Section
1
USPA
Section
2
BSRs
Section
3
Classification of Skydivers
Section
4
Integrated Student Program
Section
5
General Recommendations
Section
6
Advanced Progression
Section
7
Exhibition Jumps
Section
8
Awards
Section
9
Federal Aviation Regulations
Appendix
A
Freefall Hand Signals
Appendix
B
USPA License Study Guide
2007 Skydiver's
Information Manual
A United States Parachute Association Publication
Section 1: The United States Parachute Association
Contents:
Summary
Your USPA Representatives
USPA Leadership
USPA Policy Making
The USPA Headquarters Staff
USPA Constitution and By-Laws
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.
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 two 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-to-day 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)