It’s been a long time coming. Considering the U.S. Dressage Federation hasn’t increased its annual dues since 2004, it was no surprise to those in attendance that proposals to increase dues were practically the first thing on the agenda at the USDF Convention in Austin, Texas, today, Dec. 3.
“Costs don’t change, they never go backwards,” said Ken Levy, Chairman of the Membership Ad Hoc Committee. “Things have gone up. We’re just trying to catch up cost wise. We are not trying to break the piggy bank.”
While the early increases passed easily, the Board of Governors meeting ground to a halt when the subject of life memberships came to the table. The original motion to increase life membership dues from $1,000 to $1,500 eventually passed, but a suggestion to raise the cost even further to $2,000 required a roll call vote. The new motion was declined after 1,065 votes against defeated the 581 votes to approve the higher cost. The subject inspired several other suggestions, including one to remove the life membership entirely.
Another round of arguments occurred over the youth membership increase, and included a statement from Peggy Klump, the USDF Awards Council Chair, that competing youth cost the exact same amount as adults when it comes to USDF expense.
However, many delegates fought back, saying that the youth membership fee should cap out at $50, especially in situations where families may have multiple competing children.
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Despite several other arguments in favor of reducing the increase for the youth riders, specifically for those who aren’t competing at the competitive Junior or Young Rider levels, the motion was passed to raise the dues.
New Member Dues As Of Dec. 1, 2010
(Current Dues) New Dues
Participating Membership – ($62) $75
Youth Participating Membership – ($35) $60
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Group Member Organization Membership – ($17) $20
GMO Family Membership – ($8) $10
Business Membership – ($175) $200
USDF PM 5-year Membership – ($250) $300
USDF PM Life Membership – ($1,000) $1,500
The BOG continues tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 4, and items such as the new budget and a new educational membership will be on the table for discussion.
