United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Section 1

Section 1: The United States Parachute Association

Section Summary

The United States Parachute Association is a membership organization, incorporated as a not-for-profit association, such that each regular member has an equal vote and an equal voice in establishing the policies of the Association.
In its sporting role, USPA is the official U.S. skydiving representative recognized by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the official skydiving representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) in the USA.
In its governing role, USPA is officially recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the representative of skydivers in the United States.
USPA is an organization of skydivers, run by skydivers for skydivers, and it is your voice in skydiving. USPA keeps skydivers skydiving.

who  needs  this  section?

  • anyone first getting acquainted with USPA

 

THE UNITED STATES PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION (Overview)

A. Your USPA Representatives

USPA Regional Directors are jumpers from your region of the country and are elected by you (and the other members within your region) to the USPA Board every three years. There are 14 USPA Regions and, therefore, 14 USPA Regional Directors. The USPA Board also includes eight National Directors, elected by the USPA membership at large.

Nearly all drop zones have at least one USPA Safety & Training Advisor (S&TA) who is appointed by and serves as your direct link to your USPA Regional Director. The S&TA is a local jumper who is available on your drop zone to provide you with administrative services and information.

B. USPA Leadership

The members of the USPA Board elect officers, including a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and chair of the board. The officers, together with an additional member-at-large, also elected from among the USPA Board members, make up the USPA Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is responsible for making decisions and taking care of important matters that arise between the USPA Board meetings.

C. USPA Policy Making

The USPA Board of Directors establishes USPA policies and procedures during meetings held twice a year. The board operates through a committee system comprised of USPA Board members with special qualifications and interests. Each of the committees provide guidance and advice in major areas of activity within the sport.

The actions of each working committee must be approved by the full USPA Board before becoming USPA policy. Each USPA Director has one vote at USPA Board meetings. Voting responsibility includes not only making business decisions and setting policy, but also the establishment and modification of the Basic Safety Requirements and official USPA Recommendations. USPA Board members cast their votes based on the input they receive from their constituency (the membership) and their own judgment.

D. The USPA Headquarters Staff

Between the meetings of the USPA Board, held twice each year, USPA's administrative staff conducts the day-today business of the organization. The USPA Board hires the Executive Director, who assumes all the various responsibilities and duties assigned by the USPA Board. The Executive Director, in turn, hires the staff, which operates from USPA Headquarters, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

In summary, USPA Headquarters, led by the Executive Director, serves the USPA membership and carries out the instructions and policies set by the Board of Directors.

E. USPA Constitution and By-Laws

USPA operates under a constitution and by-laws that define the organization's purpose. They are contained in the USPA Governance Manual, available on USPA's website or from USPA Headquarters.

United States Parachute Association
5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd.
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407
(540) 604-9740 (phone)
(540) 604-9741 (fax)
uspa@uspa.org
www.uspa.org