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ADDvantage magazine

USPTA, a trade association for tennis-teaching professionals!

by Tom Daglis, USPTA president

March 2010 -- The USPTA Board has been very busy this year and I would like to begin by thanking the USPTA Board of Directors and our USPTA national staff for all their hard work to date.

As I mentioned in my president's speech at the 2009 World Conference and in my first President's message in ADDvantage magazine, one of the initiatives for my term was to form one united tennis- teaching organization.

I would like to give you an update on what has transpired since announcing that initiative. As president of the USPTA I drafted a letter to the current president of the PTR, Jean Mills. In this letter I asked her to present to her board the idea of holding a meeting, consisting of the two associations' presidents and CEOs at the USPTA World Headquarters in Houston, to discuss the prospect of merging the two associations as one tennis-teaching organization. I also mentioned that we could discuss a wide variety of topics so that everything would be on the table. Jean presented my letter to the PTR board and it was discussed at a symposium on February 14. The PTR board members decided that they would not be interested in a merger at this time, but would be interested in meeting at another location to discuss how the two organizations could work together with the USTA.

As there is often a great deal of "telephone" dialogue that goes on when members from both organizations relay bits and pieces of what they have heard, I thought it best to print my response to Jean and the PTR Board, so that our membership could understand the thinking of the USPTA Board of Directors.

February 25, 2010

Dear Jean,
Thank you for your e-mail of February 16. At this time, I feel that your suggestion does not address the real problem that exists in the tennis teaching profession, and in fact, in some ways would only exacerbate it.

While we may differ on things, we hopefully agree that two trade associations of tennis professionals is not advantageous for the tennis teaching professional. It may be good for their employers or others who deal with them, but it simply allows the playing of one group against the other when it comes to the welfare of the pro. This difficulty does not exist with the other bodies in the tennis world, each of which represents their own constituencies, i.e., the ATP and the WTA speak for male and female tour players and the ITA represents college coaches. Tennis teaching professionals face an entirely different situation. Two independent groups represent them, sometimes at cross purposes. No matter how many common positions we could take, it would still be the common positions of two associations in the same field, with the same vulnerability.

While getting together and working as a "team" may be advantageous for tennis, as a trade association our job is to promote the interests and wellbeing of the tennis teaching professional. That is why many of our members choose to join the trade association of their profession. Although we want to promote tennis and certainly do that, the promotion of tennis is the main focus of the USTA. The promotion of the manufacturers is the main focus of the TIA and so forth. It is obviously in the best interest of the tennis teachers association to promote the game itself and, it is good business to do so, but in reality, our members pay dues to receive resources and benefits that ultimately will lead to advancing their careers.

For the above reasons, we are not interested in perpetuating the two professional tennis teaching association system, and this is why we are, as you correctly point out, only interested in a merger. I would like to leave the door open for you and the PTR Board to contact us should you ever wish to discuss the possibly of a merger in the future and please know that our USPTA Board of Directors is very much in favor of such a conversation.

Best regards,
Tom Daglis, USPTA President

Since USPTA does exist as a trade association, I have reprinted a part of the article I authored from a 2006 ADDvantage magazine issue:

The USPTA is a nonprofit trade organization and as such, there are commonalities with nonprofit trade organizations around the country. Author Alan J. Zell (2002), whose publication, "Ambassador of Selling," gives the following reasons for belonging to an industry trade organization:
  • "One hears lots of excuses why people and firms do not want to join professional or trade associations. Some feel that they do not have the necessary time to attend meetings or continuing education while others believe that the association has little to offer."
  • "These attitudes are not attitudes of successful business people. Successful business people derive maximum use of their memberships. Memberships are seen as "inventory" or assets rather than expenses. Joining and not participating in association activities is passing up opportunities to be better at one's business. It is tantamount to leaving one's inventory sitting idle on the back shelf. Idle money does no one any good."
  • "There are four benefits professional and trade associations offer. Availing oneself of these benefits helps get maximum value for the dollar."
    • "Local level: Rather than thinking that competitors will discover "our/my secret formula," a member will learn that others have similar attitudes and problems. An association acts as a forum to bring people together. The purpose is to raise the level of expertise and quality of service for the good of the industry and, more important, for the good of each business's customers and clients."
    • "Attending regional and national meetings: Here one can talk about business problems without the fear of letting secrets out of the bag. In some cases, successful business people set regularly scheduled discussions with their counterparts from other cities to discuss problems and ideas without hurting their local advantages. Because there is no threat to one's business, each is more open to talk about their successes and failures."
    • "Acting as a watchdog: A trade organization can watch over legislative and regulatory bodies that make laws and rules that could be detrimental to their industry. Most associations have taken on the role of being the eyes and ears of its members."
    • "Dissemination of pertinent industry information: Most associations have newsletters that keep their membership up-to-date on the latest methods, solutions to problems, products, and services. The money invested in the inventory of trade and professional organization memberships can return much more than the annual investment of dues."
Each of these points applies to the USPTA membership and our constituency! What else does membership to a trade organization offer?
  • The availability of networking with your peers for both industry knowledge and future job opportunities for yourself or your staff.
  • The demonstration to the public that you support the legal and ethical values of your trade within the industry.
  • The demonstration that you are dedicated to the current trends and developments that occur on a regular basis within the industry.
  • A declaration to your peers that you are committed to the success and growth of your industry.
This alludes to the point of public perception and commitment to industry! Just like any organization or accomplishment, you get more out of something when you put more into it. You cannot always sit on the sidelines and develop a good game.you must get into the game and practice. The definition of a trade association is: individuals or businesses in a specific business or industry organized to promote common interest. The USPTA is a trade organization and that means we represent and promote your interests.

Are there direct benefits of belonging to the USPTA? Of course! I should mention a few membership benefits such as $9 million of on-court liability/bodily injury and property damage insurance while practicing, playing, teaching or officiating tennis for members in the United States, its territories and Canada; a complimentary personal Web site for marketing both yourself and your place of business; and of course, professionalism. Our uspta.com Web site outlines what is covered in professionalism:
  • Professional certification by way of standardized and fair ­examination procedures
  • National publicity and promotion of tennis-teaching professionals
  • Professional representation through a unified voice
  • Democratic participation in USPTA and industry policy directions
  • Organized communications network for tennis-teaching ­professionals.
  • Camaraderie and peer contact with the world's leading professionals through conventions, trade shows, divisional workshops and ­tournaments
  • Morally binding code of ethics to ensure fair industry practices
  • Fully staffed World Headquarters for efficient, thorough member service
  • Recognition and awards for industry and individual accomplishments at the national and regional levels
  • Speaking opportunities at international, divisional and other industry seminars
  • Opportunity to become published in USPTA and other industry publications
  • Some services, activities and fees are tax-deductible
Sometimes, the perception of a trade association is that it is only good for you when you find that you have a need for it. I submit to you the experience of a colleague of mine who interviewed for an exclusive country club position with an excellent financial package and high-national-profile position. This individual had many tennis industry accolades and qualifications. After receiving notice that the job was awarded to another applicant, this tennis professional called the general manager to find out if there was any weaknesses in his presentation with the search committee. The GM thanked him for his call and told him that he was a finalist for the position, however, the search committee kept bringing up the question, "If this candidate considers himself so qualified, why doesn't he belong to the largest trade association of teaching professionals?"

And lastly, the USPTA is the largest tennis-teaching organization in the world and "we do make a difference in the tennis industry." I want to belong to the biggest and the best tennis-teaching association in my field! In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Many of life's failures are those who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

Zell, A. J. (2002). Trade associations: are they for you? Ambassador of Selling. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved on February 10, 2006 from http://www.sellingselling.com/articles/assns.html.