IMPORTANT TITLE IX BULLETIN - Public must register to attend and speak at each federal Title IX Comm
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
08/14/2002
Those interested in participating in the public portions of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics must first register with the commission in order to guarantee the opportunity to attend and speak on the issue. The federal blue-ribbon commission will be hosting Town Hall meetings concerning the Title IX issue, and providing opportunity for public participation. The Town Halls will be held in four cities, with public participation on the following dates: Atlanta, Ga. (August 27-28), Chicago, Ill. (Sept. 17), Colorado Springs, Colo. (October 22) and San Diego, Calif. (November 20). Members of the public who will attend a meeting should contact the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics immediately in order to register and sign up for time to speak. Each speaker will have between 3-5 minutes of time. There may be limits on the number of people who can attend and speak, so it is very important to register right now! Don't wait - DO IT NOW. Get it turned in today if possible. Please send notification to the commission this way: E-mail - OpportunityinAthletics@ed.gov Fax - 202-260-4560 You may mail the letter, but there is a delay in delivery due to heightened security, so we insist that you e-mail and FAX. Below is a draft registration notice that can be used to provide registration notice to the commission. Please cut and paste this draft letter, complete the missing information, and send to the commission right away. DRAFT LETTER Dear Commission on Opportunity in Athletics: My name is NAME. I live at ADDRESS. My phone number is PHONE NUMBER. I am registering to attend and am signing up to reserve time to speak during the public portion of the Town Hall meeting of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. I represent the sport of wrestling, as well as the Olympic family. I will attend the Town Hall meeting in CITY. I will be attending on DATE YOU WILL ATTEND. Thank you for the opportunity to present my testimony as a member of the public at the Town Hall meeting. Sincerely, YOUR SIGNATURE Those in the wrestling community who will be attending a meeting should also send a copy of their registration letter to Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling, who is helping coordinate wrestling's public participation in these meetings. Send your registration letter or email to Mr. Abbott via FAX - 719-598-9440 and/or via email - gabbott@usawrestling.org SUBMIT WRITTEN MATERIALS - Those who will speak at the Town Hall meeting will have the opportunity to submit written information to the commission as part of the public presentation. According to the public notice in the Federal Register: "At the meeting, participants are also encouraged to submit two (2) written copies of their comments. Persons interested in making comments are encouraged to address the issues and questions discussed." Every single person who is attending is strongly encouraged to do this. Explain to the commission your position on the Title IX issue. Provide specific examples from your experience in the sports community. Add articles and other materials which support your position. Those seeking assistance with their written materials may contact Gary Abbott at e-mail - gabbott@usawrestling.org , as well as office phone 719-598-8181 or cell phone 719-338-7226.