abba publications

Below you will find the current ABBA Bylaws, League policies, letters from our secretary as well as the ABBA newsletters.  If you have anything to contribute to our newsletters contact the ABBA Secretary.

If you would like to chat about bowling, give bowling tips or have tips for maintaining the guiderails you can subscribe to ABBA's chat list by sending a blank email to abba@abba1951.org  : and add subscribe to the subject line.

any announcements that arise between newsletters will also be posted here.

2009-2010 ABBA Officers and Committee members

Blind Bowlers

You can download or listen to the Blind Bowler on line.

October Blind bowler 2009

January blind bowler 2010

bylaws and Policies

Policies

Letters

from the President

Welcome to the start of a new and exciting bowling season! Much has happened within the American Blind Bowling Association and as President, I am eager to share the good news about what is happening and will be happening during the 2009-2010 season.

As you should have heard, ABBA has worked hard to increase its revenues and decrease its expenses. The increase in sanction fees was a difficult decision, but one that was necessary to keep ABBA a viable entity. Additional fundraising and the addition of a Corporate Fundraising Subcommittee should allow ABBA to better serve its membership. We are now in a better position to expand our organization with an outreach to those areas of the country without blind bowling representation. I would like to thank Wilbert Turner and James Benton for organizing and providing the tickets for the Lucky 300 Stimulus raffle. This is a great opportunity for bowling and ABBA! Although each ticket is $100, this also allows groups of people to have an opportunity to win a large amount of money for their participation. Let's all spread the word and help get all of these tickets sold!

As the new bowling season continues, it will be important for everyone to get involved by sharing their ideas on directions in which they would like to see ABBA serve. Our organization is only as good as its membership and, to that end, we would like to see more participation from each member league. The mid-year meeting in Greensboro will be important for forging these directions. I encourage all leagues to send representatives to participate. To help grow our membership, I would also like to challenge each and every person to try to bring in at least one new bowler into the organization. If anyone should learn of or know of a location that would benefit from a blind bowling league, please do not hesitate to let myself, any of the officers, or other committee members know. We are here to grow and support the healthy activity of bowling amongst other blind communities.

The National Tournament & Convention will also be held in Greensboro this year. The bowlers from Greensboro have been working diligently to provide an outstanding tournament and to welcome everyone to North Carolina. I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Keith Edgerton, President American Blind Bowling Association

Letter from the Secretary treasure

News Flash!!!!!!!!!! Anyone planning on attending the Mid-Year meeting in Nov., I have been informed by AJ of the host committee that you can begin making reservations, we are in the system, all except newly elected officers, I will have your confirmations.

For reservations call: 1-336-852-6450 mention you are with ABBA Rate= $79.00 plus tax = 89.07 per night.

Guiderail information: Association/Sanctioned Tournament Rental = $3.50 per rail + $252 security deposit, (returned if guiderails are not damaged) Non Association = $280 security deposit + the cost of shipping Purchase of guiderails ABBA members – (1) 12 ft & extension = $252 + shipping Non ABBA members – (1) 12ft @ extension = $280 + shipping If funds become available, the cost per member will be reduced.

If possible, please make a copy of the Blind Bowler Survey and return one to the editor and one to the Sec. Treasurer. For those who have access to emails, you are encouraged to email the survey. Some members experienced a problem with the receiving of the Blind Bowler, hopefully with two of us receiving the form we will be able to cross check those received. We are all striving to serve our membership when possible.

Looking forward to seeing all of you, either in Daytona Fl, Erie PA, St. Louis MO or Greensboro NC Rozella Campbell, Secretary Treasurer

Here are the forms mentioned in the letter above.
Forms

Challenged Athletes Grant

Dear Prospective Grant Recipient:

Thank you for requesting a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Please read this letter carefully as it outlines the requirements each applicant must meet to be considered for funding from CAF. It is the mission of CAF to provide you the opportunities and support you need to reach your goals, big or small. It is our goal to distribute meaningful grants that will make a difference in your pursuit of physical fitness and sports.

CAF offers 3 different grant categories that you can apply for possible funding. Each person may submit ONLY ONE request in ONLY ONE of the following categories:

1. Equipment grant


2. Training grant


3. Competition grant

Please be sure to fill out the application exactly as instructed, complete with financial statements and necessary documentation. Your grant request must be postmarked by Dec 1st, 2009 in order to be considered for a 2010 grant. ALL grant requests received after that date will be put on a wait list and only be considered if funds are available for the 2010 grant distribution. If funds are not available you will need to reapply for the next grant period for 2011.

If you are a past grant recipient, you must have completed all the requirements from your previous grant to be eligible for another CAF grant (i.e. receipts from previous CAF grants). If in 2009 you received a 2-year equipment grant, you will not be eligible to apply for a 2010 equipment grant.

• If you are asking for equipment, do your homework, research specifications on the Internet
  with the manufacturers (eg www.highperformancemobility), talk with coaches and fellow team members to research what kind of equipment is right for you. However, CAF reserves the right to award an equipment grant from a different manufacturer than requested.



Please note that equipment grants will match your athletic endeavors and accomplishments. If you are at a recreational level of play, you will be awarded a recreational valued equipment grant.



• You must have been participating in your sport for at least 6 months to be eligible for a CAF equipment grant.



Items such as a handcycle, monoski, sports wheelchair (rugby, basketball, etc) or prosthetics are considered 2-year grants.




NOTE: CAF distributes ALL wheelchair sports/handcycle/racing chair sport equipment grants through vouchers redeemable at the CAF selected distributor. If you receive a wheelchair sport grant voucher, you MUST go through our distributor to redeem it. Cash reimbursement for equipment grants are not given for these items. Also, if you receive a 2009 equipment grant, you will not be eligible for a CAF equipment grant in 2010; equipment grants are considered 2-year grants.




Please note: A postcard will be mailed from the CAF office verifying we received your application. If you don't receive a verification postcard by January 5th, 2009, please call the office at 858-866-0959.






The following information is mandatory to include with your application.





Note: submitted materials, photos, news clippings, etc. will not be returned.




• PROOF OF INCOME: Please attach documents to the financial statement on pg. #4


• REFERENCE LETTERS: Include two letters of reference along with phone numbers.


1. One letter must come from a physician verifying your qualifying physical challenge.


2. The other must be from a fellow athlete, peer, physical therapist, family member, teacher or coach.


• Your UPDATED biography or story: 1-3 paragraphs about yourself. Include how you came to be in your current situation and your fitness goals.


• If you have competed in your sport before, please let us know your updated results.


• If you have been a past CAF grantee please submit a letter stating how the grant has benefited you.


• A photo of yourself, preferably in your sport or at play



(Optional) Other printed press clippings (NO videotapes, CDs, or DVDs please)
Please DO NOT Submit binders or bulky folders.
FAXED SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. APPLICATIONS MUST BE MAILED WITH ALL MANDATORY ITEMS IN ONE PACKET, THEY CANNOT ARRIVE SEPARATELY.






Your grant request MUST be postmarked by Dec 1st 2009 in order to be considered for a 2010 grant.
ALL grant requests postmarked after that date will be put on a wait list and only be considered if funds are available for the 2010 grant distribution. If funds are not available you will need to reapply for the next grant period in 2011.


CAF considers the following criteria when evaluating each grant application:


• CAF funds those with physical disabilities and uses the same qualifying criteria set forth by the Paralympic committee.



Disability classifications are amputee, blindness, spinal cord injury, polio, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and les autres. More information on disability classification can be found at
http://www.paralympic.org


• Financial need (Income is a major factor in determining eligibility. Only those with the greatest needs will be granted)


• Motivation of grant applicant


• Effort of grant application


• Volunteer & Community work


Support of CAF
If approved for a grant, you will be required to do the following:


• Return a signed letter of agreement.


• Use your grant for the purpose it was approved.


• Submit a receipt to prove the funds were used for the purpose it was approved.



This excludes wheelchair sports/handcycle/racing chair sport equipment as we receive the receipt directly from our distributor.



• Follow-up with CAF in regards to your results and accomplishments in relation to this grant.


• Represent CAF and its mission in a positive manner.



Please send your COMPLETED grant application and ALL mandatory attachments to:

For regular US Post Office Mail Service: For non US Post Office Mail Service:


Challenged Athletes Foundation
P.O. Box 910769 9990 Mesa Rim Road
San Diego, CA 92191

You will be notified by US mail after April 1, 20100 if you have been selected to receive a grant from the
Challenged Athletes Foundation. For Questions please call JulieAnne White at (858) 526-6565


Sincerely,


JulieAnne White
Access for Athletes Program Manager (Grants)


2009GrantApplication[1]
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