ATL Articles

Now you know... Ann E. Powell, TWBW Publicity aep11@yahoo.com At 7am, much later than your typical morning paper delivery time, "paperboy" Cheryl Ross, on a 1950's vintage bicycle, led the way into the Galveston Room at Houston's Marriott Hobby Hotel for the Texas Women Bowling Writers annual meeting. Board members, dressed as old-time newspaper people, passed out notepads and pencils to the attendees. Syleta Halbert called the assembly to order in her last meeting as president, and Life Member Mary Burns offered the invocation. Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Ross reported a declining membership and bank balance but also struck a positive note with her "Rest of the Story" spotlight on Texas' own Sylvia Broyles, which appears below. Many of TWBW's financial problems were due to the demise of our computer, so there were two fundraisers at the meeting- a plant sale and a 50/50 drawing. Ways and Means chair Adna Clevenger was able to report almost $600 raised from those two projects. Donna Hall reported for the Legislative Committee, which proposed a dues increase to $7 for regular members and $5 for associate members. The membership approved the increase, which took effect immediately. Gail Cantu introduced San Antonio's Certificate of Appreciation winner Debbie Kirst, who has a long bowling history extending well beyond her duties as TWBA's organist. As News and Views chair, Gail also reviewed TWBW's promotional role through its history, leading up to the introduction of the coming year's theme, "The Rest of the Story," which focuses on sanctioned bowling's future in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). In keeping with the focus on the future, even the meeting's table decorations- flowerpots containing soil, seeds, and garden tools- represented our chance to help plant the seeds of USBC. Several attention-getting, attractive posters were judged, and the Association Category winners were: 3rd: Fort Worth WBA, 2nd: Pasadena WBA, 1st: Hidalgo County WBA. Tournament Category winners were: 3rd: Pasadena WBA, 2nd: Lubbock WBA, 1st: San Antonio WBA. Nominating Committee chair Carol Gomillion presented the slate of candidates for President, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Director #1, and Ann Powell, Adna Clevenger and Liz Latham were elected by acclamation to those positions. Syleta had already announced her intention to retire, and Director #3 Teresa Cantu had regretfully submitted her resignation, so Jane Askew and Sharon Creagor were appointed to the board. All new terms will begin 1 August. Publicity Chair Ann Powell's report focused on the need to get the audience's attention, which she succeeded in doing when she tipped her hat, revealing neon-pink hair. Writing Contests chair Liz Latham praised the writing appearing in Across Texas Lanes, but also noted that TWBW contest entries were down and encouraged writers to submit their work for TWBW (state) as well as NWBW (national) judging. This year's winners were: Association Newsletter of the Year, Austin's Scatterpins, February and May 2003 issues; Rosa Haverland, editor. ATL Award (for Association Highlights articles) went to Carol Marstaller for her description of Dallas WBA activities in the Summer, 2003 ATL. Writer of the Year honors belonged to Donna Lonon for her article Awards Banquet Turns Hugfest from the Fall, 2002 ATL. Reviewing these prize-winners may give you insight into how to improve your own writing. Again this year, there was no article by a junior submitted for Rising Star Award consideration, so please keep your eyes peeled for articles by youth bowlers. In this article we've only hit the high points of the TWBW annual meeting. If you want details, you may get them from the July TWBW Newsletter and http://bowlarama.com/twbw/index.html. If you need to renew your membership or sign up a new member, contact Cheryl Ross at 513 Clearview Drive, Georgetown 78626. Remember that TWBW is for all bowling promoters, not just polished writers. Also, please make yourself a note to set aside $10 per league bowled so you can participate in TWBW's second Santa's Secret Stash mail-o-graphic tournament. Entries will be out in October and you'll hear more about it later. What part can we play in the rest of the USBC story? As Syleta's President's report states: "As we head down this bright new road, hand in hand with the men and our youth, bowling writers will have additional responsibilities. We must ensure that all of our bowlers are aware of changes as they occur and do all we can to make the transition period as painless as possible... the formation of the USBC will give us many opportunities to showcase our sport at its best and we hope the pads and pencils inspire each of you to write down and tell ...the rest of the story." ATL - JUNE 2004

What's in it for me? Ann Powell, TWBW publicity aep11@yahoo.com In the summer Across Texas Lanes issue you learned about blooming where you're planted, this season's theme from Texas Women Bowling Writers to help you focus your promotional efforts. In this ATL issue TWBW continues your learning experience. For those of you with writing responsibility, this article highlights providing varied information in minimal space using "bullet points" to identify topics instead of lots of transitional words to join items. WE WANT YOU for TWBW contests-your own bowling-related newsletters, articles, and posters, as well as your nominations for the Wood Award for professional media people and the Certificate of Appreciation. We also offer a Rising Star award for young bowling promoters. While some submission deadlines are in November, others are next year, so there's time for you to take part in some, if not all, contests. Contest criteria are in the October TWBW Newsletter. Please note that TWBW associate membership is open to all bowling promoters-even non-Texas residents and men. Associate members receive Newsletters and are encouraged to exchange ideas with us, but are ineligible for those TWBW contests that are restricted to "regular" members. Membership applications are in each TWBW Newsletter. To better prepare for the future, TWBW is proactively researching probable changes to our organization that will be needed once sanctioned bowling has united under a single membership organization (SMO). To keep yourself aware of SMO status, check http://cache.bowl.com/cache/proxy/www.bowl.com/bowl/BowlDotCom/common/static.html?page=bowl_singlemembership_index. Looking for a way to hone the skills you use locally while helping promote bowling statewide? Sign up for a TWBW committee in the October TWBW Newsletter. We need your input. What's in TWBW for you? As TWBW past-president and life member Jan Bacon explains, "The focus of the Texas Women Bowling Writers (TWBW) is to aid and encourage publicity chairmen in their efforts to write articles for publications and the electronic media, to create and edit newsletters, and to create and to make effective posters. In other words, we hope to aid in being more effective in promotion of our sport of American tenpins, otherwise known as bowling... TWBW gives recognition to those who excel in this field. ...Finally, we are a support group that combines fellowship with the sharing of ideas." What a great resource, and a bargain to boot! For your information: The TWBW board of directors welcomes a newly- appointed member- Teresa (Terri) Cantu, of San Antonio, co-editor of the TWBW Newsletter. TWBW Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Ross has moved. Please delete her old Round Rock address from your records and add the new information: 513 Clearview Dr.; Georgetown, TX 78626. Be sure to use this new address to contact Cheryl.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, what positive action can do for you! Ann Powell, TWBW publicity aep11@yahoo.com Note: WIBC's Agnes Duffy Award recognizes WIBC member volunteers who develop programs at the local or state/provincial levels to recruit, retain and reclaim WIBC members, while working cooperatively and productively with others in the bowling industry. Go to http://www.bowl.com/bowl/wibc/common/news/record.html?record=7529 to see the entire article about the 2004 award winner. TWBW's winter Across Texas Lanes article is planned as a spotlight on a publicity chairman, and I was all set to describe Houston's preparation for the 2004 state tournament, knowing that everyone can use good information on tournament promotion. Then I saw the article about WIBC's Agnes Duffy award winner in the December 4th Bowling News, and decided to move the spotlight from a single person to an attitude. When I read the article announcing Houston's Betty McPherson as the Agnes Duffy award winner, my mind wandered back a few years, to when Houston was a test site for the tiered membership program designed to help ABC and WIBC increase membership. That article also prompted me to remember Membership Development workshops even more years ago, when WIBC first started training local association representatives. Those two programs came to my mind before any others because they were successful in some associations but not in others. Where they were treated as assets and actively promoted, they were useful tools. Where they were viewed as obligations at best or inconveniences at worst, they likely were inconsequential. In Temple, for instance, Membership Development chair Judy Gotcher spearheaded a program using "League Moms" as liaisons with leagues. That highly visible program was so successful at serving female bowlers that the men wanted League Moms too. Tiered membership was actively promoted in Houston as a chance for bowlers to have sanctioning options. Working together to visit leagues, local association men and women crafted an effective campaign. Although the program was not adopted nationwide in the long run, Houston helped prove that it could be done. Those promotional campaigns, and almost any other successful ones you can think of, had common components like high visibility, perseverance, a proactive approach, and a positive attitude. Committed workers developed plans to help them reach goals, and then implemented the plans. Betty McPherson, Judy Gotcher, and a host of other people not specifically named here have worked tirelessly to help promote our sport because they loved bowling; their goal was not to win prizes. Some have earned honors like the Agnes Duffy Award, but they and many more people have continued to labor in the bowling trenches without getting any particular recognition. With can-do attitudes and good plans, all of us are much more likely to gain the desired results from our promotional efforts, and reaching goals is a reward in itself. We can all be topnotch publicity chairmen, worthy of the spotlight.

Bloom Where You're Planted The always-colorful Texas Women Bowling Writers introduced the theme for the upcoming bowling season at their 7am breakfast meeting on June 7 in Arlington. Dressed in flowered muumuus and with flowers in their hair or on their hats, they passed out flowers to attendees while marching into a flower-decorated room. Absent from the meeting was TWBW charter member Artie Reed, who died this past season. However, WIBC president Joyce Deitch and Bowling Inc's Joseph Haynes were in attendance. Excerpts from News and Views chair Jeanne Hester's report, which presents the theme, "Bloom Where You're Planted," follow. Many seeds have been cast along the rocky ground by passing winds or birds. Involuntarily planted, they get nourishment and moisture, and burst forth in most magnificent splendor. However, when the plant does not receive the necessary elements to help with growth, it withers and goes away. Many of the most successful bowling writers in our state have felt much the same way. With an assignment thrust upon them, writers receiving encouragement and backing by their "planters" have been helped to become successful. Harsh criticism from the "planters," though, can have the opposite effect. "How in the world did I get this blooming job?" you may ask. Over the years I have found that not many start out wanting this position. The most resistant proclaim: "I can't write," "I don't know what to say," or "I can't do it because I'm not creative." BUNK! If you have ever made adjustments on the lanes to compensate for overly oily or dry conditions, you are certainly creative. Words should be a breeze if you have ever had to contest an incorrect billing. You certainly thought of the right things to say then. If you have shared good news with a friend, either by email or snail mail, you can write. What do you suppose is the reasoning behind the resistance to becoming active bowling promoters? Shame on those of you who may be out there thinking, "Chicken." Maybe the reason is something much more "foul." We don't like to be criticized, or have our errors brought to our attention. Whenever we write, draw, create, or talk about bowling for other people, we know we are opening ourselves up to someone else's scrutiny. Dr. Robert Schuller asked, "What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?" Interesting concept. What would we venture, indeed? Why not take on a mindset comparable to Dr. Schuller's? Yes, there will be mistakes, and there will always be folks looking to point out those errors to you. But an overwhelming majority will appreciate the work you have done when you have done the best you could, and isn't that really what it's all about? When those folks point out my written blunders, I say that it was nice to see that someone was paying attention. A sense of humor with this job helps a lot. What's in your association's garden? Probably some fertile soil, a bit of grass, perhaps a few weeds. Even in these ordinary conditions, you can have the most wonderful color and imagination, if you just have the courage to take the job, sow the seeds, and bloom where you're planted. This year's award winners have already been blooming where they were planted. Poster contest winners: In the Tournament Category first place went to the Houston WBA and in the Association Category a new "gardener" was heard from- Wichita Falls, who walked away with first place honors. Newsletter of the Year: Tenpin Highlights, Amarillo, edited by Carol Lawhead ATL (Association Highlights) winner: Harry Nixon of the Texas Ten-Pin Association for his historical piece on bowling in central Texas. Writer of the Year: Gail Cantu of San Antonio for her article entitled "Been Lucky? No, Been Blessed!" which also appeared in ATL. The fact that you're reading this article means you're probably already familiar with Texas Women Bowling Writers. Hopefully you're also a member whose dues are already paid. If not, please take advantage of this opportunity to let TWBW help you promote bowling by contacting Secretary-Treasurer Cheryl Ross for membership information. A membership form is in any issue of our TWBW newsletter. Together we can excel at blooming where we're planted.

What, me change? Ann Powell, TWBW publicity aep11@yahoo.com When you attended the June Texas Women Bowling Writers annual meeting in Dallas, you learned this season's News and Views theme: The Winds of Change. Those winds have blown through the TWBW board of directors, moving first Vice President Jeanne Hester "upstairs" to the TWBA board, and Ann Powell into TWBW's 1st VP chair. Ellen Goss is the new TWBW second Vice President, and Adna Clevenger is the new Sergeant-at-Arms. TWBW also welcomes a new director, Houston's Donna Hall. Since TWBW's goal is the same as it has always been, promoting bowling, I consider these changes cosmetic. What kinds of changes are blowing through your associations-cosmetic or profound? If your local association has started regularly contacting local media and sending service representatives out to leagues to keep everyone up to date, it's making a profound change. A different shirt color for tournament workers is cosmetic. The point is that our goal should always be improvement. It makes no sense either to change just for the sake of doing something different, or to keep doing something only because it has always been done that way. One way to improve communication is to submit your publications for judging to help you get a handle on strengths and weaknesses. TWBW presents writing awards for local association newsletters, articles detailing local association activities in the Association Highlights section of Across Texas Lanes, and a Writer of the Year award for a bowling-related article. In addition, YABA-sanctioned bowling writers are eligible for the Rising Star Award, which has been awarded only once because of lack of entries. Submit publications for 2004 awards to contest chair Liz Latham at 1102 Glencrest Drive, Laporte 77536 by 30 November, 2003. Remember that they must be from the 2002-03 bowling season to qualify for next June's awards. Another way to keep your association improving is to be aware of and encourage exemplary bowling promoters in your area. TWBW offers the Wood Award for Excellence for professional media persons, and a Certificate of Appreciation for those who "have developed creative and effective bowling promotions or made noteworthy contributions to increasing public interest in bowling." February 15, 2004 will be the deadline for Wood Award nominees, but Certificate of Appreciation candidates may be submitted anytime. Send names and qualifications to Syleta Halbert at 13 Holly Lane, Bay City 77414. Yet another way to help us all improve is to serve on TWBW committees. Just like your local association, TWBW is always looking for people to lend a hand. You don't have to be an expert, but you do have to be a willing worker. Syleta Halbert is the person to contact for volunteer signups. A profound change for TWBW fundraising this season will be Santa's Secret Stash, our first mail-o-graphic tournament. Scores to be counted will be rolled the week of December 1-7, but entries must be submitted by November 1st. Entry fee is $10 per sanctioned league score used, and ABC- and WIBC-sanctioned men and women may compete. Entries are out there, but if you can't find a TWBW director with them, please contact tournament director Ellen Goss at 2177 Pine Hurst, Apt. #1087, Mesquite 75150. There's one change TWBW is always working on, and to succeed we need everyone's help. We want everyone to know TWBW membership is for all Texas bowling promoters, not just for highly-skilled writers. Please keep your eyes and ears open and make people who aren't familiar with TWBW aware of our organization. May the winds of change always blow us toward our goal of being the best we can be.

July 2003 ATL editon

March 2003 ATL edition

Spotlight on Publicity: Carol Marstaller- Woman with Many Hats Ann Powell, TWBW publicity aep11@yahoo.com Have you seen Dallas WBA's newsletter? Its inaugural edition was published last spring, and the fourth issue is now circulating. Multi-talented Carol Marstaller edits Dallas Women in Bowling, and editor is only one of the hats this Dallas bowling publicist wears. Carol, a longtime bowler and former instructor of novice bowlers, admired her daughter's editing work on an art society newsletter, and began her own editing career with the Dallas 600 Club's newsletter. Noting that the professional publications like Bowling News cover a much larger area than Dallas, she saw a need to focus on local bowling news for local bowlers and asked permission to start an association newsletter. What she has now is a publication showcasing all facets of Dallas bowling, and she emails it to a thousand readers. In addition, center service representatives distribute 300 hard copies to readers at Dallas area bowling centers. A change anticipated for 2003 is the newsletter's publication on the association webpage (http://www.dallaswba.org), and the relocation of high score lists, now part of the newsletter, to permanent residence on the website. Although published more often this inaugural year, Dallas Women in Bowling is planned as a quarterly newsletter. To aid publication, Carol has added a scanner to her office, and is currently learning to operate a digital camcorder that can be used for still as well as action photos. With the new equipment in hand, she looks forward to her stint as publicity chair at the doubles and singles center as Dallas hosts the 2003 TWBA tournament. Of particular interest to this writer is the fact that Carol, always striving to improve, has already submitted the first two Dallas Women in Bowling issues for judging by National Women Bowling Writers, and also anticipates submitting to Texas Women Bowling Writers judges in the future (Hint, hint to you other writers for next year). Carol offers these tips for other newsletter editors: provide as many details as possible as concisely as possible, and involve as many people as possible in newsletter production and distribution. In addition, she also advises all sanctioned bowlers to stay aware of the status of the single membership organization (SMO) since that will have such an impact on the future of sanctioned bowling. As though the bowling hat were not enough, Carol's hat wardrobe includes chapeaux for legal secretary and quilting business owner. It's the bowling hat she was wearing, though, that led her to her husband, whom she met at TCBA finals in Corpus Christi. For the uninitiated: that's a travel league. To contact Carol wearing any of her hats, email her at cmarstaller@jenkens.com, and remember to keep blooming where you're planted-you look good in a gardening hat!

Contact
Ann Powell, TWBW publicity
aep11@yahoo.com