Your chapter and you
Chapters are the heart and soul of the AGA. Through chapters we meet, play, study, learn about the world of American go and elect the seven-person AGA Board of Directors. Here are some ways the AGA can help you and your chapter to build a sustainable go culture in your community. Click here to view the results of a 2008 survey of AGA Chapters by Phil Waldron; write to chapterservices@usgo.org with your comments, and especially with your interest in helping out.
If you don't have a chapter nearby, it's easy to start one! Click here and use the "chapter" option on the member application to register your chapter ($35/year), then take advantage of the following benefits:
Ing Pro Teaching Grant
Through the generosity of the Ing Foundation, the AGA is able to provide matching grants of up to $1000 for chapters that wish to host a pro for a weekend workshop. Click here to see some pros you can hire for this program. Special consideration will be given to chapters that have never hosted a pro before.
Join through your Chapter
New to the AGA? Through your chapter, you can take advantange of a special promotional membership which entitles you to all the benefits of AGA membership at half-price ($15/yr) for up to two years. Play in as many rated tournaments as you like; enjoy The American Go E-Journal including commented games and outstanding instructional material; receive a copy of the Yearbook with complimentary CD-ROM and more! NOTE: This offer is available only through AGA Chapters. What if you don't live near one? Some chapters, especially virtual or Internet chapters, accept members who live anywhere.
Chapter Reps: Click here for instructions on how to sign people up for
this type of membership.
Free web site hosting
Virtually unlimited space is available to host your chapter's website on www.usgo.org at no charge. Just send all the pages you want to start with to webmaster@usgo.org. Note that the home page should be named 'index.htm.' Include a userID and password in the message, and we will post them in a directory at www.usgo.org to which you will have exclusive password access.
Organizational support
The AGA can provide technical support, guidance, prize and other resources like listing your event on the web site and announcing it in The American Go E-Journal. Contact the AGA tournament coordinator at tournaments@usgo.org.
Publicity and promotion
List your tournament or event on the web site and in the E-Journal and let the AGA use its mailing list to send out announcments.
Ratings
Your chapter can submit game results from tournaments and events to the AGA rating system, recognized worldwide as a credible means of measuring strength. Click here to learn more about the AGA rating system.
Connect with thousands of players
With 3000 new visitors every week, www.usgo.org is one of hottest go sites on the Internet! Being an AGA Chapter gives you a special status on the contact list, where the AGA logo will make your club stand out.
Playing politics
The Chapter is the basic voting unit in the AGA. Seven directors select the President, set policy, and govern the AGA serve two-year terms. Half of them stand for election every year. More members means more votes for your Chapter, so to make your vote count, make sure the AGA knows which chapter you are affiliated with, by sending an e-mail to membership@usgo.org. And make sure your chapter representative knows where you stand on important issues!