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[[contact]] us. | [[contact]] us. | ||
− | + | == General questions about the Association == | |
− | + | # What is NASPA? <br />NASPA is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) corporation incorporated in Texas. It has an exclusive license from [[Hasbro]] to administer competitive SCRABBLE play in the United States and Canada. | |
+ | # Who is in charge of NASPA? <br />NASPA is formally governed by its board of trustees. Its day-to-day management is in the hands of its [[Executive Committee]], which delegates most tasks to its [[Committees]]. Decisions of working committees may be appealed to the [[Advisory Board]]; AB decisions may be appealed to the EC; EC decisions may be appealed to the board of trustees. | ||
+ | # Do players have a voice in how NASPA works? <br /> Yes. Players who have the time and energy to devote to volunteering for one of NASPA's [[Committees]] can have the most direct impact on our future by helping to develop our policy. Others are encouraged to either contact the committee in charge of their concern, or their [[Advisory Board]] representative for general concerns. | ||
− | == | + | The rest of our topics are listed alphabetically. |
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− | # | + | == [[cross-tables.com]] == |
− | + | # What is cross-tables.com? <br />Cross-tables.com is a partner website developed and maintained by [[Seth Lipkin]], providing a wealth of statistical information about the history of official SCRABBLE play in North America. | |
− | + | # What does it mean when it says "Check with NASPA" next to an unrated player's name in a tournament roster? <br />It means that cross-tables.com does not track information about unrated players, and you should use the regular membership tools to verify an unrated player's membership status. | |
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− | == | + | == Finance == |
+ | # Is financial information available for NASPA? <br />You may view NASPA's Form 990 on our [[Financial Reports]] page. | ||
+ | # Will there be executive stipends, will the members decide them, and will they be published? <br /> NASPA reports its budget in accordance with statutory requirements governing nonprofit corporations. Executive stipends, if any, are determined by the board of trustees. As of 2013, there are no stipends as such, but NASPA is reimbursing some expenses necessary for its operation, and disbursing approximately $2,000 per month in consulting fees. | ||
# When will NASPA start spending its capital reserves?<br />While it is important for the organization to maintain reserves for unanticipated liability or expenses, we have already been allocating resources for various publicity activities. We are proceeding cautiously and will announce additional plans as soon as they are available. | # When will NASPA start spending its capital reserves?<br />While it is important for the organization to maintain reserves for unanticipated liability or expenses, we have already been allocating resources for various publicity activities. We are proceeding cautiously and will announce additional plans as soon as they are available. | ||
# Will NASPA spend its capital reserves to subsidize prize pools at major events?<br />In general, no, because we believe that this would lead to the very top players being paid better without an increase in overall membership. We would rather spend money on reaching out to a broader group of potential players to encourage them to join the association. | # Will NASPA spend its capital reserves to subsidize prize pools at major events?<br />In general, no, because we believe that this would lead to the very top players being paid better without an increase in overall membership. We would rather spend money on reaching out to a broader group of potential players to encourage them to join the association. | ||
+ | # Can my tournament sponsors make a charitable donation through NASPA?<br />No, we are a 501(c)(4) corporation, not a charity. | ||
== Membership == | == Membership == | ||
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# Can I buy member-only publications such as the [[OTCWL]] from [http://www.wordgear.com WordGear] as a NASPA member? <br /> No, because Word Gear went out of business on July 1, 2013. You can buy the OTCWL from Merriam-Webster customer service though, and will need to provide your NASPA ID to do so. | # Can I buy member-only publications such as the [[OTCWL]] from [http://www.wordgear.com WordGear] as a NASPA member? <br /> No, because Word Gear went out of business on July 1, 2013. You can buy the OTCWL from Merriam-Webster customer service though, and will need to provide your NASPA ID to do so. | ||
# Are newcomers allowed to attend one open rated tournament before joining as members? <br /> No, but they will have an option to purchase a 6-month trial membership for US$15. | # Are newcomers allowed to attend one open rated tournament before joining as members? <br /> No, but they will have an option to purchase a 6-month trial membership for US$15. | ||
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=== Joining and renewing === | === Joining and renewing === | ||
# How do I buy a NASPA membership? <br /> The [[membership]] page says how to pay online using a credit card to activate your membership right away, or submit your data and follow up with a check to have your membership activated when we receive payment. | # How do I buy a NASPA membership? <br /> The [[membership]] page says how to pay online using a credit card to activate your membership right away, or submit your data and follow up with a check to have your membership activated when we receive payment. | ||
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# I'm a tournament director and I need memberships for some players so that my upcoming tournament can be rated. What do I do? <br /> Click on the Member Services link in the navigation sidebar, then click on Add New Members in the Director section. Fill out the membership information for your players, then choose “Payment with your next tournament’s participation fee” as your payment option. | # I'm a tournament director and I need memberships for some players so that my upcoming tournament can be rated. What do I do? <br /> Click on the Member Services link in the navigation sidebar, then click on Add New Members in the Director section. Fill out the membership information for your players, then choose “Payment with your next tournament’s participation fee” as your payment option. | ||
=== Life membership === | === Life membership === | ||
− | # Do life members in the NSA get life membership in NASPA? <br /> No. The NSA and NASPA are two separate organizations. [[Life membership]] in NASPA costs $20/year of age up to age 80. | + | # Do life members in the former NSA get life membership in NASPA? <br /> No. The NSA and NASPA are two separate organizations. [[Life membership]] in NASPA costs $20/year of age up to age 80. |
# What proof of age do I need to show to obtain [[life membership]]? <br />You can send us a copy of government-issued identification showing your date of birth, or show it to any NASPA-certified [[Director]] and ask him/her to attest to us on your behalf. | # What proof of age do I need to show to obtain [[life membership]]? <br />You can send us a copy of government-issued identification showing your date of birth, or show it to any NASPA-certified [[Director]] and ask him/her to attest to us on your behalf. | ||
=== Member profile === | === Member profile === | ||
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# Can you set my password to XXXXXX? <br /> No. You can change it yourself by clicking the “Change Password” button at the bottom of the Member Services page. If you don’t remember your password, enter your member number and click on “Email me my password”. | # Can you set my password to XXXXXX? <br /> No. You can change it yourself by clicking the “Change Password” button at the bottom of the Member Services page. If you don’t remember your password, enter your member number and click on “Email me my password”. | ||
# I tried entering my NASPA ID and password but keep being told “'re trying to connect to an unknown session. Please log on again.” <br /> We use “browser cookies” to keep track of sessions at our website. If you see this message and use AOL as your ISP, make sure that you are using Firefox as your browser and not the default AOL browser. Otherwise, make sure that you have cookies enabled in your browser preferences. | # I tried entering my NASPA ID and password but keep being told “'re trying to connect to an unknown session. Please log on again.” <br /> We use “browser cookies” to keep track of sessions at our website. If you see this message and use AOL as your ISP, make sure that you are using Firefox as your browser and not the default AOL browser. Otherwise, make sure that you have cookies enabled in your browser preferences. | ||
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+ | == [[National SCRABBLE Association]] == | ||
+ | # What happened to the NSA? <br />It transferred many of its duties to NASPA in 2009, and went out of business in July 2013. | ||
+ | # What happened to Word Gear? <br />Word Gear is out of business as of July 2013. If you are interested in ordering the official word list, NASPA members may do so from Merriam-Webster customer service. All other Word Gear products are no longer available. | ||
+ | == Newsletters == | ||
+ | # Does NASPA have its own newsletter? <br /> No, but NASPA has a [[NASPA_Bulletin|bulletin]] which appears periodically and hopes to appear more regularly as time goes on. | ||
+ | # Where can I find the NASPA Bulletin? <br /> Click on the [[NASPA_Bulletin|Bulletin]] link in the sidebar of any page. | ||
+ | # My friend doesn’t have Internet access, but is a NASPA member. How can my friend read the NASPA Bulletin? <br /> Although the NASPA Bulletin is protected by copyright, you may print it for your own personal use and for the personal use of other members. Registered directors are encouraged to do so for their players. | ||
+ | # I know someone who does not have Internet access and does not go to clubs or tournaments. How can they read the NASPA Bulletin? <br /> NASPA is an association for club and tournament players. If a person does not want to attend clubs or tournaments, they will not be interested in the NASPA Bulletin. | ||
+ | # When will the next issue of the Bulletin be published? <br /> We are working toward a more publication schedule and thank you for your patience. | ||
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+ | == [[National SCRABBLE Championship]] == | ||
+ | # When/where is the [[2014 National SCRABBLE Championship]]?<br />August 9–13, with mandatory registration on August 8, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, NY. | ||
+ | # Can I book my return flight on the assumption that things will wrap up at their usual time? <br />There is a small chance that top players might need to stay a little later, but it will be business as usual for everyone else. | ||
+ | # Will there be two [[Collins]] divisions at the 2014 NSC?<br />Maybe, if attendance continues to increase. We'll make a decision about this in early 2014. | ||
== Ratings == | == Ratings == | ||
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# I have a [[WESPA]] rating but no NASPA rating; what happens at my first NASPA [[Collins]] tournament?<br />Your [[Director]] may at his/her discretion place you in a division based on your WESPA rating, but your initial NASPA rating will be computed as an unrated player. | # I have a [[WESPA]] rating but no NASPA rating; what happens at my first NASPA [[Collins]] tournament?<br />Your [[Director]] may at his/her discretion place you in a division based on your WESPA rating, but your initial NASPA rating will be computed as an unrated player. | ||
− | == | + | == [[Tournaments]] == |
− | # | + | # What do I need to do to play in a sanctioned tournament? <br /> Be a member in good standing, satisfy any qualification criteria for the tournament (most have at divisions to accommodate all players), complete an entry form and submit payment to the event organizer. |
− | # Is my sanctioned tournament covered by NASPA’s liability insurance policy?<br />Yes. | + | # I want to organize a tournament, what do I need to do?<br /> Contact the [[Tournament Committee]] to submit details for the tournament you wish sanctioned. |
− | + | # Is my sanctioned tournament covered by NASPA’s liability insurance policy?<br />Yes. See the Directors section of [http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/services.pl Member Services], [http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/insurance.pl here]. | |
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− | == | + | == Volunteering == |
− | # | + | # How can I help? <br />If you would like to volunteer with any of NASPA's activities, thank you! Please contact a member of whichever NASPA [[committee]] interests you to see how your skills can best be put to use, or check our [[Help Wanted]] page. If you have [[suggestions]] that you do not want to help work on, you can still send them to any committee member, but they will get implemented sooner if you can help us. |
− | # | + | # How do I edit pages on this website? <br />If you are a NASPA [[committees|committee]] member, then you may request from [[Web Committee]] a username and password to log onto the website. Do so and follow the instructions for [[editing NASPAWiki]]. If you are not a committee member, please ask one to make your changes. |
− | == [[ | + | == [[World SCRABBLE Championship]] == |
# When/where is the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship]]?<br />It was announced in May 2013 that the event would be renamed the SCRABBLE Champions Tournament and held as part of the Prague Mind Sports Festival on December 4-8. | # When/where is the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship]]?<br />It was announced in May 2013 that the event would be renamed the SCRABBLE Champions Tournament and held as part of the Prague Mind Sports Festival on December 4-8. | ||
# How do I qualify for Team U.S.A.?<br />Through the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship US qualification system]]. | # How do I qualify for Team U.S.A.?<br />Through the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship US qualification system]]. | ||
# How do I qualify for Team Canada?<br />Through the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship Canadian Qualification System]]. | # How do I qualify for Team Canada?<br />Through the [[2013 World SCRABBLE Championship Canadian Qualification System]]. | ||
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Here is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the North American SCRABBLE Players Association (NASPA). Please check to see if your question is answered here before you contact us.
The rest of our topics are listed alphabetically.
Copyright © 2024 NASPA All rights reserved. SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. in the USA and Canada, and of Mattel, Inc. elsewhere. NASPA and its activities are neither endorsed by nor affiliated with Hasbro or Mattel. For more information about NASPA or for comments or issues with this page, please email us.