Candidate Information Name: Julie Paque Heather LMSC: Southern Pacific Nominated for: Vice President of Local Operations

Summary Statement

I would be proud to continue to serve as your Vice President for Local Operations. I believe that members of the Executive Committee are the key to effective communication within our organization. We have a lot of intelligent members in the HOD with many years of experience in USMS. We need to communicate openly with the Board and HOD to get feedback on major issues and help guide the decision making process. If elected, I will continue to work with our committees to provide resources for leadership development, volunteer management, and administration to our LMSCs to help them grow and reach their potential. I would like to see members of the Executive Committee spend time during convention getting to know delegates informally, and solicit their concerns, priorities, and opinions on issues facing USMS. We need to involve as many people as possible in the decision making process, and we need to communicate information to members of the HOD so that they can make educated decisions.

Response to Questions

Why are you interested in this position and why do you believe you would be a good candidate?

I am interested in the position of Vice President for Local Operations because I believe I have the background and experience to effectively provide leadership for our organization and work with LMSCs, clubs and zones to grow and prosper USMS. I would like to continue my contributions to Masters Swimming that began in 1982. I have participated as a swimmer since 1980, and have served on a variety of committees on the national level, and have also contributed extensively on the local level, including as Chairman of Pacific Masters Swimming. I am now Registrar of Southern Pacific, and I have a very good understanding of the day to day operations of our organization. Our growth is dependent on the strength of our clubs and LMSCs. That’s the first, and last, line of contact for many of our members. If it is a good experience, people will join! The past two years as VP-Local Operations have been very exciting for this organization. I have contributed as a member of the On-line registration task force, policy task force, and as chair of the Club Development Task Force.

What do you consider to be the major issues facing USMS now and in the future? As a person holding an elected position within USMS, how would you address these issues?

I have read through what I wrote two years ago when I was first nominated, and I think the same issues are true today. I think this executive committee is addressing all these issues in a systematic, productive manner.

Adjusting for the growth of our organization, both in terms of management and financial aspects: We are starting to deal with the fact that it is difficult for an organization of our size to rely totally on volunteer efforts to accomplish time consuming tasks. It is always in the best interest of a non-profit organization such as USMS to keep costs down, but it is also very important to ensure that key tasks are accomplished in a professional and timely manner. We need to examine our costs and determine whether they are in the best interest of our membership as a whole, and in line with our goals and objectives. We need to make sure that we effectively use the strengths and knowledge of our volunteer leadership, and recognize the value of their contributions.

Providing support for LMSCs: USMS is only as strong as the LMSCs. Without the LMSCs we wouldn’t exist. We need to find a way to provide practical support for the local organization, in terms of leadership development, volunteer management, and administration. Some of our LMSCs are struggling to handle the day to day operations of the LMSC, including leadership and registrations. We need to provide those LMSCs mentors to help them through the rough spots.

Swimming venues: We need to encourage new facilities to bid for National Championships; consider the possibility of having a short course meters nationals; and get access to more facilities for Masters teams. The lack of facilities in some areas is hindering the growth of Masters Swimming, and if we can provides some assistance to those wanting to start new teams it will benefit Masters Swimming (e.g., provide a list of benefits to present to pool management).

Please list USMS committees on which you have served. Include the dates you were on the committees and the names of the committee chairs under whom you served:

Ad hoc Rule Book Committee (1990-1991, Kathy Casey and Gail Dummer, chair) , Coaches Committee (1990-1991, Steve Schofield, chair) , Ad hoc Rule Book Committee Chair (1992-1993) , Legislation Committee (1992-1995, Jerianne Donnelly, chair; 1996-1997, Bill Earley, chair) , Ad hoc Recognition and Awards Committee Chair (1994-1995) , Zone Representative, Oceana (1996-1997, Stephanie Walsh, chair) , Safety Education Committee Chair (1998-2001, Jeanne Crouse, liaison; 2003-2004, Patty Powis, liaison) , Computer On-line Committee (1998-2001, Jim Matysek, chair) , Insurance Committee (1998-2004, ex-officio member, Colleen Driscoll, chair) , Ad hoc Professional Management Committee (1998-2000, Hugh Moore, chair) , Registration Committee (2003-present, Anna Lea Roof, chair) , Records and Top Ten (2003-present, Pieter Cath, chair)

Please list any other experience that relates to your qualifications for the position.

Delegate to USMS Convention (1989 to present) , Secretary, Southern Pacific (1982-1984) , Secretary, Pacific (1987-1991) , Administrative Vice-chairman, Pacific (1991-1993) , Chairman, Pacific (1993-1995; 1998-2000) , Board of Directors, Palo Alto Area Chapter, American Red Cross (1990-1999) , Executive Committee, Palo Alto Area Chapter, American Red Cross (1996-1999) , Heath & Safety Committee Chair, Greater Long Beach Chapter, American Red Cross (2002-2003) , CPR, 1st Aid, Water Safety, and Lifeguarding Instructor, Instructor Trainer (various dates 1979-2006) , Preparedness Education Committee Chair, Board of Directors, San Gabriel Valley ARC (2004-2006) , Registrar, Southern Pacific Masters Swimming (2001-present)

Please list any other information you would like included:

Professional Experience: Southern Pacific Masters Swimming (2001-present) Registrar, California Institute of Technology (2002-present) Staff Scientist, research on meteoritic materials and experimental analogs., Computer Programming Consultant (1995-2002) Microsoft Visual C++, Visual Basic, Microsoft Access, Corel Paradox, and additional third-party tools., SETI Institute (1992-2000) Principal investigator, experimental petrology of Ca-Al-rich inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites; aerodynamic sorting of chondrules in the solar nebula., Stanford University (1986-1992) Research associate, director of the electron microprobe/SEM laboratories.

Education: California Institute of Technology (graduate), University of Tennessee-Knoxville (undergraduate)