[REPORT]


One year report with USA Weightlifting CEO Michael Massik


By: Michael Massik, CEO


I just completed my first year with USA Weightlifting, and as I look backwards to where we have come and forwards to where we are going, I am both ex- cited and enthusiastic.


Organizationally, we have begun to change the overall culture. I see more people working together to achieve long-term goals. I hear less name call- ing and more listening from all cor- ners of the organization. I see new ideas presented and given respect. Although we have years of cultural in- ertia to overcome, I sincerely believe that we are on the right track and will


talent identification programs, mem- bership drives, developmental camps and youth outreach programs. Our overall membership has grown across all categories and now exceeds 12,000 members. We are finding new members of the weightlifting com- munity from all of the strength sports and have reached out to other Olym- pic sports to both share our knowl- edge of weightlifting and to recruit new athletes to our community.


As a staff, we have worked diligently to improve customer service using ongoing training courses and mem-


each week. Our followers and friends have increased dramatically and the amount of information that we convey through those vehicles is significant. If you are not friends or followers, you should take a moment right now and fix that small oversight.


Our next big task is to work to im- prove the presentation of our Na- tional events. Currently, our efforts and planning are focused on provid- ing consistency and quality of those events for athletes, coaches, families and fans. The most recent example occurred during the National Cham- pionships where the quality of the webcast presentation was universally greeted with praise (and more than 25,000 unique viewers).


We’ve come a long way in a short time and the future looks strong.


continue to become an organization that recognizes that all of our mem- bers share the same love and passion for weightlifting. That recognition will eventually lead to an understanding that it is possible to have philosophi- cal disagreements that are based on ideas and not on personalities. We have a ways to go, but we are clear- ly on the right track. And, I hear the word “stupid” far less than a year ago.


We have ventured into a number of new territories. Some examples are


ber feedback to assist our efforts. From all reports, we are clearly on the right track, and we will continue to focus on making improvements to customer service.


On the electronic front, although we have a ways to go, we have made the website easier to navigate and includ- ed significantly more content. The difference in the website today com- pared to a year ago is significant. Our Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter feeds grow more robust with


Athletic performance has been out- standing. In another article in this publication you will read that our ath- letes returned home from every sin- gle International event with medals, a grand total of 76 medals in all.


Do we have challenges to overcome? Sure.


Are there areas that need improve- ment? Definitely.


But, looking forward, do I believe that we have the organizational will, desire and ability to overcome those challenges and make the necessary improvements to become a great or- ganization? Absolutely!


I look forward to the journey and can’t wait to see what the next year brings!


WEIGHTLIFTING.TEAMUSA.ORG << 3


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