For the US 'mericans: USSA?

[bamamick]

Are you a member? Why? Why not?

If you race then by now you are aware that US Sailing wants to make membership mandatory for anyone driving a boat in a sanctioned event, including (iirc) events sanctioned by classes who are members. How do you or your class feel about this? 'Mandatory' is a big word in my world and of course naturally I am not too happy about this. On the other hand I am a class representative with a USSA sanctioned class and I need to be involved in the decision making whether I agree with it or not.

From what I have read the US 5o5 class is considering sending in a letter saying that they are thinking about withdrawing from USSA as a class in protest. Many of the multihull classes are talking about doing the same, at least in part over USSA's stance on the elimination of a multihull for the 2012 Games at Weymouth. The US Finn class is debating this now and it seems as if most people have no problem with it. As far as the Dragons go, we haven't really discussed it. We are a small class with other things to worry about, but I would like our opinion heard and will try and get something on paper soon.

How do you feel? Do you care? I am a member of USSA and I pay the membership for the AIDA to be affiliated. I understand USSA's point, and I think that people in many countries will be surprised to learn that only a small percentage of our racing sailors are members, but I don't like the mandatory thing. I never have. I just don't like being told what I have to do. I wish they would go with more of a conciliatory, here's what so good about being a member kind of thing. What do YOU think?

Mickey Lake

[Yeadon]

Not to be flip ... but my first reaction was that it sounded liked a way for them to increase membership.

[Don Z.]

Well, I need to look into this more, but off the cuff, I'd have to say that US Sailing has made some, shall we say, less than well considered decisions over the last few years. Because of this, members have basically told the association to pound sand. Instead of reconsidering their decisions, they seem to be resorting to force. This can't play out well, no matter what direction it takes from here.

[crawdaddyjim50]

I think they are headed in the same direction as the CART racing series if they believe that force will give them what they want. Too bad.

[Pernicious Atavist]

Ca-CHING! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[htom]

When their "NEW BENEFIT" is a 15% cut on a business deal with AlphaGraphics ... I think they've targeted the wrong audience. Or I really don't understand the sport of sailing.

[Hwyl]

I have to be a member to keep my Coach's certificate. I have to "re qualify" every three or four years which consists merely in my sending them even more money.

I really have very little respect for this organisation, it seems incestuous at best, there's a rotation of power players. They're difficult to approach, they rarely answer the phone (I've taken to calling the "new members" number and getting transferred).

I hope there is a nuclear shake up.

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

I've never been a member as I don't "race" other than on an OPB or when I had my Laser I would frostbite but they weren't sanctioned regattas.

AFA I can tell, over the years members have gotten less and less in the way of benefits from USSailing. This has been quite a contentious issue in SCUTTLEBUTT; I can't say that I disagree w/ those who oppose making it mandatory. Seems like USS just does as it pleases and holds out their hands for the $$$.

[bamamick]

I will be quite honest. I don't believe that I have ever met a representative of USSA in an official capacity except for a few judges, and that's in over 30 years of racing. Granted, I have never sailed in the Mallory's or the POW's or any other of the sanctioned events, but I have been to some major class racing events and you'd think that I would have bumped into someone sooner or later even if it was an accident. Every four years we get a rule book and every year we get a hand full of stickers for our car windshield. That's about it. They had the USSA quarterfinals this weekend at the Mobile YC and as I came over the bridge I saw a total of four J/22's and four Sunfish. That's how much interest there is in USSA championship events in my area (USSA area D).

Some of the leadership in the Finn class has been very vocal that we have to support this initiative. Doesn't matter to me since I am already a member, but I just don't see it. As a grass roots member of the sailing community I really don't get much back from USSA. Maybe at the upper levels of the sport there is more involvement, but is that what this is all about? Is it just a way for the 'important' people to get more of what they want? No one is stepping up to explain why this is being done. It seems very arrogant, and I don't like arrogant. Just my opinion, but this whole thing seems to be making me very sad about my participation in the sport.

Mickey Lake

[adampet]

I just renewed my membership. I need it as part of my Instructor credentials for my job. It's not onerous, though the move to make it mandatory really has riled some folks. I pay as much to renew my CPR and First aid each year so it's not a big deal.

Adam

[bamamick]

Well, I am getting the word that they dropped it. They will try and encourage voluntary membership. I am pleased with that decision.

Mickey Lake