Oak Ridge Rowing Association provides several different membership options to meet the needs of the rowing community, including local and non-local participants, youth, full-time college students, non-rowing supporters, and lifetime memberships. Further, the introductory programs do not require any specific Membership level, allowing novice Juniors, Learn to Row Juniors and Adults (Masters), and participants in Community, Team Building, and similar introductory programs to more easily participate in the sport. Benefits of your Membership with Oak Ridge Rowing Association include:
- Access to the physical facilities, including the boathouse, fitness facilities, and docks. This is traditionally managed through distribution of a physical key, assigned to the Member in good standing. There are no restrictions on when a Member may use the facilities, subject to external requirements or restrictions from the City of Oak Ridge or an external entity such as USRowing. The boathouse is in Melton Lake Park, which is managed by the City of Oak Ridge (COR). COR may choose to enforce the Melton Lake Park “Dusk to Dawn” policy, affecting the parking areas. USRowing, NCAA or similar entity may have specific restrictions affecting the race course, docks, and/or facilities associated with the execution of a Regatta. These limitations are minimized, and published. ORRA asserts no further restriction.
- Use of the club’s fitness equipment, including ergs, weights, and similar training equipment as well as audio-visual systems.
- Use of the club’s certified rowing equipment. This includes 1x, 2x, 2-, 4x, 4-, 4+ and 8+ as well as both sweep and sculling oars. Use is typically “first come, first-served” although coached programs always have priority. Some equipment has further restrictions based on the experience of the athlete.
- Private equipment storage, inside the facility, as space is available (storage charges apply).
- Participation in the Governance of the organization. All Members in good standing are eligible to vote in balloted items, including Board of Director elections. Individual Members receive one vote per ballot Family Members have a total of two votes. Further, as a Member in good standing, you are eligible to join the Board of Directors. Members are invited to participate in the Annual Meeting. Members are also invited to appear before the Board of Directors as part of any regularly scheduled meetings (monthly) and to attend the Open agenda for any ORRA Board of Directors meeting. ORRA maintains no external Board Members, per the organization’s bylaws.
- Guest privileges (the ability to sponsor or host Guests) as defined in ORRA Club policies.
- Oak Ridge Rowing Association Membership is renewed annually, on August 1, coincident with the beginning of the organization’s fiscal year. New Members that join during the year may request a pro-rated membership fee.
Responsibilities of each Member of Oak Ridge Rowing Association include:
- Each Member agrees to adhere to and follow Oak Ridge Rowing Associations Rules and Policies. Failure to do so may result in loss of membership. The revocation of Oak Ridge Rowing Association membership and its privileges is wholly at the discretion of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association Board of Directors.
- Each Member agrees to complete the Oak Ridge Rowing Association Liability Waiver (annual renewal).
- Each Member agrees to keep/maintain their account in good standing.
Membership in Oak Ridge Rowing Association is required for participation in ORRA’s programs, with specific exceptions for First Season (Fall or Spring) Atomic Juniors, Learn to Row programs, and other introductory events. All Membership commitments, including those for the First Season Atomic Juniors, can significantly defray the Membership cost through the annual contribution of Volunteer Hours. New Members that join during the year may request a pro-rated membership fee. Please see the details for each option below.
Background
Oak Ridge Rowing Association maintains a fiscal year that begins August 1 of each calendar year. Membership renewal for existing Members will begin on this date.
An adult is any person that has reached the age of majority in the State of Tennessee (18 years of age) AND has exhausted their eligibility to compete as a U19 youth athlete per USRowing.
ORRA distributes and maintains a Membership number for each family/category, described below. This Membership number is key for tracking registered athletes, volunteer hours, and financial account status. In the event that a Member does not complete their volunteer hours, associated with a Membership number, calculated as stated below, and managed through SignUp Genius, they retain that financial obligation and will be billed in arrears for that missed commitment.
Oak Ridge Rowing Association Membership Categories
The following Membership Categories are described. Registration on Regatta Central uses the same numbering scheme and description.
1 – Individual Adult Membership (Active Rower), 40 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Individual 12-month reduced-fee membership for those who plan to be an active participant in the club’s activities with full club privileges and accords one vote on club matters brought to the membership. A contribution of 40 hours of volunteer services is required for this membership. New Members that join during the year may request a prorated membership fee that is based on the fiscal quarter of the year in which the request is received.
1A – Additional Adult (2+ Active Rowers), 40 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Additional adult member 12-month reduced-fee membership for those who plan to be an active participant in the club’s activities with full club privileges and accords one vote on club matters brought to the membership. An additional contribution of 40 hours of volunteer services (beyond the prerequisite) is required for this reduced fee membership.
PREREQUISITE: 1 – Individual Adult Membership (Active Rower)
1B – Additional Youth, 16 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Additional youth 12-month reduced-fee membership for those families that have additional youth in the club’s junior programs. An additional contribution of 16 hours of volunteer services (beyond the prerequisite), for each youth, are required for this reduced fee membership.
PREREQUISITE: 1 – Individual Adult Membership (Active Rower)
2 – Parent (non-active) and 1st Junior Rower, 40 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Individual 12 month reduced-fee membership for those families that have an active youth participant and accords one vote on club matters brought to the membership. A contribution of 40 hours of volunteer services are required for this membership. New Members that join during the year may request a prorated membership fee that is based on the fiscal quarter of the year in which the request is received.
2A – Additional Novice/Junior Rower, 16 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Additional youth 12-month reduced-fee membership for those families that have additional youth in the club’s junior programs. An additional contribution of 16 hours of volunteer services, for each additional youth, are required for this membership.
PREREQUISITE: 2 – Parent (non-active)
3 – First Season Novice/Junior (non-Member), 8 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Individual seasonal (first season only) membership for those families that have a newly-participating youth active in the club’s junior programs. A contribution of 8 hours (single season) of volunteer services is required for this membership. This Membership category is broadly intended for a) someone new to rowing, who will explore the Novice program without the first season commitment to the Membership; and b) Juniors that might have rowed previously at another program, have perhaps recently relocated to Oak Ridge area, and want to consider whether Oak Ridge Rowing is the right place for them. Athletes returning to Atomic are expected to participate as Type 1, 2, or 6 Members.
PREREQUISITE: None in their first Fall or Spring Season; Will transition to Type 1, 2, or 6 at the conclusion of that first Season.
4 – Annual Non-Local Membership
Oak Ridge Rowing Association provides a specific Membership option for those whose primary residence is more than fifty miles from the Melton Hill Lake boathouse at 697 Melton Lake Drive, Oak Ridge TN. This is a great option for people that maintain a second residence in the Oak Ridge area and want to use the facilities when in the area; for people that have moved from Oak Ridge, but want to retain a link to the organization, and use the facilities when they are here; and for commuters that spend time in Oak Ridge for work, and enjoy having a consistent location from which to row.
Non-local Members receive all of the same benefits as Individual and Family Members except for two specific criteria- they are non-voting Members; they have no specific volunteer option, i.e. they are encouraged to volunteer to support the organization, but there is no explicit requirement as part of the annual Membership fee. New Members that join during the year may request a prorated membership fee that is based on the fiscal quarter of the year in which the request is received.
5 – Annual Non-Rowing Membership
Non rowing memberships are intended for those who would like to support and be involved in the organization, but who do not row. This is a non-voting membership.
6 – Annual Full Membership, No Volunteer Contribution
Individual 12-month membership for those who plan to be an active participant in the club’s activities with full club privileges and accords one vote on club matters brought to the membership. No volunteer services required for this full priced membership. Any contribution of volunteer hours is greatly appreciated. New Members that join during the year may request a prorated membership fee that is based on the fiscal quarter of the year in which the request is received.
6A – Additional Adult, No Volunteer Contribution
Additional adult member 12-month membership for those who plan to be an active participant in the club’s activities with full club privileges and accords one vote on club matters brought to the membership. No volunteer services required for this full priced membership. Any contribution of volunteer hours is greatly appreciated.
PREREQUISITE: 6 – Annual Full Membership, No Volunteer Contribution
6B – Additional Youth, 16 Hour Volunteer Contribution
Additional youth 12-month membership for those who plan to be an active participant in the club’s junior programs. A contribution of 16 hours of volunteer services is required.
PREREQUISITE: 6 – Annual Full Membership
7 – College Membership
College memberships are available for full time students. The college membership session follows traditional Summer and Winter Breaks.
8 – Lifetime Member
The Lifetime Membership is awarded by the Board of Directors based on the service of the individual to the community.
Volunteer Hours
As noted above, ORRA offers a number of Membership categories that can provide the appropriate structure for you or your family. We further offset the cost for these Memberships through the contribution of your time, energy and skills (volunteer hours). Our volunteers provide tens of thousands of hours each year to a wide variety of tasks, from the installation and maintenance of the sprint race course to the execution of Regattas. These activities drive significant revenue for the organization, and that revenue then allows ORRA to provide cost-effective options for Membership across the rowing community.
Memberships include an option whereby you can commit to a minimum volunteer hour commitment during a fiscal year as described above. The number of hours may be increased or decreased in a fiscal year based on the volume of regattas.
By committing to these volunteer hours, ORRA will substantially reduce your Membership cost for that year. However, this is a commitment on your (your family’s) part to meet or exceed that number of hours; i.e. the total volunteer hours for a Family Membership are aggregated, using all Members of the Family.
New Memberships may receive a prorated cost for that Membership, upon request. Those same New Members who choose the “volunteer” option would receive a similarly prorated volunteer commitment.
Volunteers that go Above and Beyond
Many of our volunteers exceed their initial annual obligation. ORRA recognizes those volunteers that go above and beyond with a credit toward their Membership Account as follows: For each additional 32-hours of recorded volunteer time, ORRA will credit your account with an additional $250 that may be applied to any programmatic fee including coached sessions, boathouse storage, withstanding balances on your account, and team travel. The additional 32 hours must be fully met, i.e. there is no prorated adjustment or credit for volunteer hours above 32 but less than 64.
There is no ability for individuals from one Membership to contribute hours to someone in a different Individual/Family Membership.
Membership Cost Structure
Approved by the Board of Directors for the 2023 Fiscal Year (August 1, 2022-July 31, 2023)
Registration on Regatta Central uses the same numbering scheme and description.
| Membership Type & Additions | Prerequisite | Cost | Renewal Date | Volunteer Hours Required | Governance/ Vote |
| 1. Individual Adult Membership (40 HR) | $325 | Aug 1 | 40 | Yes | |
| 1A. Add Adult to Individual Membership (2+ Active Rowers) | 1 | $100 | Aug 1 | 40 | Yes |
| 1B. Add Novice/ Junior Rower to Individual Membership | 1 | $0 | Aug 1 | 16 | No |
| 2. Parent/ Guardian (non-active) and 1st Novice/Junior Rower | $325 | Aug 1 | 40 | Yes | |
| 2B. Add Novice/ Junior Rower to Parent/Guardian Membership | 2 | $0 | Aug 1 | 16 | No |
| 3. First Season Novice/ Junior (non-Member) | None | $0 | Aug 1/ Jan 1 | 8 | No |
| 4. Non-Local, each individual | N/A | $200 | Aug 1 | 0 | No |
| 5. Friends of ORRA, non-rowing, each individual | N/A | $200 | Aug 1 | 0 | No |
| 6. Individual Adult Membership (0 HR) | $925 | Aug 1 | 0 | Yes | |
| 6A. Add Adult Member to Individual Membership (0 HR) | 6 | $300 | Aug 1 | 0 | Yes |
| 6B. Add Novice/ Junior Rower to Category 6 Individual Member | 6 | $0 | Aug 1 | 16 | No |
| 7. College Member | N/A | $75 | Aug 1 | 0 | No |
| 8. Lifetime Member (Board Appointed) | N/A | $0 | Aug 1 | 0 | Yes |
| Guest Pass | N/A | $10 | Daily | 0 | No |