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The United Skate Schools Group
A New Professional Organization for Skating Schools
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The United Skate Schools Group was formed in January of 2005 by a group of
top skating instructors and examiners formerly affiliated
with the International Inline Skating Association.
It was bad news for inline skaters and skating instructors
when the International Inline Skating Association (IISA) closed its doors
abruptly in December of 2004, but now there is a new professional organization
for skating schools and instructors. The United Skate Schools Group (USSG)
was formed in January of 2005 by some of the top officials and instructors
of the former IISA.
People Behind the New Organization
USSG was the brainchild of top IISA instructor examiner
Janet Miller Sheehan
of Southern California, who is also the
director of the new organization. The board of advisors for
the new group includes IISA founder
Dean Kaese, IISA/ICP Director
Kristine Fondran,
The director of the European ICP
Bertie Demps,
and four of the IISA's top instructor examiners
including United States national racing champion
Heather Lacayo,
extreme sports consultant
Bettina Bigelow, skating and skiing
instructor examiner
Debbie Sumner, and skate school owner
Krista Heubush.
Instructor Certification
The USSG is not currently planning to certify instructors, but they will require
members to be certified by one of several different
sports instructor certifying agencies, which at the present time includes
the former IISA/ICP, the new USA Inline Fit, USA Roller Sports,
the United States Figure Skating Association, the Ice Skating Institute,
USA Hockey, and the Professional Ski Instructors of America. This list
may change over time.
Insurance and Professional Resources
USSG will provide the kind of skate school level insurance
that is not currently being offered by USA Inline Fit, and a newsletter
with articles and information about starting a full-scale skating
school and making it successful.
An Organization for All Roller Sports
Unlike the former IISA, which only provided resources
for inline skating instructors, the USSG will be a professional
organization for skate schools providing inline skating, quad roller skating, and
skateboarding instruction.
An Interview With the Founder
In this February 2005 interview, USSG founder
Janet Miller Sheehan answers many of the questions
instructors and the skating public will undoubtedly have about the
new organization.
SkateLog Editor Kathie Fry:
When the IISA shut down
in December of 2004, they turned their instructor certification and
insurance program over to USA Inline Fit. Why did you feel a need
to start yet another organization for skating instructors?
USSG Founder Janet Miller Sheehan:
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The idea and need for the USSG came out of my experience with
the lack of resources left for my corporation in December.
I was able to get skate school level insurance for my own company,
but knew others would need assistance. The
idea for the USSG evolved quickly into what you can see today at
UnitedSkateSchools.org.
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Kathie:
What exactly is the United Skate Schools Group?
Janet:
USSG is a membership organization for skate schools and
instructors that provides education for the sports of inline skating,
roller skating and skateboarding. Our vision is to create a support
system for the expansion of companies that offer this instruction. The
foundation of USSG was created out of a need for a community where
instructors and skate school owners could come together to share ideas,
to learn, and to grow.
Kathie:
What benefits will members receive?
Janet:
United Skate Schools Group will provide special member pricing on
products, the protection of quality insurance, professional resources,
and much more. USSG has a panel of the industry's leading professionals,
dedicated to helping the professional growth of skate school owners and
instructors. USSG's strategic advisors will offer tips on teaching your
sport, hiring and training instructors, as well as mastering business
and management skills. Members will receive the latest information on
grass-roots advertising, marketing, and student retention incentives.
We serve our members with an online directory, a detailed skate school
member page, online resources, e-newsletters, professional discounts,
business education, and professional recognition.
Kathie:
Will USSG publish a directory of skating instructors?
Janet:
The USSG will provide an online directory of instructors
and skate schools. Instructor level members will receive an email
address link and the skate school level members will receive their own web page
with information on the member skate school including contact info, a
link to the Skate School's URL, a list of instructors that teach for
that skate school, a picture, their logo, a description of
their school, and more.
Kathie:
Will USSG certify instructors?
Janet:
USSG does not currently offer a certification program
however USSG does require that skate school owners and instructors carry an
instructor certification from
at least one of a variety of disciplines which at
this time even includes qualifications from USA Inline Fit and the
former IISA/ICP.
Kathie:
Is USSG an organization for United States instructors only, or are
instructors from every country invited to join?
Janet:
Skate schools and instructors everywhere are welcome to
join, however at this time the Web site and materials are offered only in
English and the commercial general liability insurance
we offer is only available in Canada and the United States.
Kathie:
Starting a new professional organization for skate schools is a
big endeavor. What skills and experience have prepared you to
take on this challenge?
Janet:
Over the past six years, I have been on several boards and
served as Vice-chair Commissioner on the El Segundo City Planning
Commission. I had to oversee complicated and sometimes controversial
community issues that included projects involving the Los Angeles Air Force Base,
the Chamber of Commerce, Mattel, Boeing, Los Angeles International Airport, and
the revitalization of downtown El Segundo. This experience joined with
my years as an IISA Examiner and owner/operator of California Skate
School, Inc. ground me with a strong foundation for leadership and
organization.
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For more information about the United Skate Schools Group visit
their official Web site at
UnitedSkateSchools.org.
Talk About the United Skate Schools Group in Our Forum
A discussion in the SkateLog Forum at AskAboutSkating.com
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