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March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 1
NATIONAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE
MISSION STATEMENT: Educate, encourage and support the membership of USA Swimming to
achieve Diversity & Inclusion growth at all levels.
IN PERSON MEETING – NOTES
3/24-3/25/17
DAY 1 – MARCH 24, 2017
Introductions
o Kathy Mendez welcomed everyone and then thanked them for coming to the meeting.
She then turned the meeting over to Jane Grosser and Cherita Gentilucci. Jane Grosser
and Cherita Gentilucci introduced themselves and then asked the committee to then
introduce themselves and tell introduced Jane Grosser Kathy introduced Jane turned it
over to her,
Mike Switalski – Niagara Diversity & Inclusion Chair. Served on USA
Swimming’s original outreach committee
John Bitter – Vice President…Head Coach Santa Clara Swim Club
Kathy Mendez – Committee Chair….Swim mom. Does a lot of outreach work
through program for kids with incarcerated parents and outreach into the Native
American communities. Been involved in swimming for over 56 years
Alicia McConnell – Ex officio member of committee…..been on committee for
10 plus years
Thomas Luchsinger – Athlete Representative and newest member to committee,
Jennie Shamburger – Been involved in swimming for over 43 years……Has
been the Age Group Chair for Gulf Swimming for 4 years
Angela Monty – Wisconsin – 3 yrs. on committee, Wisconsin D& I Chair
Audrey Bell – Started swimming for Pirates Swim Club (Magna, UT) at young
age. Since 2007 has been the head coach.….Diversity Chair for Utah
Juan Caraveo – USA Swimming Diversity & Inclusion Consultant …athlete to
swim instructor to coach. April will mark his two year anniversary at USA
Swimming.
Mariejo Truex – USA Swimming Director of Programs & Services…..Has
worked for USA Swimming for over 12 years. Prior to working for club
development Mariejo Truex work for the National Team. She has 33 years of
experience.
Manuel Banks – USA Swimming Diversity & Inclusion Membership Specialist,
Staff Liaison to committee….Been at USA Swimming for over 10 years.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 2
Years of Swimming Experience
o After everyone introduced themselves Jane Grosser asked everyone to stand up. She then
asked everyone if they think the committee has 200 or more combined years of
experience in swimming stand up. 300 or more continue standing. The committee has
429* years of combined swimming experience (counting only the committee members
that were present).
o Jane Grossers stated that the committee has to do the following for the committee to be a
success that each member wants it to be.
Work together for the benefit of USA Swimming membership
Understand that each committee member brings their own unique swimming
experience to the table.
Bring ideas to the committee and understand that the committee have 429 years
of swimming experience. Members need to take that into account when ideas are
being reviewed.
Ice Breaker – Personality/Shapes exercise
o After the experience exercise Jane Grosser showed the slide below and then asked the
committee members to go to different areas of the room. Squares in one corner,
squiggles in another and so on.
o Once everyone went to the shape that they preferred Jane Grosser showed the committee
members the slide below.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 3
o Jane Grosser’s major takeaways from the exercise
Differences. Each committee member’s personality is different. For the
committee to succeed differences in personalities must be taken into account.
Assigning Roles. Task Forces should not be made up of the same personalities.
The difference in personalities should be looked at as a strength because
differences will bring different opinions and viewpoints that will make each task
force stronger.
4 Pillars of USA Swimming D&I Focus.
o Mariejo Truex talked about the Diversity & Inclusion Teams D&I focus. USA
Swimming’s Diversity & Inclusion team is/will focus on the four key pillars. They are as
follow.
New Membership
Community Swim Teams
Education
Coach Mentorship
Camps
National Diversity Select Camp
Zone Diversity Select Camp
LSC Diversity Select Camp
Let’s Play with Legos
o Following Mariejo Truex’s presentation the committee went through a Lego Exercise.
Committee members (along with two USA Swimming staff members) were split into two
groups, Apples and Oranges. The Apples were the instructors and the Oranges were the
builders. Standing back to back the Apples instructed the Oranges on how to put together
the Legos they had in their hand. The Oranges could show the other Oranges the shapes
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 4
they had built but could not show the Apples. At the conclusion of the exercise Jane
Grosser had everyone turn around and look at the shapes. Jane pointed out the following.
Taking the time to carefully explain an idea, object, etc. is important. Listening
to what a committee member is saying without bias is just as important. Strong
communication between committee members is vital to the growth of the
committee.
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Mission Statement.
o Jane Grosser showed USA Swimming’s mission statement and the USA Swimming
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Mission statement. (See slide below.)
o Jane Grosser pointed out to the committee that they needed to come up with a mission
statement that supports what USA Swimming is doing. She showed the mission
statements from two USA Swimming committees – Registration and Membership
Committee, Safe Sport Committee and the LSC Development Committee
o After rewrites the committee came up with the following mission statement.
USA Swimming National Diversity & Inclusion Mission Statements: Educate,
encourage and support the membership of USA Swimming to achieve Diversity
& Inclusion growth at all levels.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 5
USA Swimming Goals
o D&I Team Goals & Membership Trends. During dinner Mariejo Truex talked about the
USA Swimming D&I Committee Goals (slide below) and USA Swimming membership
trends. She explained to the committee that the drop in the No Response and the rise in
the White and Non-White Responses could be attributed in members having to respond to
the ethnicity question when registering. In the past members could skip the ethnicity
question. Now members cannot skip the question. If they prefer not to answer the
question they have to click on the no response answer.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 6
o Resources. Mariejo Truex also talked about the resources that USA Swimming has
available
Resources
D&I Consultants
Safe Sport
USOC D&I Team
USA Swimming Foundation
National D&I Committee
Zone Diversity Coordinators
Local level
Materials
Cultural Resource Guides
Swim Essentials in Spanish
Safe Sport Best Practices/Toolkit
Bi-lingual materials
D&I Newsletter
Research
Webinars
Training & Workshops
D&I Chairs 101 and Workshop
Convention Education
Regional Summits
USA Swimming Staff Training
National Diversity Select Camps – Coach Track
Swimposiums
Regional Coaches Clinics
Club/LSC Visits
D&I Organizational Chart
o Manuel Banks discussed how the committee fits into the big picture.
The D&I Committee is responsible for drafting policies and procedures that will
support the diversity of USA Swimming’s membership. At a basic level the
committee could/should come up with programs that support what USA
Swimming is doing. For funding the committee should put documents together
that request funding for the Vice President to take to the USA Swimming board
for approval. All entities (USA Swimming D&I Team, D&I National Team, and
the USA Swimming Board) should work together to support each other.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 7
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 8
USA Swimming Diversity & Inclusion Committee Goals
o Mariejo Truex brought up the organizational chart slide and stated that USA Swimming
really needs help with the following
New Membership: Ideas beyond Community Swim Team
Education: Incorporating D&I into LSC Programming
Education: Funding of LSC D&I Programming
Education: LSC D&I Chair/Coordinator Activation
o She stated that the Community Swim Teams is the only avenue for USA Swimming to
create new clubs. If that was taken away then there would not be an avenue for USA
Swimming to create new clubs. (While Mariejo Truex was talking Jane Grosser put four
sheets of paper on the wall with the four categories.)
o Jane Grosser instructed the committee to go around the room and place ideas that will
impact each category on the paper. Mariejo Truex stated that the ideas that members
submitted to the committee prior to the meeting can be put in a category as long as they
fit the category.
o The ideas that the committee came up with are on the next four pages.
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March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 10
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March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 12
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When everyone was done Jane Grosser told the committee that they did a great job and to remember that
they are in charge of “cultivating an environment of diversity & inclusion.” She thanked everyone for
their time. Before the committee wrapped up for the day Mike Switalski asked Jane Grosser if she
wouldn’t mind giving a LEAP update.
LEAP Update
Leap 1 update rolled out
Working on Leap 2 & 3
Leap 1 encouraging LSC’s to expand outreach membership categories.
DAY 2 – MARCH 25, 2017
I. Introductions
Kathy Mendez thank the committee for the great work they did on Friday.
II. Goals
Cherita Gentilucci moderated the goal session. She asked committee members to go to
each sheet and review the ideas. Thomas Luchsinger suggest the committee should
combine ideas that are similar. Committee members work together and consolidated the
ideas on each sheet.
i. Education Funding
1. Community local national foundation
2. Local diversity cultural organizations
a. CBO’s-Chamber, Business Organizations
3. Sororities & fraternities
4. Government agencies
5. Professional “out of box” possibilities public/private funding hospitals
6. Events/competitions
7. Website/social media presence
a. Donate button
8. Donations/VIK/Equip
9. LSC waivers/reimbursements
10. USA Swimming Staff collaborating partners
11. Grant writing/education
ii. New Membership
1. Reduced membership gap swimmer
2. GAP programming
3. Template successful programs
4. Implement coach education development
5. Specific social swim events new ideas
a. New Ideas “MLK”
6. Advertisement/social media
7. Targeting multi-cultural organizations diversity & LGBT
8. Accurate programming
9. Accessibility
iii. Education Infusing D&I into LSC Programs
1. D&I Award/Stamp of Approval
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 14
a. LEAP
2. Training/Mentorship/Education
a. Templates “Swimmers & Coaches”
3. Scholarships to D&I Workshops
4. D&I Athlete Ambassadors
5. Matching grants for make a splash
6. Increase D&I Committee involvement on other committees
iv. Education Activation LSC D&I Chairs/Coordinators
1. D&I Chair Engagement strategy
2. Events & Awards
3. Mentorship/Training/Education
4. Zone chair
a. Quarterly calls w/LSC Chairs
5. Voting member required on LSC BOD
6. Team D&I Coordinator
7. Financial strategies to fund D&I efforts
8. Communication tree from National to Local
9. D&I Chair Community Involvement
10. Activate USA Swimming Boardsource/nonprofit for excellence
11. Social Media Presence
12. Local recognition for D&I Chairs
After the committee consolidated the ideas Kathy Mendez then instructed the committee
go around the room and vote on the top 3 on each sheet. (The goals that received the
highest votes are in bold.)
i. Education Funding
1. Grant writing/education - 1111122
2. Community local national foundation local div cultural org - 333
3. Local diversity cultural organizations
a. CBO’s-Chamber, Business Organizations
4. Sororities & fraternities 2
5. Government agencies - 3
a. schools
6. Professional “out of box” possibilities public/private funding hospitals
7. Events/competitions
8. Website/social media presence 2233
a. Donate button
9. Donations/VIK/Equip
10. LSC waivers/reimbursements
11. USA Swimming Staff collaborating partners - 123
ii. New Membership
1. Reduced membership gap swimmer -111
2. GAP programming
3. Template successful programs -112223
4. Implement coach education development
5. Specific social swim events new ideas -33
a. New Ideas “MLK”
6. Advertisement/social media
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 15
7. Targeting multi-cultural organizations diversity & LGBT 11333
8. Accurate programming
9. Accessibility -2222
iii. Education Infusing D&I into LSC Programs
1. D&I Award/Stamp of Approval-111111
a. LEAP
2. Training/Mentorship/Education-222 33
a. Templates “Swimmers & Coaches”
3. Scholarships to D&I Workshops-2
4. D&I Athlete Ambassadors
5. Social Media/website tools & information – 333 22
6. Matching grants for make a splash
7. Increase D&I Committee involvement on other committees - 32
iv. Education Activation LSC D&I Chairs/Coordinators
1. D&I Chair Engagement strategy-111223
2. Events & Awards
3. Mentorship/Training/Education - 12
a. D&I Presence
4. Zone chair
a. Quarterly calls w/LSC Chairs
5. Voting member required on LSC BOD-3112
6. Team D&I Coordinator
7. Financial strategies to fund D&I efforts
8. Communication tree from National to Local
9. D&I Chair Community Involvement
10. Activate USA Swimming Board Source/nonprofit for excellence
11. Social Media Presence
Top Picks
Top Ideas
i. Education Funding
1. Grant writing/education
2. Website/social media presence
a. Donate button
3. USA Swimming Staff collaboration/partnership
ii. New Membership
1. Template successful programs
2. Targeting multi-cultural organizations diversity & LGBT
3. Reduced membership gap swimmer
4. Accessibility
iii. Education Infusing D&I into LSC Programs
1. D&I Award/Stamp of Approval
a. LEAP
2. Training/Mentorship/Education
a. Templates “Swimmers & Coaches”
3. Social Media/website tools & information
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 16
iv. Education Activation LSC D&I Chairs/Coordinators
1. D&I Chair Engagement strategy
2. Voting member required on LSC BOD
3. Mentorship/Training/Education
At the end of the votes Kathy Mendez asked/assigned committee members to the Task
Forces below.
Task Force Assignments
1. Grant Writing Education Task Force – Chair-Mike Switalski , Alicia
McConnell, Tom, Naomi
2. “Template” for successful programming – Chair-Angela Monty, Alicia,
Jennie, Naomi
3. D&I Award Stamp for Approval – Chair -Jennie, Stanley, Hannah Saiz,
Tom,
4. D&I Chair Engagement Strategies – Chair-Audrey, Co-Chair Emily,
Debbie Meyers
During lunch each of the task forces met and came up with different strategies.
i. Grant Writing Education Task Force AKA Show Me the Money Task Force
1. Show clubs the steps leading up to applying for grants
2. Proper ways to use games to raise money (Bingo, Six Types of Different
Color drinks)
3. Outside the box alternatives
ii. Template for a successful D&I Program
1. Establish steps/keys for successful programs
2. Identify programs that can be used as models
iii. D&I Chair Engagement
1. Generate a list of D&I Chairs
2. Welcome Packet
3. Encourage them to go to D&I events
4. Monthly email to chairs
iv. D&I Stamp of Approval
1. Target clubs
2. Club component
3. Action base. Clubs have to do something to earn stamp.
III. USAS Convention
Discussion on USAS Convention topics to fill two open spaces.
i. Following the discussion on goals the committee then talked about the USAS
Convention. The committee needed to fill two open slots. They decided to fill
the open slots with USAS two sessions that ties directly to the goals that were set.
The two topics that will be added are highlighted in bold.
1. D&I Chair Engagement Strategies
2. “Template” for successful programming
Timeline
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 17
i. The committee set the following timeline.
USAS CONVENTION D&I SESSIONS TIMELINE
TASK RESPONSIBILITY DEADLINE
DATE
Presentation Templates Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
April 11, 2017
Presentation Outlines/ Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
April 18, 2017
Convention Title and Blurb to
Gina Mensay (Please send to
Kathy & Manny)
Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
April 18, 2017
USAS Convention Flyers Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
June 13, 2017
PRESENTATIONS DONE
(POWERPOINTS, HANDOUTS,
OUTLINES, ETC.)
Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
July 25, 2017
Dry Run of Presentations Task Forces (D&I Chair Engagement Strategies &
“Template for Successful Programming)
August 8, 2017
Flyers
i. Thomas Luchsinger will design the flyers for the new presentations.
IV. LSC Outreach Membership Criteria Task force Report
Kathy Mendez asked Audrey Bell to talk about the documents. Audrey Bell stated that
the documents were put together by the task force to send to LSC’s and clubs to
encourage them to use a different criteria for outreach rather than relying solely on
families qualifying for the Free or Reduced Cost Lunch program.
The committee then went through the documents.
Mariejo Truex suggested that the task force needs to explain to LSC’s and clubs why they
need to move away from the Free or Reduced Cost Lunch Program. She also suggested
that there should be 1 or 2 suggested qualifications that clubs can explore. This will make
it easier for them to expand the qualifications for outreach.
Mike Switalski told the committee that Medicaid and participation in the food stamps
program are the easiest ways for families to prove that they are in need.
Mariejo Truex on the Q&A document on the third page down… (My club is already
diverse why do we need to offer outreach membership)….look at broader answers than
the current answer.
Cherita Gentilucci ….on second page your register should be the primary contact. The
document needs to say contact your LSC Register.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 18
Last two questions
i. Contact LSC General Chair
ii. Contact [email protected] USA Swimming D&I team
Cherita Gentilucci …get rid of Free and or Reduced Lunch questions.
Kathy Mendez asked everyone to send edits/suggestions to the members of the task force.
V. Diversity & Inclusion Award
Manuel Banks asked the committee to start thinking about the candidates for the
Diversity & Inclusion Award. Kathy Mendez asked Manuel Banks to tell the committee
how the award was voted on in the past. Manuel Banks stated that the committee voted
on the candidates the following ways.
i. At the in person meeting
ii. Submitted candidates via email. Then voted on the candidates during a
conference call.
iii. Sent nomination forms to LSC’s
In the past the committee has presented the award to a group and an individual. Past
Award winners included Cullen Jones, Chuck Wielgus, Atlanta Falcons Youth
Foundation, Sue Anderson, and Coach Tommy Jackson.
Kathy Mendez asked committee members if they had any candidates in mind. Below are
the names that committee members listed.
i. Cecil Gordon
ii. Metro Swimming
iii. Schuyler Bailar
iv. Peter Maloney
v. Simone Manuel
vi. DC Park & Recreation
vii. Jeff Commings
viii. Black History Invitational Swim Meet founders
ix. Lia Neal
VI. Individual Reports/Topics/Comments
National Diversity & Inclusion Camp – Juan Caraveo
i. Reported that the National Diversity & Inclusion Camp rosters have been
released.
ii. Pablo Morales will be one of the guest speakers.
iii. Coaches that weren’t selected for the National Diversity & Inclusion Camp will
be considered for the Zone Camps.
VII. VP Report
John Bitter talked about the change that over the next couple of months there will be a lot
of change at USA Swimming. A new President/CEO and National Team Head Director
will be chosen. A search firm will be used to select the next President/CEO
VIII. Other Business
Ex officio Members
i. Mariejo Truex asked the committee members what they thought about bringing
two new ex officio members onto the committee. These two members would
have expertise in diversity & inclusion and/or fundraising.
ii. Mike Switalski brought the motion forward. Three committee members
seconded the motion. The committee members voted unanimously to bring two
ex officio members.
March 24-25, 2017 – D&I Committee In Person Meeting Notes Page 19
iii. Mike Switalski stated that many colleges have centers of urban studies and that
the committee should look at someone from a center of urban studies.
iv. Alicia McConnell suggested a person from the Women in Sports Foundation.
v. Thomas Luchsinger suggested Jennifer Hobbs from the Pathfinders for Autism.
Jennifer Hobbs has raised over 1.5 million dollars for Pathfinders for Autism.
vi. Kathy Mendez asked the committee to email her and Manuel Banks candidates.
March Conference Call Minutes
i. Mike Switalski motioned for the approval of the minutes from the March 14,
2017 conference call. The motion was seconded. The committee approved the
minutes from the March 14, 2017 conference call.
ii. Mike Switalski requested that his title (in the minutes & notes) be changed from
Buffalo City Swim Racers to Niagara Diversity & Inclusion Chair.
IX. Adjournment