"What exactly does the MMSC Credo, "Keep Skating Alive" mean?

Contrary to "popular opinion", it certainly is not about having "Skate Parties or Skate Trips!" Now, I love a good party and to travel as much as anyone else, but I prefer to support legitimate skate parties that bring people together in peaceful harmony with others who love and share their joy of skating. Too many have become nothing more than a means for a few individuals form "clubs" or host parties, solely to make money strictly for personal financial gain. I have hosted and presented the largest skate parties ever held, anywhere. Those headcounts are certifiable and are undisputed. Besides the box office receipts, there's plenty of certifiable documentation via: the electronic and printed media; videotapes, photos, eye-witnesses, and in a nine-hour period, several thousand spectators and attendees who participated (many with their families) all on wheels! In addition to breaking box office records, we had skaters who were willing to endure a four-hour wait in 90+ degree heat, standing on a half-mile line, from the Sixth Avenue entrance of Central Park South to the Wollman Rink Box Office! That speaks volumes, not only for the entire membership, but for their (1) wanting to: keep skating alive; (2) be united (and re-united) with old friends they have lost touch with, who have moved, and (3) for their love of skating. It brought an energy and a memory which anyone who attended remembers, vividly.

Unlike any other club, this club does not do anything for personal or profitable gain. It's strictly by the book, a legitimate non-profit. There are no dues. We have a Mission Statement, and we do fundraising from private patrons. Gifts for the party raffles are donated by our club-supportive rinks. The parties are held at club-supportive rinks. The DJ's who work at our club-supportive rinks get paid out of my own pocket. Would you ever join a "Skate Club" or attend a "Skate Party" if all you really meant to them was nothing but their own personal profit and gain? Now, I ask you, wouldn't you rather belong to a legitimate organization that you would be proud of? A club that will offer all an opportunity to accomplish something meaningful, positive for anyone and everyone?

We believe you should support all skate clubs, rinks, and DJs that reciprocate in kind, to you. We patronize the rinks who support us. We support those rinks where are our DJ's work and tell our skaters to do the same. In essence, it is a supportive network and a win-win situation. It keeps us united.

Our objectives are many. One is to change the the general public's negative image and perception about roller-skaters and roller bladers. Many think skaters are insensitive, immature, narcistic, selfish, hostile, reckless and sometimes intimidating. Show them they are wrong! One of the most frequent compliments we receive is: "You're nothing like any of the other roller skaters, we've ever seen." Because we (and our club members) are compassionate, sensitive, welcoming, helpful, friendly, patient and love to have fun! We range in age from 8 to 80. Our members bring their kids, their grand-children, and some their great-grandchildren to our events. It's a family affair, and when we are all together, we are family. Our membership is as diverse as the humanity that lives on this planet.

How do you keep skating alive?

It's just the number one priority, which we take seriously.

TEACH! BE A MENTOR OR VOLUNTEER TO COACH! Try picking someone off the floor (be it expert, or a budding roller-skater). Share a tip or two to improve one's skating (or spare them from another fall or injury), lending some of your own guidance, mentorhip and expertise. Your talents are your legacy. Share it! No one can steal your style or your steps. Those are as unique as you are. Share your talents, willingly! Instead of spending an entire session skating for yourself, or showboating for others, take a little time to pause and help some one who is admiring your ability. It's about being friendly, positive and accessible; it's about keeping your rinks safe and encouraging more people to come there.

Skate and skate often. Visit the rinks regularly (help keep them open, by keeping them profitable, you will be helping those who work there, so they can keep their jobs). Support other rinks, other skate clubs, take lessons, make friends, and learn new things. It's all about keeping skating alive and fresh! And don't forget to praise skaters who try! Better yet, ask someone: "Could you show me how you do that?" We've made some wonderful friends that way, from all over the world! In fact, I love to see people watch our members as they skate from afar, across the rink. Sometimes, I will just walk up at an appropriate time, and ask: "Could you show me how you do that? On other occasions, skaters have approached me and said, "Would you mind if I give you a tip of constructive criticism about that "spin?" Which of course, I welcome! And they not only help me, but we become FRIENDS.

With only three rinks left out of what was once a field of twenty-five rinks in NYC and its boroughs, skating could be reduced to outdoor or ice skating venues, if we don't appreciate and preserve what remains now. Several years ago, I was approached by several real estate developers about the possibility of their building a new multi-purpose, recreational facility, which would include an indoor rink in New York City. But before they would proceed they wanted to see just how many skaters would regularly support just such an undertaking. I replied, "Gentlemen, that information is already a proven given. If we didn't have a market for skaters, why do you think we had 25 rinks in a 15-mile radius? Did you know skaters will travel anywhere for a perfect floor and great music?"

Videotapes

Videotapes document our factual history - evidence of who did what and who was there. They preserve our very existence and your/our talents. For some, they provide instruction and a legacy for others. For some, they provide motivation and ideas. Some performances are not unlike masterpieces, "they are one of a kind, once in a lifetime opportunities, that are priceless.

When we used to tape our parties or our membership at the club-supportive rinks, we would get hundreds of requests for copies. This is not only time-consuming, it is labor-intensive, not to mention the wear and tear on our equipment. We never charged for the work, just for the cost of the tape. In some cases, members provided their own. Recently, one of the nicest things we heard was, "Before your parties and videotapes, I never thought I was even an "average" skater. But now, I know how really talented I am! Thank you for making that possible!" For others, those videotapes preserve a priceless memory, of all our good times, the rinks, the DJ's and the people we shared them with (family or to remember some of those members who are no longer with us), and of those days of our youth, now gone by."