USATF MT, Clubs

Sanctioned clubs vary from youth oriented organizations to open and masters road running clubs. Clubs can be a simple as formalizing a running group that wishes to host races, or as complex as a youth track organization that wishes to schedule formal practices and field teams at National events. Regardless of the purpose, USATF sanctioned clubs realize many benefits:

Liability insurance during registered club practices
Affiliation discount when sanctioning events.
The right to enter relay teams and have athletes represent their organization at USATF Championships
The right to use the USATF Club or USATF Organizational Member logo on promotional materials
Notices of grant opportunities, fund raising opportunities, and other materials as they become available
Subscriptions to Fast Forward and Track Coach Magazine
Hardcopy USATF Rule Book
Availability of Directors & Officers liability insurance
Club name and contact information included on the USATF Club list
Participation in the National Club Championship series
Voting privileges at Association meetings

Active member organizations and competitive clubs in the Montana Association as recognized by USATF may be found by following this link to the Associations page on the USATF website at:

www.usatf.org/clubs

Founding or Renewing a Club

Clubs are renewed annually or up to 3 years. New practice schedules and coach certification must be submitted each year to take advantage of liability insurance for practices.

FEES: Club application fee is $30. Background check for youth coaches/volunteers is $10/individual (to offset costs incurred by the program)
ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS: All clubs need to submit a copy of Bylaws and/or Constitution on file with the association office. The easiest way to start is to contact existing clubs and visit with their director. It is relatively easy to form bylaws. The other forms are available from the National website under the Associations - Club section or by following this link: www.usatf.org/clubs

JR OLYMPICS: For youth clubs that will compete in Junior Olympic programs, such as relays or cross country team events, a club membership is required. May 1 is the deadline for competitive clubs wishing to avoid a late registration fee in advance of the Track and Field Championships.

PRACTICE INSURANCE:
- Clubs that hold regularly scheduled practices under qualified coaches are encouraged to carry USATF club practice insurance.
  
  To be covered by the insurance coaches must be current USATF members, submit a qualification/background screening form, and at least one qualified coach present at each scheduled practice.
  
  There is no fee for club practice insurance.
  
  A $15 fee is assessed if a certificate of insurance is needed by the club. Club practice insurance is not provided by sanction, club, or individual insurance.
  
  A schedule of practices and resume(s) of coaching experience is required
Background Check of Youth Coaches and Volunteers
Beginning in 2007, USA Track & Field Montana is joining the National USATF Organization in implementing a background screening program for individuals associated with youth programs. Information regarding this program may be found by this link:

http://www.usatf.org/about/programs/backgroundChecks/

Participation in the program is encouraged for any coaches or volunteers that come in contact with youth
Other Club representatives, clubs that are not directed at youth specifically, Officials, and volunteers not necessarily affiliated with a club but meet the guidelines above are welcome to participate in the program but their participation is not mandatory.
More information on how to participate, where to send forms, etc., can be obtained by e-mailing the President at the contact listed on the administration page.

Obtaining a Club Webpage

For the period of time that your club remains USATF-Montana Sanctioned, you have the option of maintaining your own club website free of charge, which will be hosted on the USATF Montana web server. Use it for pictures, announcements, links, and anything else you can think up! After an event finishes, you can have results posted on the USATF results page by emailing the typed results to the webmaster. To setup your website or report event results, contact Luke Clemens at webmaster@mtusatf.org .

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