USQ Update
Update on Fall Membership Drive and New Membership Options
USQ is introducing new lower priced membership levels that give access to USQ+ virtual programs and the mentorship program, among other benefits.
As we announced previously, this season’s fall regionals have been cancelled. USQ is still hopeful that the spring season will be able to take place as planned, but the pandemic’s ongoing disruption of USQ’s season is continuing to put the organization in a challenging financial position.
Last spring, your contributions to the #savequidditch fundraiser, as well as a Paycheck Protection Program loan (which covered payroll costs in May and June), ensured that USQ was able to weather the cancellation of USQ Cup 13 and make it through the summer. We are still processing $12,000 in refunds from nationals. In September and October USQ normally raises the bulk of the revenue needed to fund the coming season. Last year, USQ raised $170,000 in those two months, nearly all of it from memberships. This year, we’ve only brought in $590 in renewed and new memberships.
This significant shortfall means USQ has one more month of operating runway. As previously mentioned, USQ’s monthly costs are approximately $16,000. By purchasing membership now, even though the fall season has been paused, you are ensuring that USQ can continue our operations through the entire season.
To make membership more accessible, we’ve created a new Virtual Player Membership, as well as a Basic Fan Membership.
Virtual Player Membership - $35
- Access to mentorship program
- Free registration to all USQ+ virtual programs
- Seasonal discounts on USQ merchandise
- Quarterly members-only newsletter
- Non-playing referees can upgrade to this membership for an additional $15
- Trial player members can upgrade to this membership for an additional $25
- Virtual Player Members can upgrade to a full player membership for an additional $35
Full Player Membership - $70
- Eligibility to play on an official team and compete in official matches, as well as participate in USQ-sanctioned events
- Insurance coverage while participating in any official matches, as well as USQ-sanctioned events in the U.S.
- Free registration for regional championships and ability to compete to qualify for the national championship
- Participation in league-wide polls
- Includes the benefits of virtual player membership
Basic Fan Membership - $30
- Seasonal discounts on USQ merchandise
- Quarterly members only newsletter
- Free registration to all USQ+ virtual programs
- Basic fan members can upgrade to the special fan membership for an additional $20
Special Fan Membership - $50
- 2 weekend passes to USQ Cup
- Free merch at USQ Cup
- Includes the benefits of the basic fan membership
To purchase membership, login to your account on the USQ website. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free in just a couple of minutes. After you’ve logged in, click this link, or go to Membership and click the link that says “Upgrade Your Membership.”
Upcoming Fall and Winter Programs - A Preview
Mentorship Program
Launched earlier this month, this new program has mentorship opportunities for players, coaches, team leaders/team managers, referees, and snitch runners. The goal of this program is to connect experienced members of the quidditch community with new members of the quidditch community to help one another learn. Mentors (experienced members) have the opportunity to build leadership and teaching skills, while mentees (new members or inexperienced in a role) have the benefit of gaining knowledge in the quidditch community.
The mentorship program is primarily for USQ members. Mentors and mentees will be paired up on a rolling basis beginning the week of October 5. If you want to participate in this program this fall, be sure to sign up now!
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month - September 15-October 15
Over the next four weeks, USQ will be celebrating Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, uplifting Hispanic, Latino/a/e, Latinx, and Latin American indigenous people in our community and sharing their stories. Latinx Heritage Month is from September 15-October 15 in the US. It starts mid-month because that marks the start of 30 days when many Latin American countries celebrate their independence.
Get Out the Vote - now through November 3
The U.S. presidential election is November 3. It’s incredibly important to vote. We’ll be posting reminders and important information about voting.
Our first post went up this week, on National Voter Registration Day, which was September 23. We encourage everyone to double check their voter registration status at vote.org. If you haven’t registered before or need to update your address, there is still time to do that. The earliest voter registration deadlines are not until 30 days before the election (though we encourage you to check your state’s website for more information).
Rulebook 14 and Officials Certification
Rulebook 14 will be released at the end of this month. When it comes out, we will also explain the results of the equity audit, which just concluded. Written certification tests for referees and snitch runners will also be available, along with brand new resources for referees.
Quidditch Turns 15 - October 9-23
Our sport celebrates its 15th birthday on October 9. To mark this occasion, we’re doing 15 days of special programming. We’ll be rebroadcasting classic games, showcasing quidditch in other countries, and more. There will also be special merchandise, including an update to the Quidditch Turns 10 coffee table book.
More information on birthday festivities will be available next week.
10th Anniversary of World Cup IV - November 13-14
World Cup IV was held in New York City November 13-14, 2010. It featured 46 teams and 750 players from the U.S. and Canada. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this marquee championship, we will be rebroadcasting the documentary Brooms Up, hosting interviews with tournament organizers and players who were there, and offering the iconic red event poster in our online merchandise store.
Holiday Merchandise Sale - November 13-December 1
Every year around Thanksgiving, there are special deals on USQ merchandise. This year, the holiday sale starts on November 13. For the first weekend of that sale, all customers will get free shipping off of orders of $50.00 or more. All USQ products will be restocked for the sale, and members will receive special discounts and access to exclusive new products.
USQ+: New Virtual Programs
USQ+ is the home of all our virtual activities and events. Programming will kick off with the 15th birthday celebration, October 9-23. While some of these programs will be free and open to the public, most of them will be available exclusively for members. Here is what’s coming up from USQ+:
- Webinars/roundtables
- Team advice series on topics like recruitment and retention
- USQ staff roundtables
- How to on run a team workout session, focusing on exercises that are good for quidditch players as well as safety
- Story sharing
- Themed story shares about favorite or memorable moments off and on the pitch, like a monthly radio hour for quidditch
- Deep dives into quidditch history
- Social events
- Quidditch 15th birthday social in October
- Trivia nights
- USQ book club
More virtual programs will be added throughout the season, and staff is working on adding more for this fall, too. If you have a suggestion for a virtual program, please email membership@usquidditch.org.
Questions
For questions about membership, email membership@usquidditch.org. For other questions, please contact info@usquidditch.org.
