This is Jim Shovak, the USBA Secretary/Treasurer.
The first and most obvious benefit is that by supporting the USBA, you are supporting the sport of 3-cushion and its promotion. If you want 3-cushion to become more popular, if you want to see 3-cushion on TV, if you want to play in more tournaments and if you want the tournaments to have higher prize money, then supporting the USBA is a great choice.
Of course, to play in a USBA Tournament, you need to be a member. We need members and we need donations, always. We are working very hard right now to have more tournaments and to get more people playing the game. None of us make a dime working for the USBA. It's not like we are keeping the members' money. Every single member of the Board of Directors loves the game of 3-cushion and volunteers their time, free of charge. Sure, we all may have different opinions on the best way to promote the game, but every single Board Member is well-intentioned.
As a member, you are informed by email of every single USBA Tournament around the country as well as any 3-cushion news of importance. If you don't have email, the information is mailed to you. Every member also receives a free subscription to Professor-Q-Ball publication, a $ 18 value, which includes the USBA Newsletter in its pages.
Along with Tournament announcements, you get tournament results with pictures, stories and charts of the games. You receive instructional information as well.
Right now, we are working on a 2008 USBA Membership Package. We are hoping to include some vendor discounts, discounts on lessons, possible travel discounts and some freebies thrown in. We also will be rewarding members who sign up new members. A list of every pool room in the country that has a 3-cushion table will be provided as well.
We are hoping to keep adding more benefits as time goes on.
I hope that answers your question.
Sincerely,
Jim Shovak
