Patty Miller has worn many 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, also held (2001-02).
Miller put her name on the presidential candidates’ list earlier this summer while serving as USMS’s Legal Counsel and Liaison to USA Swimming.
As a longtime volunteer, Miller campaigned on the belief that, “USMS’s 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.”
Her role as Legal Counsel provided her with many opportunities to work with the USMS Board of Directors and Executive Committee. When asked by Swimming World Magazine about the timing of her decision to run for President, she said, “It 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.”
Although the USMS membership is currently at 64,000 and poised to grow, Miller said she is not a big projector of numbers. “I 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’t tell you. But I don’t want it to be more, more, more for the sake of more. I want it to be a quality product.”
When asked about the challenges USMS faces, Miller was to the point when she said, “Our first challenge is to find a new Executive Director. It will be really, really hard to say goodbye to Rob (Butcher). 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’s first Executive Director).”
Reassessing USMS’s strategic plan is one of Miller’s other challenges. The original plan is only 5 years old. “You 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?” said Miller.
When asked about the difference in the goals for fitness members to the goals of competition members, Miller explained that it all really starts and ends with fitness.
“I 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, ‘I do it to stay fit.’ So, I see competition as the final result of the fitness,” said Miller.
Miller will serve a two-year term with only one opportunity to be re-elected. “I’m really hoping to set an example and a culture where the volunteer experience is rewarding to the point where it enhances the organization,’ Miller concluded.
Quick Overview of Patty Miller’s Recognitions and Contributions to USMS as a Volunteer:
• Chair of the Virginia LMSC from 2010 to 2014
• Chair of USMS Governance Committee: 2008-2009
• Chair of USMS Ad Hoc Legal Counselors Committee: 2003-2005
• Chair of USMS Safety Education Committee: 2002
• President of Virginia Masters Swim Team
Task Force Contributions
• Executive Director Succession Task Force: Current
• Member of National Headquarters Task Force: 2015
• Member of Ineligible Persons Task Force (Chair): 2012 – 2013
• Member of Strategic Planning Task Force (Chair): 2011
• Member of Board of Review Task Force: 2011
• Member of Branding Task Force: 2007-2008
• Member of Executive Director Hiring Task Force: 2006-2007
• Member of Executive Director Funding Task Force (Chair)” 2005
USMS Awards and Recognition Received by Patty Miller:
Congratulations Patty!
Dear President Miller,
Congratulations!
You have an open invitation to swim / visit Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics Masters anytime. Practices are MEF @. 6 am & 10:45 am, and Saturday & 10:45 am.
Coach Mike Daley
Correction: Todd Smith was the first Executive Director of USMS, not Rob Butcher. Smith left so quickly after being hired (smart guy!), USMS would prefer to forget about him.
http://www.usms.org/articles/articledisplay.php?aid=1334