Information for CSPA Registered Participants
It has been five years since affiliation fees were last increased (from $84 to $89) to manage increased operating costs for the CSPA. Since 2012 we have focused on better budgeting practices and cutting expenses to avoid fee increases, but the reality is; while our sport is growing in new disciplines and certainly evolving, CSPA is not increasing participant numbers.
What does your annual affiliation fee pay for?
About one-fifth of CSPA’s revenue covers staffing costs. Only two staff manage the administrative and day-to-day operation of the Association.
The next largest expense is our third-party liability policy. Very few skydivers and dropzones will ever require it, but it is an important benefit of your affiliation. This type of insurance is required by most dropzones you skydive at, and is recognized world-wide. Insurance policy premiums typically have an annual increase, plus, in the last five years we have had to pay several claims, which prompts rate increases.
Two other expenses we face increasing costs for is translation and our national magazine. CSPA is very fortunate to have talented volunteers who dedicate their time to translation, but due to the sheer volume of material that must be bilingual (every document and communication produced for CSPA), professionals must be hired. CanPara magazine is an important part of CSPA’s identity, and while it generates advertising income, it is heavily subsidized. When last polled, most of our readers said they are not willing to part with the hardcopy of the magazine.
Another fifth of our income supports the expenses for our volunteers; the directors and committee members that create the policies, CoPs, ratings, and virtually every program that CSPA offers. In addition, CSPA financially supports dropzones who host our Canadian Nationals, fund skills camps and support athlete development opportunities across the country.
With increased operating costs and declining membership, we are faced with the decision to increase affiliation fees to $94/year, effective December 1, 2017. Combined with stringent budgeting practices, a modest revenue increase will allow CSPA to support our dropzones and skydivers and continue to offer the services and opportunities the membership has come to expect.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this decision, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local director or CSPA’s Executive Director. We thank you for your continued support of CSPA and our sport in Canada.
