In reading thru the 168.3 opne avg 10 page post and several others where dues and money discussing about USBC have occurred, there are several views posted.

Here's the problem USBC faces:

Members might be willing to increase dues if you tell them where the money will go.

Here's the problem:  Bowlers are selfish.  They (not 100%) have a what about me mentality.  If they do not approve of what USBC will use the money for, then they do not approve the dues increase.

The average common USBC member is a mixed league under 185 average bowler.

They don't care one bit about the following:  (with rare exception)
     1) Sport bowling
     2) Support the PBA
     3) The Sport of Bowling
     4) The Open Championships
     5) The Women's pro bowling tour
     6) Youth bowling


They care about:
     1) what do I get for my $5 + the increase you are asking for?
     2) Why are you taking away MY awards
   
Most of the time when I read about what USBC plans to do with any extra money they may have, it involves some aspect of the 6 items on the list that the "AVERAGE" member doesn't care about. 

Therefore, dues increases never pass.

If you ever want the average USBC member to pass a due increase, USBC has entice the member with something that benefits the "AVERAGE LEAGUE BOWLER"

I think part of the issue is perception. The average bowler thinks those things on the list don't apply to them.....but they are only partially correct. While they may not care about youth bowling, or a Woman's PBA, or Sport Bowling, if we can increase the awareness of these things it will impact them, IMHO.
 
Women's PBA and even though not listed Men's PBA - if we can increase the visibility of this and make it marketable, it can attract sponsors. If bowling can get National Sponsors, they can trickle down to local sponsors (if a chain type store like Lumber Liquidators) or at the very least proprietors can show local sponsors that "look, we have these great National sponsors, we can add you to the list locally here". This means more local tournaments, or upgrades to the center, or even just keeping the open in some cases. It will apply to the average bowler if their home center has to close.
 
Youth bowling - If you can get a good youth program going, besides the obvious of keeping the sport alive, bringing along the next generation....it could also add adult bowlers today. If you have child, whose friends bowl and have a lot of fun in a youth league, they may decide to try it. If that childs parent(s) don't bowl, and they bring their child to the youth league/event and see that child having fun, it may inspire them to try out the sport and join a league.....viola 1 or two new USBC members. More members, less loss of services from the USBC. That effects the average bowler.
 
Sport bowling - while the average bowler whose 185 average in the mixed handicap league will probably never want to bowl on a Sport shot, it gives the serious bowlers a place to compete. If you have more Sport leagues, and you get the guys averaging 240 on THS to participate they may no longer bowl as many handicap fun leagues. How many people haven't joined a league because even though it's supposed to be fun, they see 2-3 guys averaging 240, a few at 230 and think they can't compete with their 160-170 average, handicap or not? Maybe I am incorrect and the number is tiny, but I think there is enough that it could make a difference in Membership numbers....now I know it won't be millions of people, but anything to get the membership numbers to go up, or stay flat is worth it. Again, the average bowler may not see a direct benefit, but it could mean more leagues for him to bowl in, more choices, better fit to their schedules. And hopefully, more money into the local centers.
 
That being said, and I have mentioned this in the other thread, I encourage everyone to read the 11thFrame.com blog from Riggs. In the archives, I am sure you can find the entry with his ideas around a governing body. I think his idea is brillantly simple, but I fear we will never see all the sides getting together. If you read it with an open mind, I don't see how you can not support it.

Maybe the USBC should completely redo the way sanctioning is done.  Have different levels of sanctioning based on the type of league you wish to join.  Create divisions and regions that league winners would advance to.  Those not interested in those types of leagues could have a recreational membership.  Tournament bowlers have something similar to the existing sport membership.  Have something built into the OC entry that includes the highest sanctioning level offered since that is the showcase event.

The problem with the PBA right now is that they are a for profit business with very little exposure.  The USBC needs to straighten themselves out before they can help anyone else.

In some way proprietors need to be included in the mix as they are the natural liaison between bowlers and the USBC.  Right now proprietors have little interest if a league is sanctioned or not because all they care about is bodies coming in the door. 

In some way proprietors need to be included in the mix as they are the natural liaison between bowlers and the USBC.  Right now proprietors have little interest if a league is sanctioned or not because all they care about is bodies coming in the door. 

Liaison??
I thought the BPAA owned the USBC?

Money
     How much of the National dues does it take to pay salary's and travel expenses for Executives, director's, workers that are employed by USBC? Insurance for all and don't forget retirement plans. Also upkeep on The Taj Mahal in Texas? This is just a small amount of where the money goes. One swift way to cover bonuses, wage increases and anything else they think they should do with our money was to eliminate awards. That had to save a lot of money for something else. Maybe they should have reimburse each and every association some of the National dues to help local associations take over the awards program. People are just plain getting fed up with this organization.

I see it as all cyclical. If we can show membership increasing nationally, it will help attract even more sponsors both nationally and locally. I think it would allow the USBC to focus more on providing good service and support, rather that the main focus being on stopping the ebb of bowlers year after year.

... but what makes you think that there will EVER be a reversal in the "erosion of membership" trend that has continuously spanned a period of more than three decades?

I am ok with the dues being increased. 5$ once a year shouldn't be that big of a deal guys anything to keep the BPAA from running bowling