USATF Dues- Why Pay Them?

You are correct USATF is dysfunctional and could use a lot of restructuring. Even in this state it provides a number of benefits even if they are sporadic.

It does create a structure that contains a fair number of competitions, and does reach out to many events to create championships with prize money. While these don't directly help the folks not in the lead pack, structured competitions create more excitement (and sometimes press) that enhance the event for everyone.

USATF does provide the rules of the road that every sport needs. Tedious as it may be, someone needs to write the rules of competition and eligibility. Things like course certification and race management procedures benefit everyone that participates in events.

No doubt in it's current incarnation USATF leads a lot to be desired, but I don't think dropping out of the organization and attempting to starve it financially will fix it.

So people should pay dues now and going forward because a set of rules has been created in the past? It's not like it costs a lot of money to maintain the rulebook and tweak them every once in awhile. Also, if the USATF were to go under, do you think that there would be chaos at most road races?

clubber wrote:So people should pay dues now and going forward because a set of rules has been created in the past? It's not like it costs a lot of money to maintain the rulebook and tweak them every once in awhile. Also, if the USATF were to go under, do you think that there would be chaos at most road races?

Not chaos, but think about it. So USATF goes under, while it doesn't cost a lot of money to maintain rules and course certifications who does it? If Jane Doe on the east coast and John Doe on the west coast each have their own rule book which one do you follow? How to you get it? Just a few of the seemingly minor, but important, things that a national group provides.

So we say, OK, screw USATF and the championships, etc. Let's have Elite Racing and Running USA decide the rankings. We could have bands every mile at the Olympic Trials. Think of the possibilities.

I admit that to people not in the lead pack the structure and benefits of USATF aren't that visible, and in some parts of the country they're damn near invisible. What I've said, and continue to say, is I don't think throwing the baby out with the bathwater is the right idea and deciding to try to bleed out USATF will bring negative consequences.

It's not like it's $100 a year to be in USATF. It's dues are comparable to USAT or USMS, both of whom provide fewer services to average participants than USATF dues. I don't think it's an unreasonable amount of money to provide a little structure to the sport. I also think if you want to rattle a chain, it's easier to be heard if you're inside the house instead of outside in the yard.

Some of the dues (I'll defer to Steve Vaitones on the amount) go to your regional USATF organization. I'm very happy with the service we get here in New England. The organization is top notch and the administration of road races, track/xc meets is superb.

I know that other areas of the country may not be as content with their regional support and to that I say, rather than complain about this or not pay, become part of the solution, get more involved, and help things in your area improve.

On the national level - I don't know how any of the board members are elected, but I'd assume the regional directors have some kind of say. Talk to your regional representatives and tell them that change is needed at the top.

don't worry, the coaches association will take over USATF soon enough.

I'm mostly a hobby jogger. I don't think joining USATF does anything for me. I will not be competing in national championship races. I would like to compete in my regional association but as far as I can tell it is practically non-existent. Joining USATF would merely be an act of charity to me--giving them money because I think it is good for the sport as a whole, devoid from any benefits I personally receive from it.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

I'm mostly a hobby jogger. I don't think joining USATF does anything for me. I will not be competing in national championship races. I would like to compete in my regional association but as far as I can tell it is practically non-existent. Joining USATF would merely be an act of charity to me--giving them money because I think it is good for the sport as a whole, devoid from any benefits I personally receive from it.

Not an uncommon analysis and pretty much on the mark, but if you care about the sport and think giving money to USATF benefits the sport as a whole even if your personal benefit is minimal, why not do it if you can afford it?

I've been running for decades. I would never even consider paying USATF dues

I paid up only twice, when I had to in order to compete in PAUSATF XC with my club. I see no other reason to support them. I would personally prefer that they go under and another organization surface that lacks the disorganization, disservice and utterly incompetent high level staff on which TAC/USATF have built their organization. The vast majority of road races will be largely unaffected.

If USATF were to make a small concession, such as barring Brooks Johnson from any USA T&F involvement, attendance and presence I might consider supporting them.

I dont pay the dues. I am a mountain runner and the USATF has never done shit for me and my peeps.

I've been paying USATF dues for years. It is well worth the cost to have races with certified courses. Minnesota also has an active association that provides team competitions and state championships.

I keep paying my dues but it is like they say about second marriages: the triumph of hope over experience.

Keith Stone wrote:

Mr. Obvious wrote:

I'm mostly a hobby jogger. I don't think joining USATF does anything for me. I will not be competing in national championship races. I would like to compete in my regional association but as far as I can tell it is practically non-existent. Joining USATF would merely be an act of charity to me--giving them money because I think it is good for the sport as a whole, devoid from any benefits I personally receive from it.

Not an uncommon analysis and pretty much on the mark, but if you care about the sport and think giving money to USATF benefits the sport as a whole even if your personal benefit is minimal, why not do it if you can afford it?

I would agree that is the question. I pay dues to some organizations for exactly this reason--I believe in the larger mission and it is not that much money even though there is little or no personal benefit to me. In the case of USATF it then becomes a question of whether you think the organization is so poorly run and/or corrupt that you are actually doing long term help or harm to the sport by continuing to support that organization. That is a question everybody has to answer for himself.