USMS is honored to award Doug Handler the 2016 Dorothy Donnelly Service Award.

Members of U.S. Masters Swimming don’t confine their participation to the pool. There are many volunteer opportunities for their talent, expertise, and generosity. USMS recognizes the commitment of those who give back with the Dorothy Donnelly Service Award, named to honor one of USMS’s outstanding volunteers. The award recognizes those whose contributions stand out in service to local, regional, and national programs. Up to 15 people are selected each year and nominations come from Local Masters Swimming Committees, clubs, and individuals.

In just six months after being elected as the Michigan LMSC Registrar, Doug Handler not only had to learn the complex USMS Registration process for Masters swim clubs and workout groups, but also how to build the state Meet team registration database. This was needed to track LMSC swimmers locally while interfacing with the USMS database. This example demonstrates the detailed expertise Doug devotes to his USMS volunteer efforts.

Doug has worked on improving all facets of the registrar’s responsibilities to assure LMSC conformance with USMS procedures, and has implemented a process to capture years of registration for upkeep of the local Continuous Loyalty Membership Award program. He works with swim meet directors to assist in running more efficient meets, and with the local treasurer for processing information for the USMS National Office. Doug is now a member of the national USMS Registration Committee and has been appointed one of only two Registration Mentors to help train other new registrars throughout the country. Doug also serves on the Michigan LMSC Board of Directors.

 

About U.S. Masters Swimming

U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness, and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. More than 60,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.