Report to CAWBA

The 86^th Annual meeting was called to order by President Sylvia Broyles at 9:07 am, Monday April 28^th. The invocation was given by Reverend Glenn Taylor. The Canadian National Athem and then the U.S. National Anthem was sang by Pastor Pete Vossler. The entire assembly said the pledge allegiance.

The Vice Mayor of Reno gave welcoming comments to all bowlers and was glad to have the Women’s International Bowling Congress back in Reno.

Presentation of Awards:

The annual recognition awards presentations were one of Monday’s highlights of the 2003 Women’s International Bowling Congress Annual Meeting at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev.

The honors began with the presentation of the Bev Ortner Award to Karen Rosenburg, Rolla, Mo. Rosenburg earned the award, for the highest 800 series in the previous season, with a WIBC-record 878 series in December 2001.

"Anybody can do it if I can do it," Rosenburg said. "I’d like to thank my husband. He’s been my supporter and coach."

Next came Patrick Cinnello, Naples, Fla., who was honored as Proprietor of the Year. This award annually recognizes an outstanding bowling center proprietor for his or her enthusiastic support of local, state and provincial women’s bowling associations. Cinnello, the chief executive officer for Bowling Management Associates, Inc. and long-time bowling center executive, used the analogy of recent Florida legislation banning smoking in bowling centers beginning July 1 to the upcoming vote on the United States Bowling Congress.

"We vote for it even though it will be a challenge for us financially because it was the right thing to do," he said. "When you vote this week, I hope you do the same."

Kathleen Henze, Lawrence, Mass., then was presented the Helen Baker Award. This award annually recognizes a WIBC leader who has made invaluable contributions to the local, state and provincial associations. The retired high school secretary has devoted more than 50 years to bowling. She currently is Massachusetts Women’s Bowling Association president and an active life member of the Merrimack Valley WBA.

"Without the support of my family, I would not have been able to volunteer some 40 plus years," Henze said. "Receiving the Helen Baker Award has been the ultimate thrill. Thank you so much for this wonderful award."

Ruth Macklin, New York City, earned the Gladys Banker Friendship Award, named for WIBC’s sixth president, is presented to an individual who embraces the same ideals as WIBC’s volunteers and leaders. A current Bowling Inc. board member, Macklin has been involved in the bowling business for more than 60 years.

"Women bowlers play a pivotal role in the bowling industry," Macklin said. "Women are the gatekeepers to bowling. They introduce boys and girls to the sport.

"I remember (former WIBC President) Gladys Banker said in 1987 that WIBC is dedicated to the best interests of bowling. Bowlers, women bowlers, can do it all."

Next was the WIBC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:

Bernice Bennie – Meritorious Service

Linda Kelly - Superior Performance

Joyce Deitch - Meritorious Service

Continued with Presentations:

Presentation of Star of Tomorrow was by Alberta Kuhn, WIBC Director to Lindsey Coulles, Centerville, Ohio, was honored as the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow. The award is named for Alberta E. Crowe, WIBC’s fourth President from 1960-81, and annually recognizes star qualities in a female high school senior or college student who competes in bowling. Star qualities include: distinguished sanctioned bowling performances on the local, regional, state, provincial and national levels; academic achievement; and extra-curricular involvement. Award winners receive a $1,500 scholarship, renewable for up to three years for a total of $6,000 in scholarships.

The high school senior is a member of Junior Team USA 2003. She also is a national honor society member. "I am flattered. I am appreciative. I am humbled to be named for this award," Coulles said

Bowling proprietor Cathy Cooper of Anderson, Ind., was named winner of the Joyce Deitch Trailblazer Award. This award is named for the WIBC past president and life member, recognizes an individual or group making a significant contribution to women’s bowling. Those receiving the award are considered risk takers, leaders, innovators, motivators, change agents and visionaries. She has experienced the sport through the eyes of a WIBC member, youth coordinator, youth coach, proprietor, board member, committee member, vice president and president at all levels. She currently is president of YABA and USA Bowling.

"I am so very honored and so very blessed and I believe there is nothing that we can’t conquer," Cooper said.

Several reports were then given by officers, all of these reports can be read in full on Bowl.com

The Credentials Committee Report was given by Joan Feinblum, WIBC Vice President

8 WIBC officers

17 WIBC Directors

17 Members Emeritae

51 State and Provincial Delegates

2621 Local Association Delegates

2715 Total Eligible to Vote .

The Rules to Govern the Annual meeting were read by Cissie Bryant, WIBC Vice President.

The President’s report was given by President Broyles.

Executive Directors’s Report and Call to Action was given by Roseann Kuhn, WIBC Executive Director.

Both President Broyles and Executive Director Roseann Kuhn – emphatically, yet passionately asked the WIBC Annual Meeting delegation Monday to approve the Plan of Merger to create the United States Bowling Congress. They discussed where WIBC was headed with the decline in membership and how creating the USBC would help the future of bowling.

Roseann Kuhn stated that she 100 percent supported the board of directors in the approval of the USBC even though it would eliminate her job. She stated she had worked very hard over the past year to promote herself out of a job.

Additional award presentations:

WIBC recognized a number of individuals for the achievements and contributions to bowling.

Johnna Dunten, Boise, Idaho; Marie Hisel, Manchester, Mo., and Betty Holl, Brooklyn Park, Minn., were elected Members Emerita for their long-time service to WIBC.

The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America Local Association of the Year to the Tidewater (Va.) WBA. The honor was given for the high degree of cooperation with its area BPAA.

The Oshkosh (Wis.) WBA was saluted for celebrating its 75th years as a local association.

Mickey Johnston, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Mavis Tuttle, Crystal, Minn., were cited for their upcoming 50th WIBC Tournament appearances while Shirley Garms, Island Lake, Ill., was noted for her 55th.

The Cleveland (Miss.) WBA and Missouri WBA were honored by the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. Cleveland raised the most money on a membership basis ($2.66) and Missouri was the top state association contributor to the All-Star program ($6,554).

Five associations were noted for money raised for the Bowlers to Veterans Link. The Dallas WBA was the top BVL association contributor with $18,260. The Baltimore WBA had the largest percentage increase over the previous year (707.06 percent). The Delta County (Colo.) WBA was the top local association contributor on a membership basis ($24.19 per member). The California WBA was the best state association contributor ($160,268.22). And the Mississippi WBA had the most contributions by a state association on a membership basis ($5.19 per member).

April 29, 2003

Reconvened at 9:34.

Credentials Committee Report

8 WIBC officers

17 WIBC Directors

20 Members Emeritae

52 State and Provincial Delegates

2690 Local Association Delegates

2788 Total Eligible to Vote .

A brief report was given by Roseann Kuhn on the motion to rescind the 2002 decision to delay the vote of the USBC plan of merger. Tamora Adams – put a motion on the floor to rescind the 2002 decision to delay the vote on the USBC. Several delegates then spoke in favor and against rescinding the motion.

At 9:50 the question was called for and the tellers handed out the ballots and votes were cast.

The United States Bowling Congress Report was then read by Roseann Kuhn, WIBC Executive Director.

At 11:29 a motion to approve the plan of merger was placed and 2^nd.

Discussions then began, many delegates gave pleading arguments on why the plan should be approved or why it shouldn’t be approved.

At 3:35 The Question was called for and 2^nd. The tellers handed out the ballots. The USBC plan of merger was defeated 1486 for, 1153 against, 1 illegal vote – total of 2640 votes – needed 1760 votes to approve which is 2/3’s majority.

The Legislative Committee Report was given.

The following amendments were voted on and approved/rejected.

The WIBC delegation voted for approval of amendments to create Mail-O-Graphic leagues and tournaments, Amendments No. J-1 and J-2. The first amendment received 1,930 written ballots in favor and 450 opposed. The second amendment was favored by a ballot vote of 1,912 with and 242 opposed.

American Bowling Congress delegates also voted in favor of both amendments at its Convention in Knoxville, Tenn. There were 1,106 ABC delegates in favor and 450 against J-1 and 975 in favor and 234 against J-2.. The combined weighted totals of 4,065 for and 685 against J-1 and 3,650 for and 659 against on J-2 meant both amendments were approved.

Another joint weighted vote, Amendment No. J-3, was approved. It eliminates the requirement that all associations have a joint inspection committee. WIBC’s delegation voted 1,549 to 461 in favor after ABC had voted 1,136 to 69 in favor. The combined weighted vote was 3,453 for and 577 against.

Also approved was Amendment J-5 that states that the vice president to the officers cannot be an immediate family member of the treasurer or secretary/treasurer.

Another adopted amendment, No. J-8, created a new rule that WIBC and ABC will recognize averages of 21 games or more established in leagues under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Tenpin Federation for entry purpose in WIBC/ABC tournaments, while also meeting other specified conditions as listed in J-8.

The WIBC delegation rejected Amendment No. J-7, which indicated that a bowler with both right and left-handed averages should enter the tournament with the average for the hand used in that tournament.

Meeting was reconvened at 8:58 am on April 30^th.

Credentials Committee Report

8 WIBC officers

17 WIBC Directors

20 Members Emeritae

52 State and Provincial Delegates

2695 Local Association Delegates

2793 Total Eligible to Vote

The report of the nominating committee and listed all positions – all positions were running unopposed except for Middlebrook and no nominations from the floor so voice vote.

All of the offices that were elected are listed below.

Tamoria Adams, Charlotte, N.C., and Rilla Yeater, Akron, Ohio, were re-elected to vice president positions Wednesday on the WIBC Board of Directors. They were among nine people elected during the 2003 WIBC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev.

Adams was re-elected as third vice president unopposed after Dee Pointdexter, Washington, D.C., withdrew from consideration. Yeater was elected as sixth vice president.

In other elections, Betty Barnes, Reno, Nev., was re-elected sergeant-at-arms; Barbara Johnson, Jackson, Miss., Director #7; Vi Bjorkman, Salt Lake City, Director #8; Dalia Keyes, Valrico, Fla., Director #9; Linda Scott, Portland, Ore.; Director #10; Julie Middlebrook, Waltham, Mass., Director #11; and Alberta Kuhn, Lansing, Mich., Director #12.

All were unopposed except for Middlebrook who had 1,534 votes to 759 for Evelyn (June) Herron, Anton, Colo.

National Women Bowling Writers Executive Director Jan Bacon announced the winners of the 2003 NWBW Special Awards. They were:

Ruth Trott, Montepelier, Ohio, Jo Ettien Lieber Award for distinguished service to the game of American Tenpins.

Henry Fankhauser, Silver Spring, Md., the Alberta E. Crowe Award for distinguished service in the field of communications.

Eloise Cottrell, Eureka, Calif., Mary Jannetto Award for outstanding NWBW member in the promotion of local bowling exclusive of the WIBC Tournament city.

Gail Smith, San Bruno, Calif., AMF-Helen Duval Award for outstanding service in the Young American Bowling Alliance field.

Bonnie Decker, Janesville, Wis., the Paula Carter Spirit Award.

Donna Lonon, Waxahachie, Texas, Herta Kissell Memorial Brunswick Non-Professional Writer of the Year Award.

Unfinished Business was then moved to earlier on the agenda.

A motion from the floor to reconsider the motion to rescind the USBC plan of merger. The motion to reconsider was approved 1366-984. Discussions then began – which lasted for about 30 minutes. The question was called for and 2^nd. The ballots were then handed out and ballots were handed out. At 11:23 am the delegation rejected the USBC Plan of Merger for the 2^nd time 1459 in favor, 855 against – 2315 votes cast, 1543 needed for approval. There was 1 illegal ballot. 84 votes short of approving.

BVL Fundraising

Bowlers To Veterans Link Board Of Directors Chair Elaine Hagin announced that the BVL had raised a record $52,741 at the WIBC Annual Meeting.

The Meet for the Cure recap: - Was very touching and emotional.

As part of the Women’s International Bowling Congress’ Meet for the Cure Day™ during the 86th WIBC Annual Meeting, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was presented with $721,000 on behalf of WIBC leagues, associations and members who participated in the Bowl for the Cure® fund-raising efforts in the last year.

With more than 2,300 delegates present at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Patrice Tosi, Komen Foundation COO and Executive Vice President, accepted the check from breast cancer survivors and WIBC members Diane Hartmann, Springfield, Mass., and Pat Johnson, Albert Lea, Minn. Hartmann has been a breast cancer survivor for one week and Johnson has been a breast cancer for one month.

The presentation featured more than 100 breast cancer survivors. In addition, those who lost their battle with breast cancer also were remembered.

In a touching ceremony, the WIBC delegation stood in unison to support the fight against breast cancer and affirm their commitment to the WIBC Bowl for the Cure® program.

Associations recognized for their outstanding efforts included: the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Women’s Bowling Association for raising $11,000; Burlington (Iowa) WBA for raising $3,200; Salt Lake City (Utah) WBA for raising $3,000; and the Jacksonville-Lejeune (N.C.) WBA for raising $2,543.48.

"WIBC associations did an awesome job this year, despite what’s going on with the economy," said WIBC Director of Services Sheila Nyren. "I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts and encourage everyone to continue to knock downs pins to knock out breast cancer."

WIBC was recognized by Tosi for its efforts. "Without Bowl for the Cure® thousands of people would not have heard our message," Tosi said. "Our best defense against breast cancer is early detection, increased awareness and education."

The City Of Carlotte, NC prsented information on their city for the 2005 WIBC ChampionshipTournament and Meeting.

The transition ceremony then took place from Reno to Wichita for the 2004 WIBC Championship Tournament and Meeting.

Roseann Kuhn spoke and said that we need to work harder than ever to try to get membership up and to work to promote WIBC.

Sue Little appointed Chairman of the 2003-2004 Nominating Committee.

Sylvia Broyles gave closing remarks and meeting was adjourned.