Two boards give the USBC their approval

Bowling Digest, Spring, 2004

THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE ABC and WIBC unanimously approved a revised plan of merger to create the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) during joint meetings in Milwaukee.

Because of the ABC and WIBC board votes, delegates to the ABC convention in Reno will consider the revised plan on March 18, 2004 and WIBC manual meeting delegates in Wichita will vote on May 4. The results of both votes will be sealed and counted after the WIBC meeting has adjourned.

If approved, the merger would combine the ABC, WIBC, YABA, and USA Bowling into one organization. It would be one of the largest nonprofit mergers in United States history. Currently, the ABC has more than 1.6 million members, WIBC more than 1.2 million, and YABA nearly 400,000. Joining them together with USA Bowling would create an organization with more than 3.2 million members. The USBC then would seek recognition as the national governing body for bowling in the United States.

Delegates to the ABC convention and WIBC annual meeting failed to approve the original plan of merger last year. "I believe the membership organizations have agreed to a plan of merger that can be accepted in the field," says ABC president Alton Forbes, whose board voted 88-0 in favor of the plan. "We all want a better future for our sport, and I feel the national leadership has provided a plan. We must all work together to protect our future and provide our members an opportunity for the quality organization they deserve."

WIBC officials agree. "We listened to the delegates and we've come back with a plan we feel is right for the industry--a single membership organization to serve men, women, and youth," says WIBC president Sylvia Broyles, whose board voted 25-0 in favor of the revised proposal.

The YABA and USA Bowling boards also took part in the joint board presentations. YABA and USA Bowling will vote on the proposal before the May 15 expiration date of the revised plan of merger. Last year, the YABA and USA Bowling boards unanimously approved the first plan of merger immediately after the joint board meetings in Milwaukee.

"I'm speaking from the heart when I say I applaud the decisions made today by the respective organizations. I think you made the right decisions. I think you made them for the right reasons," says YABA president Mitch Mitchell. "When the YABA board feels it has the comfort level to make the right decision for the youth, we will make that decision at that time."

Among the key provisions of the plan approved by the ABC and WIBC boards are:

* USBC annual meeting delegates will have authority over the bylaws with the exception of youth activities and the rules and requirements mandated by the United States Olympic Committee for national governing body status.

* USBC annual meeting delegates will have the authority to determine adult standard maximum dues at all levels.

* State/local association mergers will be optional.

* Merged state associations may elect two delegates and two alternates to the USBC annual meeting. Non-merged adult state associations may elect one delegate and one alternate.