Changing club affiliation between seasons

[catwood1]

Ok, so the GMUFC is not yet a USFA recognized club, but we most likely will be next year. I have some fencers who want to compete in an event this year. I know if they join now, their membership will last through the 08-09 season. However, if they join now, they will have to join as UNAT. How do you go about changing your affiliation between seasons from UNAT to representing a club?

(I am also curious because I am going to have to do the same thing...)

[oiuyt]

Have them join and list the club anyway, even if it's not an official USFA club.

Changing representation between seasons is merely a matter of emailling the National Office (membership@usfencing.org). If one has a 1-year membership then new information on the renewal form should also accomplish the same goal (although, based on my observations, such edits are frequently missed).

Ideally, eventually once we have better technology implemented that can be a self-service thing (with appropriate controls to match the rule and policy requirements) for most/all cases. Unfortunately, we're not yet at that point.

-B

[mfp]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

Have them join and list the club anyway, even if it's not an official USFA club.

Changing representation between seasons is merely a matter of emailling the National Office (membership@usfencing.org).

Changing your club representation is not simply a matter of emailing the office -- the fencer also needs to remember:

Originally Posted by USFA Athlete's Handbook

The fencer’s first stated club affiliation at a USFA competition in each fencing season will determine that fencer’s club representation for that season.

Many people seem to be confused by "affiliation" (of which a fencer can have none to many and can change at will) and "representation" for a season.

[oiuyt]

CAtwood asked about adding/switching between seasons.

Emailing the NO is the appropriate way to do that.

Of course one must ALSO inform tournament organizers of representations/affiliations when entering tournaments.

-B

[catwood1]

Thanks Oiuyt. And I am right in that if you become a member now, it holds through next season right?

[mfp]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

CAtwood asked about adding/switching between seasons.

So when exactly is between July 31st and August 1st?

Originally Posted by oiuyt

Emailing the NO is the appropriate way to do that.

Of course one must ALSO inform tournament organizers of representations/affiliations when entering tournaments.

Since the rule in the AH explicitly mentions what determines representation for a season (and it's not what the N.O. has received by any email or even what's on the membership form), one would think it might be useful to ALSO mention that.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by catwood1

Thanks Oiuyt. And I am right in that if you become a member now, it holds through next season right?

Yes, for new members.

As an extra special bonus, not only will such people be getting the remainder of this season as well as next season, they will also beat the price increase scheduled to go into effect on August 1st. So even if they don't plan to compete at all during the next four months there's still savings in joining (for the first time) now.

Originally Posted by mfp

Since the rule in the AH explicitly mentions what determines representation for a season (and it's not what the N.O. has received by any email or even what's on the membership form), one would think it might be useful to ALSO mention that.

Fair enough. Note, however, that what you tell a local organizer has no (current) means of getting into the system maintained nationally.

-B

[tbryan]

Originally Posted by catwood1

I know if they join now, their membership will last through the 08-09 season.

What is the rule exactly? Joining after April 1 gets them the remainder of this season and the next season? Where is this rule/information stated?

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by tbryan

What is the rule exactly? Joining after April 1 gets them the remainder of this season and the next season? Where is this rule/information stated?

In the By-Laws, if not elsewhere.

Originally Posted by USFA By-Laws

4.Section Extended Membership Year for New Members. A new member whose dues are paid between April 1 and July 31 shall be entitled to membership through the next membership year.

-B

[tbryan]

Originally Posted by oiuyt

In the By-Laws, if not elsewhere.

Thanks.

After some searching, I also found it in the Operations Manual, Chapter 2, Section 1, C.

I suppose that I expected to find it (in fine print) on the membership form itself.