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Communication Effectiveness
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This chart illustrates the most effective ways to communicate down to the least effective. The more opportunities you can create for one-on-one communication, the better off you will be.

Figure skating people love to talk, just like people associated with any sport. Who would have thought then that a little thing like communication could create so many problems in our world?

We just completed our third Club Leadership and Business Management School. With only three courses under our belt, just over 10 percent of USFSA clubs have already participated. One key area of discussion that keeps coming up is communication.

If you were not aware, I spent 10 years working with over 2,800 swimming clubs during my tenure with USA Swimming. At the beginning of each of the USFSA club education programs, I joke with everyone that they will learn a little bit about swimming clubs, and I will learn a lot about skating clubs. Now after experiencing this education program with both swimming and skating clubs, I am more sure than ever that all clubs need to work on and improve communication.

Clubs can begin to improve in this area by creating a communication goal. This goal should have specific strategies designed to enhance communication at all levels. Clubs that agree to do this will begin to see relationships with every constituency improve. Think of what would happen in your club if relationships between board members, parents, coaches and even rink management were to improve. If nothing else, it would be a much more positive place to be.

When you get down to it, most problems at any level occur because of a lack of communication. Many times people ask for advice on how to deal with a certain problem. My usual answer is another question — "Have you talked to that particular person you have the problem with?" Most of the time, the answer is no.

We are human, and most people do not like conflict. So, rather than dealing with conflict when it is manageable, we avoid it until we are forced to deal with it later. By this time, it has become unmanageable, unavoidable and most likely, extremely uncomfortable. Usually conflict at this level is much more painful and costly — costly in terms of irreparable damage to relationships that can hurt the club permanently.

Along these same lines, our sport experiences more than its fair share of grievances. This fact is very troubling. I believe that many of the problems we face can be completely avoided if dealt with when they first occur. Here are some suggestions that might help improve communication in your club.

1. Educate parents and members on the values, mission and goals of your club.

2. Have a club communication plan.

3. Hold coffees or informal opportunities for people to talk and share information with board members.

4. Create a plan for people to constructively vent their concerns.

5. Listen and address concerns. Most of the time, people just want to know that someone is interested enough to listen.

6. Create a plan and educate members on the appropriate way to bring their concerns to the board.

7. Make a team commitment that you will only talk to someone who can help resolve a problem.

8. Commit to being part of the solution, not part of the problem.

9. Ask people to bring a solution with the issue so it's constructive and not just a chance to complain.

10. Consider everyone's opinion worthwhile. Establish an environment of trust where people feel their thoughts, ideas and concerns are valued.

11. Follow up on concerns, suggestions and ideas immediately. Evaluate your club's communication plan and procedures annually.

If your club has a communication plan, you are ahead of the game. If not, you might consider implementing some of these ideas and see what happens. If nothing else, things will be out in the open, and you might avoid the "after the meeting" that sometimes goes on in the parking lot or lobby after the "real" meeting. Make a commitment to improving communication today; you'll be glad you did.

If you would like to find out how your club can participate in an upcoming club education program, e-mail Tanja Slack at tslack@usfsa.org. We are coming to the Boston area on March 1-2, 2003.