USJA Coach - Judo Information Site

tesHgckontinueil from page 7)flom the presldcnthave been handled in a more positiveway. It reminded me of the continualone-sided feud USJA membersexperienced during the 1950s and ,50s.It reflected an ongoing desire todegrade another judo organization.Surely we all must finally realize howmuch more can be accomplished byworking together rather thanexpending the negative energy requiredby trying to destroy or',take over,, eachother!Looking ahead, we have a lot to begrateful for. We're still a thrivingorganization with ideas that will benefitthe overall development of judo. Mostof you are aware of the many fundraising activities under way to supportour programs. Our most recentintroduction is our Visa card, and alsothe address label program. If you havenot yet responded to these, please doso. Flyers explaining these fund raisersare included in the mailings routinelysent out from the National Office.Funds generated by these prograrnswill be most helpful in ourdevelopment and administrativeactivities.The USJA has also implementedprocedures to support our athletescompeting in the Olympic Games in theyear 2000 to be held in Australia.During the past few months, a judoteam from Japan has established a dojoin Sydney, as has the Korean team.They have opened their workoutsessions to each other and to the localjudoka for training. I'm sure that in thecoming months other countries willfollow their lead. As of Octobe r l,1997the USIA will have opened a dojo inSydney to be available to all UnitedStates athletes. Details regardinglodging and other pertinentinformation will follow in the next fewweeks. If we're going to place ouremphasis on quality training inpreparation for the next OlympicGames, the time is now. This endeavorwill require funds, dedication, andcommitment to the goals. Some of ushave made the commitment and arededicated to succeed. You can help bymaking your tax-deductible donation tothe US|A to help support this project.We cannot fairly represent the UnitedStates at the next Olympic Gameswithout quality training andappropriate support for our team.Remember, the USJA does not receiveany Olympic funds, butnotwithstanding that, we will certainlyassist the team members selected torepresent the United States to the bestof our ability.Finally, October 21.,1997 will mark thetwo-year anniversary of the currentadministration. We've managed toincrease our membership to almost24,000, a net gain of 3,777 members injust two years, and our financial statushas increased from a "multi sub-zero,,position to an operational level. Irecently received a call from a loyalUSfA member stating that he has madethe USIA an equity beneficiary of hispersonal life insurance policy. Thisbeneficiary program is used toadvantage by many non-profitorganizations, including churches, andis pursued aggressively.My friends, we are doing somethingright. I encourage you to continue tosupport your Association and youradministrators. Be willing to stand upwhen the next election of BoardJrLmembers takes place; there will beJreplacement and vacancy slots to fill.While on the subjecf I would like tothank our Board members for theirhard work. As you know, the last twoyears were difficult but we,ve seenthem through due to the diligence andsupport of not only our Board, but ofall our loyal members.May God bless you all.Jesse L. fonesIlq4['itThis beautiful MasterCard from MBNA Bank offers no annual fee and a lorinkoductory Annual Percentage Rate (ApR) for balance transfers and cashadvance checks. The card features a full-color judo action photograph andthe usIA logo. Call MBNA at 1-800-280-5540 ro apply, and be r*" io -".,-tion priority code QNCN. The USIA will receive credit for your applig r-1n,and every time you use your USJA MasterCard, MBNA Bank wili ^ur./contribution to the USJA. So become a ,,Card Carrying Member!,,llf6(9Erq,it