Dear Chapter Presidents and Board Members,

I'm excited to announce the USA Dance National Membership Growth Challenge, running from July 30 through September 30, 2026 — during the National Ballroom Dance Week.

We currently have 5,600 members nationwide, and our goal is to reach 6,000 by September 30. Every chapter, regardless of size, has an important role to play — and every chapter has a real shot at winning.

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TWO WAYS TO WIN:

1. Most New Members — the chapter that adds the greatest total number of new members.

2. Fastest Growing Chapter — the chapter with the highest percentage increase over its own membership baseline. This gives smaller chapters just as much of a chance as our largest ones.

HOW "NEW MEMBER" IS DEFINED:

We're using a simple snapshot method: your chapter's active membership roster as of July 30 is your official baseline. Anyone who becomes an active member after that date who wasn't on your July 30 roster counts as new — whether they're joining for the first time or rejoining after a lapse. Members who were already active on July 30 don't count as new, even if their individual renewal happens to process during the challenge window. This keeps things simple and completely fair — there's no benefit to renewing early or late.

Download Flyer Here

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

- Review the full Rules Document below with all the details.

- Track your chapter's new members as they join throughout the challenge, starting from your July 30 baseline count.

- We'll ask for a quick mid-point check-in in early September, and a final count on September 30.

RECOGNITION:

Winning chapters in both categories will receive national recognition, a feature in the USA Dance newsletter and social media, and an update during National Ballroom Dance Week. I'd also encourage every chapter to host a public event during National Ballroom Dance Week (September 13–19) to welcome prospective members and close the challenge strong.

Let's grow USA Dance together — one chapter, one member at a time. Thank you for everything you do for your chapter and for our organization.

Download Flyer Here!

Keep on dancing!

HERB MCGURK

Membership Director, USA Dance, Inc.

membership-dir@usadance.org