Now that the LRP has been written and is almost finalized, there are several reservations that come to mind. The first is most important. "Some elements of the proposed plan fall within the existing authority of the President without additional action by the Board of Governors". Do we know which elements these are? I have the suspicion that it is most of the LRP proposals and that's why the President chose this course in delivering the LRP. He will have the final say on the LRP. Page iii may tell all.

Communication

The original concern about communication was brought about because US Diving was not communicating information to us in a timely manner or for the age group coaches, any information at all. They are suppose to communicate to us and they now have by formulating our ideas into mandatory requirements in the LRP. We have generated many of the ideas that have been incorporated into the plan. The only idea the leadership has come up with is certify, mandate and push training sites!

When was the last time our Technical Director communicated any technical information to the membership? That is, outside of him getting paid twice by US Diving on the clinic circuit. Recently, he had an article on the USA Diving .Com web site. He is hired and paid by US Diving as our Technical Director. He is our employee as per the IRS Tax Exempt Form filed by US Diving. What exactly has he done for the membership in that job? Since the membership is shouldering the blame for our lack of International success, what information has he conveyed to the membership that would improve our International shortcomings? Has anyone seen what he believes those shortcomings are? As a grass roots coach, it doesn't matter to me what he thinks because he doesn't teach or coach kids at my level. This leadership doesn't seem to have a clue to the problems facing grass roots and they continue making it more difficult for them to exist. So far the only communications we have received are meet results and the upcoming mandates as outlined in the Revised LRP.

Page iv Accountability

This is just an aggressive way to put the membership in a defensive posture. They want to hold us (coaches) accountable for the requirements of the LRP. It keeps us discussing and arguing the points in the LRP rather than having us turn that focus of accountability on them. I believe that my accountability is solely to the parents, divers and community were I run my program, not to US Diving. They don't pay us so how can they hold us accountable for anything? We pay memberships to them. We pay some of them and elect some of them into the positions they hold. What are we holding them accountable for? Up until now, not very much. The convention may be just the time and place to do that.

How can anyone be expected to claim ownership of the LRP when they disagree with the ideas in the Plan in the first place? I don't agree with the requirements for the JO coaches especially the part timers. I don't agree with the requirements for the younger divers and the lists they have to choose from. And I don't agree with the direction this leadership is taking the our sport (ie; Training sites and forcing divers to train together before International contests). I have expressed my dissatisfaction for almost 3 years now and not much has changed. I have been told, e-mailed, faxed and snail mailed by many that have said they agree with the things I have written. However, I am made to feel by the leadership that I am the only one in the world who is dissatisfied with the present course of events. To this point in time, I have done the only thing I can do. I have not renewed my membership and I don't recruit divers for US Diving anymore. I am being forced to explore other possibilities.