Issue: #20 January 6, 2010 IN THIS ISSUE 2010 National Congress & Trade Show 2010 National Congress & Trade Show Happy New Year!

Membership Resolutions USA wishes you a successful 2010! With your 2010 calendar in hand, be sure to reserve the dates of upcoming USA Gymnastics events and education, Progressing from Athlete to especially the National Congress & Trade Show: August 12-14, 2010. Coach 2010 USA Gymnastics Calendar Promoting Safety in your Club 2010 National Congress & Trade Show

Gymnastics/Figure Skating 10 Reasons to attend the National Congress & Trade Show: show, January 10th on NBC 1. Gain new insights and perspectives through education, experience and Safety Matters: Educate networking. Regularly and Provide 2. Learn new trends and techniques from nationally recognized presenters. Adequate Equipment 3. Diversify your knowledge by attending sessions in a variety of areas such as dealing with parents, improved communication, injury prevention, recreational EDUCATION EVENTS* gymnastics, sports science, business and much more. click course title to register 4. Understand industry best practices in areas such as risk management, marketing, class management, and athlete development. Safety Certification 5. While in Hartford, take the opportunity to attend pre- and/or post-conference Jan 16 - Lubbock, TX educational courses (e.g. Business Conference, Safety/Risk Management, Jan 17 - Portland, OR Preschool Fundmentals). Jan 30 - Downers Grove, IL 6. Earn 15 continuing education credits through USA Gymnastics University. Jan 31 - El Paso, TX 7. Stock up on supplies or purchase new equipment by visiting gymnastics industry Feb 13 - Glen Allen, VA suppliers in the Exhibit Hall. Aug 11 - Hartford, CT 8. National Congress is not just for high-level coaches. Great education is provided in all areas of gymnastics for coaches, instructors, judges, club administrators Preschool Fundamentals and others. Pt. 2: Hands on Training 9. Become a leader in your gym, area, state, etc. Jan 10 - Arcadia, CA 10. Pursue excellence through education! Mar 7 - Santa Cruz, CA Aug 11 - Hartford, CT Registration and additional details for the 2010 National Congress & Trade Show are

*please check the schedule online to verify now available. course dates and times >> Click here <<

Membership Resolutions

The beginning of a new year gives us all a chance to re-prioritize, set new goals, and resolve to "do better" in the coming year. Please consider these membership resolutions as you plan for 2010.

Utilize the benefits of your USA Gymnastics membership. For a complete list visit the membership overview webpage. Continue your professional development and education. Check out all of the educational opportunities available through USA Gymnastics. Update your contact information. We don't want you to miss out on any important member updates and benefits. From the Member Services webpage, select membership then your member type from the left side navigation. Click the icon to Update Personal Information. Check your expiration dates on membership, safety/risk management certification, and background screening and update them as needed. To check expiration dates, from the Member Services webpage, select membership then your member type from the left side navigation. Click the icon to Print Proof of Membership. Keep records. Maintain proof of membership, course completion and certification attainment for yourself. Club owners and directors should make sure they have signed athlete and introductory athlete membership forms for all their club's gymnasts. These should always be kept on file, just as you would save other legal documents.

Progressing from Athlete to Coach

Many gymnasts choose to take on the responsibilities of coaching, either assisting part-time at a local club or with the goal of coaching as a full-time career. As with any change from one type of role to another, continuing education is required to learn about your new role including fundamentals and standards of coaching and much more. Though athletes may be familiar with the sport through years of participation, a different perspective and skill set is required to be a confident and capable coach. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) published the following article to help athletes considering the transition into coaching understand the facets of that change. Coaching brings with it new responsibilities and considerations that will involve a lifetime of continuing education.

Making the Change from Athlete to Coach

Other education news:

USA Gymnastics University currently offers both online and live courses that cover a variety of topics for seasoned coaches as well as those with less experience. 2010 will also bring new educational opportunities such as a new online course called Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction. Be on the lookout for the launch of this new course, as well as more information on certification programs through USA Gymnastics University.

Promoting Safety in your Club

Start the New Year off right and start your winter classes with some great safety tips. A new benefit for the Member Clubs is the revised safety and risk management handbook. It will be included in your welcome kit when you renew your club membership or sign up as a new Member Club. You can also use the "Guide to Safety and Training in the Gym" DVD, available in the 2009 marketing kit. Educate your gymnasts about safety and show the DVD in addition to giving your students the safety tips handouts. If you do not have the DVD, you can purchase it for only $45.00 at our new online Technical Store.

This is a 2-disc DVD set. Disc one includes Olympians, and John Macready, along with 2007 National Champion David Durante, and American Gladiator Beth Horn, taking you through useful information for clubs, parents, and athletes. Also included are safety orientation videos, parent tips, the benefits of gymnastics, communication tips, safety posters and handouts, and much more. Disc two shows various examples of extricating an injured athlete from a foam pit. Use these DVDs in your lobby to promote your program and for educational purposes with staff and participants.

7 U.S. Olympic medalists featured in gymnastics/figure skating show -- Airing Sunday, January 10th on NBC RAPID CITY, S.D., Jan. 4, 2010 - Seven U.S. Olympic medalists, including 2008 Olympic all-around champion , 2008 Olympic gold-medalist Shawn Johnson, 2008 Olympic silver-medalist , 2008 Olympic team bronze-medalist Raj Bhavsar, 2004 Olympic all- around champion , and 2004 Olympic team silver- medalists Morgan Hamm and , are featured as part of the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular that will air on NBC Sports Sunday, Jan. 10, at 4 p.m. ET. The cast also includes 2004 world acro mixed pair champions Shenea Booth and Arthur Davis, 1994 and 1997 world all-around champion Ivan Ivankov of Belarus, and Cuba's Charlie Tamayo, 2001 world bronze medalist.

Headlining the figure skaters are 1996 world champion Todd Eldredge, world bronze-medalist Michael Weiss, Olympic silver-medalist Elvis Stojko and Olympian Emily Hughes, as well as several other skaters. Pop star and actress Ashley Tisdale performs as the live musical guest.

The show was taped at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D. Check your local listings to confirm television times for your area.

Safety Matters: Educate Regularly and Provide Adequate Equipment

USA Gymnastics is pleased to offer this Safety Matters short series detailing some of the steps gymnastics professionals can take to avoid injuries and the lawsuits which sometimes arise because of them.

Educate regularly - Gymnastics professionals should continually educate the athletes and other participants regarding appropriate and safe behaviors. Education should be done regularly and be presented in written and oral forms.

Provide adequate and proper apparatus and equipment - Apparatus and equipment should be inspected prior to each use. Ensure the apparatus/equipment is secure, mats are properly placed and there are no obstacles in the way. Avoid modifying apparatus or equipment and using it for activities other than its intended purpose.

These and other key risk management principles can be found in the new 2009 edition of the Gymnastics Risk Management Safety Course Handbook, now available through the USA Gymnastics technical materials online store.

USA Gymnastics is a non-for-profit organization which is the sole national governing body (NGB) for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. Our mission is to increase public awareness of, and encourage participation in, all aspects of gymnastics, and to support athletes in their pursuit of competitive excellence.

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