The Monday Message

November 28, 2022

Head Coach's Message 

   This is it…the final week of the Brute Squad! You have until this Wednesday to complete your swim (or swims). There are still available time slots this week, so if you are interested, get signed up ASAP! Remember, after you finish, you need to register your swim to make it all official. You can do that here: 2022 Brute Squad Registration. While registering your swim, you can purchase a cool Brute Squad t-shirt to show off your accomplishment. We will also have prizes/awards for those who complete the Brute at our Brute celebration in a couple of months. We are currently sitting at 116 Brute Squad members. Let’s make one final push and see how many Brutes we can get!

   If you have questions, please let me know.

Coach Matt

mzachan@damfast.org

A Message from the Board of Directors

   An incident between a member and coach occurred recently where the member challenged the coach’s direction with inappropriate language and behavior in a way that was both upsetting to the coach and disruptive to the workout in progress. The Board of Directors voted to suspend the member for 2 weeks. This was not a decision taken lightly, but it is consistent with the respect DAM has for all its members and coaches. 

   Our club, now nearly 50 years old, has a unique camaraderie based on sharing that valued respect and trust. All DAM swimmers should know that this "spirit" is non-negotiable. The Board and Coaching Staff are dedicated to keeping it alive, and we ask all members to do their best to carry this spirit with them at every workout. All members should know that any incident of inappropriate behavior or harassment will be taken seriously by the Coaching Staff and the Board.

USMS Registration Renewal

   Its time for all DAM swimmers to renew their USMS registration!

CLICK HERE TO RENEW!

   Everyone who swims with DAM must maintain current registration with USMS. The USMS provides liability insurance for DAM and its coaches, and DAM requires that all participants in our workouts, weekend lap swims, and competitions are registered.

   After January 1, swimmers who have not renewed their USMS registration will not be able to swim!

   The USMS offers a "Standard USMS Membership" - this is what DAM requires. The "full access membership" is not required, but it will also satisfy DAM's requirement.

Visiting Swimmer Reminder

   With the holidays upon us, and the opportunity for visiting friends and family to swim with DAM increases, please remember our club policy for drop-in swimmers. 

   All visitors must be current USMS members and pay a one-swim fee of $10 or $20 for a week of swimming. 

   If the lanes are crowded, DAM members always have swim priority over visitors.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

DAM Board Election - Candidate Statements and Ballot

   There are four candidates for the upcoming DAM Board election. Their statements are below. There are four open seats on the board, and four candidates for those seats. Our bylaws require that we hold an election, though, even if it seems pointless. Here is a link to your ballot. Please take a moment and cast a ballot!  

   Even though the election seems pointless, this is the time of the year that a new board will form to lead DAM for the next year. Its a good time to think about the DAM things that are important to you, and share those thoughts with one of these candidates, or with another board member.

   Vote in the DAM Board election!

Theresa Keegan

   Davis Aquatic Masters is an incredible masters swim program that I was fortunate to experience first as an undergraduate student and then again upon my return to Davis eight years ago. What I find most enjoyable about DAM is not just the opportunity to participate in the many coached workouts, but to meet new swimmers, see friends and colleagues, and be a part of a positive swimming community. For the past few years, the DAM Board has navigated a variety of challenging situations, yet has remained steadfast in finding creative and equitable ways to keep us all in the water and minimize disruptions. During my running years, I served as a board member for West Valley Track Club helping to grow and serve that running community. Swimming is my focus now and the success of any program is based on an engaged and dedicated membership. I would be honored to serve on the Board of Directors to represent the swimming community and contribute to the growth and successes of DAM’s goals.

Patricia Quinn

   If elected, this will be my eighth year serving on the board. I am looking forward to one more term, hoping to finish up a few projects that have been underway for several years. I now am in a position to provide the much needed historical viewpoint as DAM faces new challenges, and I hope that my continued participation will serve to make our swim team stronger and continue our history of success.

Steve Reynolds

   I would like to serve on the Davis Aquatic Masters Board of Directors for another term. I believe that I have contributed as a board member during the last term. Like most boards it takes some time to understand the organization, especially from the Board’s perspective. In a second term I will be a contributing member from the start. We have a strong board and I look forward to serving another term. I am an attorney with an office in downtown Davis. It has been handy at times to have some board members with a legal background. I have advised and served on a few community boards of directors over the years. DAM successfully faced a number of challenges over the last two years; I would like to help build on those successes.

John Yoder

   I would like to serve on the board of directors of Davis Aquatic Masters. I have been associated with DAM since 1992, some years attending lots of practices and others not, depending on life stages of kids, careers, and conditioning. After a several-year hiatus I started swimming seriously again about six years ago and have since grown to love the workouts, coaching, consistency, and social community of Davis Aquatic Masters. I generally swim from 11:00-12:00 somewhere in the middle of the pool. If you see someone swimming butterfly in lane 5 around that time, it’s not me; I don’t swim butterfly, but I do love to watch it done right. Currently I’m a retired plant biology professor who would rather help the DAM board of directors keep our club the best swim club west of the Mississippi than write more lectures and papers. Thanks for the opportunity.

Annual DAM Meeting and Holiday Potluck Party

6:00-8:30pm. Saturday, December 10

Davis Senior Center Multi-Purpose Room, 646 A St.

   Come join your fellow lanemates to share swimming experiences, achievements and some serious eating and jocularity. As always, it will be a great time for DAM swimmers to keep their clothes on and party it up. DAM supplies non-alcoholic beverages and beer. DAM members bring food and wine to share, and earn one (1) easy Grand Prix point for doing so.

Last Names

• A-I: please bring a Salad or Side Dish
• J-N: Dessert
• O-Z: Main Dish

   The results of the DAM Board elections and the winners of the Lillian Rowan, Lucille Barry, Steve Carlson and Scott Allison awards will be announced. Also, Grand Prix prizes will be awarded and all of our fabulous volunteers and coaching staff will be recognized, as well.

The evening also includes the Inaugural Silent Auction where you'll have your chance to bid on spectacular and unique items and experiences including:

• 2-night stays in Capitola or Mammoth Lakes
• Personal tours of wineries and cattle ranches
• Artwork and crafts from local artists
• Swim lessons and game nights
• Numerous gift baskets of all varieties

Shop for the Holidays at the DAM Store

Looking for some DAM apparel to show off your team pride? Need the perfect gift for a fashion conscious swimmer in your life? Well you’re in luck! The DAM team store (online order)(pdf flyer)is open for business. Find cool DAM-branded shirts, hats, jackets, bags, sweats, and more. Purchase by December 4th to receive your order by Christmas. If you have questions, contact Lynda Yancher.

DAM Board Meeting

The next DAM Board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30PM in the Brady Building.

DAM Birthdays 

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