Updated 5/12/2015
TYPES OF EPFSC MEMBERSHIP
EPFSC offers several membership choices to accommodate the needs of different skaters. Annual membership fees vary depending on the type of membership. The EPFSC Membership Chairperson has a complete listing of current membership rates.
There are two full privilege membership types: Home Club and First Year. Privileges include but are not limited to participation in the Ice Show finale and being included on the Seniority list for ice contract priority, test session priority, club room lockers, Ice Show points, and consideration for Ice Show small groups and solos.
Home Club Member
EPFSC is the skater’s primary club for contracting ice and is the club the skater represents at competitions and testing sessions. Home club members must fulfill contracting, rink monitoring and fundraising requirements.
First Year Member
A First Year membership is a transitional membership to supplement the Eden Prairie Learn-To-Skate program and support new skaters as they transition into Junior Club and/or private lessons. This membership type applies to skaters new to figure skating and to US Figure Skating Association membership (skaters with prior USFSA membership through another club are not eligible for First Year membership and must join EPFSC as Home Club members). First Year members must fulfill contracting and rink monitoring requirements (rink monitoring requirements begin in second contract period), however, if your skater is contracted for Junior Club only, you must monitor one Junior Club session unless all spots are already taken by other volunteers. First Year members are not required to fulfill EPFSC fundraising requirements (fundraising requirements begin in the second EPFSC membership year). For example, if a skater joins the club in September, the fundraising requirement begins the following July.
Other membership types include Associate, Adult/Alumni, Collegiate, Sustaining, and Basic Skills.
Associate Member
EPFSC is the skater’s secondary club for ice and the skater represents another club for competitions and testing. Associate members are NOT included on the Seniority list. Associate members have lower priority than Home Club members for testing and buying onto ice sessions, but higher priority over non-club members. Associate members are not required to fulfill EPFSC contracting, rink monitoring or fundraising requirements. Associate members pay a premium over Home club members for contracted ice. They also pay non-member buy-in rates for ice and non-member rates for testing. Non-EPFSC members (non- Home, First Year or Associate members) are only allowed to skate EPFSC ice three times in a calendar year, at which point Associate Membership is required to continue buying onto EPFSC Club ice.
Adult/Alumni Member
Available to adult skaters, including but not limited to graduates of the EPFSC. It is a low cost option to maintain a USFSA number and a membership with EPFSC. Adult/Alumni members are NOT included on the Seniority list. Adult/Alumni members have lower priority than Home Club members for testing and buying onto ice sessions, but higher priority over non-club members. Adult/Alumni members are not required to fulfill EPFSC contracting, rink monitoring or fundraising requirements. Adult/Alumni members are allowed (but are not required) to contract for ice and they pay a premium over Home club members for contracted ice. They also pay non-member buy-in rates for ice and testing.
Collegiate Member
Available to skaters who are actively enrolled/attending college. It is a low cost option to maintain a USFSA number and membership with EPFSC. This is a one-time, 4 consecutive year membership that carries the same privileges as a home club member with the exception that Collegiate members are NOT included on the Seniority list. Collegiate members have a lower priority than Home Club members for testing and buying onto ice sessions, but higher priority over non-club members. Collegiate members are not required to fulfill EPFSC contracting, rink monitoring or fundraising requirements. Collegiate members pay non-member buy-in rates for ice and testing.
Sustaining Member
Available to Board members who are not Home Club members and, at the discretion of the EPFSC Board, to other individuals who play a sustaining role in the club and wish to show support of the mission of the club. Sustaining members have full voting privileges but no skating privileges. Sustaining members are not required to fulfill rink monitor or fundraising requirements.
Basic Skills Member
Basic Skills membership is an introductory level and low cost membership that provides beginner skaters the opportunity to compete in Basic Skills competitions as a Basic Skills member of the EPFSC and the USFSA. Basic Skills members are not included on the Seniority list and are not eligible to participate in the Ice Show finale. Basic Skills members are not required to fulfill EPFSC contracting, rink monitoring or fundraising requirements. Basic Skills members pay non-member buy-in rates for ice. Basic Skills members are only allowed to skate EPFSC ice three times in a calendar year, at which point First Year or Home Club membership is required.
With the exception of Associate membership, the annual membership fee includes annual USFSA membership fees. EPFSC will process the USFSA membership for each skater. USFSA membership is necessary for testing and competing. USFSA membership includes an annual subscription to SKATING magazine (or the Basic Skills Edition of SKATING magazine for Basic Skills members), which will be sent directly to the skater’s home.
SENIORITY STATUS
A skater’s seniority status with EPFSC begins on the day membership paperwork for Home Club or First Year membership is received by the Membership Chairperson. Membership seniority dates are given to Home Club and/or First Year members. Skaters that transition from First Year to Home Club membership will maintain their membership status and seniority date.
Seniority Status is used for determination of many privileges at EPFSC, including but not limited to the following:
• Club room lockers are awarded (first small and then large lockers) based on Club seniority.
• Preferences for ice sessions contracted are awarded based on seniority.
• Skaters “buying in” on ice sessions are given priority based on seniority if sessions should be at capacity.
• Ice Show Points (see policy E) are awarded for EPFSC seniority. These points accumulate for earning a small group or solo in the Ice Show.
• “Gift Presenters” for the Ice Show are determined based on seniority.
• Priority for spots on EPFSC test sessions is awarded based on seniority.
JOINING EPFSC / MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
The EPFSC Membership year runs July 1 to June 30. New members are welcome at any time during the year and their membership will run until the following June 30, at which time membership renewal is required. Current EPFSC members will be notified via email or the EPFSC website that the membership renewal process has begun, with specific instructions for registration and payment, as well as renewal due dates. Membership renewal is coordinated through our volunteer Membership Chairperson.
Timely membership renewal is vital to retain a skater’s seniority status. Failure to renew membership within specified timelines will result in a skater moving to the bottom of the seniority list, once renewed.
In addition, membership registration and payment must be completed in order to contract for club ice.
PROCESS FOR DELINQUENT MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
1. Membership Chairperson will notify the EPFSC Contract / Billings Coordinator that no ice contracts should be processed because of lack of membership renewal.
2. Membership Chair will notify skater via the e-mail on file that no membership renewal or initial membership has been received and until received, the skater cannot buy-in or contract onto club ice, in addition no testing or competition forms can be signed and the skater is at risk of losing seniority status.
3. Membership Chair will notify EPFSC Executive Committee that testing and competition forms cannot be authorized until membership registration is completed.
4. The skater’s coach will be notified of the situation. No lessons can be given on club ice.
5. Skater must immediately renew EPFSC Membership. If the contract deadline has passed, the current ice contract will be processed with LOWEST seniority priority.
6. If renewal is not completed within 3 weeks of the membership renewal deadline, the skater loses their current seniority status and a new membership date will be assigned upon receipt of membership paperwork.