that. You can do so by making sure your association and all local centers promote USBC membership and the many exciting benefits that come along with it.Remember, just because you know all about the value of USBC membership that does not mean non-members and new bowlers do, too. Help them see that value by making sure they know just how hard USBC works to meet their needs at the national and local levels.Show members of your association the Top 10 Reasons to Join USBC, and make sure your local bowling centers do as well. Another promotional tool for USBC is the Member Benefits DVD, which was sent to all bowling centers in the country. Work with proprietors to show the DVD during league practice as it is a great reminder about the work USBC does. Don’t let such valuable resources go to waste.Continue doing your part, and make sure your members and centers are doing so as well. It takes all of us to grow the sport.Read More
  • Business ModelAfter thoroughly reviewing USBC bylaws, the USBC Association Policy Manual, and recommendations from the USBC Task Force, the USBC Board of Directors now provides a business model to assist associations with their business needs. Some procedures are recommended, while others are required. Click Here to learn more.
  • WinLABS Logo
    WinLABSUSBC now makes it easier than ever for associations to process information about their bowlers through WinLABS, a free computer software application created by USBC. The program provides automated solutions for certifying leagues, members, bowler achievements and tournaments, using the Internet for paperless processing of:
    • Certified leagues
    • Awards and Award Inventory Reports
    • Seasonal Average Books
    • Tournament Information
    • Dues Accounting
    • Association and Center Information
    • Association Officer, Director and Member Data

    WinLABS transmits association data to USBC Headquarters electronically. A National Bowler Database receives the league and member information and the association's account is electronically debited for appropriate dues.

    If you're a newly hired Association Manager, get started by contacting the WinLABS Support team via e-mail at labshelp@bowl.com or phone at (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3431. A backup of the database that was used by the outgoing manager is required, as well as a CD containing the latest full version of WinLABS. The full version of the WinLABS program cannot be downloaded from bowl.com.

    Updates are available from within WinLABS. From the Help menu, select Update Software. The program will connect to USBC HQ and compare the version available with the version being used by your association. If the version available is newer than the one currently being used, the update will be downloaded automatically. The user will then be prompted to install the update upon completion.

    A copy of the latest release is also available here. You can download a copy by clicking on WinLABSV9.9.21.exe . (Posted here January 23, 2009) . You must be on WinLABS 9.8 or later to apply this patch. If your association is having difficulty obtaining on-line updates, or you have an older version of WinLABS, please contact the WinLABS Support team for assistance. CD's are available on request. .

    Click Here to see FAQ's on WinLabs.

    The presentation has been broken down into 15 separate segments which allows for quick and easy selection of the segment that matches the current phase of your tournament. Below are highlights and links to each. Make sure to turn your speakers on and enjoy the training.

    Tutorials
    Program OverviewGeneral SetupTeam Competition
    Doubles CompetitionSingles CompetitionAll Events Competition
    Gender Based CompetitionsCreating EntriesPreparing For Squads
    Proposed Prize ListsRecording ResultsDetermine Winners
    Finalizing StandingsAwarding PrizesPrinting Checks
    Read More
  • Online Supply OrderClick Here to login and place your online supply order for the 2009-2010 Season.
  • WinLABS Logo Office Depot DiscountsOffice Depot Extends Deep Discounts to the Bowling Industry!USBC is excited to roll-out to local and state associations a discount pricing program with Office Depot, a leader in the office supply industry! USBC certified associations (as well as BPAA member centers) can receive significant Office Depot discounts several ways.1. USBC Associations and/or BPAA member centers must first register with Office Depot to be verified as a USBC certified association or current BPAA member center. Once verified, that "location" will be added to the bowling industry's national discount pricing program. To register online, please visit this web portal:https://odams.officedepot.com/registrations/usbc.php2. If a location prefers not to register via the Internet, they may also phone in their request toll-free to 888-438-8998, ext. 7050. This number will reach Bonnie Knutz who has been assigned to Office Depot's Bowling Industry Discount Program for several years and will know how to handle each request.
    Sample Savings
    DescriptionList
    Price    		Office Depot
    Retail Store
    Pricing    		USBC
    Discounted
    Price!    		YOUR
    SAVINGS
    42 rolls of thermal POS paper$13.30$11.99$3.96$8.03
    1" white 3-ring binder$6.56$1.99$1.00$0.99
    Binder clips, medium$1.99$1.29$0.38$0.91
    Paper clips, jumbo$1.05$0.79$0.25$0.54
    Envelopes, #10 (500 count)$25.93$6.59$3.98$2.61
    Chairmat (3'x4')$47.00$15.99$9.35$6.64
    HP ink cartridge (45/78 - 2pk)$72.49$59.99$48.83$11.16
    Highlighters (asst, 6-pk)$4.99$3.29$2.09$1.20
     $173.31$101.92$69.84$32.08
    3. View a complete listing of Office Depot core products covered under the USBC/BPAA discount pricing program from the Association Supply Order mainpage. After logging in to Association Supply Order - you will see a link to to "View Complete Office Depot Discount Listing". Simply click the link to open the PDF document and explore the savings available to your association.Other Program Details
    • Office Depot offers FREE DELIVERY with no minimum order requirements when ordering online, by phone @ 888-777-4044 or by fax at 800-973-3376.
    • Every location who registers will be defaulted to a credit card only account (linked to USBC/BPAA account number 35014061), but they may also request a line of credit with Office Depot if they so choose via the web registration form.
    • In order to receive discounts IN RETAIL STORES, Office Depot must link the 16 digit credit card number on the front of the customer’s credit card which they normally use to buy office supplies. Once linked to the discount pricing program, the customer MUST PAY WITH THAT CREDIT CARD at the register in order to receive their discounts. If a debit card is the card that is linked to the program, the customer must select credit transaction (not debit transaction) when they pay in order to receive their discounts. (There is a space on the on-line registration at the bottom of "User Information" for the customer to list that credit card number. Note: personal information such as name, card type or card expiration date is not necessary.) If the credit card is linked properly, after the card is swiped at the register, the total purchase amount will re-calculate to the USBC/BPAA price or store sale price (whichever is lower).
    • If an association or BPAA center does not want to link a credit card, Office Depot is able to issue an Office Depot card that is loaded with the USBC/BPAA price. Office Depot will then invoice that location once a month for purchases made in the store.
    NOTE:If an association already has an Office Depot “advantage” card, it cannot be used in conjunction with the USBC discount program because that card will override the bowling industry discount, and will not give the lowest possible price. The USBC program always gives the lower of the two prices (retail or contract) so the USBC program is a better deal than the "advantage" program.Additional questions? Please contact:marketing@bowl.comorBonnie Knutz
    Bonnie.Knutz@officedepot.com
    888-438-8998 Ext. 7050    Read More
  • Youth CommitteeA Youth Committee’s roles are no different than any other association committee. The only differences between the Youth Committee and any other committee are that all members of the Youth Committee must be USBC members at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a different age and they are elected by the officers and directors who hold youth membership and the youth delegates (state) or youth representatives (local). The members of this committee are not appointed by the president.The Youth Committee’s required responsibilities are defined in the USBC bylaws and the USBC Association Policy Manual. Additional responsibilities are determined by the board and defined in the association’s Operations Manual. However, this committee reports to the board and is under the direction of the board. It only has whatever authority given to it by the bylaws, policy manual, board and operations manual. For example, the board determines its budget, which includes youth related activities. The Youth Committee should make recommendations to the board for youth related activities to be included in the budget and it is up to the board to approve or deny.YOUTH COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLITIES* Determines the size of the Youth Committee. * Selects its own chair. * Develops additional eligibility requirements for:
    • Candidates to the Youth Committee, to be approved by the officers and directors who hold youth membership and the youth delegates (State) or youth representatives (Local) and included in the association’s bylaws.
    • At least 20% of the board members, to be approved by the board and the delegates (State) or members/Youth Representatives (Local) and included in the association’s bylaws.
    • Candidates for election of Youth Delegates to the state annual meeting, to be approved by the officers and directors who hold youth membership and Youth Representatives and included in the association’s bylaws.
    * Develops the slate for the Youth Committee elections. The slate would be presented by the Nominating Committee. (After Aug. 1, 2009 the Nominating committee is optional.)* Establishes procedures for soliciting nominations/resumes.* Monitors, promotes, reviews and recommends youth programs and services conducted by the association and approved by the board.* Provides written reports to the board as applicable.* Stays within board approved budget on projects assigned to them by the board.* Fills vacancies on the Youth Committee.* Appoints two adult association board members, at least 18 years of age, as Youth Leaders Chapter adult supervisors, if applicable?* Performs other duties as requested by the board.
    YOUTH COMMITTEE RESTRICTIONS* Operate separately from the association.* Establish a separate bank account from the association.* Have a president or vice president. The Youth Committee is not a board and therefore does not have officers.* Change board decisions.>* Implement programs without the board’s permission and approval.* Conduct fundraisers without board approval.* Hold separate Youth Representative meetings. Meetings must be duly noticed by the association and include all delegates (State) or all members (Local) of the association.* Run the Youth Championship Tournament, unless assigned by the Association Manager.* Run association sponsored tournaments without board approval.    Read More
  • Find a Suspended BowlerNeed to determine if a USBC member has been suspended? You can do a quick search.

    This search feature is reserved exclusively for USBC association officials and requires a password for access. The association's password is the same one used to order summer supplies. Call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3284 to obtain the password, then Click Here to login.
 
 
 
 
REGISTERED VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
  • Register Volunteer LogoRegistered Volunteer ProgramUSBC created the Registered Volunteer Program (RVP) to assure parents that we provide as safe an environment as possible for USBC youth. The program ensures that any volunteers who work with USBC Youth are qualified to do so, and gives proprietors, coaches and prospective volunteers alike an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the safety of youth bowlers by either registering in the program themselves or inviting registered volunteers to take part in local USBC Youth activities. Click Here to learn more.
 
 
USBC ACCESS