1. Support multihulls in the olympics.
2. Value, get something in return for you membership.
3. Stop giving out your personal information ( I get cc offers for other F18
members with my address on it)
4.Stop sending all the junk stickers, calendars, posters it just waste money.
5. Give something back to the sailors without having to pay for it.
6. Help protect places to launch boats (not yacht clubs)

I find no benefit from US sailing as a member except the rules. I have started Mountain biking and what a difference in organizations. With the biking membership (IMBA cost 30.00) your local club gets some of the fees and you get Insurance, 10-15% discounts on bikes and parts, trail build crew ( people come and show you how to build trails free), youth support days, newsletter, support for trails across america, support for getting grants( we just received a 20,000 grant for our local trail) the list goes on. I just can't see anything I have received from US Sailing that benefits me and if a regatta forces you to get a US Sailing membership I don't think I would go unless you could get a weekend 5.00 membership.

Thanks for the general feedback. There is a long list of benefits on the website, and they include discounts on many products.

Further, if cat regatta organizers are keeping up their side of the MPP/GA agreement, members would get a discount on entry fees.

As for Olympics, it is early in the cycle, but we are being asked to be ready to provide input as to how the development program should look for cats...

Let's keep this thread focused on this event. What can US Sailing provide for the event that people would see as a good benefit?

So far, we have a visit from Gary and pizza...

Mike

I guess that is my point the F18 class is not really getting anything from US Sailing that I know of. Maybe some insurance and a listing on the website and a discount on membership, but not really worth the investment.

Here is the list of benefits: http://membership.ussailing.org/Page429.aspx

This is the list of additional benefits offered through the MPP/GA: http://membership.ussailing.org/Partner_Program.htms

If you have reviewed those lists, and there are other specific benefits that you want, you need to let us know what they are. Asking for "something" in return for your "investment" is too vague for action. There are already lots of benefits.

BTW, insurance and inclusion on the website are not worthy of investment by the class? Surely you're kidding.

Mike

Mike

I hate to say it but there are no membership benefits that interest me. I have to buy something to get a discount. It is just easier to spend my 50.00 that I save from not being a member on something I need. The boat insurance was more than I was paying, you can get a west marine coupon in there flyer, I don't read magazines, Hiltons don't ever seem to be around where I need to stay, PN numbers are online, The championship is too costly for the amount of sailing you get, I get group health through work. So if you were me would the membership be worth the $50. US Sailing needs to come up with something to really benefit sailors not just token discounts.

Off topic but...

Cut the membership cost in half and you will more than double your membership; not because it's all about costs and benefits but because it will say something about the organization and its ability to change for the better. The key is to create an organization that people will be proud to be a part of. You don’t do that with coupons. If you have to present someone with an argument explaining why they should join you’ve already lost them. You need to connect on an emotional level.

David, it's ironic that you listed discounts and insurance as worthy benefits of another organization that you're happy to join... Yes the PN numbers are online, as a service to members. Would you prefer that to only be accessible to members?

Good points Bob, I certainly have zero input on the balance sheet at US Sailing, other than occasionally asking for more stuff...

Which brings us full circle. I entered this thread with an offer to go to bat for some additional goodies for the sailors and event. Rather than getting (A) thanked or (B) real requests, I just hear all the reasons people don't want to join. When confronted with facts to the contrary, I get more non-actionable input.

BTW, for those that didn't believe the survey results, David just said it again. There are lots of people that avoided the old Alter Cup because of the format. Sadly, David hasn't kept up and noticed that this year's event is BYOB, and sailors will race in all races.

Mike

Mike,

I thank you for your work and efforts and I am just having a discussion on how to make US Sailing a better value or making sailors wanting to join. The biking sport is different than sailing just trying to find things that have worked for them. The membership for my local bike club 30.00 includes me in the national association IMBA for the one fee and includes some insurance for the club with no additional fee. The discounts I get are 10-15% at the local bike shops on all merchandise which more than makes up for the 30.00 membership. That is a big difference than US Sailing for 50.00 I get access to buy insurance and some coupons to buy something I may not need. Why doesn't US sailing work something out with the groups like F18,F16, Acat that you just join that group and then some of the money goes to US Sailing so you are a member of both.
I did notice the change in the Alter cup venue and yes you get to sail more but the cost is more. I think I said value for the time sailing. The entry is still 350.00 and you bring you own boat. I don't have a F16 so boat charter 1,000, entry fee 350 and I kept travel out but If driving to pull boat would more than likely cost more than flying. That format just does not work for me unless I live close to the venue and have the type of boat being sailed. I don't have an answer but maybe just get 10 sailors ten boats and switch boats some but not after every race as to get more racing in.

Thanks David. I hear what you're saying. The marketing department handles negotiations for discounts.

We have discussed coming up with a combined membership option, two issues exist. One: coming up with a fee that all groups would be happy with; Two: sorting out logistics. Regatta Network would most easily solve the latter.

Mike

Hello everyone!
The 2012 GLOBALTECH F18 Worlds FB Page just went live. Be sure to like it, dig?

F18 Worlds

Cheers!
Jeremy

My crew and I need a ride from LAX to ABYC on Sat (8th) @ 12:00pm
Anyone else arriving and have room in their car?

If you can't find a ride Mike (or anyone else arriving at LAX, SNA or LGB), try www.primetimeshuttle.com - economical and door-to-door service.