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COOL - Lightning Merger FAQ
Effective May 18, 2010
Who was involved in making this decision?
A combination of a several board members from both teams came together to discuss the preliminary idea and details.
Is this a takeover situation?
No. The discussion began as a simple desire to extend a helping hand. The leadership of the COOL, having experienced a situation similar to the Lightning’s loss of coaches, inquired if the Lightning needed some extra help during the interim period while the Lightning looked for coaches. During these discussions, it quickly became clear that a merger would greatly benefit both programs.
The Lightning has been going through some coaching changes recently. Is this the main reason for the merger?
No! Although the need for quality coaching for the summer was an immediate need a month ago, the conversation for this merger came up as an afterthought to an initial hand of “good will.” However, once the conversation started, it was realized by both teams that this would be a great move for everyone involved.
How much time has been involved with making this decision?
The board representatives from both teams met on a continuous basis over several weeks to discuss details. A proposal born out of those meetings was then taken to the parent boards of both teams which spent considerable time discussing the merger prior to a vote being taken.
How will the new Board of Directors be structured?
A new board will be formed and will be comprised of four members from each program’s current parent board. A total of eight members will serve on the new board. Initially, this board will spend a great deal of energy putting together a new set of documents which will reflect the best of both our teams. This new set of governing documents will help lead our new team into the future. At the end of the year, the board may change as we go through the normal procedure for forming each year’s board.
Why would we want to consider consolidating both teams and increasing our number of swimmers?
In part, some of the reasons we see this as a plus for both our teams would be that our swimmers will enjoy an immediate increase in the level of training by providing them with more competition in practices. Our developing swimmers will have more opportunities to progress as COOL’s current Swim Academy program is expanded into a Learn to Swim program geared toward our youngest and newest swimmers. We will continue to offer practices at both Indian Trail and Pioneer Trail which will afford many families additional flexibility to swim close to home and with friends.
What consideration was given to the two independent organizations’ Vision & Values when making the decision?
It was truly amazing to see the similarities between our two programs at the start of this process. As we move forward, we feel confident we will end up with a mission and vision for our new team that will not only encompass who we have been, but who we will become.
When will this be effective?
Our teams will begin to practice and attend meets together on June 1, 2010. The full effect of this merger will not be complete or seen until the short-course season begins on September 1. The board will be working diligently though the summer to finalize all the details for the merger, putting the plans and policies on paper and communicating them to the membership.
What are the USA rules for my swimmer switching to a new team?
Consideration was given to this and we’ve had conversation with USA swimming about our merger. Although this can be very confusing, some swimmers in a merger must swim “unattached” from a team for a period of time. This happens anytime you switch swim teams. This does not mean you can’t compete, it simply means you’re not officially swimming with a team and that you are not allowed to swim on relays in meets. In order to impact the least number of competitive swimmers, it was decided that Lightning swimmers will swim unattached for the summer. In doing so, by September 1, all swimmers from both teams will be able to legally compete as official members of the new team.
Will this merger affect my child’s ability to swim in swim meets this summer and fall?
No! All swimmers will be able to swim in all meets. However, as stated above, Lightning swimmers will swim “unattached” for the summer. The main drawback will be that unattached swimmers may not participate in relays in meets. Otherwise, you will still travel with the team, compete with the team, and enjoy the coaching of the team. You simply will show up on the heat sheet as “unattached” or not having an official team for the summer months.
Who will be the Head Coach for this new team?
Laurie Reaburn will be the head coach. She will be supported by a team of assistant coaches comprised of the current coaches from both teams. New coaches may need to be added in the fall to stay within a coach to swimmer ratio that is beneficial for everyone.
What qualifications does Laurie Reaburn have?
Laurie Reaburn brings an incredible amount of both swimming and coaching experience to our new combined team. Laurie has been swimming competitively for over 25 years. She was recruited to swim for the Royal Military College of Canada and served as a Navy Diving Officer for 6 years. Laurie continues to swim with United States Masters and currently holds 12 Missouri Valley Masters Records in her age group. Most recently she posted Top Ten finishes in all of her events at USMS Nationals where she has competed for the last four years. Her top finish was 2nd place in the 400 IM in 2007.
Laurie has been coaching and giving private instruction in swimming for over ten years. She is currently the co-chair of the Missouri Valley Masters Team and coaches the Masters Swim Team at Prairie Life Fitness. She has been COOL’s head coach for 2 years and is ASCA Level 3 certified. Laurie’s guiding philosophy is to make each swimmer faster and smarter by emphasizing efficient swimming technique and to help her swimmers reach their goals with the right program fit to their needs, along with positive encouragement and a true belief in their abilities.
Who will be coaching the High School swimmers?
We are happy to report that Coach Laurie Reaburn will continue to be the primary coach for this program. She has an excellent relationship with the Olathe High School coaches and will continue to condition our swimmers while focusing on endurance and stroke technique.
Will the new organization still offer different levels of swimming?
Yes! The coaching staff is currently fine-tuning practice groups in order to ensure each swimmer is receiving the maximum benefits whatever his/her ability may be. The team will also be expanding the Learn to Swim program and pre-competitive programs so, in the end, we will be offering more levels of swimming than either team currently offers.
Will my child have to switch pool locations in the fall?
Overall, minor adjustments will be made to the practice schedule in order to accommodate more swimmers. The combination of our teams’ current practice sites will give many families a “north” (Pioneer Trail) and a “south” (Indian Trail) location to choose to attend. Coach Laurie will continue leading the high school swimmers’ practice at one location. The Learn to Swim and precompetitive programs will be located at one pool as well.
What will the Coach/Swimmer ratio be?
Under the new system of organization for swimmer levels, we will strive to maintain an appropriate ratio given the swimmers’ abilities—a smaller ratio for beginning swimmers and a slightly higher ratio for more advanced older swimmers.
Will the new organization have a cap on the number of swimmers we allow on the team in order not to get too big?
Although this question is still to be fully answered, we are certain we will not outgrow our coaching capacity, our coach to swimmer ratios, or our ability to provide our desired level of instruction. It is conceivable that more practice locations will be added to best meet the needs of all our swimmers as time goes on.
Are we going to lose our individual teams “personal” attention by getting too big?
No! In fact, we believe the personal, quality attention will actually get better. Although the feel of our program will be different than either of our current programs, it will, in many ways, be better.
Both teams have a history in the Olathe community. What consideration was given to how this will affect the community?
Conversations were had with several local coaches and all were very much in favor of a merger between our two teams. The merger benefits not only our swimmers and our programs, but also the local high school programs as we have the ability to prepare swimmers for high school swimming more effectively.
How will this affect what I have already signed up my child for this summer?
For many, the changes for the summer will be minimal. We will continue to host practices Monday-Friday morning at Blackbob pool in Olathe. This is the PREFERED practice time and location because the summer is a long course season and it’s very important that our swimmers practice in a long course pool. We will also be offering practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at Blue Valley High School in June. This will mean an additional practice option for current COOL swimmers and one less option for current Lightning swimmers. All fees will remain at their current level for the summer. Current COOL swimmers will be billed and pay as they have all year. Current Lightning swimmers will also be billed and pay as they have all year. A new billing system will be outlined for the fall short-course season.
What will the team’s new name be and why?
The team’s new name, the City of Olathe Lightning (COOL) Swim Team, pays tribute to both organizations’ histories while at the same time represents a union between two strong swimming programs in the Olathe community.
Will my monthly fees increase because of this?
For the most part, fees will decrease or remain the same. The board will make every attempt to create a new fee structure that is as consistent and as competitive as possible. So, although we can’t exactly communicate fees at this point, in preliminary conversations, it was again noticed how similar both teams were in their fee structures. In addition to monthly fees, there will be minor adjustments to some of the other yearly fees associated with our teams, resulting in a benefit to many families.
Currently my team offers discounts for 1) paying up front and 2) multi child swimmers. Will this continue?
Yes! In some fashion, discounts will apply. The current systems MAY change in some way, or adjust, but discounts will continue to be a part of our team as we strive to be family friendly.
How should I make my payments going forward?
Continue to pay as you have all year long. New systems will be in place after September, but for now, you should simply pay as you have all year. We STRONGLY encourage you to use the ACH auto-withdraw feature on our website as this simplifies all aspects of billing.
With the new organization forming, will my child have to purchase all new swim gear?
There will be a new team logo created and new apparel will be introduced this fall. However, the board is working to make sure the mandatory impact of this change is minimal. For example, it may be that we give every swimmer one swim cap with the new logo on it at fall registration. This ensures all our swimmers have the same caps during competition. Of course old team caps are perfectly acceptable at practices. Suits can be replaced with new team apparel when your current suit needs to be replaced. Current t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc become “retro” and are always welcome…or can be sold for a profit on ebay. J
My current team does a wonderful job in communicating with me as a parent. Will this change?
No. In fact, both teams have strong points in different areas and we feel the merger of these strengths will produce a stronger communication system.
Where do I go to get communication about the team?
For the summer, you will go to either the COOL or Lightning websites. Information will be duplicated on both sites for the summer. Starting in the fall, a new website will be introduced under our new name. This will then be where you go for all your team needs.
Currently I am receiving the weekly “Surf Report” on Sunday nights. Will this continue?
Yes, the COOL Surf Report will continue to keep you updated on the events in the upcoming week as well as meet deadlines, practice changes, etc. throughout the summer.
Will the new organization offer a Swim Academy like COOL currently does today?
Yes! Look for exciting changes and more opportunities for young/novice swimmers as the program expands in the months to come.
Will we still host a swim meet each year?
Yes! Currently, the Lightning host the Spooktacular in October and the COOL hosts the Rock the Blocks meet in January. We plan to host both of these meets this next year learning from each other and making both of our meets stronger and more effective as a result.
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