Using Your USPTA membership
Transcription
Using Your USPTA membership
Using Your USPTA membership Revised 11/08 Using your USPTA membership Getting involved Section I Getting involved in your Association 2 Using your USPTA membership Getting involved USPTA’s democratic process Now that you’ve demonstrated your commitment to self-improvement by joining USPTA, you should further your investment by considering ways to get the most from your membership. In the process, you will advance your career in ways you might not have thought possible. The following five steps are important ways you can use your USPTA membership to the fullest: 1. Promote the game, the profession and your career. Tennis players need tennis teachers and vice versa. By promoting the game, you create additional career opportunities for yourself. By getting involved in activities that promote the teaching profession, you ensure selfimprovement and a secure future. 2. Utilize the educational offerings. Self-improvement starts with learning. By pursuing continuing education studies in USPTA, you increase your knowledge of the profession and your capabilities. The dividends are great. Take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn your profession and gain valuable incentives through USPTA’s Career Development Program. 3. Participate in activities. Whether it’s a grassroots event, a divisional tournament or a seminar at a World Conference, you will achieve self-improvement and promote the profession. Discover the many beneficial programs of USPTA. 4. Share ideas with other members. The rewards are great for attending USPTA divisional and national conventions, tournaments, courses, seminars, workshops and other activities. You’ll meet top teaching professionals, share ideas and gain valuable insight and knowledge. Get to know your fellow USPTA professionals. Now you can communicate online through the USPTA Tennis Resource Center Forum. Visit forums.uspta.com. 5. Make your voice heard. You can contribute to the growth and direction of USPTA and the tennis industry by pursuing a leadership role in USPTA. Be an involved member. Take an active interest in your sport, your career and your Association. Leadership roles USPTA’s democratic governing process ensures certified members the opportunity to play a role in the policy direction of the Association, the teaching profession and the tennis industry. The key is learning to participate and make your voice heard. It is important to participate in USPTA and industry events, to ask pertinent questions of pertinent people and to take an active interest in anything that may directly or indirectly affect your profession. How to make the USPTA political system work for you: Familiarize yourself with the USPTA divisional structure, and its elected officers and bylaws. Introduce yourself to your division president. He or she is the most important source for information. A complete list of division presidents and other division officers appears on the USPTA Web site. Get to know your divisional committee members. 3 Using your USPTA membership Getting involved Read your division newsletters and its Web site. Go to uspta.com, then ‘‘Quick Links,’’ and click on “Division Web sites,” then select your division. These forms of communication provide valuable information on division officers and events, as well as the names of committee chairs and district and state representatives – with whom you can communicate directly. Get involved at the divisional level to become recognized and earn a division nomination for elected office. Volunteer to work on committees, organize events, and help with conventions. Each division selects a committee that nominates members to serve on its board. Familiarize yourself with the national organizational and political structure, including the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, national bylaws and national committees. Earn a nomination for a national office through extensive involvement at the divisional level and elsewhere in the tennis industry. USPTA’s national Nominating Committee interviews and selects members to serve on the national Board of Directors. Become involved in one of USPTA’s networks or committees, only a small sampling of which includes women’s, multicultural, Tennis Across America and public relations. 4 Using your USPTA membership Getting involved National structure USPTA national National Board of Directors General Counsel CEO Executive Committee National committees 5 Using your USPTA membership Getting involved Divisional structure DIVISION OF USPTA DIVISIONAL BOARD OF OFFICERS DIVISIONAL PRESIDENT REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR LIAISONS (multicultural, public relations, women, etc.) FIRST VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES (OR PRESIDENTS) District A. District B. District C. District D. Representative Representative Representative Representative SAMPLE COMMITTEES A. B. C. D. E. F. Education Public Relations Membership Nominating Multicultural Women’s 6 SECRETARY PAST PRESIDENT Using your USPTA membership Getting involved USPTA divisions 7 Using your USPTA membership Section II Summary of USPTA benefits 8 Using your USPTA membership USPTA benefits Summary of USPTA member benefits 1. Prestige of being certified by the world’s most respected tennis-teaching organization 2. $9 million on-court liability insurance 3. Continuing education opportunities 4 . HEAD racquets 5. Pro Penn tennis balls 6. SportStarProSales – discount on sunglasses and assorted products 7. Nike/Fromuth apparel and shoes 8. Free personal Web site 9. Find-a-Job 10. Find-a-Pro 11. Post-a-Job 12. USPTA World Conference on Tennis 13. Job search tools – Career Center 14. Teaching tools – Career Center 15. Public relations tools – Career Center 16. “On Court with USPTA” 17. Reinvestment of all USPTA proceeds. 35% annual dues returned to divisional treasuries 18. Direct representation through democratically elected officials at regional, divisional, and national levels. 19. Uspta.com 20. Littletennis.com 21. Addvantageuspta.com 22. Usprotennisshop.com 23. Highschoolcoach.uspta.com 9 Using your USPTA membership USPTA benefits 24. Player Development program 25. Subscription to Tennisplayer.net 26. ADDvantage 27. Tennis 28. Tennis Week 29. USPTA International Championships 30. USPTA International Team Championships 31. USPTA Surface Championships 32. Divisional championships and grand prix circuits 33. National publicity and advertising through USPTA PR department (commercials and shows on the Tennis Channel) 34. USPTA T-shirt program 35. Dartfish USA – receive discounts on video analysis software 36. FTD florist 37. Avis car rental 38. Discounts on exclusive USPTA logo merchandise and personalized product 39. Sports marketing programs (Tennis Across America, Little Tennis, Junior Circuit, Adult Tennis League, Lessons for Life) 40. Specialist degrees 41. Lessons online 42. Online education and testing 43. USPTA MasterCard 44. SportMaster Sport Surfaces 45. Divisional conventions 46. USPTA Tennis Buying Show 47. USPTA Awards Breakfast 10 Using your USPTA membership USPTA benefits 48. Player rankings 49. Hiring a Tennis Professional book 50. Seminar and “On Court with USPTA” DVDs, audio CDs of conference seminars 51. Monthly communication through USPTA e-news 52. Membership Directory online 53. USPTA books 54. Regional testing centers 55. Division Web sites 56. Fully staffed World Headquarters for efficient, thorough member service 57. Speaking opportunities at international, divisional and other industry seminars 58. Opportunity to be published in ADDvantage and other industry publications 59. Online membership management – pay dues, update information 60. Some services, activities and fees may be tax-deductible as a business expense 61. Corporate members may purchase liability insurance for nonmember tennis teachers 62. Getcourtside.com – online tools to run flex leagues, challenge ladders, junior activities, round robins and more 63. Forum 11 Using your USPTA membership Section III Professional certification and image 12 Using your USPTA membership Professional certification and image Professional certification and image Your image as a teaching professional is a reflection of your commitment to excellence. As a USPTA-certified Professional, you are part of a select group of tennis teachers aspiring to the highest professional standards attainable. This demonstrates to the public, your peers and prospective employers that you are uniquely qualified to teach the game and manage the business affairs of a tennis facility. Displaying your USPTA-certified membership USPTA membership card This smartly designed card is your professional ID. It includes your name, member number, professional rating and the official USPTA logo. Use it to identify your certified membership at USPTA and other industry functions. Allow three to four weeks for delivery. Thereafter, you will receive a card annually, after you pay your dues. Don’t leave home without your membership card! If you lose it, you may obtain a replacement by contacting the Computer Services Department at the World Headquarters. Your membership card is valid only while you are a certified member in good standing. Should you leave USPTA, the card must be returned to the World Headquarters. USPTA membership certificate Your membership certificate is ideal for displaying your membership in your office or pro shop. Handsomely designed, it includes your name, professional rating, membership number and the official USPTA logo. You’ve worked hard to earn it. Frame your certificate and proudly display it in a prominent location. Your certificate will be mailed to you after successful completion of the Certification Exam. 13 Using your USPTA membership Section IV Certification upgrading 14 Using your USPTA membership Certification upgrading Certification upgrading Categories of membership in USPTA include: applicant, certified (Professional), retired, corporate and honorary. The corporate and honorary categories do not require the Certification Exam and should not be confused with certification. USPTA also offers a wheelchair certification and a Recreational Coach member category for part-time and noncareer-path tennis teachers. The applicant category is a provisional status that allows someone to prepare for the Certification Exam. The retired category is for members who are 65 or older, no longer teach (including part time) and receive retirement benefits. Certified professional-level members are required to successfully pass the Certification Exam. Certification is a primary benefit of USPTA and is a major consideration by many employers. Based on age requirements and certification results, newly certified members are placed in one of three rating classifications. From entry level to most advanced, they are: Professional 3, Professional 2 and Professional 1. These represent a measure of overall performance on the Certification Exam and are the primary ratings for teachers in USPTA. In addition to the ratings mentioned above, USPTA Professionals may aspire to the elite classification of Master Professional. Qualified members must hold a Professional 1 rating for a specific number of years, accumulate a particular number of career development credits and fulfill a broad spectrum of industry service requirements. Upgrading your certification rating When members receive their initial test results, they are provided information on when they will be eligible to upgrade their rating and on what portions of the exam. Members must wait three months for each area of the test on which they need to upgrade. For example, if a member needs to upgrade both the private and group lesson areas, he must wait six months from his first exam date to attempt an upgrade on those portions of the exam. In order to upgrade from a P-3 to a P-2, or from a P-2 to a P-1, members simply register for and retake those portions of the Certification Exam on which they scored below minimum requirements. It’s important for members to read the requirements for the next certification level to see if they must submit additional documentation. There is a fee to upgrade and the amount is based on the number of exam portions a member must retake. Information on upgrade opportunities and locations is published each month in ADDvantage magazine and is listed online at uspta.com. Members may register for upgrade exams by mail or by calling the USPTA Membership Department. Applicants may register by phone by providing a credit card number. The deadline to register for an exam is 21 days prior to the exam date, and registration will not be finalized until the upgrade fee is paid in full. Exam applicants will receive a confirmation letter for the exam, including site information, approximately 15 days prior to the exam. You can also take the written and grips online. Take advantage of education to prepare for upgrade exams USPTA’s Certification Review Course is recommended for efficient upgrade preparation. Most of these courses are offered in conjunction with the Certification Exam, and times and locations are listed on the USPTA Web site or can be provided by the Membership Department. This course is also available online for a nominal fee. Members may register for an upgrade by contacting the Membership Department and mailing in the appropriate fee. Or, they may call and provide credit card information. Approximately 15 days prior to the upgrade, members receive a letter confirming their registration, which also includes the course date and site information. 15 Using your USPTA membership Certification upgrading USPTA Recreational Coach The USPTA Recreational Coach category is designed for people who may already be teaching tennis – as high school coaches, at recreational facilities or in other part-time situations – but are not immediate candidates for careers as full-time teaching professionals. To become a Recreational Coach, applicants participate in workshops to learn the basic standards of tennis teaching from the USTA. USPTA sets the standard for the industry with its Professional-level certification. Coaches working deep in the grassroots will benefit a great deal from the experience of USPTA Professionals and the unique mentoring approach of this new program. As the quality of teaching improves, the value of the tennis teachers’ contribution to the industry will increase. 16 Using your USPTA membership Section V Insurance 17 Using your USPTA membership Insurance Insurance “It’ll never happen to me.” The fact is, costly accidents do happen, even to the most careful and conscientious teaching professional. That’s why it is so important to have proper insurance protection. You’ll rest easier knowing you are prepared for the unexpected. USPTA provides on-court liability insurance and makes available major medical and long-term care insurance through outside companies. These insurance programs are explained below. Liability insurance Most USPTA professionals are entitled to $9 million on-court liability/personal property damage insurance. Here’s how this coverage works: USPTA-certified members or applicants who legally reside and work in the United States, its territories or Canada, automatically are covered each year upon full payment of annual membership dues. Retired members, corporate members and honorary members not previously certified are not covered. Please be aware, however, that not all honorary or retired members are covered. This on-court policy includes $9 million for bodily injury to others and for damage to property not in the teaching professional’s care, custody or control. It does not cover injury to the teaching professional or to his or her property. Teaching professionals are covered for any injury to someone else (such as a student) that takes place on court and arises from a teacher’s playing, practicing, teaching or officiating tennis. We have enclosed a “proof of insurance” letter in the new member package, which serves as proof that you are covered under this policy. You may purchase a certificate of insurance at $10 per copy. How to file a liability claim Notify the Insurance Department at the World Headquarters and request an accident report form. Upon receipt of the information by USPTA, the claim will be investigated and processed. For more information on liability insurance, call the USPTA World Headquarters at 713-97-USPTA. 18 Using your USPTA membership Insurance Sample insurance information letter August 1, 2008 I am responding to your recent request for details of liability insurance coverage with the following explanation: I. THE USPTA LIABILITY POLICY INCLUDES $9 million liability insurance, while on court, for bodily injury to others and for damage to property not in the tennis professional’s care, custody or control. It does not cover injury to the tennis professional or damage to his/her property. This coverage is null and void if the member is not a citizen of or does not legally reside and work in the United States, its territories or Canada. II. THE USPTA POLICY PROVIDES legal liability insurance for an accident that takes place on court and arises from the tennis professional’s playing, practicing, teaching or officiating in tennis. All members in the applicant, certified and honorary (previously certified) categories who are in good standing and who legally reside and work in the United States, its territories or Canada (see territory defined in paragraph XII) are covered automatically by this policy. Not covered by this policy are corporate and retired members and those applicant, certified or honorary members when playing or teaching outside of the territory defined in paragraph XII, or who do not have the legal right to reside and work in the territory in paragraph XII. However, clubs that are corporate members may insure their non-USPTA tennis teachers by following the procedure in paragraph III of this letter, which explains nonmember coverage. III. NONMEMBER TEACHING ASSISTANTS OF CERTIFIED MEMBERS may apply for coverage under this policy. It is necessary for a certified member to submit the names of his/her assistants, plus $85 each to the USPTA World Headquarters. Clubs that are USPTA corporate members in good standing may sponsor their non-USPTA tennis teachers and pay the same fees ($85 each) for their coverage. It should be very clear, however, that this does not cover the club or the sponsoring certified member against any liability claims, but only the insured nonmembers(s). The USPTA policy does not provide club coverage and the club must secure its own liability insurance in its usual manner. The nonmember insurance fee is neither prorated nor transferable, and will cover the nonmember through the term of the policy year (from December 31 to December 31 of the next year). When adding nonmember assistants, the effective date for their coverage is the date the letter and proper payment to the USPTA World Headquarters are received by the USPTA Insurance Department. Reapplication must be made by the USPTA sponsor for the nonmember insuree each policy year in a timely fashion, since no notices or invoices will be sent as a reminder. IV. IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT, a member should call the World Headquarters immediately with all details of the accident. V. IF A CERTIFIED MEMBER OR APPLICANT REQUESTS PROOF OF COVERAGE in addition to this letter of explanation, a certificate of insurance may be requested. The cost for this is $10 for each certificate requested by an applicant or certified member. Copies of the liability policy will be made available to a member or applicant at a cost of $20. Recreational Coaches who choose to purchase the insurance may request a copy of the policy for $40, which covers which covers administrative and mailing fees. All fees must be received by USPTA prior to mailing the certificate or policy. VI. INFORMATION NEEDED IN ORDER TO REQUEST A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE is the applicant or member’s name, address and USPTA member number, and the employer’s name and address. The original certificate will be forwarded to the employer, and a copy will be sent to the member, unless otherwise requested by the member. VII. USPTA DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR CLUBS, CAMPS, CLINICS, ACADEMIES, ETC. If these facilities or programs wish to be insured, they must contact their local insurance agent. The USPTA liability insurance program covers each USPTA member who teaches at clubs and other facilities or in various camps, clinics, academies and other such businesses, but does not cover the club, facility, camp, clinic or academy as a business entity. If a lawsuit is initiated because of an accident at any of these facilities, the USPTA liability insurance will protect the professional as an individual, but the owners, directors or other principles of those facilities must have their own insurance to cover any liability that may occur due to their own negligence or act. 19 Using your USPTA membership Insurance VIII. “ADDITIONAL INSURED” COVERAGE MAY BE PURCHASED FOR A CLUB, CAMP, ETC., and can be added to a certified member or applicant’s policy. This does not mean that the club, camp, etc., is covered against any liability that might arise due to its own negligence or act. It simply means that the club, camp, etc., would be covered for any vicarious liability arising from an accident caused by any USPTA-certified member or applicant or insured non-USPTA member (as stipulated in paragraphs II and III). If the club is held negligent, it could be sued separately and would not be covered by the USPTA member’s insurance and consequently still would need its own liability insurance coverage. IX. THE COST TO ADD AN “ADDITIONAL INSURED” to the liability policy is $35, plus a $25 handling and administrative fee. Recreational Coaches who purchase the coverage may add an additional insured for $70, plus $50 handling and administrative fee. The additional insured fee is neither prorated nor transferable and will cover the additional insured through the term of the policy year (from December 31 to December 31 of the next year). Payment must be received at the World Headquarters with the request for additional coverage. If more than one additional insured is needed, add $35 each and add $70 each for Recreational Coaches who have purchased coverage. Paperwork for proof of additional insured coverage will take at least two weeks for delivery; however, binder coverage will be in effect from the day that proper payment is received by the USPTA Insurance Department. X. THE LIABILITY POLICY DOES NOT COVER AN APPLICANT OR MEMBER’S LIABILITY AGAINST INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR WHILE TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO AND FROM OFFICIAL TENNIS EVENTS, SUCH AS TOURNAMENTS OR INTERCLUB MATCHES. The applicant or member will need to ascertain that his/her personal insurance is adequate and appropriate for the use of that vehicle. XI. ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY USING A BALL MACHINE WHILE TEACHING OR PRACTICING TENNIS WILL BE COVERED. If the injury occurs to your employee, this should be covered under a worker’s compensation policy. If a certified member or applicant or insured nonmember rents or loans a ball machine for usage other than mentioned above, he/she should seek special coverage from an insurance adviser. XII. THE TERRITORY OF COVERAGE is anywhere within the United States, its territories or Canada. There is no coverage at this time for applicants or members who play or teach in other territories, or who do not legally reside or work in the territory of coverage. XIII. THESE POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCLUSIONS usual to general liability insurance, but they are too lengthy for inclusion here. XIV. POLICY DETAILS Policy number: PHPK279449 Effective period: 12/31/07 - 12/31/08 For questions or to report an accident, contact: USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Telephone: 713-978-7782 I hope that these details answer your immediate questions. If you need further assistance, please contact our Insurance Department. UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC. Tim Heckler CEO TH/md 20 Using your USPTA membership Section VI USPTA’s online resources 21 Using your USPTA membership Online resources USPTA’s online resources USPTA offers its members the latest in technology through numerous online resources. Whether you want to explore the tennis industry through USPTA’s main Web site, look for jobs or employees, purchase merchandise for your pro shop or spotlight your individual talents, USPTA provides all these services and more. USPTA online member benefits include: www.uspta.com – USPTA’s main Web site features extensive information about USPTA, its democratic structure, educational courses, certification, exam schedules, news, national and divisional conferences and how to reach divisional leaders. This site also provides e-mail communications to USPTA staff members, surveys and links to all other Association Web sites. See the following pages for more information on this site and the members only section. Members may log in to the members only area with their last name and member number to access their benefits. www.addvantageuspta.com – This benefit allows ADDvantage magazine to be viewed online in its entirety and includes search capabilities and some back issues. www.littletennis.com – This is the most comprehensive site for anyone involved in children’s tennis. It offers tennis-related contests and games, and links to other child-friendly sites. Parents can find local Little Tennis® programs for their children and informative tennis-related articles. Tennis professionals have access to games, drills, lesson plans and other information to keep their programs fresh and fun. Find-a-Pro module – Find-a-Pro is an online service that allows employers to post job openings and pros to view the listings, free. It is found on USPTA’s main Web site at www.uspta.com or at www.usptafindapro.com. The public can access the online version of Find-a-Pro and print a list of local USPTA-certified teaching professionals including a link to personal Web sites. www.usprotennisshop.com – USPTA’s online pro shop features an expanded educational resource section, graduated tennis equipment, USPTA logo merchandise, such as business cards, stationery, apparel, Little Tennis® accessories, USPTA briefcases and more. USPTA division Web sites – USPTA’s main site is linked to division sites. These include division officers’ phone and e-mail information, division newsletters, divisional events, division awards, certification information and regional exam information. Distance learning module – Members can now receive valuable information with the distance learning center on www.uspta. com. An extensive library of educational seminars is offered online in audio format. The seminars are grouped into four basic categories: teaching, business, sport science and facility management. The site is continually updated as USPTA builds the library from previous World Conferences, recent seminars, video lessons and other special presentations. USPTA personal Web sites – This benefit allows individual professionals to market themselves and their accomplishments in the broadest sense – on the Web. Now, USPTA members may input and control their own content. It’s a benefit worth thousands of dollars, yet it’s free to certified members of USPTA. It allows professionals to promote themselves to owners, managers, potential employers and students. It features a biography of the pro, information on his or her facility, tennis tips, and links to tennis, business and family-related sites. It also includes pages for lessons, events, news and tips that pros can use. An additional benefit is a link to a free subscription to tennisplayer.net. To start using your site, visit Find-a-Pro, search for your name, and log in to begin creating your own content. Coaches Resource Center – The site, highschoolcoaches.uspta.com, represents possibly the largest collection of resources on teaching and playing tennis. The information comes from many sources, including almost four years worth of TV show productions for “On Court with USPTA™,” video recordings of both specialty courses and seminars from past USPTA World Conferences, audio seminars from past World Conferences, DVD productions from special events, including the USPTA Competitive Player Development Conferences, drills, games and more. The site is free to USPTA members and available free for 90 days to anyone else who registers and provides a valid e-mail address and password. Online Tennis Resource Center Forum – The purpose of the online Tennis Resource Center Forum is to create interaction and communication between members and to act as an information resource and provide guided support for tennis industry programs. It allows members to exchange ideas and advice on a number of topics that include training high performance players, high school coaching and facility operations, as well as other topics of current relevance. Career Center – USPTA gives you the products, programs and services to enhance your career in the tennis industry. Whether you’re looking for a new position and need help with your resume, searching for ways to market your services, need help designing lesson plans or want to boost your image in the eyes of your employers, you will find comprehensive resources to do all these tasks and more in the Web-based USPTA Career Center. 22 Using your USPTA membership Section VII USPTA’s personal Web site program 23 Using your USPTA membership Web site program USPTA personal Web site program 24 Using your USPTA membership Section VIII Employment assistance resources 25 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance Employment assistance resources USPTA Find-a-Pro USPTA’s Find-a-Pro online job posting service – located at www.usptafindapro.com – is the only job listing service that gives USPTA-certified professionals free, 24-hour access to job information. The site usually lists from 80 to as many as 100 job openings. Certified members and Recreational Coaches may search for jobs by city, state, countries or by using key words. They also may select whether they require full-time, part-time or seasonal positions. This service is a free online resource for tennis-teaching professionals, players and employers. Find-a-Pro links tennis players with local USPTA-certified professionals and facilities looking to hire full-, part-time or seasonal pros with USPTA teaching professionals looking for these jobs. 1. If you are a USPTA-certified member or Recreational Coach, you can access all job listings by going to usptafindapro.com and login with your last name and member number. 2. Tennis players can locate local teachers through “Players Find Pros.” Searches can find pros in a particular city, state or ZIP code. 3. Employers looking to hire a pro may simply click “Employers” and post job listings. 4. USPTA has also combined Find-a-Pro and USPTA personal Web sites to work together in a new way. A link to the member’s Web site will appear alongside his city, state and work phone number, effectively putting his résumé and facility information at the fingertips of consumers or potential employers. Students and future employers can read about a pro’s teaching experience, education and program specialties. Also available within the Find-a-Pro site are items that help to educate employers about USPTA and its members. These include: A short description of the USPTA certification process A description of USPTA certification ratings and the minimum job skills associated with them USPTA Career Center USPTA gives you the products, programs and services to enhance your career in the tennis industry. Whether you’re looking for a new position and need help with your resume, searching for ways to market your services or want to boost your image in the eyes of your employers, you will find comprehensive resources to do all these tasks and more in the Web-based USPTA Career Center. The Career Center is divided into the following areas: Job search tools PR tools Teaching tools Personal Web sites Find-a-Job Web site 26 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance Sample employment agreement recommended by USPTA The following contract contains ideas and suggestions for the basis of an employer-employee contract. It is not an independent contractor agreement. Since laws governing employment issues are complex and change frequently, we strongly advise that you seek legal assistance of an attorney before completing any agreement, regardless of whether you decide to use the ideas contained in this employment agreement. (Includes suggestions in italics) This agreement, entered into at this day of 20 , by and between , hereinafter referred to as “CLUB,” and , hereinafter referred to as “PROFESSIONAL.” Whereas, the CLUB is desirous of engaging the services of the PROFESSIONAL, and, Whereas, the PROFESSIONAL is desirous of undertaking the duties of the professional of the CLUB, Now, therefore, the parties, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, agree as follows: I. Term The CLUB hereby engages the services of the PROFESSIONAL as its CLUB professional for the tennis facility operated by it at for a term of years, commencing , 20 , and ending , 20 , which shall be the term of this agreement. (Once the club is clearly satisfied that it has the right person, a multiple-year contract (three to five years) should be offered. This provides the professional with the confidence and security to appropriately stock the tennis shop and make long-term program plans.) II. Duties of the PROFESSIONAL A. The PROFESSIONAL shall devote his/her time, attention and energies to the performance of duties as tennis professional at the CLUB during the term of this agreement. B. In cooperation with the chairman of the tennis committee, the PROFESSIONAL shall conduct all tennis tournaments and shall initiate and promote tennis activities for members and guests. C. The PROFESSIONAL shall cooperate with members of the CLUB, guests and the chairman of the tennis committee, and render professional advice, opinions, assistance and services as required. D. The PROFESSIONAL shall maintain a credit rating with suppliers and manufacturers and others so as not to discredit the reputation or name of the CLUB. E. The PROFESSIONAL shall supervise, direct and train a staff of employees, including assistant professionals, so as to perform duties and meet requirements for sales, rentals and services that are, in the opinion of the CLUB and the PROFESSIONAL, necessary. F. The PROFESSIONAL shall operate and maintain a tennis shop for repairs, handling, storage, sales and services related to tennis equipment/accessories. G. The PROFESSIONAL will cooperate and work closely with the CLUB manager and other CLUB professionals. H. The PROFESSIONAL agrees to be available to attend the regular and special meetings of the board of directors/tennis committee and to discuss areas both within the realm of the PROFESSIONAL’S duties and those for the benefit of the CLUB. (USPTA recommends that the tennis professional sit as a member of the professional management team in all board/committee meetings where operations of the club or facility are discussed.) III. Duties of the CLUB The CLUB agrees: A. To act as an agent for the PROFESSIONAL in collecting and distributing to the PROFESSIONAL all charges made by him/her to members and guests and others, in all related matters set forth herein, including sales, services, rentals and concessions. Said charges shall be paid to the PROFESSIONAL not later than the 10th of the month following submission of charges by the PROFESSIONAL to the CLUB, and payment of said amount to be guaranteed by the CLUB. B. To be responsible for the salaries of the tennis shop personnel, maintenance staff and others employed by the CLUB and supervised and directed by the PROFESSIONAL. (It is important that the contract delineate which employees are paid by the club and which by the professional. To determine this, it may be helpful to establish who they are primarily serving, professional or club.) C. To encourage all tournaments, CLUB members and CLUB committees to purchase prize requirements from the tennis pro shop. D. To pay annual membership dues and registration fees for USPTA and its conventions to USPTA on behalf of the PROFESSIONAL. E. To provide medical and hospitalization coverage for the PROFESSIONAL. 27 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance F. To provide life insurance coverage for the PROFESSIONAL. G. To include PROFESSIONAL in any pension or similar plans for CLUB employees. H. To provide meals for the PROFESSIONAL and assistants during all hours that they are required by their employment to be on the CLUB premises. I. To provide membership privileges for the PROFESSIONAL and his/her family. J. To name the PROFESSIONAL as an additional insured on the CLUB’S liability policies. K. To furnish PROFESSIONAL for his/her use and sole occupancy all necessary facilities, properly maintained, for the operation of his/her business, as set forth herein, including, but not limited to, areas on the CLUB premises for the tennis shop operation, tennis club services and business office, all including proper furnishings, fixtures, floor coverings and utilities. L. To furnish facilities to store, house and maintain all tennis equipment necessary to the facility. M. To furnish and maintain both a practice court and teaching courts as necessary for the PROFESSIONAL to conduct his/her lessons as well as those of his/her assistant teachers. IV. Compensation In addition to other remuneration herein indicated to be received by the PROFESSIONAL, under Paragraph V below, the PROFESSIONAL shall be paid for his/her services the sum of dollars ($ ) for each annual period, payable in 12 equal monthly installments commencing the day of 20 . In each succeeding year of this agreement, this sum will be adjusted to reflect the change in the cost of living based upon the previous year’s index. During the term of this agreement, the PROFESSIONAL shall be under the supervision and directly responsible to (title). If the relationship between the CLUB and the PROFESSIONAL with respect to the employment referred to in this section shall be that of employer and employee, the CLUB shall pay all Social Security benefits and unemployment compensation taxes, and all other mandatory deductions, both federal and state, that are required of the employer with respect to such employment. (A salary or retainer is the club’s payment to the professional for his/her expertise in tennis, the developing of a program of events, promoting the club and the game, and managing a total tennis operation. It should be representative of his/her ability and the importance of his/her duties. Once the initial figure is established, it should take into consideration any changes in his/her responsibilities, and the cost of living on an annual basis. Traditionally, the professional reports directly to his/her tennis chairman. In cases where the professional serves as the pro/manager or general manager, he/she would report to the board or club president. The most important consideration is that the lines of reporting and communication are clearly defined.) V. Concessions In addition to performing the duties required under section II herein, the PROFESSIONAL shall perform the following duties, and shall retain all receipts for such services: A. Sale of merchandise. The PROFESSIONAL shall have the exclusive right to sell merchandise on the CLUB’S property with the obligation upon the PROFESSIONAL to maintain a proper stock to adequately serve the members. The PROFESSIONAL shall set and post business hours for the tennis shop according to the season. (Club officials should strongly encourage members to purchase their tennis equipment from their professional, providing he/she has earned that loyalty. Club regulations generally limit the professional from advertising for outside business to expand his/her market. If the tennis shop is a service to the members, they should support it.) B. Tennis instruction. The PROFESSIONAL and his/her staff shall have the exclusive right to give tennis lessons at the location of the CLUB. Charges for such lessons shall be fixed by the PROFESSIONAL. (The established charge should reflect the professional’s reputation and experience plus a comparison of hourly charges for services in similar professions.) C. Other. 1. The PROFESSIONAL shall have the exclusive right to have a ball machine service for the practice enjoyment of the members and their guests. Said ball machines shall be provided by the PROFESSIONAL and all revenues realized from its rental shall be returned to the PROFESSIONAL. 2. The PROFESSIONAL shall supervise all tennis activities in connection with outside parties and shall provide the guests with adequate services including rental racquets, etc., as may be required. The PROFESSIONAL shall be compensated by each guest for his/her time and expense at normal rates. D. Annual review. It is agreed that, during the term of this contract, all concession rates and percentages are subject to an annual review. 28 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance VI. Vacations Provided the PROFESSIONAL is not employed on a seasonal basis, he/she shall be entitled to time off during each week exclusive of any tennis events. In addition, the PROFESSIONAL, if employed on a 12-month basis, shall receive three (3) weeks’ vacation during each annual period for which compensation under Paragraph IV shall be paid in full. VII. Tournament play and meetings The PROFESSIONAL shall have the right and is expected to represent the CLUB in various tennis competitions. He/she shall submit his/her tournament schedule (exclusive of events on his/her day off or during vacation) for approval by the tennis chairperson or board of directors. In the event that he/she qualifies, he/she shall have the right to play in the U.S. Open (or any other Grand Slam championship), any USPTA International Championship event or any circuit event held locally. PROFESSIONAL will also have reasonable time off, with compensation under Paragraph IV, to attend USPTA regional meetings and the USPTA World Conference on Tennis. VIII. Termination This agreement will terminate upon the happening of any of the following events: A. Upon its normal termination if not renewed. B. Upon the death of the PROFESSIONAL. C. Upon the physical disability of the PROFESSIONAL. Said disability shall be such as will incapacitate the PROFESSIONAL for an aggregate of six months during the working period of this agreement. After such period the CLUB can elect to terminate this agreement within 60 days after notice is delivered to the PROFESSIONAL. D. Upon written notice by the CLUB of termination for good and sufficient cause. Such good and sufficient cause shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 1. Dishonesty detrimental to the best interests of the CLUB. 2. Continuing inattention or negligence of duties. 3. Serious illegal or immoral conduct. In the event of termination of this agreement, the PROFESSIONAL shall be paid his/her compensation to and including the month of death or, in the event of disability, shall be paid to the last day of a month in which termination occurs. In the event of termination by death, disability or by the CLUB other than for good and sufficient cause prior to the normal termination date, the PROFESSIONAL or his/her representative may elect to have the CLUB purchase all merchandise at PROFESSIONAL’S cost, less depreciation, as set forth under standard accounting practices, and to pay the same to the PROFESSIONAL or his/her representative within 30 days of the date of the notice of such election. The PROFESSIONAL or his/her representative shall be responsible for all outstanding debts of the PROFESSIONAL. IX. Breach A. In the event that either party claims that the other is guilty of a substantial breach of any of the provisions of this agreement, a conference will be called between the parties and every reasonable effort shall be made to reach an amicable solution. At said conference, either party shall be entitled to have representatives present. B. Either party shall have 30 days within which to correct any activity or conduct claimed by the other to have constituted a substantial breach of the agreement. C. In the event that either party notifies the other in writing within said 30-day period of its denial of said substantial breach, then the dispute shall be submitted for arbitration under and pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. D. In the event that either party shall, within said 30-day period, fail to correct the activity claimed to constitute a substantial breach of this agreement, or to notify the other party in writing of its denial of said substantial breach of this agreement, then this agreement shall cease and terminate as of the expiration of said 30-day period. X. Arbitration Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered in such arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. 29 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance XI. Notice Any notice required or permitted to be given under this agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, in the case of the PROFESSIONAL to his/her residence, and in the case of the CLUB to its principal office. XII. Construction This agreement shall be controlled by the laws of the state in which it is drawn. XIII. Severability The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. XIV. Waiver Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any terms, covenants or conditions of the agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of such, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any time be taken to be a waiver of any other breach. XV. Waiver or modification Any waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of the agreement, or cancellation or replacement of this agreement, shall not be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties. XVI. Benefit and assignment This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and bind the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns. XVII. Liquidated damages In the event the PROFESSIONAL is discharged prior to the normal expiration of this agreement for reasons other than death, disability or for good and sufficient cause, the CLUB shall pay PROFESSIONAL the salary for the remainder of the term, plus an amount to cover anticipated profits to be derived from all other sources contemplated in this agreement and arrived at as follows: A. Using the PROFESSIONAL’s latest federal income tax return, a total of net income from all other sources related to the CLUB will be divided by 12 and multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term. B. The amount arrived at shall be construed as liquidated damages and shall be paid by the CLUB to the PROFESSIONAL within 30 days of the termination of employment. C. Payment and acceptance of this amount shall be in lieu of any other claim the parties may have against the other. XVIII. Relationship between parties The PROFESSIONAL is retained and employed by the CLUB only for the purpose and to the extent set forth in this agreement. He/she shall be free to dispose of such other portion of his/her time, energy and skill as does not interfere with his/her obligation to the CLUB. XIX. Renewal This agreement will automatically renew itself for the same period as referred to herein unless written notice to the contrary is given by either of the parties hereto at least 90 days prior to the termination date of the agreement. Renegotiation should commence 180 days prior to normal termination. XX. Entire agreement This agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties. In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this agreement on the date first above written. ___________________________________ __________________________________ (Club) (Date) ___________________________________ __________________________________ (Professional) (Date) 30 Using your USPTA membership Employment assistance Hiring a tennis professional USPTA has redesigned and revised its employer resource manual. Now titled Hiring a tennis professional: finding the right person for your facility in 10 steps, the book assists commercial and private club owners, tennis facility managers and public parks directors in their search for tennis professionals. The book is also provided free at www.uspta.com, in Tennis A-Z. “Hiring a tennis professional” gives suggestions for evaluating the needs of a tennis facility, appointing a selection committee, establishing a salary range, and screening, interviewing and selecting applicants. The book also includes a series of useful exhibits, including a sample job description for tennis pros, operational expense worksheet, employment contract, performance appraisals, letters of invitation and regret, and a press release to announce a new tennis professional to the media. Hiring a tennis professional is popular with club owners, managers and other people who are responsible for hiring teaching professionals. It may be ordered for $5 from the Merchandise Department by calling 713-978-7782 or 800- 877-8248. This book is also available online. Go to uspta.com and click on career center, then job search tools, then hiring guide. 31 Using your USPTA membership Section IX USPTA endorsement program 32 Using your USPTA membership Endorsement program USPTA endorsement program For a complete list of endorsement programs, go to www.uspta.com. Throughout its history, USPTA has always set high standards. Whether it is the testing procedure used to certify tennis-teaching professionals, the slate of seminars scheduled for the annual World Conference or the products USPTA endorses, the Association works to maintain these standards for its members, its programming and its industry relationships. USPTA’s endorsement program – the longest in the tennis industry’s history – is perhaps one of the Association’s best examples of quality and durability, and the same can be said of the products endorsed over the years. USPTA’s marketability and its ability to provide benefits to endorsees is in its strong divisional structure. Large corporations search for endorsements based on USPTA’s potential to reach a wide geographical and demographic market. The Association’s tennis professional network and divisional support have helped to bring in sponsorship dollars from some of the largest companies in the tennis industry. It’s important that all members support our endorsed products and services, since these agreements provide funds that are disbursed to members through educational programs and free or discounted merchandise. Funds from the endorsement program are also used to improve benefits and activities for tennis-teaching professionals. Each endorsement is outlined in detail on the following pages. Discount and free merchandise programs, if available, are also explained. USPTA’s endorsements include: HEAD racquets, racquet accessories, string, bags and court products Pro Penn tennis balls, including Pro Penn T.I.P. 2 Nike/Fromuth footwear and apparel Sportstarprosales.com Dartfish USA video analysis software Bank of America USPTA MasterCard Tennis Week magazine Tennis magazine SportMaster GetCourtside.com USPTA is grateful to its national endorsees for their assistance and encourages its members to support these companies, both at the national and divisional level. 33 Using your USPTA membership Endorsement program HEAD racquets, racquet accessories, string and court products Free or discounted products from HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports USPTA began its endorsement of HEAD racquets, racquet accessories and court products in 2003. Certified professionals in good standing are eligible to participate in the free and preferred pricing programs offered by HEAD. Members may also be required to meet additional criteria in order to qualify for specific programs. In an effort to provide more products to more USPTA members, HEAD’s equipment program is divided into levels. The program encourages USPTA members to advance their certification ratings. The program criteria, levels and benefits are explained on the following page. How to participate in the program For those members who reinstate or join after the initial HEAD contracts are mailed at the end of each year, USPTA will send out contract mailings, and new members will receive a contract in their new member packages. A professional must complete and return the information by the deadline published in the contract material or within 30 days of the mailing date to take advantage of the offer, after which equipment will not be available until the next contract year. Contracts must be turned in no later than June 30 and are also available on USPTA’s Web site. After signing the exclusive-use contract, the eligible member must forward it to HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports in Phoenix (a list that will be included in each mailing is on USPTA’s Web site). HEAD/Penn then reviews the contract and determines whether the member meets all requirements. Contracts are renewable each year, but may be terminated if a breach of contract occurs. Renewal contracts are mailed in late October for the following year. HEAD’s preferred pricing program Preferred player pricing is available to all members who have a HEAD contract. At preferred player prices, each member may purchase up to three racquets and $200 in additional tennis products for personal use or up to two racquets and $300 in additional tennis products for personal use. HEAD also offers the ‘‘Friends and Family’’ program, which allows USPTA members to purchase products for themselves and their family members at preferred player pricing four times per year. Team HEAD at your service Teamwork and service are important to everyone at HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports, and that’s why there is Team HEAD. This team focuses on serving USPTA members on issues related to the Pro Penn and HEAD brands, including answering questions about the free product and preferred player pricing programs, processing pro contracts and managing the shipment of all product orders. If you have questions or comments about the product program or service, please contact Team HEAD by phone at 800-289-7366, by fax at 888-329-7366, or by e-mail at [email protected]. 34 Using your USPTA membership Endorsement program HEAD equipment packages for USPTA members USPTA tennis professionals are eligible for the equipment program from HEAD/Penn if they: 1. Are current in their dues payments 2. Sign and comply with an agreement mutually acceptable to USPTA and HEAD/Penn 3. Are not obligated to another manufacturer’s free or reduced-price program for racquets and accessories Annual equipment packages will be distributed in the following manner: Members can participate in programs to earn an additional free racquet per year. Member category Master Professional Professional 1 Professional 2 Professional 3 Recreational Coach Standard product package 2 racquets 1 six-pack bag 6 sets of string Cap, stencil and ink PPP 1 racquet 1 six-pack bag 2 sets of string Cap, stencil and ink PPP Buy one racquet at Preferred Player Pricing and get one racquet free 1 six-pack bag 2 sets of string Cap, stencil and ink PPP Purchase racquets and equipment at Preferred Player Pricing Purchase racquets and equipment at Preferred Player Pricing Equipment program applications/agreements will be provided by HEAD/Penn no later than Dec. 1 of each year. USPTA members must return their agreements to HEAD/Penn by Jan. 31 of each year to be eligible. 35 Using your USPTA membership Endorsement program Pro Penn tennis balls For more than 30 years, USPTA has endorsed the USPTA Pro Penn tennis ball, which is produced by HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports. The ball, is sold exclusively in pro shops, and has maintained a high standard of quality and is the official ball of USPTA. The Pro Penn is the only ball used at USPTA tournaments and events. HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports also makes the ball that USPTA recommends most for beginner and Little Tennis programs – the Pro Penn T.I.P. 2. Pro Penn T.I.P. 2s temper speed, land softly and bounce predictably because of a unique low-compression core. These characteristics make them perfect for adult beginners or children, who are able to control the ball and begin rallying with their coaches and other players much more quickly than with standard tennis balls. For information on specific Pro Penn programs for each USPTA member, contact Heidi Gottschalk with Team HEAD at 800-237-5497 or e-mail [email protected]. Nike/Fromuth footwear and apparel Fromuth is the official, supplier of Nike footwear and apparel for USPTA. The partnership began in September 2006 and provides that all USPTA members may purchase Nike footwear and apparel directly from Fromuth, year round, at 30 percent off retail – a definite improvement over previous limited-time offers. This pricing has been negotiated specifically for USPTA members and represents a significant savings over retail. Nike/Fromuth/USPTA Preferred Player Program USPTA members are eligible for the Nike/USPTA Preferred Player Program if they are current in their dues payments. Sportstarprosales.com Sportstarprosales offers USPTA members discounts on sunglasses and assorted products. Discounts are available on select products from Bollé, Serengeti H2Optix and Bushnell. To order products, go to www.sportstarprosales.com, type in “USPTA” in the user group box and “20085250” in the pass code area to reach the site. For pro shop orders, call 800-221-9035. Dartfish USA Dartfish USA, the official video analysis software of the USPTA, will allow teaching professionals to train players with the latest in visual-based instruction and analysis technology. Dartfish technologies are widely recognized in the sports world for breakthrough sport training applications, exclusive televised broadcast footage and interactive Internet content. USPTA members receive discounts on video analysis software, and more information is available at uspta.com and dartfish.com. Also, the Dartfish software can be purchased by calling 404-685-9505. 36 Using your USPTA membership Endorsement program Tennis Week magazine USPTA members receive complimentary Tennis Week magazines as a member benefit. USPTA places advertisements in this magazine. Tennis magazine Tennis magazine is also provided free to USPTA members. This monthly publication also features USPTA advertisements from time to time and targets the tennis consumer. USPTA MasterCard The only credit card that features the USPTA logo, the USPTA Bank of America MasterCard is accepted at more than 9 million facilities worldwide. It offers $1 million in accidental death travel insurance, at no cost with the gold card, and up to $300,000 with the silver card. Cardholders have the use of automated teller machines in more than 20 countries and receive collision damage coverage for rental cars. There’s no annual fee. SportMaster SportMaster has been manufactured to consistent quality standards, incorporating leading edge pavement coating technologies, for more than 30 years. Recent innovations include the industry standard setting CushionMaster cushioning system and the revolutionary ColorPlus system. For more information, visit www.sportmaster.net or call 800-395-7325, International 01-419-626-4375. GetCourtside.com Get control of your business with GetCourtSide.com. Features include a personal tennis profile to market yourself and your events, a centralized Web site to create and run your challenge ladders, flex leagues, teaching programs, and social events, ability to create and manage your own tennis customer base, a calendar to track and organize your schedule, and e-mail to keep you in contact with your tennis customers. 37 Using your USPTA membership Section X Career Development 38 Using your USPTA membership Career development USPTA Career Development creates personal excellence, improved image for members USPTA prides itself on its members’ reputation and commitment to excellence. That is why it is known as the world’s most respected association of tennis-teaching professionals. Members receive credits for attending courses and participating in various USPTA and industry events. Members are recognized for the credits they earn and receive various forms of recognition for participating in the Career Development program. The program is designed to encourage USPTA members to excel in their field and strive for personal excellence both on and off the court. Individuals who are current with the latest trends, teaching methods and equipment are welcome additions at any facility, and education makes them more valuable to employers and consumers. The educational curriculum includes basic courses for those preparing for USPTA certification, and continuing education and degree programs for those who want to concentrate on one or more areas of advanced specialization. The Career Development Program is composed of two pathways. The education and certification pathways work together to create a system through which skills are learned and tested throughout a professional’s career. It also allows people to participate in continuing education and ultimately achieve advanced professional ratings. See the pathway chart below. 39 Using your USPTA membership Career development USPTA specialist degree program USPTA’s Career Development program now offers a specialist degree curriculum that recognizes member professionals for specialization in important areas of the tennis industry. The specialist program was designed to: 1. Create a market demand for USPTA-certified professionals by promoting the benefits of hiring USPTA-certified and specialist professionals to owners, managers and others who employ tennis-teaching professionals. 2. Offer continuing education to USPTA members who seek to improve their skills and their competencies throughout their careers. 3. Provide measurable opportunities for the best USPTA Professionals to demonstrate their skills, allowing them the prestige of being recognized as among the most elite in their chosen profession. To become a specialist, professionals must meet prerequisites in the areas of education, experience and skill application, and then successfully complete the review process. Specialist areas include Little Tennis®, Specialist in Competitive Player Development, which is gained through the USA Tennis High Performance Coaching Program, Specialist in Computer Technology, Specialist in Facility Management, Specialist in Sport Science, Specialist in Wheelchair Tennis and Specialist in Pro Shop Management. More specialist categories are added each year. USPTA now administers most specialist programs so that once applicants fulfill the criteria, they do not have to travel to a testing site to obtain the specialist degree they seek. Instead, applicants demonstrate their command of the specialization subject through additional documentation submitted for panel review. The Career Development program can help every professional – from the part-time teacher to Master Professional. Today’s tennis teachers are expected to be accomplished at a broad range of tasks including lesson program development, activity and program direction, pro shop management, facility and court maintenance, human relations and business skills. Those who choose to specialize must demonstrate even more knowledge and proficiency in one or more of these areas. The image of the well-rounded professional must be established and maintained, and a comprehensive career development program is the best way to achieve and substantiate this goal. Not only does a career development program benefit our members, but it also allows us to educate the industry and employers about the qualifications and the standards to which our members aspire. In order for members to seriously commit to any program, there must be a clear reason for them to participate. What more positive reason is there than becoming the most educated tennis-teaching professionals in the job market? This translates into more opportunities and better jobs for those who are truly qualified. Participation in a comprehensive career development program not only results in job security, but also will improve the image of the tennisteaching profession and individual USPTA members. It allows USPTA to establish its membership as the industry’s true tennis specialists. USPTA’s annual World Conference on Tennis features specialty courses that are geared toward helping members earn specialist degree credits. Course information is made available prior to the conference through the ADDvantage and online so that members may plan out their convention activities to gain the maximum credits. USPTA also held its first Competitive Player Development Conference in 2003. The conference, which features some of the top player development coaches in the country, also helps USPTA members earn credits toward the specialist degree in Competitive Player Development. There is nothing to hold back a USPTA Professional. To learn more about the available courses, seminars and workshops, check ADDvantage magazine, www.addvantageuspta.com, USPTA’s Web site at www.uspta.com or call the Career Development Department. 40 Using your USPTA membership Career development Incentives for Career Development Program USPTA’s Career Development Program includes many exciting incentives that are directly related to the core purpose of continuing education – jobs. The incentives are organized in four stages, with each stage rewarding members for increased participation. Since the program is reward based, the Education Committee will add motivational incentives to the system as they become pertinent. Members will be informed of additions through national and divisional magazines. Immediate incentives follow: Participation Level I: Any member who has earned 9 career development credits, or the prorated requirement, over the preceding year is eligible for: A. Notation in the national USPTA Membership Directory B. Listing in ADDvantage magazine C. Letter of accomplishment to owner, manager or important industry figure and news release for local newspapers on request D. Certificate of completion E. Listing on USPTA’s main Web site, www.uspta.com F. A 20 percent discount on career development logo merchandise, which includes business cards, stationery, banners and name plates Participation Level II: Any member who has earned 18 (or more) career development credits over the preceding year is eligible for: A. All of the above B. Advanced certificate of completion C. Listing at the Awards Breakfast at the annual World Conference on Tennis and divisional conventions Participation Level III: Annually, the top 10 career development credit holders or those with 36 or more credits are eligible for: A. All of the above B. An award and photo opportunity at the annual World Conference on Tennis C. Profile in ADDvantage magazine Participation Level IV: Anyone who has maintained an average of 9 career development credits each year for 10 consecutive years is eligible for: A. All of the above B. Inscription of his or her name on the Education Merit Wall in USPTA’s Hall of Fame at the USPTA World Headquarters Earning credit for non-USPTA activities Members may also earn credit for attending non-USPTA courses, but proof of attendance must be submitted for those events. This includes, but is not limited to, a certificate of attendance or an official letter from the division or agency that sponsored the course. Only photocopies should be sent to the USPTA Career Development Department, not original documents. 41 Using your USPTA membership Career development heck out our ever-growing list of DVDs. Topics range from high-performance coaching to pro shop management. Seminars, specialty courses and player development DVDs may be viewed for education credits. Teaching the all-court game Former U.S. Davis Cup captain and USPTA Professional Tom Gullikson provides us with the foundation for teaching the all-court game. He introduces drills for starting at the baseline, playing the midcourt game, serve and volley, and attacking the second serve. Components of the two-handed backhand In order to elevate your tennis game to the highest level possible, you need the latest and best information for improving stroke technique. In this episode of “On Court with USPTA,” USPTA Master Professional and BYU-Hawaii head coach David T. Porter, Ed.D., provides numerous tips for creating a serious weapon out of the modern, two-handed backhand. Approximately 90 minutes – – The Volley - Control, Technique, Drills The Forehand - Flat, Topspin, Slice Coach Porter uses his expertise to demonstrate many of the benefits of hitting the modern backhand from increased topspin to the enhanced ability to recover into the court when pulled out wide. In order to get the most out of your backhand, don’t miss “Components of the Two Handed Backhand!” Approximately 60 minutes The Backhand The Serve - The fundamentals Special features: • Bonus lesson • Interactive menu • Much more Being a masterful coach On court with Nick – drills, techniques & theories Great managers are great coaches Becoming A Champion-Part 3 Systems for training players The Overhead Mind/body connection Singles strategy & tactics- Transition shots & serve & volley game Playing Successful DoublesCapturing the net The Modern Backhand Developing Young Players Teaching the Modern Game Drills to Improve Your Athletic Ability Playing Smarter Tennis Developing Weapons for Senior Tennis: Establishing the Threat Developing Weapons for Senior Tennis: Keep ’Em Guessing Get fit with drills Building and molding a world-class player Misconceptions in modern technique Preparing like a pro The energy equation Singles strategies and patterns of play Winning points: engaging your students Twenty best games for teaching strategy and tactics Teaching the all-court game Footwork technique: the base of on-court problem solving My experiences in the game: what I’ve learned and other stories TenX fitness – Tennis for everyBODY The Strategy Zone: There is more to the game than just hitting the ball Creative serve practice Rip Your Return Like the Pros From sports beverages to vitamins:how players use supplements Components of the Modern Forehand Establishing a model for error detection and correction The Aggressive Swing Volley Rock-Solid Volley Game From the court to the classroom Improving the capacity of tennis players The Modern Forehand Five limiting factors of tennis performance Becoming a Champion-Part 1 Playing Successful DoublesPlaying Offensively Watch some of the world’s leading experts speak on developing competitive players. This nine-disc series contains complete seminars by Wayne Bryan, John Yandell, David Nainkin, Tony and Bob Talamini, Todd Martin, Hank Pfister, Martin Baroch, M.D. and Master Professionals Jack Newman and Rick Macci. Sixteen hours of top-notch educational material for only $129.95. Building physical, emotional, mental & spiritual muscle Becoming A Champion-Part 2 Footwork for the open-stance forehand and backhand Singles strategy & tacticsPlaying the percentages to win 2005 USPTA Competitive Player Development Conference Series, nine-disc set Women, high performance & long-term health – Preparation for the Stroke Anaysis Exam Meet the Topspins Components of the Two-Handed Backhand Blueprint for Junior Success Take it Easy, Relax and Win Tactical Touch Tennis, Divide & Conquer Little Tennis Tennis Business Management Wheelchair Tennis Sport physiology/nutrition Making your pro shop a profitable venture Biomechanics/sports medicine Movement and Footwork USPTA Har-Tru/clay court maintenance workshop Developing Players Sport psychology/motor learning The Spanish Model for Developing Players 2005 Competitive Player Development Series 42 – Creating a perfect practice Stroke analysis using high-speed video Modern tennis techniques Using your coaching skills in a manager’s role Using your USPTA membership Section XI USPTA tennis programs 43 Using your USPTA membership Tennis programs USPTA tennis programming One of USPTA’s primary objectives is to attract new tennis players and generate additional interest in the game among existing players. This contributes to a growing player base on which teaching professionals can further develop their careers. USPTA’s sports marketing activities were developed by teaching professionals for teaching professionals, and they are easily integrated into existing tennis programs or can be used to jump-start new ones. These projects are always inclusive, and they serve as feeder programs for other industry activities. They also are user-friendly and profitable for everyone in our industry. These activities include: Little Tennis®, Tennis Across America™, Adult Tennis LeagueSM, USPTA Junior Circuit™, Member-Guest events, Champion of ChampionsSM and Lessons for Life™. Not only are these programs designed to be attractive to players, but through them USPTA provides its members with various resources to increase business and assist with the day-to-day management of tennis programs and facilities. If you are a USPTA member, you may choose to promote these programs as a member of a divisional or national grassroots network. Your service will not only enhance the effectiveness of these programs, but also will increase your value in the tennis workplace. USPTA has always worked to “grow the game,” and through these and similar programs, we can both encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of members and continue to determine the way the world learns to play tennis. USPTA’s Tennis Across America™ Established in 1990, Tennis Across America is the original, free, grassroots lesson program. Its goal is to introduce the game to those who have not experienced it. However, in many cases, free clinics are not restricted to new players, but may be open to children or adults who are beginners, former players or even current players who want to jump-start their spring activity. Others may target people who would not have an opportunity to play except through a special event arranged by a USPTA professional. These may include physically or mentally challenged adults and children, inner-city children, American Indians and others. Through the years, Tennis Across America has grown in scope to include free one-day clinics, multicultural clinics that target people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play tennis and a program that invites individual USPTA members and international tennis-teacher organizations to take part in Tennis Around the World. USPTA also encourages its members to hold follow-up lessons or leagues to keep participants interested in tennis. The annual Tennis Across America program, celebrated each year in May, is an opportunity to recruit a whole new group of potential long-term players who may want to continue taking tennis lessons. These same players will benefit because they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to play tennis. The program is very beneficial for the player and the USPTA professional because it: promotes the game of tennis. encourages community involvement. generates interest in lesson and league programs. provides worldwide recognition to your organization. 44 Using your USPTA membership Tennis programs Assisting USPTA-certified professionals in administering the event are volunteers and a distinguished group of honorary co-chairs that has included former President George Bush, actor Chuck Norris, TV analyst and former touring professional Pam Shriver, author and speaker Peter Burwash, and sport science expert Jack Groppel, Ph.D. Each year, USPTA asks its members to register their free clinics, which are then listed by city and state on the USPTA Web site. A tribute to George Bacso USPTA members who participate in Tennis Across America during May, as well as Tennis Around the World and Little Tennis, participate in another special event honoring a longtime USPTA member and leader: George Bacso Month. The late Bacso was a 32-year USPTA member, national president and longtime director of certification and academies. As the Association’s “teacher of teachers,” Bacso encouraged many USPTA members to become better instructors. Consistent with the theme of Tennis Across America, Bacso’s goal was that every new player would receive the best first lesson possible from a USPTA professional and become a lifelong player. USPTA Little Tennis® Little Tennis is the nation’s tennis equivalent to Little League Baseball, soccer or basketball. It is intended to bring the family together, and it’s designed to be totally inclusive and supportive of all other children’s programs, organizations, activities and companies within the tennis industry. Little Tennis is an extremely powerful toolbox for those who wish to play, promote or teach tennis. It uniquely caters to teachers, parents, kids, and program organizers. It not only helps children learn the game but also their parents and grandparents. Contributions to the program come from many great teachers and we encourage everyone with ideas for improving Little Tennis to join the team. The program includes a structured program of lessons and play designed to move children ages 3-10 quickly through the transitional stages of graduated equipment to full-court tennis. Many fun games, links and supplemental activities to keep children interested in the program are available at www.littletennis.com and through USPTA’s complete guide to Little Tennis. The book may be ordered through www.usprotennisshop.com. More than 2,500 USPTA members run Little Tennis programs around the nation, and it is the fastest growing tennis program in the world for children and their families. If members run Little Tennis programs, they should consider including that information in their USPTA personal Web sites. Potential students and their parents can then locate members through Find-a-Pro and read about the availability of Little Tennis and other USPTA-designed programs. USPTA Junior Circuit™ The USPTA Junior Circuit™ is a series of tournaments created to introduce less experienced junior players to competition and allow them to prepare for higher-level tournament play. The junior circuit is also a natural progression from advanced Little Tennis® to nonqualified competition for junior boys and girls ages 10 to 18. This program enhances tournament experience and prepares the player for more advanced competition at USTA-sanctioned tournaments, if that is the player’s goal. 45 Using your USPTA membership Tennis programs Best of all, it places no requirements or restrictions on tennis teachers or on the beginner competitors. This program combines fun and camaraderie, and it is easy for anyone to participate, including teaching professionals, junior pros, parents and entire communities. The junior circuit introduces tennis and healthy competition to thousands of young players who can play the sport their entire lifetime. Key elements for a USPTA Junior Circuit include: A series of tournaments encouraging regular competition for juniors. Tournaments targeting novice/nonqualified competitors or recreational players (pros determine age and level categories). Local events in one city or within a local metropolitan area, making it convenient for players, parents and pros. A point system that rewards players immediately. A “masters” and playoff system. Low-cost fun for the family. The USPTA Junior Circuit was conceived and developed by teaching professionals to fit the specific needs of their students and cities. Like all USPTA programs, this activity is designed to give ultimate control of how the program is run to local teaching professionals, who know what will work best in a particular location or for a distinct group of customers. In addition to promoting and increasing local tennis activity, the program allows flexibility by placing no requirements or restrictions on tennis teachers or on the beginner competitors. The USPTA Junior Circuit builds positive tennis experiences for junior players and enthusiasm for the sport throughout the community. Lessons for Life™ USPTA has always known that its member tennis professionals raise a lot of money for charity. Fund-raisers – proams, calcuttas, tournaments, clinics, auctions, etc. – are a regular part of tennis programming. Each event might raise $100 or more than $100,000 for local or national charities. If the contributions of more than 10,000 domestic members were counted, how much would it be? It wasn’t until 2001 that USPTA began trying to answer this question. At the request of members, in 2001 USPTA expanded its national Lessons for Life™ program from a fund-raiser for a single charity to an umbrella program. In the expanded program, USPTA members can report the results of fund-raising events for recognized charities that they’ve directed or contributed their time and effort to. Many of those fund-raisers are concentrated in the fall, around Lessons for Life Day in October, so this time of year is when most contributions are reported. USPTA’s network of professionals in 17 regional divisions spreads the word and gathers the facts. Through 2006, USPTA members reported raising nearly $25 million. Division results are tallied by a Lessons for Life chairman. USPTA members have indicated that they have been doing fund-raisers for the same charities for years. Others have been motivated to organize new fund-raisers – and, in at least one case, co-found a nonprofit foundation – because of hardships that have struck members of their own tennis communities. For more information on Lessons for Life in your particular division, contact the coordinator listed in the USPTA Membership Directory. 46 Using your USPTA membership Tennis programs USPTA Adult Tennis League SM This program creates additional playing opportunities, offers a unique doubles-only squad format, provides flexible schedules, requires no membership dues and is a low-cost activity for players. Best of all, it grows the game. The Adult Tennis League is a rewarding sports marketing program developed by USPTA to increase tennis participation and expand tennis activities at all facilities. The adult league has a unique doubles format, and the flexibility offers players competitive on-court action and off-court camaraderie. The league is flexible enough to adapt to different seasons and areas of the country, as well as to each USPTA member’s special needs and facility requirements. The format requires only two courts, which makes the league popular at both small and large facilities, even during prime tennis hours. What distinguishes the adult tennis league format is having doubles teams of various playing levels make up a squad. That means that players with an NTRP rating of 4.5 are playing at their own level, but are part of a squad that includes teams at the 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 levels, too. The recommended adult league has one or more squads of eight teams each (two doubles teams at each of four levels). The number of games won by each team counts equally toward the squad’s final scores, so 3.0 players are cheering the 4.5 teammates and vice versa. The teams can be: Men’s doubles Women’s doubles Mixed doubles Mixed level (one women’s doubles team and one men’s doubles team at each level) Besides an adult doubles league, the same format could be used for: Inter-facility leagues using one doubles team at each level, plus substitutes One-day, pro-set tournaments Singles competitions for juniors with players coming from different age groups or class levels to form a squad or team USPTA’s league format makes tennis seem more like a team sport, which increases the fun and participation level. The league also promotes tennis at an affordable price. Each player pays only a share of the squad’s entry fee. The league is open to recreational players 19 years or older. Professional players and full-time teaching professionals are not eligible. USPTA does not require membership in any organization to play in the USPTA Adult Tennis League. USPTA tennis professionals organize the program, including the match schedule, scoring, fees and playoffs, making it very flexible for players and professionals. The adult league isn’t a replacement of other leagues and activities; it creates additional playing opportunities that do not conflict with existing ones. USPTA Adult Tennis League has been very successful in Texas, Florida and Colorado. Champion of Champions SM This program complements the Adult League by providing a playoff and championship series for players. Chances are that most clubs have a championship tournament. Those championships may be made more meaningful by creating a Champion of Champions tournament pitting the champs of each club against one another. The 47 Using your USPTA membership Tennis programs tournament might end up large enough to resemble a city championship of sorts or a smaller event that includes the finalists or semifinalists from just a few participating facilities. Champion of Champions is an event that has several pluses: It adds incentive for members to play in their own club championships; brings together old playing partners and new friends from different facilities; unites the local tennis community; and provides competitive draws. Also, tapping into new markets or growing existing ones is easy with this format. For example, divisions for seniors and for children and families from Little Tennis may be added to the singles and doubles draws for men and women. Age groups and father-son, mother-daughter, parent-young child and husband-wife divisions might be easy to include, provided there is enough court space. By calling a few fellow tennis professionals and inviting them to join in a Champion of Champions event, you may be able to start an annual tournament with lots of possibilities. The event might rotate to a different host facility each year, or be a Lessons for Life fund-raiser. Players from each facility could act as a team, gaining points with every individual match toward a facility championship trophy. For more information about Champion of Champions, please contact the USPTA Sports Marketing Department at 800-877-8248 or [email protected]. Member-Beginner Guest events How do advanced or intermediate players get their beginner friends involved in tennis? How do tennis professionals attract new players and pique their interest to continue playing? Tennis professionals can accomplish both these tasks by organizing a USPTA Member-Beginner Guest event at their facilities. The idea is that a club or facility’s tennis-playing members invite nonplayers or beginners to be their guests for an event that includes an instruction session and social play. Each member will be his or her guest’s partner throughout the event. A typical event might schedule the instruction portion on a Friday night, immediately followed by a reception, and then feature a round-robin tournament on Saturday morning. Some events are held over the better part of a day and separated into two parts by a light lunch. During the instruction portion, tennis professionals can offer instruction as the beginner guests practice with their more experienced partners. A practice drill can also be offered to the beginners. Because friends are playing together, the event is social and fun. Pro Penn T.I.P. 2 balls are recommended to help the beginners have faster success, and to equalize play between the beginners and accomplished players. The non-pressurized, soft balls come off a player’s racquet more softly than a regular ball, making it easier for beginners to make solid contact and control their shots. Although Stars bounce true, their slower flight will require that adjustments be made by the better players, making pace less of a factor. Special rules for the round-robin tournament will make play fair and permit the beginners to be successful. With the right drills and by using the right ball, the member-beginner guest is an enjoyable event for members and guests, despite the difference in their tennis skill levels. Beginners who participate in a USPTA Member-Beginner Guest event will be encouraged to continue tennis by taking lessons, getting involved in other programs and making tennis a lifetime sport. Including a member-beginner guest event in your facility’s calendar can mark the beginning of increased tennis for your business by filling beginner lesson programs, bringing more players into the game and maintaining their interest with yearround activities. More information about this program is available at www.uspta.com under the “Programs” link. 48 Using your USPTA membership Tennis – for the health of it!™ The United States Professional Tennis Association is very proud to announce its newest initiative, Tennis – for the health of it! The main goals of this initiative are to make the general public aware of the tremendous health, fitness and psychological benefits of tennis and encourage people to get out and play the sport as a part of their regular fitness regimen. An activity such as tennis that is also social and fun, can serve as a welcome change to mundane gym workouts or as an additional activity in a fitness regimen. In addition, the USPTA and its members are the delivery force through which the public can receive these benefits through lessons and other tennis activities. While we got a great response from the many people who received information on the campaign, we had a particular question about whether we’d be designing an activity or program for Tennis – for the health of it! much like Cardio Tennis that provides a great cardio fitness workout while improving tennis skills. The answer: Tennis – for the health of it! is not one activity, but a call to action to make people aware of the health and fitness benefits available through just one sport. There are programs like Cardio Tennis that are already in place or ones that might be created in the future, but for the moment there are plenty of activities – including the programs run every day by teaching professionals – that keep people fit and healthy through the game of tennis. So when we designed the initiative Tennis – for the health of it! and its promotional materials in this press kit and on uspta.com, we designed an umbrella under which not only teaching professionals and activity directors, but essentially anyone in the health and fitness fields, could promote existing and future programs with a new and powerful approach highlighting “for the health of it!” This new call to action will make players – especially new ones – more aware that tennis is unique in its ability to not only provide anaerobic and aerobic exercise, but also fun. It’s especially important that we educate consumers and other organizations about the benefits of having fun and learning tennis under the guidance of a qualified teaching professional. Otherwise, there may be a lot of one-hit rallies and picking up of balls. Through this “call to action,” USPTA is reaching out to any and all advocates who might have the same goals. In May we announced USPTA’s historic alliance with the American College of Sports Medicine. The ACSM’s campaign, Exercise is Medicine™, provides the perfect opportunity to tie the fields of sport and medicine in a common goal, and we’re proud to be able to promote tennis as the best “medicine” for an exercise regime. We also are working with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, which has a similar initiative, the tennis industry as a whole and individual advocates, such as the mayor of Oklahoma City, who advocates the sport because of his own experience with losing weight through tennis. We hope by highlighting just the initiative and keeping our association branding to a minimum on the materials that it will be more universally accepted. Our goal is to draw attention to health and fitness and how it can be easily attained through tennis. USPTA certainly has many existing programs that its delivery force can use to highlight healthy activity, and we hope willing industry partners will want to showcase their programs under the Tennis – for the health of it! umbrella. USPTA members are the industry’s best ambassadors of the campaign to promote tennis as a fun way to improve one’s health. They can deliver fun and tennis through the activities they already offer every day – lessons, leagues, 49 Using your USPTA membership tournaments, drill sessions and weekend doubles mixers. “We are thrilled to introduce the initiative Tennis – for the health of it!,” said USPTA CEO Tim Heckler. “We strongly feel this can serve as an umbrella initiative that can be used throughout the tennis industry to really catapult the growth of tennis and take interest in the sport to a whole new level.” We hope you’ll accept this call to action and encourage others in our industry to join us in doing something great for tennis, for our national wellness and all those who play Tennis – for the health of it! 50 Using your USPTA membership Section XII USPTA public relations program 51 Using your USPTA membership Public relations USPTA’s public relations program The World Headquarters’ Communications Department conducts an extensive public relations campaign throughout the United States. Its purpose is to design and communicate a positive image of tennis-teaching professionals and USPTA to groups involved in the sport of tennis. Achieving this goal will increase the financial stability, self-esteem and quality of life for teaching professionals. 2006 marked the launch of a new PR campaign for the USPTA called the That’s Who We Are campaign. The goals of the campaign include increasing knowledge of USPTA to each of our target markets, enhancing the visibility and reputation of the USPTA and increasing communication between the national office and 17 divisional offices and our members. Some of the strategies utilized to accomplish these goals include increasing press release output, making public relations media databases available to the divisions, updating ad campaigns to tennis, club associations and trade publications, increasing communication to members through e-newsletters, video messages, PR inserts and updates, and starting a member appreciation campaign. The program outlines public relations techniques used to reach various groups in the industry. The following groups have been identified, and are targeted with tactics that promote the Association and its goals: 1. Consumers – To generate lessons, lesson revenue and a wider range of career possibilities 2. Owners/managers/employers – To create job opportunities and promote an increase in teaching professionals’ income 3. Teaching professionals/members – To generate self-esteem for, and recognition of, all tennis-teaching professionals 4. Industry – To increase respect for USPTA and its member professionals, and to expand the opportunities for these professionals in various industry functions and events, which in turn will promote all members’ careers 5. Potential members – To demonstrate the importance of certification to raise their professional level and enhance their reputation 6. Divisions – To promote divisions and USPTA certification of individuals Some techniques for reaching these markets are explained below. Further details are provided during each Executive Committee meeting. News releases News releases are sent to tennis, health and news media for national award recipients, the Career Development Program, the World Conference on Tennis, tournaments, Tennis Across America, USPTA Little Tennis, national Board of Directors elections and many other events. The Association annually receives hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of publicity from these news releases. General promotional materials USPTA promotional materials include a general brochure with information about the Association, its role in the industry and member qualifications, as well as a brochure with instructions for becoming a member. A variety of fliers promote USPTA programs, from Tennis Across America to Find-a-Pro, to players, employers and members. In addition, the USPTA now has a complete press kit available. ADDvantage magazine ADDvantage is a good internal PR vehicle with USPTA members, as well as an external PR method because it is sent to board members of allied tennis organizations, manufacturers and others interested in USPTA. An online version is available at www.addvantageuspta.com. 52 Using your USPTA membership Tennis Week advertising USPTA’s advertising in Tennis Week reaches thousands of players and potential members with information about USPTA. USPTA conventions The World Conference on Tennis and divisional conventions provide a broad or regional focus on tennis careers and USPTA’s high standards for education and professionalism. The World Conference is an excellent vehicle for publicity, with its well-known speakers, awards presentation, tournaments and tennis buying show. Web sites USPTA Web sites are a terrific public relations vehicle for members and nonmembers alike, with information pertinent to tennis teachers, tennis players and employers. TV USPTA consistently reaches the public in numbers previously unattainable, providing a positive image for members with: • “On Court with USPTA ™” is USPTA’s half-hour instructional series aired exclusively on Tennis Channel. It promotes USPTA members as the experts in tennis instruction. • “USPTA Sweet Spots” are one-minute tips seen regularly during the day on the Tennis Channel. • Advertisements for USPTA, Find-a-Pro and endorsed products. Trade shows USPTA staff and board members attend several trade shows and conventions each year to promote the Association, membership, the hiring of USPTA members and programs. World Headquarters staff members are available to assist divisions with their own public relations initiatives, such as advertisement development and editing. Members play key role in USPTA’s public relations program Even if a member is not a part of the public relations network, she still can play an important role in publicizing the Association and herself. There are several PR tools available to members in the online career center for this purpose. Also, another way to help create positive publicity about USPTA is to keep the World Headquarters informed of any local tennis events that are USPTA-staffed and supported. Another way for members to increase industry and consumer awareness about the Association is the use of the letters USPTA after their names on business correspondence, news releases and other written communications. Use of the initials is one of the exclusive rights of USPTA membership, and the letters signify certified membership in the world’s oldest and largest organization of tennis-teaching professionals. Members should also ask that their USPTA identification be used when they are interviewed by the media or other tennis organizations. 53 Using your USPTA membership Section XIII USPTA conventions 54 Using your USPTA membership Conventions USPTA conventions USPTA conventions – both national and divisional – are where tennis teachers go to learn, play tennis, conduct meetings, have some fun and relax. One of the best ways to take advantage of a USPTA membership is to regularly attend these activities. Both divisional and national events provide quality education and award continuing education credits to those who attend. Also, there’s no better place than to visit with old friends, meet new ones and create a great network for exchanging ideas and staying abreast of the latest changes in the profession. USPTA World Conference on Tennis The USPTA World Conference on Tennis is one of the most important events in tennis each year. The event is held each September at a premier resort and it usually alternates yearly from an East Coast location to a West Coast destination. In addition to industry guests who represent all the major tennis organizations, the conference features nationally known speakers from the tennis industry and more than 80 seminars, covering topics such as career management, business, pro shop management, new sport science discoveries and innovative tennis-teaching techniques. Specialty courses and a Certification Training Course are also scheduled. The USPTA Tennis Buying Show features the newest tennis-related merchandise exhibited by more than 75 companies. The event also includes educational presentations on product technology and design, a silent auction benefiting Lessons for Life™ and fun golf outings. An annual awards ceremony is held each year during the conference. The event allows USPTA to recognize its members and other industry representatives for their accomplishments and contributions to USPTA and the game. Featured awards include the Alex Gordon Award for the USPTA Professional of the Year, George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award, Industry Excellence Award, Division of the Year, Player of the Year (by gender and age divisions), Facility Manager of the Year, USPTA Star Award, College Coach of the Year, Touring Coach of the Year, High School Coach of the Year, George Bacso Tester of the Year and Division Newsletter of the Year. Other categories honored include USTA/USPTA Service Award, Years of Service and Master Professionals. The conference also allows some of the best players in the Association to compete for cash, titles and bragging rights in the USPTA International Championships, which features competition in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in a variety of age groups. During the convention, USPTA and its endorsees host evening cocktail parties offering live entertainment, refreshments and a party atmosphere. It’s a great time to relax, meet fellow professionals and have fun. Each year, USPTA’s World Conference is promoted in both ADDvantage magazine and at uspta.com. Information on speakers and course availability is highlighted so that people may make plans early to attend the event. Registration fees for the conference include food, drinks, entertainment, social activities and giveaways from USPTA’s endorsees. 55 Using your USPTA membership Section XIV USPTA awards program 56 Using your USPTA membership Awards program USPTA awards program Each year, USPTA recognizes members who excel in all areas of the business and sport of tennis. Award recipients are honored during a special presentation at the annual World Conference on Tennis. Nominations for the following international awards may be submitted by a USPTA division or a certified USPTA member in good standing, as long as an official application form is used. Member self-nominations are accepted. Divisions also run their separate award programs, and many nominate their winners for national categories. For information on division-level awards, please contact a division executive director/administrator or president. USPTA national awards *Note: There are special awards for which individuals cannot apply, but must be nominated and approved by the USPTA Executive Committee. George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award – *This award was created to honor individuals who set the highest standards in volunteerism. Alex Gordon Award for the USPTA Professional of the Year – Success as a teaching professional, coach and player, as well as contributions to USPTA and the tennis industry are considered. President’s Award – *A special award presented by the current president. USPTA Star Award – Longtime community impact through grassroots efforts to bring more players to the game. Players of the Year – Success in USPTA, USTA and international tournaments is considered. Categories are as follows: Men’s open Women’s open Men’s 35 and over Women’s 35 and over Men’s 45 and over Women’s 45 and over Men’s 55 and over Women’s 55 and over College Coach of the Year – This award is primarily for college team coaches, but coaches of individuals will also be considered. Touring Coach of the Year – This award is primarily for coaches of players on the pro tour. High School Coach of the Year – This award is for coaches of high school teams. Facility Manager of the Year – This award is for the general manager of a country club, commercial tennis facility, public tennis facility, resort or similar facility. (Open to nonmembers.) Industry Excellence Award – This award recognizes those who have excelled at promoting tennis at the grassroots level and thereby increased player participation in the sport. 57 Using your USPTA membership Awards program George Bacso Tester of the Year – This award is given to USPTA’s top tester. USTA/USPTA Community Service Award – This award is given to a USPTA member active in community service on behalf of the USTA. The USTA and USPTA jointly choose the recipient. Division awards USPTA divisions may nominate themselves for the following awards: Division of the Year Newsletter of the Year Most Improved Division Applications are judged by USPTA’s Awards Committee. For an application form for any of the above individual awards, contact the USPTA World Headquarters. 58 Using your USPTA membership Section XV Prize-money tournaments and rankings 59 Using your USPTA membership Tournaments and rankings Prize-money tournaments and rankings Historically, tournament players have brought additional recognition and prestige to USPTA. The organization’s International Championships are as old as USPTA itself, with the first being played in 1927. In the early years, the organization represented both professional coaches and players. The official tournament champions roll includes an impressive list of past players – including Bill Tilden, Jack Kramer, Pancho Segura, Vinnie Richards, Don Budge, Fred Perry and Bobby Riggs. In 1964, the Association began holding national team championships for competition among the divisions, and the first women’s tournament was held in 1969. Also late in the 1960s, senior age divisions were added to the tournament. Today, USPTA members continue to compete annually at the World Conference, in the USPTA National Surface Championship Series, started in 2006, and in many division tournaments and circuits. Tournament regulations and requirements The USPTA president shall maintain, by appointment from all divisions, a standing Tournament Committee. This committee shall seek bids, receive and recommend their acceptance or rejection for the International Championships and International Team Championships, and for any other national championships it may deem desirable and practical. The Executive Committee shall have final power to approve or disapprove the recommendations of the Tournament Committee, and also shall have power to subsidize or refuse subsidy of these events. The Executive Committee also shall have power to delegate the power of final decision to the Tournament Committee whenever it is deemed advisable, as when time presses and another Executive Committee meeting is impractical. Upon approval, the Tournament Committee shall have full power to run the competitive events scheduled, including the power to delegate any or all authority to members of the division hosting the event. USPTA playing rules and age classifications shall be used. The committee shall have power to limit the number of entries from any division only if necessary to achieve a manageable draw. No member whose dues are unpaid or who is not otherwise a member in good standing shall be accepted as an entry. The Tournament Committee shall realize that the two basic events (International Championships and International Team Championships) should receive priority whenever any conflict arises. These should be as much as possible on a rotating basis, scheduled two years ahead if possible, never occurring in the same place twice running unless this is unavoidable. The committee should encourage all divisions to realize that these events put us before the public both divisionally and nationally, therefore rotation is in everyone’s best interest. The committee shall have the power to sanction divisional championships after making sure these do not conflict with dates most convenient for divisional annual meetings and competitions. The committee shall have the authority in all matters of detail. Requirements for tournament entry 1. All membership requirements, including completion of the Certification Exam, must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the entry date of a USPTA tournament in order for the person in question to be eligible to play in the tournament. The 60 days is to allow time for the grading of the Certification Exam and the processing of the membership application. 60 Using your USPTA membership Tournaments and rankings 2. If all requirements are met, the exams are graded and the results are recorded at the World Headquarters prior to the entry date of the tournament, the entry will be accepted. However, USPTA will not be held responsible by any individual or any of its divisions if the entry cannot be accepted due to requirements not being fulfilled prior to the 60-day deadline. 3. The chief executive officer shall immediately ensure that, in conjunction with the president and the Executive Committee, the members shall belong only to those divisions in which they physically reside, and that the records of the Association be changed accordingly. 4. If a member moves to another division, that member may decide for which division he or she wishes to play in team competition provided the entry deadline for the team competition falls within 90 days of the date the member began to physically reside in the new division. Thereafter, the member will no longer be eligible to play for his or her former division and must play for the new division. Sanctioned tournaments Any member desiring to have a tournament or match sanctioned by USPTA should do the following: 1. Make a formal bid for sanction to the USPTA World Headquarters. 2. Fill out sanction application, keeping one copy for his or her files. 3. Forward the original, along with the sanction fee (1 percent of the total prize money or minimum $10 fee) to the World Headquarters 30 days prior to the tournament. 4. Upon approval of sanction, the member will be mailed an official sanction certificate. Only USPTA-sanctioned tournaments are eligible for allocation of balls upon request to the World Headquarters, depending on their availability. Complete draw sheets showing results of the tournament should be forwarded to the World Headquarters immediately. All tournaments must be sanctioned by USPTA in order to be considered for national USPTA ranking. USPTA player rankings and rules Upon entering the USPTA International Championships tournament, members become eligible for an annual player ranking. These rankings are categorized by gender, singles or doubles, and age division. USPTA rankings are a source of personal pride and peer prestige, and are career enhancing. Clubs look good when their tennis professional succeeds in tournament play. When there is individual publicity, there is the potential for additional career opportunities. USPTA rankings can be applied toward Master Professional credit, and results from USPTA tournaments are reported to the USTA for international ranking consideration. All age divisions in the USPTA International Championships are considered for ranking purposes. A player must have at least one win at the USPTA International Championships to be considered for a ranking. If players have participated in USPTA/USTA Category II national tournaments, those results may also be considered. Co-ranking (ties) will occur if players/teams reach the same round in the international event and have similar win/ loss records. 61 Using your USPTA membership Section XVI U.S. Pro Tennis Shop 62 Using your USPTA membership Pro tennis shop U.S. Pro Tennis Shop – www.usprotennisshop.com USPTA members have access to exclusive USPTA logo merchandise, including tennis wear, stationery, membership plaques, personalized banners, jewelry, accessories and educational materials through the online pro shop at www. usprotennisshop.com or by calling the World Headquarters. Some of the shop’s education products include a how-to manual for running USPTA Little Tennis® and books about tennis strategy, technique, cross training and nutrition. Also for sale are the DVDs of the cable TV show – “On Court with USPTA,” as well as DVDs of specialty courses and seminars from the World Conference on Tennis. Members may earn education credits for viewing various productions. For details, contact USPTA’s Education Department or e-mail [email protected]. The pro shop also regularly advertises gift ideas and clearance items. The Web site is constantly updated based on product availability and to make the shopping experience convenient. Also, ADDvantage magazine regularly runs ads and order forms for clothing and other logo items. A member may shop and order online. The Web site includes color photos of items and allows shoppers to pick specific quantities, colors and sizes, and view a shopping cart before checking out. Payment may be made with Visa or MasterCard. Checks may be mailed when orders are placed using printed forms. Shipping and handling fees will vary and are listed for each order. Orders may be placed by calling the pro shop at 713-978-7782, 800-877-8248 or by faxing 713-978-5096. 63 Using your USPTA membership Section XVII Allied organizations 64 Using your USPTA membership Allied organizations Allied organizations AAHPERD American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Michael G. Davis, CEO 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191 800-213-7193 703-476-3400 fax www.aahperd.org [email protected] ITA Intercollegiate Tennis Association David Benjamin, Executive Director 174 Tamarack Circle, Skillman, NJ 08558 609-497-6920 609-497-9766 fax [email protected] www.itatennis.com ASBA American Sports Builders Association 8480 Baltimore National Pike, No. 307, Ellicott City, MD 21043 866-501-2722 410-730-9595 410-730-8833 fax [email protected] www.sportsbuilders.org ITF International Tennis Federation Francesco Ricci Bitti, President Bank Lane, Roehampton, London SW15 5XZ, United Kingdom 44-208-878-6464 44-208-392-4744 fax [email protected] www.itftennis.com ASEP American Sport Education Program Rainer Martens, President 1607 N. Market St., P.O. Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825 800-747-5698 217-351-5076 217-351-2674 fax [email protected] www.asep.com ATA American Tennis Association Dr. Marcus A. Freeman Jr., President 1100 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115A, Largo, MD 20774 301-583-4631 301-772-8540 fax [email protected] ATP Men’s professional tour 201 ATP Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 904-285-8000 904-285-5966 fax www.atptennis.com Australian Open Private Bag 6060, Richmond South 3121, Victoria, Australia 613-9914-4000 613-9650-2743 fax [email protected] CCA Club Corporation of America Eric L. Affeldt, CEO/president 3030 LBJ Freeway, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75234 972-243-6191 972-888-7558 fax [email protected] www.clubcorp.com CMAA Club Managers Association of America James B. Singerling, CEO 1733 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 703-739-9500 703-739-0124 fax [email protected] www.cmaa.org French Open Stephane Simian, Tournament Administrator Stade Roland Garros 2 Avenue Gordon Bennett, 75016 Paris, France 33 01 47 43 48 00 01 47 43 04 94 fax [email protected] www.frenchopen.org IHRSA International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association Joe Moore, President and CEO 70 Fargo St., Boston, MA 02210 800-228-4772 (617) 951-0055 617-951-0056 fax [email protected] www.ihrsa.org ITHF International Tennis Hall of Fame Mark Stenning, CEO 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840 800-457-1144 401-849-3990 401-849-8780 fax [email protected] www.tennisfame.com NAIA National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Carr, President and CEO 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106 816-595-8000 816-595-8200 fax www.naia.org NCA National Club Association Susanne Wegrzyn, President and CEO 1201 15th St., No. 450, Washington, D.C. 20005 (800) 625-6221 (202) 822-9822 (202) 822-9808 fax [email protected] nationalclub.org NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association Myles Brand, President 700 W. Washington St., P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis, IN 46206 317-917-6222 317-917-6888 fax www.ncaa.org NHSTCF National High School Coaches Federation Scott M. Enge, President 8130 Bell Road, Lenexa, KS 66219 913-541-0531 [email protected] NJCAA National Junior College Athletic Association Wayne Baker, Executive Director 1755 Telstar Drive, Suite 103, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719-590-9788 719-590-7324 fax [email protected] www.njcaa.org NRPA National Recreation and Park Association John A. Thorner, Executive Director 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148 703-858-0784 703-858-0794 fax [email protected] www.nrpa.org PBI Peter Burwash International Peter Burwash, President 4200 Research Forest Drive, Suite 250, The Woodlands, TX 77381 800-255-4707 281-363-4707 281-292-7783 fax www.pbitennis.com 65 Using your USPTA membership PCPFS President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Melissa Johnson, Executive Director Dept. W, 200 Independence Ave. S.W., Room 738-H, Washington, D.C. 20201 202-690-9000 202-690-5211 fax [email protected] www.fitness.gov Special Olympics Special Olympics International Headquarters Bruce Pasternack, President and CEO 1133 19th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 800-700-8585 202-628-3630 202-824-0200 fax www.specialolympics.org SGMA Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Tom Cove, CEO/president 1150 17th St. N.W., No. 850, Washington D.C. 20036 202-775-1762 202-296-7462 fax [email protected] www.sgma.com TCA Tennis Corporation of America Alan Schwartz, Chairman 3611 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-1234 773-463-0999 fax [email protected] www.tcaclubs.com TIA Tennis Industry Association Jolyn deBoer, Executive Director 117 Executive Center, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 866-686-3036 843-686-3036 843-686-3078 fax [email protected] www.tennisindustry.org Allied organizations USTA United States Tennis Association Gordon Smith, Executive Director 70 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 914-696-7000 914-696-7167 fax [email protected] www.usta.com Wimbledon The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Church Road Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE England 44-0-20-8944-1066 44-0-208-947-8752 fax [email protected] www.wimbledon.com WTA Tour Women’s professional tour Larry Scott, CEO One Progress Plaza, Suite 1500, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-895-5000 727-894-1982 fax www.wtatour.com WTS International Washington Tennis Service Gary Henkin, President and CEO 3200 Tower Oaks Blvd., Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20852 301-622-7800 301-622-3373 fax [email protected] www.wtsinternational.com WTT World TeamTennis Ilana Kloss, CEO and Commissioner 1776 Broadway, Suite 600, New York, NY 10019 212-586-3444 212-586-6277 fax [email protected] www.worldteamtennis.com USA Wheelchair Tennis Wheelchair Tennis Committee USTA, 70 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 914-696-7000 914-696-7029 fax [email protected] www.usta.com USOC United States Olympic Committee Jim Scherr, Chief Executive One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-632-5551 [email protected] www.usoc.org U.S. Open Jim Curley, Managing Director, Tournament Operations USTA, 70 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 914-696-7254 914-696-7019 fax [email protected] www.usopen.org USPTA United States Professional Tennis Association Tim Heckler, CEO 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One, Houston, TX 77042 800-877-8248 713-978-7782 713-978-7780 fax [email protected] www.uspta.com USRSA United States Racquet Stringers Association David Bone, Executive Director 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084 760-536-1177 760-536-1171 fax [email protected] www.racquettech.com 66 Using your USPTA membership Section XVIII USPTA World Headquarters 67 Using your USPTA membership World Headquarters USPTA World Headquarters USPTA has a fully staffed and computerized World Headquarters to ensure friendly and efficient member service. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. In other time zones, these hours are: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern time Mountain time Pacific time Hawaii time Of course, anyone may inquire about programs and services and communicate with USPTA 24 hours a day via the Association’s Web site at www.uspta.com or through e-mail at [email protected] or the specific departmental e-mail addresses listed below. Departments, staff and functions Administration Chief Executive Officer Tim Heckler Director of Operations Assistant to CEO Personnel management World Conference coordinator Division liaison Liaison with allied associations National board and Executive Committee contact Rich Fanning Administrative DirectorMarty Bostrom Executive assistant to CEO E-mail administrator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Certification, Membership and Insurance Membership and Certification Manager Certification administration and exams General membership questions Vicky Tristan Membership Assistant Member applications Reinstatements General membership questions Sylvia Ortiz 68 [email protected] [email protected] Using your USPTA membership World Headquarters Membership/Insurance Assistant Member on-court liability insurance Member applications Reinstatements General membership question Melony DeLoach [email protected] Communications Director of Communications Manager of written projects Shawna Riley [email protected] PR, marketing, general correspondence Editor of ADDvantage magazine Special projects Director of Creative Services Web development and design Video production Desktop publishing Graphic design Personal Web sites Special projects Julie Myers Director of Public Relations Media relations contact Writer of news releases Ad development and design Representative at industry trade shows Poornima Rimm Publications Manager/Managing Editor ADDvantage magazine USPTA Membership Directory Annual World Conference program Other publications Kimberly Forrester Communications Writer/editor of correspondence, articles, manuals Special projects Jill Phipps Marketing Director of Marketing Endorsee liaison Product and event endorsement sales Advertising sales Marketing design and development 69 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] John Dettor [email protected] Using your USPTA membership World Headquarters Sports Marketing Coordinator Rick Bostrom [email protected] Build and maintain networks for USPTA sports marketing programs and Lessons for Life. USPTA Little Tennis® USPTA’s Tennis Across America™ USPTA Adult Tennis LeagueSM USPTA’s Junior Circuit™ Member-guest events USPTA Champion of ChampionsSM Digital Asset Director Timothy Heckler Digital Asset Coordinator/Technical Writer Clair Maciel [email protected] [email protected] Digital Asset Coordinator/Tennis Multimedia Management Ramona Husaru [email protected] Media Production Services Video Production Manager Audio/video production Producer of “On Court with USPTA” Joe Birkmire Multimedia [email protected] Motion graphics/video production Kenneth Crawford [email protected] Audio/video production Multimedia [email protected] George Burnett Multimedia H.R. Topham [email protected] Audio/video production Education Director of Professional Development Fred Viancos Career development manager Coordinator of continuing education programs (specialty courses, seminars, etc.) Specialist categories Distance Learning Education inquiries from membership Education correspondence [email protected] Corporate Services Corporate Services Administrator Janice Stollenwerck Receptionist Erin Ortbal 70 [email protected] [email protected] Using your USPTA membership World Headquarters Computer Technology Director of Information Technology Dan Wilson [email protected] Information Technology/Multimedia Scott Bucic [email protected] Director of Computer Services Database programming and management Membership dues and address changes Club relations Find-a-Pro database management Kathy Buchanan [email protected] Divisional Executive Administrator Kalin Cogar San Diego, Mid-Atlantic, Intermountain, Hawaii, California, Missouri Valley [email protected] Divisional Administration Accounting Director of Finance Payroll/Benefits Kathy Ladner Renée Heckler Controller Department manager Accounts payable Ellen Weatherford [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Merchandise/Accounting Assistant Shelina Harris [email protected] Publication and educational video sales USPTA clothing Business cards, stationery, plaques and banners, Little Tennis clothing and accessories 71