This is a question that has been put forth at the US SAILING Spring Meeting.

Lower membership fees?
Goodies?

Really - what would it take for those of you who are not US SAILING members to join?

Lower membership fees drastically.

Eliminate goodies.

Reduce infrastructure drastically.

Reduce staff drastically.

Eliminate individual memberships and go back to the old way of requiring clubs and organizations to pay a portion of each member's dues to US Sailing, so each member is, by association, a member of US Sailing.

How about voting for a multi-hull discipline in the 2012 Olympics? How about a multi-hull event in the '08 Youth Champs? Oh wait ... those are things they could have done last year BUT DIDN'T!

Cat sailors have put up with years of BS from US Sailing that our participation is valued, that we should "work within the system", etc. Yet at every turn, cat sailors are shunted aside. US Sailing has taken my dues for years and returned little. I am not renewing in 2008.

What would it take for me to REjoin US Sailing? Big changes, my friend, big changes.

Chris Merrell
Former US Sailing Member 190259S

For me it would be as simple as a no-frills membership plan, that I could get online.
Then make multihulls a selection when I register. Bring it out into the light.
I barely heard of the golden anchor program. And I haven't found the imformation easy to get.

You're not alone. It's not easy to find anything on the US Sailing web site -- even if you know what you are looking for. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I joined USSailing 2 or three years ago because I thought I was going to race in an Alter Cup qualifier- which I didn't end up doing anyway. I got the nice few books (rules) but other than that I see no reason to join. I have not heard anything about the organization that really helps me at all (selfish, yes, realistic, yes). Other than getting the whopping 5$ off for being a ussailing member when signing up for regattas, it makes no real sense.
As Eddie murphy said
"what have you done for me lately?"

Maybe it would make a difference if I were a top 1% sailor, but I ain't.
I guess I don't get much from belonging to my professional organization either and that is markedly more expensive though.

Sorry for butting in on a US topic.


That is the way it works here in scandinavia. If you then are unhappy with how things work, you have a voice and will be heard.
I dont expect much back from our national assoc. I want them there to represent our interests with the government and to help grow the sport.

I will agree that US SAILING has done a poor job of marketing its benefits.

A member benefit that I just discovered today is that members have $25,000 of excess medical insurance in case you are hurt travelling to or at an event.

Jim Capron explained that this is how many MNAs (especially the Scandanavians do their memberships.

The US business model is closer to the Australian one.

But why did the U.S. system change?
It just makes so much more sense to be able to join a club or organization that belongs to US Sailing and thereby become a member of US Sailing. My membership card to our yacht club used to say right on it that this club is a member of USYRU. And, therefore, I could show my membership card at any other club or organization that belonged to USYRU, and I would be welcomed at that club. It was perfect. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Apparently the system wasn't broke, so they fixed it ! Like so many of you, I saw US Sailing as the body to belong to. But I must admit, it seems they have forgotten the Cats of late..now I support NAMSA, MHRA,and Canadian Sea Spray org. This may be my last year with USS.

If the USSailing President would come on this forum and explain what he can do for multihulls, then back it up, then he can have my money

1) Support Multihulls in Olympics 2012 and beyond.
2) Publically apologize for high-jacking the voting process that led to this decision.
3) Place a multihull member option online for registration.
4) Welcome new members who are multihull sailors to the association.


I am not a member of the golden anchor program because it is done by mail and I could not find it or an explanation of the program anywhere on the site.

Windswept, I found an explanation of the program at http://www.ussailing.org/membership/golden.asp

I posted comments on sailing anarchy, as that is where I first saw the question. Nice that someone is at least concerned enough to ask, as an effective governance organization that is *IN TOUCH* with the sailing community can really help the sport of yachting

Well, then, why don't you copy your comments over to this forum? I'm too timid to venture into Sailing Anarchy. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Just a question, though: What is "the sport of yachting"? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

THIS

Exactly as above. What are dues now, $60? And for what, if you are a multihull sailor?? WHAT? A $15.00 rule book once every 3 years? Spare me. Not even a decent magazine anymore, not that I need more sailing magazines, but none of the multihull mags I get cost $60/yr! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

In general: All of the above.

For me: Give me the PRO certificate I earned by attending the class but was denied because I didn't belong to a YC.

Are you kidding me? Please tell me you are.... they wouldn't give it to you because you didn't belong to a YC?
I am in a pissy mood anyway, but that puts the nail in it for me.