Hello Bowlers!
I hope everyone is well.
As the 2026 tournament year has kicked off, I wanted to share a few things to keep in mind.
Nine tournaments in the first three months of the year have sold out in record time. Those that did not sell out still reached 90% or higher participation. Even Annual in Denver sold out in just 2.5 days. If you want to bowl in an upcoming tournament, don’t hesitate to register right away. This is an incredible position for all our member tournaments to be in, and I want to say thank you.
The other item I wanted to share is that we have elections coming up in Denver. The following positions are up for election this year: Vice President, Secretary, and Director at Large.
Secretary
As IGBO prepares for the upcoming election cycle, the Secretary position will once again be on the ballot. This role is central to keeping the organization organized, informed, and moving forward. Over the past term, the office has focused on modernizing forms and workflows, maintaining accurate and accessible records, updating the website, and supporting committees and tournaments with reliable administrative tools. Members can expect the Secretary to continue strengthening communication and efficiency across the organization while preserving clear documentation of decisions, actions, and achievements.
For anyone considering a run for Secretary, this is a hands-on, task-oriented position well suited for someone who enjoys organization, problem solving, and working with technology. Key responsibilities include maintaining official records and meeting minutes, managing and improving electronic forms and data collection, coordinating award processing, updating website content, and supporting bylaws and policy documentation. Helpful skills include attention to detail, basic website editing, comfort with cloud storage and document-sharing tools, and the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of volunteers and members. It’s a role for someone who enjoys building practical systems that make work easier for everyone and who is excited to help guide the organization further into today’s digital environment.
Vice President
The single most important function of the Vice President is to ensure that he or she is prepared to assume control of the organization at a moment’s notice. By necessity, this entails developing a close working relationship with the President at all times and on all issues. There is plenty of room for differing opinions, but the two individuals must be able to work in concert to advance the goals of the organization.
The Vice President must acquire a thorough understanding of the workings and operations of the other two Executive Officers and the Regional Directors, as well as become involved with and maintain working knowledge of all committees of the organization. IGBO’s Bylaws specify that the Vice President is responsible for all internal and external communications of IGBO. This includes supervision of all press releases, responding to media inquiries, providing information to member organizations when requested, and directing publication of the organization’s primary communications tool, the IGBO Newsletter.
The Vice President is an ex-officio member of all standing committees and should therefore have a strong understanding of each area, helping to ensure that committee work remains true to IGBO’s ideals. The Vice President should also be prepared to undertake miscellaneous tasks as needed, including specific assignments from the President.
In summary, the Vice President should be a microcosm of IGBO. As the highest-ranking elected officer permitted to express a public opinion under parliamentary custom and practice, the Vice President should be prepared to speak on various activities and motions when the President must remain impartial. The office of Vice President is what the holder makes it; the scope for operation is broad, especially when there is a strong working relationship with the President.
Director at Large
The Director at Large serves as IGBO’s primary liaison to all Lifetime and Associate Members, ensuring they remain informed, engaged, and represented within the organization. Responsibilities include acting as the official point of contact for Lifetime and Associate Members; providing timely updates on IGBO activities, initiatives, and organizational developments; and ensuring these members are included in opportunities to participate in fundraising efforts and other IGBO programs.
The Director at Large hosts two Town Hall meetings each year specifically for Lifetime and Associate Members to foster open dialogue and ensure they feel heard and valued. This role also includes communicating the agenda for the General Membership Meeting (GMM), ensuring Lifetime and Associate Members are aware of their invitation to attend, and representing their interests during Board discussions and decisions. The Director at Large casts votes on matters in which these members have a vested interest to ensure their perspectives are appropriately reflected.
Additional responsibilities include attending all Board Meetings and the General Membership Meeting, taking notes, and disseminating relevant information to Lifetime and Associate Members. The Director at Large works collaboratively with the Secretary to ensure records related to Lifetime and Associate Members are accurate, current, and properly maintained. When needed, the Director at Large may also serve as a substitute for Regional Directors by attending tournaments on their behalf.
If you would like to run for any of these positions, please remember that resumes must be submitted by April 10, 2026. Resumes may be sent to secretary@igbo.org.
I hope to see you out on the circuit in the next few months. Take care, and remember you can always reach me at president@igbo.org.
In UFC,
Rob Silliman
IGBO President
