IMPORTANT MEMBER NOTICE
Changes to Club and Player Dues
The United States Polo Association’s Board of Governors approved changes to USPA By-Law 3, Dues, Registration Fees and Fiscal Year. These changes were effective as of April 20, 2008 and the full text of the revised USPA By-Law 3 can be reviewed by logging on to the USPA website at www.uspolo.org or a copy of the changes can be requested from the USPA office. The following simplified guide outlines the changes to USPA By-Law 3 concerning Member Club and Individual Membership Dues:
MEMBER CLUBS DUES: Before change: Effective now:
Active Member Club $300 $200
Inactive Member Club $50 $50
Affiliate Member Club $200 $200
Associate Member Club N/A $150
Please note that Affiliate Member Clubs are USPA Clubs located outside of the United States that actively compete with USPA clubs located within the United States, for instance, USPA Clubs located in Canada are considered Affiliate Member Clubs. Affiliate Member Clubs have the same privileges as Active Member Clubs including hosting USPA events, recommending handicaps and registering players; however, Affiliate Member Clubs shall be represented by a “non-voting” Delegate to the Association. USPA Associate Member Clubs are overseas clubs and these clubs may not host USPA events, recommend handicaps or register players. Club dues received after April 1 of each year will be subjected to an additional $50.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES: Before change: Effective now:
Registered Player Member $200 $150
(Formerly Registered US Citizen Player)
Affiliate Player Member $300 $250
(Formerly Registered non-US Citizen Player)
Associate Member $100 $100
Student Member $35 N/A
Junior Member N/A $50
Collegiate Member N/A $50
Upgrade to obtain a handicap $50
(For Associate, Junior and Collegiate Members)
Please note that Individual Membership Dues received after April 1 of each year will be subject to an additional $50 fee. Before the change to USPA By-Law 3, all Dues were to be paid by December 31 and Dues collected after December 31 were subject to a $50 fee. The change to USPA By-Law 3 allows members to pay from January 1 through March 31 without an additional fee. For 2008, Associate, Junior and Collegiate members will not be subject to the additional fee.
Before the changes made to USPA By-Law 3, there was a “Registered Student” category and that was replaced by categories listed as “Junior” (19 years old and under) and “Collegiate” (must be registered in a college or university club). Adult students participating in club sponsored instructional activities can now join the USPA as an “Associate Member” because effective now, all Associate Members will be provided the same excess personal liability coverage as all the other USPA membership categories (Registered, Affiliate, Junior and Collegiate).
Before the changes made to USPA By-Law 3 “Registered Students” would pay an additional $115 to obtain a USPA handicap; and, once the Registered Student elected to become a Registered Player, that Registered Student could not return to student membership status. After the changes were made to USPA By-Law 3, Junior and Collegiate members can pay a $50 fee and complete a USPA handicap application to obtain a USPA handicap (to play in Association events other than the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic tournaments). Juniors and Collegiate Members can return the following year to the $50 Junior and Collegiate member dues status and pay the additional $50 if and when they elect to obtain a USPA handicap. Associate Members will be able to obtain a USPA handicap by paying a $50 fee and by completing a USPA handicap application.
USPA BY-LAW CHANGES APPROVED BY BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Effective April 20, 2008, the following changes (in bold font) have been made to USPA By-Law 3, Dues, Registration Fees and Fiscal Year.
3. Membership, Dues, Registration Fees and Fiscal Year.
a. Fiscal Year
1) The fiscal year of the Association shall be the calendar year.
2) All Member Club Dues and Individual Member dues are payable by January 1 of each calendar year. Annual Club and Individual Member Dues paid after April 1 will be increased by $50.00.
3) Individual Members with registration fees unpaid or registered through a Member Club under suspension by the Association may not participate in any Association event, serve as Officers, Governors or Delegates of the Association, recommend handicaps, be entitled to a handicap, or otherwise participate in the affairs of the Association.
4) Member Clubs with unpaid dues or under suspension by the Association may not participate in Association affairs including requesting and/or hosting Association events, registering players, recommending handicaps, voting in Association elections or attending Association meetings.
5) Association invoices to Member Clubs or Individuals are payable upon receipt. Any Member Club or Individual with an obligation to the Association older than 90 days may be considered temporarily suspended until the obligation is fulfilled. A late charge, not to exceed 1-1/2% per month may be added to any obligation older than 30 days.
6) The Association is a voluntary, private sporting organization. Membership in the Association is at-will and subject to the discretion of the Association at all times. A club or individual membership may be suspended, revoked or terminated at any time by the Association where a member acts in any manner that is deemed, in the sole discretion of the Association, to be inconsistent with, contrary to, or violative of the Association’s Rules, Bylaws, or Terms and Conditions of the Membership Application.
b. Member Club Dues
1) Active Member Club – Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) annual dues. An Active Member Club, shall be represented by a voting Delegate to the Association, shall be located within the United States and shall, upon election to annual membership in the Association, share all privileges and obligations of the Association. These privileges include voting, hosting Association events, recommending handicaps, and registering players. An Active Member Club shall, at all times, be obligated to apply and enforce the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and directives of the Association. Failure of an Active Member Club to discharge its obligations may be grounds for suspension or termination of the privilege of Club membership, or other penalty, by the Board of Governors, or the Chairman of the Association. During the term of any suspension of its membership, a Club shall have the rights and obligations of an Inactive Member Club.
2) Inactive Member Club – Fifty Dollars ($50.00) annual dues. An Inactive Member Club is a previously Active or Affiliate Member Club which no longer meets the Constitutional requirements for Active or Affiliate Membership and which has been designated as inactive by the Board of Governors of the Association. Inactive Member Clubs shall be listed on the membership roster as long as their dues obligations are paid. Inactive Member Clubs may designate a non-voting Representative, but may not recommend handicaps, register players, host Association events or enjoy privileges of the Association other than as herein specifically described.
3) Affiliate Member Club – Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) annual dues. An Affiliate Member Club shall be represented by a non-voting Delegate to the Association, shall be a foreign Club or Association which competes with Active Member Clubs and shall, upon election to annual membership in the Association share all privileges and obligations of the Association except those specifically prohibited. The privileges shared include hosting Association events, recommending handicaps, and registering players. An Affiliate Member Club shall, at all times, be obligated to apply and enforce the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and directives of the Association. Failure of an Affiliate Member Club to discharge its obligations may be grounds for suspension or termination of the privilege of Club membership, or other penalty, by the Board of Governors, or the Chairman of the Association. During the term of any suspension of its membership, a Club shall have the rights and obligations of an Inactive Member Club.
4) Associate Member Club – One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) annual dues. Associate Member Clubs are overseas clubs that wish to receive USPA communications and publications. Associate Member Clubs may select a non-voting Representative to the USPA but may not register players, recommend handicaps, host Association events or enjoy other privileges than those herein specifically granted.
5) College, University or Preparatory School Club – One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) annual dues. A College, University or Preparatory School may select a non-voting Delegate who will receive all communications and publications of the Association. Colleges, Universities and Preparatory Schools may enter teams in Intercollegiate and Interscholastic competition but may not register players or recommend handicaps.
c. Individual Membership Dues.
1) Registered Player Member – One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) annual fee. A Registered Player Member shall be a U.S. Citizen registered through an Active Member or Affiliate Member Club and shall enjoy all individual benefits and obligations of the Association.
2) Affiliate Player Member – Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) annual fee. An Affiliate Player Member shall be an individual who is not a U.S. Citizen registered through an Active Member or Affiliate Member Club. An Affiliate Player Member shall enjoy all the individual benefits and obligations of the Association with the following exceptions: an Affiliate Player shall not be eligible to be selected as a Club Delegate for an Active Member Club; shall not serve on the Board of Governors of the Association and shall not be eligible to vote for any member of the Board of Governors of the Association.
3) Associate Member – One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) annual fee. An Associate Member of the Association shall receive all communications and publications provided to Registered Players of the Association. Associate Members are not handicapped and are not eligible to participate in Association events. An Associate Member wishing to be handicapped and to participate in Association events may become a Registered Player or Affiliate Member, as appropriate, by paying the difference in annual fee and completing a handicap application.
4) Junior Member – Fifty Dollars ($50.00) annual fee. A Junior Member shall be less than 19 years of age on the date of application. Junior Members shall receive all communications and publications provided to Registered Players. Junior Members are not handicapped and are not eligible to participate in Association events other than those designated for Junior Members including the Interscholastic tournament. A Junior Member may apply for a handicap upon payment of a Fifty Dollar ($50.00) fee and become eligible to participate in all Association events.
5) Collegiate Member – Fifty Dollars ($50.00) annual fee. A Collegiate Member shall be registered through a member College or University Club and shall receive all communications and publications provided to Registered Players. Collegiate Players are not handicapped and are not eligible to participate in Association events other than the Intercollegiate Tournament. A Collegiate Member may apply for a handicap upon payment of a $50.00 fee and become eligible for all Association events.
6) Foreign Address – The annual fee for any member individual or club with a mailing address outside the United States may, from time to time, be increased by the Board of Governors of the Association.
7) Publications – A portion of the annual fee paid by each individual member of the Association shall be allocated to the payment of a subscription to such publication(s) as may, from time to time, be designated by the Board of Governors of the Association.