We thought it best to give you a recap of the month’s events and to provide an outline of how the Board plans to move forward:

• On May 28th, several members of the swimming community, including a few of our board members, had an opportunity to make a presentation to the Board of Regents.  There was no discussion–this was simply a presentation to the Regents regarding the University budget.  Subsequently, the Regents approved the budget without reinstating the program.
• On June 5th, the Board of Directors of the Husky Swimming Foundation held our first meeting to discuss Foundation goals (both short-term and long-term), an initial gameplan for accomplishing those goals, and to put together a small team to meet with Athletic Director Scott Woodward, and Assistant A.D., OD Vincent.  The initial board meeting was a positive step and a recap of our vision is below.
• On June 11th, a small group met with Woodward and Vincent to seek information regarding the program cuts, what could be done to save the program immediately, and to discuss the long-term vision of the Foundation.  The meeting went as expected–there is no workable immediate solution and the program will not be reinstated in time for the 2009-2010 season.  However, the athletic department is very much open to the concept of bringing back the program with a newly built facility and a program endowment.

So now we move forward.  At the June Board of Directors meeting, the Foundation Board formed seven committees that will begin to oversee the long-term commitment of the Foundation to build a new facility and to have the swim programs reinstated.  The committees are as follows:

1. Facility Committee
2. Fundraising Committee
3. Public Relations Committee
4. U.W. Liaison Committee (work with the University and Athletic Department)
5. Government Liaison Committee (Seattle, King County, Washington State, etc.)
6. Pacific Northwest Liaison Committee (work with Club, High School, Water Polo, Diving, and Synchro teams)
7. USA Swimming Liaison Committee (Work with USA Swimming)

At the next Board meeting, which is scheduled for July 8th, Board members will be assigned to oversee the committees, which will be open for membership from the city, county, University and swimming communities.  Each committee will have specific tasks and goals and will report to the Board on a monthly basis.  The overall goals of the Foundation are as follows:

1. Reinstatement of the UW Swimming Team by funding annual operating expenses, including scholarship endowments;
2. Construction of an aquatic facility to support the reinstatement of the UW Swimming Team and local communities; and
3. Support and promote the sport of swimming at all age levels and skill levels in the Pacific Northwest.

We greatly appreciate the support of everyone so far.  We have taken just a few steps on what will be a long journey, but we know that if we can all solidify our efforts behind a single, unified effort, that we will be successful.  Please stay tuned and look for an opportunity to help out.  We will be soliciting your volunteer time in the very near future!

Sincerely,

Board of Directors,

Husky Swimming Foundation