USATF Membership Fees INCREASING

[Chris]

New USATF membership fees to fund new programs and services

In order to continue to support and enhance grass roots programs and services, USA Track & Field recently approved a proposal to increase membership fees starting with the 2007 membership year.   Effective November 1, 2006, membership fees will be $19.95 for youth and $29.95 for adults.  Adults will also be offered discounted multi-year memberships for 2 years ($54.95); 3 years ($79.95), and 4 years ($99.95).

The approved proposal calls for the incremental revenue to be re-invested to support enhancing grass roots programs and services.  ?Our overarching goal is to provide our membership with an improved experience as USATF members,? said USATF President Bill Roe.  ?It is our hope that our members view this as an essential step toward ensuring the long-term health of our sport.?  

It is expected that through the fee increase, USATF will generate approximately $300,000 in yearly incremental revenue, which will be re-invested to make improvements in four broad areas: member benefits, infrastructure improvements for grass roots initiatives, marketing & branding of grass roots programs, and viable sport committee-based projects.

Specific initiatives that the new revenue will immediately be used to support include implementing a coach/volunteer criminal background check to protect youth members, developing a national athlete performance rankings system, and creating new marketing materials to encourage participation in USATF grass roots events and programs.

Even with the increase, USATF membership fees remain below the national average of other USOC national governing bodies and are competitive with other organizations providing programs for the Athletics community.

As a benefit of being a 2006 USATF member, you can renew your membership for 2007 at the current membership fee if you process your renewal online prior to 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31.  In order to renew your membership, you will need your 2006 membership number and your password.  If you need assistance obtaining either your membership number or your password visit www.usatf.org/membership and click on the appropriate link in the Help section.  Please note that registering as a new member will generate a new 2006 membership which will expire at the end of 2006 and will not provide you with the benefits of being a 2007 member.

[Chris]

I was just able to renew online for 4 years @ $80.  If you plan on being a member for more than a year I would suggest doing this ASAP before the prices increase from $20/yr to $30/yr.