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What's New from ACA: General

Membership Dues Changes Coming 2021

Tuesday, December 1, 2020   (20 Comments)
Posted by: Beth Spilman

Dear Valued Members,

 

In 2020, the ACA Board of Directors, staff members, and key volunteers worked hard to increase our interaction with and engagement of our members.

 

Starting with the member survey which was released at the beginning of 2020, through supporting the establishment of several ad hoc working groups throughout the year (including the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion working group), along with the wildly successful virtual conference in October, we have loved hearing from YOU about what YOU want from the ACA. 

 

And, it's clear you want more. More support for clubs...more instructor resources...more access to instructor development and certification workshops...more efficient processes and more responsive customer service...a more user-friendly and current website... more races... more events...more diversity...more coaches and events for our athletes...more communication.

 

Answering this call, however, will require more resources. This necessitates an increase in membership dues.

 

The Board, staff, and I have deliberated very thoughtfully about these changes. Please see the list of revised membership dues amounts below, which will be implemented on December 30, 2020:

 

Individual   Membership: $40

Competition Individual Membership: $40

Bronze Paddle Membership: $150

Silver Paddle Membership: $250

Gold Paddle Membership: $500

Green Paddle Membership: $1,000

 

SEIC Instructor Dues: $30  (For a total of $40 + $30 = $70)

SEIC Instructor Trainer/Educator Dues: $110 (For a total of $40 + $110 = $150)

 

Elite Competition License: $80 (For a total of $40 + $80 = $120)

 

Proschools: $650

Paddle America Clubs with fewer than 75 members: $125

Paddle America Clubs with more than 75 members: $175 (Effective 12/1/2021)

Affiliates: $125

Outfitter, Livery, and Guides: $125

 

As the Board, staff, and I develop and implement plans for member-requested initiatives, we will keep you informed of our progress, so that we are transparent about where additional funds are being used.

 

We thank you for your support and look forward to serving you in a healthy, happy 2021.

 

Gratefully,

Beth Spilman

Executive Director

Comments...

Roy Berke says...
Posted Thursday, July 27, 2023
Are there still family memberships, or does each member in the family need to register for an individual membership?
Tammie Bardowell says...
Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Thank you for your killer services, and safety. Safe and happy paddling Tammie
Jared Dieffenbach says...
Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021
a 60% increase.... I'll have to think about it.
Li Chao Wu says...
Posted Wednesday, December 30, 2020
支持组委会的决定
Douglas Mclarnan says...
Posted Monday, December 14, 2020
No problem as long as the organization steps up and meets its gold standard reputation . Even though I participated in the 96 Olympics and was a production crew member at the white water events I believe very little dues dollars should go into the competition support . The competition area should be Spencer’s driven and individual member donations . Core organization dollars should go to member benefits and promoting safe and enjoyable paddling. State organizations should also have a 5 dollar check off .
Michael Hammer says...
Posted Tuesday, December 8, 2020
I would suggest waiting until the end of 2021 or even 2022 to implement any change in fees. The financial hit from covid will continue for those affected well through the end of 2021. As you look to expand membership across a diverse range of ages and more diverse backgrounds, the return to the higher price only reinforces the divide and undermines our efforts to bring others into the ACA community. Please tighten the ACA belts, and wait for now.
Kenneth Vickers says...
Posted Sunday, December 6, 2020
I am a retiree (and enjoyed 12 cents per gallon gasoline during the gas wars when I was a high school senior). I respect everyone's perspectives, but my perspective is that the value I receive from the ACA is well above the price of the $40 annual individual membership fee.
Mitchell Sheridan says...
Posted Friday, December 4, 2020
I'm a poor college student and I'm not complaining. The ACA is the only thing of its kind that has actually held its structure together. We are already at a loss by not having paddlesports in schools. The old bitter crabs in the bunch have gotta wake up and smell the coffee, gasoline doesn't cost a quarter anymore.
Benjamin E. Southworth says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
While I have empathy for those who may be financially stressed in these difficult times, it is important for those who have the ability to do so to maintain institutions like this which are seeing diminished income due to the pandemic. $40 is only $0.77/week. Also, as a paddle sport athlete, I am grateful for the increased support of the ACA.
Tom Carr says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Increase in fees during a "Pandemic" is enough for me to say: "Bye-Bye"!! You're going to be losing not only my regular annual fee; but also my continuing membership! I don't need you! You-all need folks like me? Or. maybe you don't want nor need me anymore? Enjoy your salary, while you can?? Merry Christmas.
Al Sternberg says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Good bye! I'll be adding your dues to my support of American Rivers to "protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature".
Steven Goldman says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Though I appreciate the need to increase fees, this is not the time to do so.
EDWARD ROSNEY says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
During the pandemic I've tried to support businesses and organizations I value by being willing to kick in extra dollars when I'm able: more in the tip jar at the neighborhood coffee shop, buying gift certificates I may not ultimately use, and making small contributions to people/organizations I know are hurting. I'm going to view the ACA dues increase as one of those opportunities. The pandemic has hit many small businesses and non-profits hard--many to the point where they may not survive. ACA has a long history of service and makes an important contribution to our quality of life. I'm willing to dig a little deeper to help in this extraordinary time of need.
Linda King says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
I understand the reasoning behind the dues increase however I'm not sure now is the time. Maybe waiting until the end of 2021 would be better. I know this year I paddled very little due to launches and beaches being closed, and was not able to put my fairly new instructor certification to use, so I'm paying for the certification costs but getting nothing from it. I understand that sometimes that is the way it goes but then getting a dues increase added on top of that hurts. All the things the ACA wants to do are great but how much will be able to be done in 2021 with the pandemic still raging and with the timelines needed to get a vaccine, once it is viable and approved, widely distributed to the general public. Given that, I would love to see an active sea kayaking club within easy reach of where I live.
Janice Matthew says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
I am a senior that still maintains my membership while not receiving anything directly and have not paddled since March due to the pandemic or even been able to get a haircut! I think this increase comes at a difficult time for many seniors, those out of work, those affected by pandemic and many that are struggling right now. Bad timing, bad reasoning and bad decision-making. $15 increase is not a fortune but it is not a good look for ACA right now with the pandemic raging.
Eva M. Klaper says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Some of ACA's activites are of interest also to paddlers from overseas that do not have a chance to paddle on US waterways or coasts. I understand the ACA's reasoning for an increase from $25.- to $40.-, particularly after reading the comment by Michael Grey. (By the wy - a comment that could have been given by the ACA.) However, for an overseas individual member (entering the ACA at the level of £ 25.-) such an increase is not exactly motivating to continue the membership.
Michael Gray says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
For those newcomers to the ACA....the individual dues were $40 for many years and got complicated with all sorts of club and family discounts...then they stepped down to a flat $25 to simplify for two years. Raising back up to the old level is a reasonable and needed precaution during this time of lost sponsorship and increased need. I know it feels like a jolt, but to move forward to provide safety training, cultivate stewardship and protect boater access to public waterways is really an investment in your own sport. You can say that about many expenses we pay out. Hang in there.
Jackson K. Malone says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Going from $25 to $40 is a bit much, don't you think??? This is absolutely ridiculous!
Dean Creed says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
A 60% increase during a challenging time for many of us seems quite misguided. Applying a one-step increase anywhere near sixty percent in the basic membership rate, as opposed to applying the cost to the individual services you claim will be improved, is not well-reasoned. The reduction in total membership revenue you'll see after those who don't renew will most certainly provide ACA less total revenue with which to "improve." Good luck, you'll need it!
stephen Tricarico says...
Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020
Not happy with this substantial increase. Only reason I join is because my canoe club requires it. Probably will not join in the future.

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