Commissioner's Corner

Karl Owen

It's All About YOU

Welcome to another season of USA Volleyball in North Carolina! The weather is getting cooler and people are starting to get back into the gym. Check out the Region web site for pointers to tryouts, open gyms, and our player board (for matching players and teams).

The Carolina Region Board of Directors met this summer to plan the upcoming season, and one of the things we decided on was an emphasis on member services. Many of you took part in surveys of our adult and junior team reps (thank you!), and you will see us respond to the things you have told us over the course of the season. You can read more of the survey results elsewhere in this issue.

One of the major improvements we are rolling out this season is the ability to accept PayPal payments. PayPal is an Internet service which will allow you to pay the Region using your credit card. Many of you have told us that you would like to be able to pay by credit card, both for the convenience and to allow last minute registrations and player additions. The details of credit card payments will be posted on our web site soon, and will also appear in Kevin's weekly email announcement.

You have told us very clearly that you use (and mostly like) our web site. We're glad to hear that, as the web is a very valuable tool for distributing information. You have also given us feedback on things which can be improved, and we will be working to make the web site easier to navigate and even more useful.

One feature we plan to add to the web site is a comprehensive list of places to play volleyball in North Carolina. Looking for a weeknight league, an open gym, or a good place to play pickup doubles? No problem - check the list. We will maintain the list for you, and the list will be built in part on your contributions. When the list debuts it will have a spot for you to give us updates and additions.

We are also implementing a new points system which we think will better represent the relative strengths of teams, and therefore give us a better ranking within and between divisions during the course of the season.

These are just a few of the things we are working on. We also welcome your input on other topics, either through our surveys or directly. Feel free to contact Kevin, Chuck, me, or any member of the Board of Directors, either by phone, by email, or in person at tournaments and let us know what is on your mind. Our mission is to keep volleyball growing in North Carolina, and we cannot do that without you, our members. That means that it really is all about you.