About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

May 2005

Kids' Questions with U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters

The staff at U.S. Figure Skating Headquarters handled a number of tough and intelligent questions from the kids' press about all aspects of figure skating.

I know this is a very broad question, but approximately how many members belong to U.S. Figure Skating? Are there years when memberships dramatically increase/decrease or is the membership rate pretty consistent?
Kelly Rogers, 14, Arvada, Colo.

We have approximately 66,300 regular members and 104,000 Basic Skills program members. Although the membership has been pretty steady the last few years we typically see an increase during the Olympic year.

Do you think that working for U.S. Figure Skating is a normal job? What is or isn't normal about it?
Kelsy Hollingsworth, 15, Glendale, Ariz.

That's a very interesting question, Kelsy. It's normal in that we work typical business hours (unless at a competition), use computer systems and fax machines, etc. There are areas where I would consider things ‘specialized.' For instance, because we're associated with a sport many of the positions here need sports in their educational background rather than a business degree from a college. In addition, the rules of figure skating, as a sport and an organization, are so involved it takes a good year to become familiar with the workings of the organization. There's a lot of on-the-job training.

What happens when a member does not renew his or her membership and still competes with the expired membership number? Do you have to re-register and get a new number or just renew the old one again?
Allison Noyes, 13, Tewksbury

Every member of the organization, from a Basic Skills skater to an international judge, must renew his or her membership every year. While we try to ensure that every member retains their same number from year to year, accidental duplicate records are created on occasion. When we find those records we merge them together and keep the old number active.

I like Nancy Kerrigan and Tara Lipinski but haven't seen them lately. What's new with them? Where are they now?
Stephanie Jones, 16, Montreal, Canada

Most recently, Nancy was a commentator for the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships in Lowell, Mass. She's very busy with her son, Matthew, and has another baby on the way. Tara's finished touring with Stars on Ice and has been focusing on her acting career. She recently had a guest appearance on the CBS sitcom, “Still Standing.”

When you register to be in a figure skating club, are you automatically a U.S. Figure Skating member and automatically subscribed to SKATING magazine?
Leslie Taylor, 14, Detroit, Mich.

Most club memberships do include the U.S. Figure Skating registration fee; however, clubs have the option to create their own membership categories, which may or may not include membership in the organization. It's always a good idea to double-check with your club to ensure your membership with us is included in the fee. As for the magazine, the first family member in each household receives SKATING magazine with his or her membership.

What has been your most successful membership program since you have been with U.S. Figure Skating?
Georgina Oliveira, 13, Ludlow, Mass.

Our Basic Skills program is definitely our most successful membership program. It offers something for everyone from age 2 through 92. This program had only 70,000 members a short six years ago, but in the last three years we've had more than 100,000 members enroll each year!