Denis asked me to post this on his behalf.






Status report from USA InLine FIT:



It has now been about 30 days since USA FIT began the transition of accepting a
role in the inline community from IISA.



Our priorities to this point have been to (1) support the continuing
availability of insurance for certified instructors and (2) support the
continued operation of the instructor referral system. Both have been
accomplished. There are still some outstanding questions and issues surrounding
the insurance coverage, and we are working hard on your behalf to get answers to
them. I have had some issues with the responsiveness of the insurance company to
some of my questions. They in turn say they have had some issues with how some
instructors have been using the insurance. We will continue to do our best to
clarify with the insurance company the answers to the more detailed questions
some of you have asked.



Next on our list are the following priorities: (3) develop a comprehensive plan
to promote the sport; (4) begin to target areas in which to run pilot in-line
training programs along the model of the highly successful USA FIT running
program model.



To accomplish #3 above, we have no intention of proceeding in a vacuum of
information. On the contrary, we believe that those who know the sport the best
and who have worked in it for many years should essentially develop the plan for
the future of the sport. I would encourage you to think creatively and without
artificial limits. Just because an idea might cost money, or time, or expertise,
it should not be rejected in the brainstorming phase.



I am now considering various options on how to best gather this information. We
will soon send out an e-mail address to which I encourage you to send your
comments. I also would like to know if we held a one-day meeting in some US
city, how many inline instructors/advocates would attend, assuming you had to
pay your own travel expenses? And if we held a conference call, how many would
want to participate?



I appreciate your patience during this time of transition. I know there is much
uncertainty about the IISA/USA Inline FIT handoff. We are doing our very best to
be a responsive and responsible organization.



Lastly, I would like to respond to a question that has been raised on this
board. It has to do with “who does USA FIT represent” and “who is looking
out for the interest of the instructors?” These are excellent questions, and
deserve a thoughtful answer.



USA FIT represents itself. However we also make commitments to others, and we
have a proven 15 year record of upholding them. Our commitment in this area is
to do the best we can to grow and improve the sport of inline. So in a sense,
this is what we represent – the sport of inline. To do this we need to
cultivate and be advocates for the instructors who will be the primary
instruments of succeeding in our mission. We will attempt to make every decision
consistent with this view. I cannot promise that you will agree with 100% of
what we do. But we will always be guided by doing what we think is best for the
sport. And we will always seek input from others before acting.



Denis Calabrese

Founder, USA FIT





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