Mark, we don't advertise that policy, but we don't hide it either. My experience is that it can come as a surprise to potential event hosts that they are expected to budget the event without input from the class.

What comes as more of a surprise is that there is profit-sharing. The intent of that is so that hosts are not setting up profit-making ventures, rather that they spend the entry fees back into the event to maintain a high level of quality.

Back on topic... Having said that, no one has ever used your discussion point as a reason to not join the class. In the past, some folks have said they don't see the need to join if they don't go to national-level events.

Most of that dicsussion has gone away because we've taken huge efforts to ensure that we deliver what the members want, and make sure they know about it. Sounds like USSA could learn from this?

We do require compulsory membership at class regattas, but that isn't the primary reason people join (it does help remind people, though)...

Mike