United States Masters Swimming (USMS) exists to promote fitness and health in adults by offering and supporting Masters Swimming programs. USMS was founded in 1970 and currently has over 30,000 members. It supports and encourages competition, but more than half of its members are fitness swimmers who do not compete. USMS is one of five organizations which comprise "United States Aquatic Sports", which is a member of FINA, the international governing body for aquatic sports.

Another accepted definition of Masters swimming is as follows: A group of people that love the sport of swimming and are over 18. Everyone has a reason for being a masters swimmer. Some do it to keep themselves in shape. Some do it because they feel a sense of camaraderie. Others have never lost the urge to compete. We're not a bunch of geezers trying to relive high school or college days.

We run and compete in organized meets. Events are run as they would be at the high school or collegiate level. There are generally awards for individuals and teams. There is a national ranking system and national and international meets. Each part of the country is broken up into its own Local Masters Swimming Committee. You can learn more about masters at the official United States Masters Swimming web site.


Bylaws

Policies

Position Description
Chairperson Responsible for the day-to-day management of the business affairs of the LMSC. The Chair calls and organizes the Ohio LMSC meetings (currently held quarterly), liaison to Great Lakes Zone and to USMS.
Registrar Responsible for the timely registration of the LMSC, the clubs and individual members.
Treasurer Responsible for preparing and presenting the annual budget and financial statements. Maintains all records, budgets and financial statements.
Secretary Responsible for communication of LMSC and USMS information to the OH LMSC membership. Responsible for taking the minutes at the board meetings and for the annual meetings. Filing with the National office approved Annual Meeting minutes. Correspondence of LMSC information to Nationals and other LMSC’s as required.
Top Ten/Records Submits the results of all sanctioned or recognized LMSC meets held in the Ohio LMSC to the National Chair, for Top Ten consideration. Processes applications for National and FINA World record consideration for times swum at these meets. Maintains the Ohio LMSC records.
Sanctions Chair Responsible for issuing, withdrawing and withholding sanctions and recognition to meets conducted within the Ohio LMSC. Assists meet directors in scheduling dates to prevent conflicts. Monitors meets for USMS rules compliance.
Newsletter Editor Responsible for the content, organization, layout and editing and general preparation of the LMSC newsletter and its duplication and distribution.
Coaches/Officials Chair Works with the National Officials Committee and local certified officials to insure that sanctioned and recognized meets are officiated in accordance with USMS rules. Responsible for any USMS official’s certification programs conducted within the LMSC.
Fitness Chair Work with the national fitness committee to study and develop fitness swimming activities for the general membership and educate adults on the fitness benefits of swimming.
Webmaster Responsible for maintaining the LMSC website on a timely basis and coordinating the web site with National and Zone webmasters.