New USHA Grassroots Membership option

[Brad Scott]

The USA Water Ski board of directors meeting was this past Sunday.

The new Grassroots membership option was approved. This means people who attend USHA flyins, tournaments, or volunteer at them can join at a $35 annual rate. The $70 membership still applies to anyone participating in class C or above tournaments (the serious ones), but since all USHA's flyins and tournaments are class F (fun), members will only need to spend $35.

The Grassroots membership is designed to increase membership overall by making it more affordable for new members to join. As people get more serious and want to compete in the higher level competitions (in other sports disciplines), they will have to join at the $70 level. Grassroots members will only get 3 issues of the Water Skier per year (to keep costs down), but will have access to all issues on usawaterski.org. Otherwise, membership benefits are the same.

I've been fighting for this membership option for years, since I knew USHA members do not use their membership to attend as many events as most of the other sports disciplines. So, now membership is half price!

However, a big incentive for USA Water Ski to offer this option is the elimination of the guest membership. That's right -- if you are going to participate in a flyin or competition, you have to be a member now. For the organizers, USHA, and USA Water Ski to be insured (read protected against lawsuits), guest memberships weren't cutting it. Clubs would often not turn them in, and if someone got hurt, or "discovered" and injury months later, everyone was at huge risk. Even if your friends would never sue you, their insurance company would be more than happy to.

So, now that membership is only $35, I hope to see USHA's membership increase -- we peaked around 440 members in 2005, and were down to 295 members in 2008. Let's get those numbers back up now that membership costs half as much!

[Kenvert]

Can flyin organizers join at the "grass roots" levle?
Thanks for all the time you put in to this. Ken

Ken Rice
Foil-N.com

[Hopper]

Does this include Head of Household?

[Brad Scott]

Can flyin organizers join at the "grass roots" levle?

I don't see why not -- you would only be attending a grassroots event (your own). Now, what I'm not sure about is if safety coordinators and trained drivers need to be full active members. I'll ask.

[Brad Scott]

Does this include Head of Household?

The grassroots membership does not offer a head of household option. Only full active and supporting have a head of household option.

[slingo]

Great idea Brad. $35 makes it a no brainer for those of us who want to support the sport but who have no plans of competing in any serious way.

If possible, would be good if you could set up an "opt out" option for Waterski magazine, too. There are probably many who, like me, already subscribe, so don't need three duplicate issues and would rather have the organization keep that money.

Cheers~~

[Brad Scott]

If possible, would be good if you could set up an "opt out" option for Waterski magazine, too. There are probably many who, like me, already subscribe, so don't need three duplicate issues and would rather have the organization keep that money.

Cheers~~

Well, the Water Skier is different than Water Ski magazine. However, it still might be interesting to offer an opt out option for those who want to read online only. I'll mention it.

[Hopper]

Waterski magazine

"Waterski" magazine is a different publication from USA Waterski's "The Water Skier"

If you knew this, Please disregard my post.

[Hopper]

Well, the Water Skier is different than Water Ski magazine. However, it still might be interesting to offer an opt out option for those who want to read online only. I'll mention it.

After I posted, I saw that Brad posted.

Ps - Thanks Brad for doing what you do and taking on what you take on.

[slingo]

Ah! Sorry. Thanks for clarifying! I wasn't paying attention (again)