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2010-2011 Explanation of Fees
The Tiger Sharks Swim Team is a non-profit organization that is entirely supported by volunteers. Whether you are a longstanding or new member, you should know that the fees you pay cover only a portion of our expenses, and annual fundraisers may be necessary to support the club. The Tiger Sharks reserves the right to change fundraising efforts based on financial need.
A major emphasis for the club is to secure needed workers for team sponsored events. Your assistance as a volunteer is crucial to the success of the Tiger Sharks. By participating in team events and volunteer opportunities, you have the chance to meet other swim team families, show active support for your child’s swimming efforts, and potentially earn Shark Bucks. All fees and fundraisers are explained in the information to follow.
The Tiger Sharks Swim Team is a year-round swim club. The team season is August 30 2010 – August 31 2011. All swimmers must re-register every August regardless of their original start date.
The following fees are due in full upon registration, depending on start date:
Swimmers Registering from August 30 – January 31:
· Family Fee - $200 (per family)
· One Month’s Swimmer Fees (per swimmer) (see “Monthly Fees” below for your swimmer’s rate)
· $60 (per swimmer) online registration fee
Swimmers Registering from February 1 – May 31:
· Family Fee - $100 (per family)
· One Month’s Swimmer Fees (per swimmer) (see “Monthly Fees” below for your swimmer’s rate)
· $60 (per swimmer) online registration fee
Summer-only Registration (June 1- August 31):
· Fees are under review
The $60 online registration fee pays the annual Missouri Valley Conference registration fee and costs associated with online registration. Registration in the Missouri Valley Conference is required for all swimmers. Membership in the conference provides our club with insurance and the ability to swim at conference meets.
Registration and fees payment is done online through the team website, www.tsharks.net. Each family is responsible to keep their email / account log-in updated as needed.
*** THE ABOVE FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL BEFORE A SWIMMER CAN ENTER THE WATER ***
No swimmer will be re-registered that has an outstanding account balance.
Below is an explanation of each fee:
Family Fee
· The family fee is used by the team to pay for coaches’ salaries and travel expenses, facility rental, equipment, supplies, and software.
· The family fee is $200 per family, due at registration.
· No family fee refunds or discounts will be given if a swimmer is suspended or leaves the team.
Missouri Valley Registration
· All swimmers must be registered USA Swimming members to swim with the Tiger Sharks Swim Team. Missouri Valley will issue swimmers a registration card to verify membership. USA Swimming/Missouri Valley is also the team’s insurance carrier.
· No refunds for this registration will be given if a swimmer is suspended or leaves the team.
Monthly Fees
Monthly fees are as follows:
Novice = $55
Bronze=$60
Silver=$65
Gold=$75
For multiple-swimmer families, the following discounts are applied to the lesser of the total number of monthly fees:
· 2nd swimmer = 25% discount
· 3rd + swimmer = 30% discount
Ex.-
Group Ath 1 Ath 2 Ath 3 Ath4__
Bronze 60.00 45.00 42.00 42.00
Gold 75.00 56.25 52.50 52.50
Novice 55.00 41.25 38.50 38.50
Silver 65.00 48.75 45.50 45.50
· After one (1) month with no payment, the swimmer will be suspended from practice and meets until the account is paid in full.
· No monthly fee refunds or discounts will be given when a swimmer is suspended or leaves the team.
· No monthly fee refunds or waived fees will be given, even if a swimmer has not attended practice within a particular month.
· Monthly fees cannot be prorated.
· After two (2) occurrences where payment results in insufficient funds, only money orders will be accepted as form of payment for the remainder of the season. The family will be responsible for any charges incurred due to insufficient funds.
Invoices are posted to member accounts on the 21st of each month. An e-mail is sent to inform families that their invoice is available for viewing. On the first day of the next month, payment will be deducted from the payment source I set up in my auto pay. (E.g., an invoice is generated on September 21, and payment is automatically deducted on October 1.) The invoice shows monthly charges and the account balance as of the point when the invoice is generated. When payment is applied, the actual balance on the account is deducted.
It is imperative that families keep payment information updated (i.e., update credit card expiration dates or update bank account information for e-check payment). A $10 late fee penalty if payment information is not correct when an account is charged.
Inactive (Suspended) Status
· Families must notify the Team Manager and Membership Chair IN WRITING OR VIA EMAIL BEFORE THE 20th OF THE MONTH prior to changing their status if a swimmer plans to go inactive for the upcoming month and/or any extended period of time. Verbal notification will not be accepted. Families will continue to be billed and be responsible for monthly fees if they fail to provide required notification.
· Inactive status is to be taken in monthly increments only, beginning the first of the month. Monthly fees will not be charged while a swimmer is inactive. However, invoices will still be sent if account does not have $0 balance (meet fees, swim-a-thon fees, etc.).
· Swimmers may not enter the pool or participate in meets during the month(s) they are inactive.
· A swimmer can be inactive no longer than ninety (90) consecutive days. After ninety (90) days, they must re-register with the team and pay all applicable registration fees.
· No refunds or waived fees will be given, even if a swimmer has not attended practice within a particular month, unless the Team Manager and Membership Chair are notified as stated above.
· Families must notify the Team Manager and Membership Chair IN WRITING OR VIA EMAIL of their intent to be removed from inactive status.
· Unforeseen circumstances (such as serious illness, family crisis, etc.) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Board.
Scrip
· Scrip is a fundraiser whereby non-profit organization members can purchase gift cards for everyday expenses like food, clothing, and entertainment. A percentage of each dollar of Scrip purchased is returned to the team as revenue.
· Instructions to sign up for Scrip will be available at the pool and 1st parent meeting.
Referrals
· Families can earn “Shark Bucks” for referrals. When a new family registers with the team, they must inform the team treasurer (treasurer@tsharks.net) or membership chair (membership@tsharks.net) of their referring source if credit is to be given to a referring family.
· Families will earn $50 in Shark Bucks per referral, after the new member completes their registration, is with the team for sixty (60) days, and has paid fees in full. Shark Bucks can be used toward any Tiger Sharks fees.
Meet Entries
· Families must indicate their intention to attend meets via the team web site before the indicated deadline for the meet. Late sign ups or cancellations cannot be accommodated!
· Changes to meet entries after the deadline are at the discretion of the Meet Entry Chair and Head Coach.
· Meet fees are $3.50 per individual event, and $1.25 per relay. In addition, each swimmer will be charged a $3.50 surcharge per meet.
· Meet fees will be posted to accounts after the entry deadline, and will be included on the next monthly invoice. Families must pay all fees each month to remain in good standing.
· In the event a swimmer is suspended from the team and has already been entered into a meet, the family will be responsible for meet fees paid by the team, even if the member is not able to participate.
· Meet fees are paid in advance to the hosting team by the Tiger Sharks. Because of this, the team cannot refund any meet fees for missed events, illness, or cancellation after the entry deadline.
Leaving the Team
· If a family plans to leave the team, they must notify the Team Manager and Membership Chair IN WRITING OR VIA EMAIL BEFORE THE 20th OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO LEAVING. Verbal notification will no longer be accepted.
· Families will continue to be billed and be responsible for monthly fees if they fail to provide adequate notification, even if their swimmer has not attended practice within a particular month.
Hardship
· Hardship scholarships will be offered for families who encounter unforeseen financial hardship during the season. Scholarship recipients will receive 4 billing cycles of credit with the option to renew 1X at the Board’s discretion (monthly fees only).
· A maximum of three (3) scholarships will be given between November 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. They will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.
· Any family interested in a hardship scholarship must submit a request to the Board in writing or via email, detailing their situation. Requests will not be accepted before November 1, 2010.
· To qualify for a scholarship, the following minimum requirements must be met:
-Account balance must be current up to the point the hardship was incurred.
-Additional documentation may be required by the Board at the time of the request, depending on the hardship situation.
· After a scholarship voucher has been used, recipients are responsible for resuming regular monthly fees.
· The Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or deny any scholarship request. Furthermore, the Board is not required to grant all three (3) scholarships per season. All requests will remain confidential.
Outstanding Balances
· All outstanding accounts must be paid in full before a swimmer can be re-registered with the team. Outstanding balances are subject to legal action if not paid in full.
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