This page was last updated on 08/25/02
Membership processing There's not much glamour in signing up members but it's obviously a vital part of our operation.For example, let's say you bought a card for the 1994-95 season. After bowling winter leagues, You decide to join a league running from June 1995 through September 1995. You don't need to buy another card, even though the league runs past July 31, 1995.
Are you confused yet? If we haven't baffled you yet, we'll just have to try harder. Here's a new wrinkle to the summer membership situation:
You could bowl summer leagues through October 1, 1996 using that same card. What a bargain!
In other words, if you buy a summer league card after March 15, you can bowl summer leagues through October I the following year.
Don't feel bad if you're still confused, and don't hesitate to call the Membership Department to clear things up.
Unfortunately, some people think our awards program is ABC's only service.
The following awards are available once a season:
There's even a 900 ring available for anyone who may shoot a 900 series. A perfect series seems incredible, but it used to be unthinkable that anyone would run a mile under four minutes.
Whenever possible we make Award presentations at the beginning of your league at your bowling establishment.
For the 300, 299, 298, 11-in-a-row, 800 or 900 awards, the association secretary sends a high score application to the Awards Department at ABC. Feel free to contact our Association for applications.
After the bowler completes the form, the secretary checks it and fills in remaining information. The forms must be sent to the home office within 30 days of the score.
Some bowlers complain about delays in receiving awards. They use words like "bureaucracy" to gripe about problems at the home office. Actually, most delays are caused by missing information on high score applications especially award choices. Some people leave out scores, dates or even the bowler's name when sending applications.
In one five-month stretch, 600 high score applications were held up because of missing information. Another 348 were delayed because leagues didn't sanction on time. Then 193 were held up because centers weren't certified on time.
Please keep in mind these 1,141 cases required staff time, phone calls, committee decisions and letters to get resolved. Great efforts by everyone involved helped improve this situation in recent years.We check names, award choices and all information to avoid horror stories. And we tell your leagues about the hundreds of delayed honor scores brought on by procrastinating league secretaries at times.
When these problems are taken care of, the ABC staff usually orders the award in one week. Then it's usually sent 10 days after the order. There are special situations, such as large ring sizes, where shipments could be delayed.
ABC also honors the top three team games and series bowled by two, three, four and five-person teams (all-men, all-women and mixed). The back of the high score application has spaces for team information. When the fiscal year (August I to July 31) is over, the Awards Department will notify team captains that they've qualified for recognition. Then team awards are sent to associations for presentations.
How about this scenario: A league has been sanctioned for the past 23 years, but two bowlers didn't want to join ABC this season. The league secretary tried to convince them to change their minds, but they refused.
League leaders could have sanctioned the league by finding two ABC members to fill the trouble spots, but nobody wants to cause hard feelings.
Then someone shoots a 300 game in the sixth week of league play. Of course, league leaders say "Sure, we wanted to sanction. We've been sanctioned for 23 years. We wouldn't stop now."
But the sanction application wasn't filled out in time to make the 30-day grace period.
Sticky cases like this will plague ABC for years to come. If scores aren't approved because of rule violations, bowlers are notified and given the right to appeal.
Association secretaries receive copies of letters related to these situations. If the bowler appeals, ABC's High Score and Award Review Committee decides the case.
"Chevron" is a fancy way of saying patch. With that in mind, we ask you to make sure league secretaries and tournament managers have chevron applications for these awards:
Then associations send inventory reports to the Awards Department each month. Your friendly home office staff responds with more chevrons to boost the supply. Associations also send reports every six months so staff can decide if your supply is adequate.
As you might expect, the Awards Department has problems with chevron applications. Either they're not filled out correctly or the bowler isn't an ABC member.
Obviously, we have to keep a careful watch on chevron supplies and paperwork. Our association has even appointed an awards secretary who supervises chevrons. This takes some workload off the secretary, although it's still his or her responsibility to see awards are issued.
Here's a program that's overlooked in many areas. Awards of merit go to bowlers with the highest game, series or average in each association. Many associations won't receive single game awards of merit because bowlers shot 300, 299 or 298 games.
If that's the case in your area, it's still worthwhile to order the series and average award of merit. The home office sends applications to association secretaries and we kindly ask they be returned by September 1.
The home office can help you reward local hall of famers. Call the Awards Department and mention names of your deserving individuals. Our staff will happily fill out certificates and send them to you.
We ask that you give four weeks notice. The certificates are free, except in cases where board members were inducted before August 1, 1984. Then each certificate is available for $5.
The Awards Department also sends director of the year certificates to associations each season. You can purchase additional certificates for $2.00.
Here's another situation that pops up occasionally:
A league starts bowling in September but doesn't sanction until January. At the season's end, the treasurer disappears and $7,135 is missing. The league files a bond claim hoping to recover its loss. The president and treasurer are suspended.
The bonding program doesn't cover the loss between September and January because the league isn't sanctioned. The remaining coverage is only 50 percent because the president didn't verify the account.
The league collects $1,212 on its $7,135 loss.
Now that we've cheered you up with that happy story, let's discuss ways to prevent this chaos.
You know the method used to pick many league presidents -"Larry's not here. Let's make him president." When Larry asks what he's supposed to do, his buddies say "Oh, nothing. It's just an honorary job."
We must tell the Larry's of this world how their buddies are wrong. Your house reps should tell presidents to look for early signs of financial trouble.
For example, are there unexplained delays in getting leagues sanctioned? Presidents should find out what happened to league money during the delays.
League presidents also should insist on two signatures for withdrawals. And league money should be kept in checking accounts so bank statements are sent to presidents. Presidents should have these accounts listed in their names, even if they don't sign withdrawal checks. Then bank statements will be sent to them for review.
Our Board and the Membership Department can provide handbooks and brochures to help you train league presidents.
ABC files are full of cases where bowlers lose money because leagues don't sanction on time. It may take reminder visits from house reps to get the job done.
It might sound crazy, but some leagues elect suspended bowlers as officers. That's why it's important for associations to keep track of correspondence about suspensions. Obviously, ABC's bonding program won't cover suspended bowlers.
We've talked about treasurers taking off with league money. The official phrase for this is "misuse of funds." Any shortage caused by officers who don't handle money properly falls into this category.
ABC's bonding program also covers burglary. There must be evidence of forcible entry onto property and money must be locked up. If these conditions are met, the program covers up to one week's league receipts - to a maximum of $2,000. If money is withdrawn at the end of the season for payoff, a maximum of $10,000 is covered for seven days.
The same $10,000 limit is true for holdup cases. In other words, if a treasurer withdraws $14,000 and is robbed immediately afterward, the bonding program will pay $10,000.
These numbers may seem large to you, but it's not unusual for league officers to carry huge amounts of money. Common sense tells us to avoid carrying great quantities of cash anywhere - there have been league treasurers killed for prize money. Urge leagues to pay as much as possible by check.
This service allows treasurers to deposit league money without having to carry cash outside the center. However, horror stories can develop unless these conditions are met:
The ugly situations happen when centers shut down. Some leagues lose their money because funds get tied up with center accounts. Please urge leagues to avoid horror stories by following the three steps listed above.
No matter how hard you try to avoid problems, some leagues still get stuck with losses. It's important to contact the Bonding Department immediately when a shortage is found.
If a bond payment is made, the check is sent to associations to be given to leagues.
Obviously, the glory days are over in some areas. Bowlers take a hard look before spending pennies a week to be ABC members. They might drive fancy cars. They might spend big bucks on food and drinks, but they also might balk at spending a few dollars for ABC dues.
We've stressed awards, bonding and supplies, but what about "other" ABC benefits, such as:
ABC and WIBC get together with other groups to form the National Bowling Council (NBC) This cooperation has resulted in millions of dollars for handicapped veterans. March of Dimes, ABC also has helped the Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters American Cancer Society and other fine groups.
What unsanctioned group of bowlers helps these organizations?
Our Board remains involved with many local community event's and services to keep our sport in the forefront with other similar sporting organizations. It is impossible to mention them all here in the event that some of the vary special ones might be overlooked.
Ponder this question "What would bowling be like without ABC and WIBC?"
You'll hear stories of people sanding 17-pound bowling balls after every shot. Or you'll hear about bowlers walking five feet past foul lines to get better scores.
And how about bowlers who quit early in the season? What action will be taken when they refuse to pay fees? Every sport needs rules to survive.
Here's another great subject for your "life without ABC" exercise. Imagine lanes, kickbacks, approaches and channels without certification.
Unlike other sports, your average isn't affected by wind, rain, distance or slope. It's hard you work to collect final averages.
ABC helps pay for In-School Bowling, where carpets, plastic pins and rubber bowling balls simulate a center. Then physical education classes introduce bowling to children.
ABC also rewards young bowlers with "Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow" awards. Stars of tomorrow receive scholarship money along with recognition for bowling and academic skills.
Unsanctioned league officials are stuck if a problem pops up, but ABC national and local leaders train officials to help them do their jobs.
... several hundred thousand bowlers receive awards from the ABC each season.
Of course, we don't want to ignore prominent ABC benefits. For instance, several hundred thousand bowlers receive awards each season. These range from our famous rings to the relatively new century watches.
And the bonding program continues to replace thousands of dollars in lost league money. Then there are supplies to help leagues figure out handicaps, schedules and standing sheets.
While we're at it, Iet's mention the magazines, newsletters, videos and brochures that keep bowlers better informed than any other sports group. And the ABC Championships Tournament gives 45,000 to 90,000 bowlers a chance to compete for national titles.
Then let's discuss bowling equipment testing. Lasers, ramps, automatic ball-throwers and other devices keep our sport in line. New products are constantly checked to make sure bowling equipment is standardized. And we can't forget ABC's financial support of the United State's and Canada's international bowling efforts.
ABC leaders attack this problem with training programs, media kits, press releases, videos, publications and posters. And, as always, the Public Relations, Publications and Education departments help us communicate with the bowlers.
In some areas, media coverage isn't a problem. This is not always the case however. Tournaments, meetings and banquets get attention thanks to cooperative media. There's no secret formula for success, but successful associations, including ours, have public relations people or committees.
This job isn't limited to board members. In fact, you might find journalism students looking for ways to fill their portfolios. Here are duties for chairpersons or committees:
Of course, some writers and broadcasters aren't interested in talking to bowlers. Our association continues to work with our local media for better coverage of our sport.
Prepare fact sheets and press releases. Remember the phrase "less is more." In other words, make your printed material as brief as possible. A one-page, double-spaced press release is designed to attract attention, not cover every detail. You can submit news to our web site.
Fact sheets give basic information about membership, services and goals. Feel free to contact us for a fact sheet about ABC's national operation.
Asking sports editors to speak at banquets works wonders in some areas. Can you show off other events to journalists?
In our "Special Programs" section, we tell you about local newsletters and awards. Here are other public relations projects:
It's also a good idea to contact the Public Relations Department to learn about our Public Relations Handbook. This free publication will help you spread the word about ABC through sample fact sheets, press releases and promotional ideas.
Others realize we have to cooperate to improve the situation, so local leaders form bowling councils.
Our council is simply a group of people interested in our sport. It could include representatives from:
Councils get together to manage projects as well as "nuts and bolts" issues. Here are examples of council projects:
A typical issue would be selecting dates and centers for the association championships. Obviously, proprietors are interested in rotation or bid systems for picking tournament sites, while associations want dates that bring in the most entries.
Our Council meetings aren't entirely pleasant, but at least you're getting issues out in the open.
The association must maintain an alphabetical list of bowlers who have bowled at least 21 games in one or more leagues.
Each listing must include the bowler's name, the name of each league where the bowler had at least 21 games and the average in each league.
Associations may set a date for leagues to submit final averages but the date can't be earlier than March 1. If the league hasn't bowled 10 weeks of its schedule by the cut-off date, then averages from the end of the schedule are official.
The yearbook is one way to show bowlers how association dues are spent. If the book is available before August, leagues can use it to start the season. Obviously, tournament managers and proprietors also will make use of a yearbook.
Our Association prints every average each year. This takes personal contact, phone calls and reminder letters. Calls and letters are ways to follow up. This is a major duty for house representatives
League rules do require secretaries to submit averages. The possibility of suspension should be tactfully discussed - especially to "repeat offenders." We work for you to resolve any problems.
We treat every suspension case as a serious matter. ABC members must get fair hearings and the opportunity to defend themselves.
We don't want to confuse matters with legal jargon, but we have to use certain terms to explain hearings. For example, "complainants" are people bringing charges in front of the committee. The "defendant" is the accused bowler.
Our association may set up a group of seven or more directors to act as a hearing committee.
Hearings turn into mob scenes if you have people sitting in the back cheering and yelling. We're not required to operate as a court of law, so it's perfectly alright to keep observers out.
Our association president serves as hearing committee chairman but that doesn't mean he or she has to moderate each hearing. The president usually will appoint different moderators for each case so more people learn about hearings.
The moderator makes sure everyone involved prepares questions and testifies.
Our association secretary will make copies of evidence so the committee can prepare for cases.
Our committee notifies defendants and complainants at least 10 days in advance by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
Our moderator will set a professional tone for the hearing. Here is a sample opening statement:
"Please come to order For the record, I am Jim Thomas, moderator for this heating.
This is a meeting of the WEKCBA Bowling Association Heating Committee to consider charges against Mr. Dennis Paulson, a member of our association.
We have a quorum present today. The record will show a list of those present and absent, so I declare this meeting in session.
Mr Dick Watkins, President of the Sunday Night Men's League, brought charges under rule 17 on pages 13 and 14 of the ABC Me book. It is alleged Mr. Paulson misused league funds.
We aren't required to operate as a court of law. The technical, legal rules of evidence don't apply. we meet as laymen to develop information and submit it with our recommendation to the ABC Legal Committee. Then that committee will rule on the merits of the case.
Each person will have a chance to ask question and introduce evidence. However, I ask the one person speak at a time and only when recognized by the chair
The secretary will now distribute letters charges and notification."
Then we might follow this step-by-step list of hearing procedures:
Then the committee discusses the case and makes a recommendation based on a majority vote. Any association board member who is the complainant must be excused from the closed session where the committee makes its recommendation.
Here are possible findings:
This means a loss of membership for at least six or twelve months, depending on the case. The bowler must be "reinstated" to rejoin ABC.
A reinstatement request is made in writing to the association, and the bowler must pay back all money due before making this request.
If the bowler gets ABC membership back, the hearing committee may recommend the "no office" option. This means the bowler can join leagues without the right to be a league or association official.
As you might guess, some hearing situations get pretty complicated.
The bowler can rejoin ABC one year from the suspension date. The "no office" option may be used so the bowler can't hold office after the suspension is served.
This is similar to a suspended sentence in legal cases. In other words, the bowler is guilty while keeping ABC membership.
Once again, the "no office" option may be part of this recommendation.
There may have been cause for action but there wasn't enough evidence for suspension.
The bowler is not guilty.
The association secretary sends a letter to all parties involved explaining the recommendation. The letter also should mention the defendant's and complainant's rights to appeal within 15 days of the recommendation.
And the letter should repeat information included in step seven of the hearing procedures listed in this section.
As you might guess, some hearing situations get pretty complicated. For instance, let's say a league has an ABC member as treasurer and a WIBC member as president. Other league officers find out the treasurer spent league money on personal business and can't pay it back.
The league also learns the president didn't do her job in verifying the account. What are you going to do? Do you have to hold a separate hearing for the treasurer while the women's association holds one for the president?
Thankfully, the answer is no. Joint hearings give ABC and WIBC defendants a chance to appear together. The local ABC and WIBC hearing committees must have quorums present to hold the hearing.
After the hearing, the ABC and WIBC committees meet separately to make recommendations to the Legal Committees at Bowling Headquarters.
As long as bowlers compete for money, our sport will have people trying to bowl with unfair averages. Contrary to popular belief, there is something you can do about "sandbaggers."
Rerate hearings give local leaders a way of raising bowlers' averages. Although many cases involve sandbaggers, there are plenty of honest bowlers who are rerated. For example, a bowler may have a lower average because an injury hampers the delivery. But when the bowler returns to form, a rerate might be necessary.
Article 8 of the Local Association Constitution explains how associations should run rerate hearings. In each case, associations must...
If rerates were based on rumors, we'd have thousands of bowlers with averages bouncing all over the place. Obviously, we have to consider concrete evidence at rerate hearings. Complaints must be written with scores and other facts supporting proposed rerates.
For instance, here are questions to consider in certain cases:
"As long as bowlers compete for money, our sport will have people trying to bowl with unfair"
Rerate hearings follow similar steps to suspension hearings. In fact, steps one through six of the seven steps listed in this section are similar to rerate procedures. However, step seven is quite a bit different.
In rerate cases, the committee makes a decision instead of a recommendation. Then the association secretary informs the bowler in writing of the decision. The bowler has 10 days after notification to appeal the adjusted average.
Obviously, it's not a good idea to pick averages out of a hat and assign them to
bowlers. One proven way of figuring averages is described in the tournament average adjustment
section of the rule book. For example, if a bowler has a 162 league average and a 192
tournament average, the committee may use the 80 percent formula from the rule book and
raise his average to 186.