The AGPA is a non-profit corporation (501(c)3) established in 2001. Its purpose is to raise funds to help defray the cost of team member competition locally, statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally. All team member families are members by default, but must select their level of participation each fiscal year, which runs September 1 through August 31, by signing an annual membership agreement. The AGPA is run by a Board of Directors, of at least three, but not more than seven members, who are elected by the membership in June of each year. Member meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, unless otherwise indicated. Prior to each meeting, we will send out a notice with the proposed agenda for the meeting. It is your responsibility as a member to attend as many meetings as possible.
You need to pay your team assessment fee in full by November 1. You need to work the required "slots" in an AGPA hosted meet, and you need to participate in at least one fundraising sales opportunity. Fulfill these requirements and you will be eligible for any meet proceeds and/or qualification, or any other, awards the AGPA may disburse to the membership at the end of the fiscal year.
"Slots" refer to jobs, or positions, we need members to work during a meet. On average, there are 33-35 positions during each meet session. These include: beam timers, floor timers, flashers, runners, concession and merchandise areas, etc. We determine the number of slots a family must work by totaling the number of slots for the entire meet and dividing it by the number of participating member families. For example, if we host a meet of 4 sessions and each session requires 30 slots or positions, we have a total of 120 slots that we need volunteers to work. If we have 60 member families, then each family will be required to 2 slots to fulfill their work requirement.
In addition to working slots, member families are usually asked to assist with set-up or breakdown. Set-up refers to setting up the meet site, usually the evening or day before, the meet begins. This requires setting up concessions, the floor, all equipment, loading and unloading items and generally making sure everything is ready for that first gymnast to arrive for check-in the next morning. Breakdown occurs after the meet is completed. It requires breaking down equipment, loading it on the truck, cleaning up all areas of the venue, making sure all gym-owned and AGPA equipment is loaded and accounted for, and taken back to the gym. Both set-up and breakdown can take at least three hours - less time is needed if more people help.
The team assessment fee is an estimated amount of what the AGPA will need to register your child for meets during the upcoming competitive season. This fee covers coaches' fees and travel expenses as well. Each level is assessed separately based upon the number of meets they are expected to attend and the average meet registration fee per meet. Registration fees are paid out at least two months in advance of actual competition date. The money is collected in advance so that we can assure timely registration and guarantee a spot for your child in the scheduled meets.
At the end of each competitive season, the Board reviews actual expenses for team members at each level. If the fee was sufficient to cover all expenses for the year, the fee may not change for the upcoming season. If expenses exceeded, or came close to the assessment fee, the Board will most likely increase the fee for the upcoming season.
You are responsible for paying your assessment fee in full in three monthly installments, as determined by the Board, before the new season begins. Your payment must be by personal check, made out to the "AGPA". We do not accept cash payments. Payments are due: September 1, October 1 and November 1. Prep-Op payments are due: November 1 and December 1. Anyone not paid in full, without prior Board approval, will be considered in default. This will result in your child not being registered for upcoming meets and may change your membership status and eligibility for any meet proceeds and/or award disbursements at the end of the fiscal year.
Yes. You may apply any rolled over money towards payment for the upcoming season - either towards a team assessment fee installment or a leotard deposit, etc.
If your child is injured and will not be ready for competition, you must notify the office and the Board in writing. You have the right to request a reduction in your team assessment fee, but only if you request it in writing and obtain Board approval prior to November 1. You can expect an adjustment equal to estimated registration fees for meets your child cannot attend - up to 10% of your total assessment fee. Please remember that even if your child does not compete at a given meet, you are still responsible for coaches' fees and expenses for that meet.
Meet proceeds are the net profit the AGPA earns from specific meets, which are usually divided equally among AGPA members who worked those meets. The profit comes from selling concessions, merchandise, vendor sales and occasionally, door entrance fees. Qualification awards, such as the State Qualification or Pursuit of Excellence award, come from AGPA General Fund money in excess of operating expenses, and is awarded to members whose gymnasts attain a specified level of competition during the season. All meet proceeds and qualification awards are approved by the AGPA membership. This money is considered a "credit" to your account to be used to help defray the cost of your child competing during the upcoming competitive season.
No. All member fundraised money goes into the AGPA General Fund so that all members can potentially benefit from it. That is why fundraising sales is now mandatory for all participating members.
If your child is injured
prior to competition season
and will not be ready to compete, you must notify the office and the
Board in writing. You have the right to request a reduction in your team
assessment fee, but only if you request it in writing and obtain Board
approval prior to November 1. You can expect an adjustment equal to
estimated registration fees for meets your child cannot attend - up to
10% of your total assessment fee.
If your child cannot compete
at any time during the season for 3 months or longer due to injury,
you must present a note to the office and the Board from a medical
doctor stating the estimated rehabilitation timeframe.
You will then become exempt from coaches’ fees for meets your
child does not attend during that time.
If, however, your child heals sooner and begins to attend meets
prior to the end of the three month period, even if she only competes
one event, you will become responsible for coaches’ fees for that meet
and all subsequent meets your child attends.