Masters Swimming Ontario Editorial January 1996

Ottawa Y Masters hosted the first meet of the year. The North York Pentathlon was well attended and once again, the AGM was held immediately after. We have two new members on the Board - welcome Darlene Brown and Barrie Malloch. Many thanks to all who attended, although member attendance was down from previous years.

Meets continue cropping up 'fast and furious' with at least one every weekend in February! There is a wonderful variety of long course and short course, distance and sprint events. Provincials, hosted by the Master Blasters, are all set for April 26-28 at the Etobicoke Olympium.

As you can see, the new handbook is ready. Please do read it through - there are a number of recent rule changes as well as some general content changes and updates from the last edition. We would appreciate any feedback from swimmers, in writing, please.

On the subject of feedback, MSO is attempting to strengthen contacts and solicit more feedback from swimmers across the province. In the next few months we will be working out a plan that will include contacting clubs directly. We are investigating having our regular Board meetings in different locations, in an attempt to involve more swimmers. We would like to encourage more swimmers to attend Board meetings. Our plan also includes trying to set up some sort of electronic communication. We are aware that a lot of swimmers are "hooked in" and communicating on a regular basis. We'd like to see a forum specifically the aegis of MSO and would welcome input and suggestions (again, in writing, please).

Now that the handbook is finished, the rules committee will be working on updating the meet manager's guide and will be producing a summary of the differences between SNC and MSO rules for distribution to meet referees and officials.

We are continuing our programme of contributing $1.00 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation for every medal that any swimmer wishes to return to MSO (send to Chris Smith, 152 Duncairn Road, Don Mills, ON M3B 1E2). So, if you have a drawer full of hardware from passt years' winnings and wish to help MSO keep its medal costs down, we would be pleased to receive them.

The MSO Board of Directors is looking forward to another successful and busy year.

Heather Davies, President