Need Information on Forming a "Club"

[ClintonMagus]

We are in the process of forming a local pole vault club and would appreciate any information and suggestions you might be able to provide. Thus far, our thoughts are:

1. We will be open to anyone who is interested in pole vaulting, as appropriate.
2. The main purpose will be to promote healthy and friendly intramural competition to help the members to improve their skills.
3. The only requirement for participation will be a valid USATF membership.
4. There will be a membership fee of some sort to offset equipment purchases and to encourage paid members to actually participate.

We do have a suitable indoor facility, and at least one (and probably two) pits during the track off-season. We also have a qualified coach to oversee the facility.

We don't want to overdo this, but we do want to make sure that we have covered all the bases. What else do we need to consider?

[souleman]

Shoot me an email at vaultingeezer@yahoo.com . I'll send you one of my packets for you to use as a basis. Key thing is to get your club registered and approved with USATF. That costs $50 a year. There are big benefits to this. Home based or non school facilities have to be approved by USATF before they will issue a club designation. This is pretty easy to do. A little bit of paperwork and a few photos are basically what they want to see. They just want to see that the pit isn't 20 mattresses stacked up on a row of tires and there's no tree limbs hanging over the pit etc. If you set it up using high school safety guidelines you'll be alright. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Later...............Mike

[indestructo]

souleman, I wouldn't mind that info too. I'm looking to try to get something up and running in our neck of the woods. I'll drop you an email!

[souleman]

Just shoot me an email.

[indestructo]

done

[superpipe]

Having your club certified as a USATF club is the key requirement. Here are the two forms I have all club members fill out and sign:
http://www.mansfieldathletics.com/pole_ ... forms.html

I created these based off what I found from other existing USATF clubs.

I also took it a step farther and created an LLC company to separate my personal assets ( My house, etc.. ) from a worst case liability case. Nothing is full proof, but I still thought it was worth it.

I haven't gone the route of membership fees yet since my club is still less than a year old, but I do require session fees to offset space rental at the University. Since I'm in Vermont, my population base for pole vaulters is pretty small, so I have to be more careful with my spending and charging. It's progressing well though. Definitely helps get things started having local University support ( University of Vermont for me ) and local high school support for using their facilities.