How Can I Make a Difference?

One of the questions that the Executive Board is asked quite often is “What do I have to do to be Involved?” You are going to hear quite a bit over the next few months about the SWATA Governance Task Force as well as some of the changes that SWATA is looking to make to assure we continue to achieve our goals as an organization. One of the changes that SWATA has made over the past few years is the establishment of the SWATA Volunteer List. It is quite simple – if you want to be involved in SWATA, whether it be on a committee or a task force, you need to fill out the volunteer form on the SWATA web site. Once that name is submitted, you are added to a list of members who want to get plugged in to the organization. When a committee member is rotated off a committee because of term limits, the volunteer list is sent to that committee chair. The committee chair goes down the list, and based on interest and order of volunteering, makes contact with certain members to possibly add them to their committee. The final appointments are made by the SWATA President, but once added to the committee, that individual is put to work. We have had 92 people sign up for the volunteer list (15 since Corpus Christi) and we have currently placed 30 people on various committees.

Quite a few people have asked why they volunteered over a year ago and have not been asked to join a committee yet. One of the criteria committee chairs look over as they evaluate the list is whether the member put preferences on which committee they would like to serve or if they simply put “Any”. There is a good chance that the openings have been on committees that you have not expressed interest in when you initially volunteered.

This organization cannot survive and continue to grow without the ideas and the hard work that comes from the membership. We, as an Executive Board, will do everything possible to make sure we put those willing to work. As more opportunities arise in the future, rest assured that you will be plugged in as soon as the right spot opens up for you. If you would like to get plugged into District 6, I encourage you to fill out the volunteer form on http://www.swata.org/. If you have any questions about the volunteer list or want to change some of the committee preferences you might have submitted to us, please let me know (david.traylor@kellerisd.net).

Athletic Trainers affected by Hurricane Ike

Last Friday night and early Saturday morning Hurricane Ike came ashore on the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts and left incredible damage in its path. The area around Galveston was hit the hardest. The Greater Houston area, Golden Triangle area, and western coast of Louisiana were also adversely affected. Because of that many athletic trainers were forced to evacuate their families from their homes. Now that the storm has passed these athletic trainers and their families are returning to their homes, but many are still without the certain necessities like electricity, safe drinking water, sewer, and other important things that we all take for granted in life. Also because phone service (both land lines and cell service) is spotty it has been difficult at best to determine if our friends in these areas are in need of anything.

The NATA, SWATA, and TSATA families would like to use this forum as a way for fellow athletic trainers to communicate their whereabouts, if they need assistance of any kind, and also for anyone who wants to help can do volunteer to do so. If you need assistance please do not hesitate to ask because your fellow athletic trainers can and will help you. Whether it's athletic training supplies or something as simple as clothing for your children please do not hesitate to let someone know. If you do not feel comfortable posting this in the general forum please send me a private message or e-mail me directly michael.carroll@sville.us

Also if anyone wants to make a general donation there are several organizations that would be good places to start.

Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/

Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

Finally the NATA has set up a forum in the Think Tank titled "Urgent Information" it can be found at http://forum.nata.org/thinktanks/index.php . This Blog, the SWATA Young Professionals Blog, and the NATA Think Tanks are all excellent places to go to get information.

Also know that everyone in that region is in our thoughts and prayers.
__________________
Mike Carroll M Ed, ATC, LAT
Head Athletic Trainer/Assistant Athletic Director
Stephenville HS
2650 W. Overhill
Stephenville, TX 76401
254-552-6426 (office)
254-413-2407 (cell)
michael.carroll@sville.us

Midwinter in Lubbock, Jan 31-Feb 1

The SWATA Executive Board will have its Midwinter Meeting January 31-February 1 in Lubbock, Texas.

We will also have a reception for SWATA Members and on the evening of Saturday, January 31. The details are still being worked out, but it will be similar to last year's reception in San Antonio--those who were there can testify that it was a good evening. This is a great opportunity to meet the Executive Board and fellow Members in an informal setting, so put it on your calendar if you're able to attend.

The Midwinter date is Superbowl weekend, but we had to work around the NATA District Secretary/Treasurer's meeting, NATA Hit the Hill Day, and TSATA Hill Day, and we have to meet early in the year to prepare for the Annual Meeting.

At Midwinter, we typically focus on the Annual Meeting, such as setting the Annual Meeting registration fee and discussing future Annual Meeting dates and sites, but we also review some of our programs (for example, Honors and Awards, Athletic Training Student Association, etc.), and meet with committees who have pending issues or who were assigned tasks from the previous summer. This year, we will also be addressing issues related to our role as the host District for the NATA Annual Meeting (San Antonio) and reviewing a report from the Governance Task Force regarding potential restructuring of our Association, similar to what NATA completed this past year. As always, the Executive Board meetings are open to everyone, so feel free to come by and observe. We'll post information about location and agenda as the meeting approaches.

As always, thanks for your continuing efforts to improve our Association.