Hi
In response to the question about what the membership $$ do regarding the HCA, the first thing, is of course the Hotline. Incredible magazine with lots for everyone. Another plus of an HCA membership is the funding for youth activities. Now I know you hear this from everyone, but just 2 weeks ago,we spent in excess of $10,000 on sending 7 teams to Long Beach for the US Sailing youth multihulls. Travel, lodging and regatta. Awesome deal,and we're very fortunate to have the resources to do what we did and hope to do it again.
Another plus (and keep in mind, these are generalzations) but when we host a National event or large regatta, there is a signifcant economic impact on the area of choice. The local Economic Development group and the Chamber in Clear lake told us when we hosted 8 days of racing last summer, with the number of people there etc.....was north of $600,000 (based on a formula one of them was trying to explain to me) but that too, is significant.
As most of the one design classes out there, our money goes toward top notch racing, social events and organization. Membership gets you on our National Points Ranking list too. Our membership chair is doing a really good job getting things rolling for 09, and is raffling off some new Hobie Hiking harnesses with paid membership.
Hope that helps.
cw