Coaches and parents,

 

I wanted to share this invitation to all of you as soon as possible. Believe it or not USRA is not just about just the National Team any more. The Task Force on Diversity and Affordability is focused on youth. This conference in DC will be very helpful for all of us who want to learn more about those opportunities to get more kids on the water.

 

Tom Feaster,

USRA Board Member 

INVITATION TO CHANGING THE TIDE, THE 3^RD ANNUAL USROWING CONFERENCE ON OUTREACH IN THE SPORT OF ROWING

 

            Let me invite you to attend Changing the Tide, the 3^rd annual USRowing conference on outreach in the sport of rowing, at Georgetown University on February 13-14, 2009. 

 

            I believe that is an important conference, for all levels of our sport.  I hope that you will join me at the conference.  

 

            Register now by going to www.regattacentral.com/camps & clinics/ usrowing/changing the tide.  If the $100 conference fee will be an obstacle for you, contact USRowing’s Kelly McGlynn (Kelly@...) for a waiver.  Stay overnight for $109 at the Georgetown Holiday Inn (5 minutes from the conference) by calling 202-338-4600 (mention the USRowing conference). 

 

            USRowing will host a pre-conference reception on Friday evening, February 13, 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Potomac Boat Club.  National Team member David B. Banks will share his experiences at the Beijing Games and his current work coaching the Trenton (NJ) YMCA crew.

 

            The conference doors open at Georgetown University at 8:00 AM on Saturday, February 14.  The agenda will be packed with presentations by knowledgeable, sometimes-controversial speakers and panelists:

 

            9:00 -10:30 AM – Keynote address by Jay Coakley (professor emeritus University of Colorado and author of the textbook Sports in Society).

 

            10:30 AM to 11:30 AM – Simon Dickie, Youth & Community Manager of the Amateur Rowing Association of Great Britain.

 

            11:45 AM to 12:45 AM – The Challenge of Fundraising (Bruce Smith of Community Rowing Inc., Amanda Kraus of Row New York, and Greg Roberts of the Muhammad Ali Center of Louisville, Kentucky).

 

            1:30 PM to 2:30 PM – First Break-Out Discussion Sessions:

 

            A-1      The Challenges of Creating a “Stand-Alone” Rowing Program (Richard Butler of Three Rivers RA, Amanda Kraus of Row New York, DeDe Birch of Jack London AC and Montana Butsch of Chicago Training Center)

            A-2      Further Conversations on Race, Class and Rowing (Prof. Jay Coakley)

            A-3      Rowing, Community Organizing and Waterfront Development (Uwe Brandes of Urban Land Institute, Kelley O’Connel of Capital RC, and others)

 

            2:45 PM to 3:45 PM – Second Break-Out Discussion Sessions:

 

            B-1      Integrating an Existing Crew Program (Richard Butler of Three Rivers RA, Noel Deskins of Wakefield HS, Bryan Tylander, formerly of Woodrow Wilson HS, and others).

            B-2      Further Conversations on Fundraising (see panel above).

            B-3      The Experience of USLacrosse (Steve Stenerson, president of USLacrosse)

            B-4      Creating a Summer Outreach Program (Robert Kidd of the Jack London AC, Brittany Riesenberg of the Potomac Boat House).

 

            For more information, Contact me or visit the US Rowing web site.

 

            Tom