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September 21, 2011

Members of USATF South Carolina,

For those of you whom I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting face to face, my name is Christopher Kling.  I was elected to serve the unexpired term of the Association’s Presidency that was vacated when Coach Danny Brooks resigned due to family illness.  First and foremost let’s keep Danny and his family in our thoughts during this difficult time.

I’m an Ohio transplant, being in SC for 2 years. I’m married to a very tolerant wife Susan.  We have 4 children; an adult daughter who just graduated from Bowling Green State University in Northwest Ohio, an adult son who attends and runs distance for Coastal Carolina University and two pre teen daughters.  My family is a great source of pride and is very understanding when it comes to meets and meetings.

I was a NFHS registered official in Ohio and wanted to continue officiating in SC; in order to do so, I joined the SCUSATF, attended an annual meeting and left the meeting as the 2nd Vice President.  I wanted to be involved and honestly have enjoyed my time.  Not always an easy time, but I’ve enjoyed it.  It is my belief that any organization is made strong and stable by its membership.  I welcome any suggestions, comments or questions.  My contact info is at the bottom of the letter and can also be found on the website.  If you contact me I will make return contact with you in no more than 48 hours, usually quicker, but definitely within the mentioned time frame.

As for the association, it’s very healthy, both fiscally and in numbers. We currently have a good deal more in our account than a year ago at this time.  Our membership is at an all time high as well.  As expected, most of our membership is in the youth division; however we’re making strides in catering to our adult members as well.  We’ve added a Mountain, Ultra and Trail running chair and are just about ready to name a new Masters chair as well.

The past year has been a good year for the association. We have 2 Junior Olympic Champions, Kyle Watkins from Myrtle Beach T&F Club in the 400m and 800m and Kayla Davis from Quick Striders in the 100m.  Both of these athletes are in the Sub Bantam divisions.  We co-hosted the World Youth Trials and Youth World Championships in Myrtle Beach.  During these events we were able to show the nation what a dedicated hard working association we have.  I’d like to thank many of you for your volunteer time during that week.  I also need to call on the membership for more volunteer hours as we’ll once again be co-hosting a major National meet in December, the 2011 JO Cross Country Championships at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach.

As I have the honor to lead this organization, I need to ask for help from the adult members. The association has room for many folks to help out by serving on various committees that I feel the need to establish.  We are in need of a financial committee that would serve as membership based means to justify spending and distribute funding. We need people to serve on our youth committee which will help Linda Ellis, our youth chair, with planning meets, picking appropriate awards, booking hotels for officials and staff and many other responsibilities.  As our master programs and MUT divisions pick up steam we will need to form committees to help these areas as well.  Please consider giving your time to these committees as it will do nothing but strengthen our association.  Please drop me an email if you feel that you’d like to serve on one of the committees.  

As cross country season continues and as summer winds down I’d like to wish all of you the best in whatever endeavors you attempt.

Thank you for your time in reading this.

Sincerely,

Chris Kling
USATF South Carolina President
330 361 0169
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