{"id":155106,"date":"2015-10-03T18:12:13","date_gmt":"2015-10-04T01:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=155106"},"modified":"2015-10-08T09:55:25","modified_gmt":"2015-10-08T16:55:25","slug":"patty-miller-elected-u-s-masters-swimming-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/patty-miller-elected-u-s-masters-swimming-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Patty Miller Elected U.S. Masters Swimming President"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patty Miller<\/strong> has\u00a0worn\u00a0many hats in her multiple roles within U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS). She can now add President to her long list of contributions, taking the title her husband, Dr. Jim Miller<\/a><\/strong>, also held (2001-02).<\/p>\n

Miller put her name on the presidential candidates\u2019 list earlier this summer\u00a0while serving as USMS\u2019s Legal Counsel and Liaison to USA Swimming.<\/p>\n

As a longtime volunteer, Miller campaigned on the belief that, \u201cUSMS\u2019s volunteers can contribute at their best, and get the most satisfaction, when they know what is expected, have the resources to perform their role, have a voice, and have an articulated and shared vision to inspire them. This requires big picture thinking and clear communication from leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her role as Legal Counsel provided her with many opportunities to work with\u00a0the USMS Board of Directors and Executive Committee. When asked by Swimming World Magazine<\/em>\u00a0about the timing of her decision to run for President, she said, \u201cIt was the right time. I thought about it in previous years. The timing was not right in the past either for me or for the organization. This is the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the USMS\u00a0membership is currently at 64,000 and poised to grow, Miller said she is not a big projector of numbers. \u201cI am not necessarily into end game numbers. I am more into a quality product. I guess my underlying belief is that we are heading toward a goal of 100,000. Whether that is in 10 years or 8 years, I couldn\u2019t tell you. But I don\u2019t want it to be more, more, more for the sake of more. I want it to be a quality product.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about the challenges USMS faces, Miller was to the point when she said, \u201cOur first challenge is to find a new Executive Director. It will be really, really hard to say goodbye to Rob (Butcher)<\/strong>. He has done so much for our organization and has brought our brand so far. It will be hard to fill those shoes, but it will certainly be a lot easier than it was when we first brought Rob into the organization (as USMS\u2019s first Executive Director).\u201d<\/p>\n

Reassessing USMS\u2019s strategic plan is one of Miller\u2019s other challenges. The original plan is only 5 years old. \u201cYou always have to step back and ask; Are we on the pathway we need to be on? Do we need to readjust? Do we need to realign our priorities?\u201d said Miller.<\/p>\n

When asked about the difference in the goals for\u00a0fitness members to the goals of competition members, Miller explained that it all really starts and ends with fitness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would rather not split (USMS) into fitness and competition. Because even those who compete, they do it to have a goal and the goal makes them stay fit. It is all based in fitness. Whether or not that fitness outlet ends at swim practice or ends at a triathlon, open water or at our pool nationals, it all ends in the same base. It you take a survey and ask our members why they swim, you would get a preponderance of responses saying, \u2018I do it to stay fit.\u2019 So, I see competition as the final result of the fitness,\u201d said\u00a0Miller.<\/p>\n

Miller will serve a two-year term with only one opportunity to be re-elected. \u201cI\u2019m really hoping to set an example and a culture where the volunteer experience is rewarding to the point where it enhances the organization,\u2019 Miller concluded.<\/p>\n

Quick Overview of Patty Miller\u2019s Recognitions and Contributions to USMS as a Volunteer:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\u00a0Chair of the Virginia LMSC from 2010 to 2014
\n\u2022 Chair of USMS Governance Committee: 2008-2009
\n\u2022 Chair of USMS \u00a0Ad Hoc Legal Counselors Committee: 2003-2005
\n\u2022 Chair of USMS Safety Education Committee: 2002
\n\u2022 President of Virginia Masters Swim Team<\/p>\n

Task Force Contributions<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Executive Director Succession Task Force: Current
\n\u2022 Member of National Headquarters Task Force: 2015
\n\u2022 Member of Ineligible Persons Task Force (Chair): 2012 \u2013 2013
\n\u2022 Member of Strategic Planning Task Force (Chair): 2011
\n\u2022 Member of Board of Review Task Force: 2011
\n\u2022 Member of Branding Task Force: 2007-2008
\n\u2022 Member of Executive Director Hiring Task Force: 2006-2007
\n\u2022 Member of Executive Director Funding Task Force (Chair)” 2005<\/p>\n

USMS Awards and Recognition Received by Patty Miller:<\/strong><\/p>\n