Q: How much does it cost to become a member of the UPA?
A: A regular membership costs $40 and lasts one calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31). Youth memberships for those 18 years old and younger are available for $20; college memberships are available for $30. Join today!

Q: What are the benefits of being a member?
A: Members are eligible to compete in UPA Championship Series events as well as UPA sanctioned events. Members also receive a membership packet with a thank you gift; a subscription to the quarterly member magazine; discounts on custom-stamped discs and other merchandise; the opportunity to sanction and insure their league or event through the UPA; and most importantly, a voice in the development of the sport of Ultimate.

Q: What programs does the UPA sponsor?
A: Over the past two decades, the UPA’s primary focus has been the Championship Series. While the college, club and juniors championship tournaments remain our most visible programs, the UPA is working to expand its reach to encompass the recreational player as well as the elite player. To this end, the organization has developed a comprehensive youth development program, an expanded event sanctioning program for local leagues, and a program to support women’s clinics across the U.S. Programs to train coaches, observers and tournament organizers are currently under development. The UPA also offers a number of Innovation Grants each year to help further the sport and plays an active role in selecting and sponsoring teams to represent the U.S. in international events.

Q: How fast is the organization growing?
A: Over the past five years, the UPA has increased its membership at an average rate of 15-20% each year. The organization added two new staff positions in 2002 to focus on building the youth program and improving communications, and also hired a new executive director with many years of experience managing a national sport governing body and other nonprofit organizations. It’s expected that the UPA will continue to grow at a similar or accelerated rate over the next decade.

Q: How much revenue does the organization generate each year?
A: The UPA’s income for 2002 was $591,413. The organization’s expenses were $560,374.

Q: How are board members selected? How long do they serve?
A: Board members are elected by the membership. The board has a total of twelve members, including one representative from each of six regions (Northeast, Mid Atlantic, South, Central, Southwest, Northwest) as well as six at-large representatives. Each board member’s term lasts three years, with four positions opening each year.

Q: What is the role of the board of directors?
A: Some of board’s main activities include setting UPA policy by officially adopting visionary proposals; hiring and overseeing an executive director to be responsible for headquarters, staff, and UPA operations; maintaining fiscal responsibility including passing an annual budget; nominating responsible future board members; and representing the membership’s desires for the future of the sport.

Q: What are the top priorities for the organization over the next five years?
A: The organization strongly believes that developing the sport in junior high and high school programs is critical to the growth of Ultimate. The board of directors affirmed this belief in 2002 by passing a resolution to hire a full-time youth development director. The board is also committed to building a more robust sponsorship program; developing affiliations with local leagues; improving communications with members and other audiences; and upgrading the information technology systems of the organization in order to better serve the membership.