GUIDELINES FOR COSTA MEMBERSHIP

Per the COSTA Bylaws, a member is defined as a taekwondo dojang, school, or club (located within the State of Colorado) or individual (Colorado resident not affiliated with a taekwondo dojang, school, or  club) who wishes to participate in COSTA-sponsored tournaments/events and have access to other COSTA benefits, such as discounted registration for some COSTA-sponsored events or stipends (note: see stipend policy). Branch dojangs, schools, or clubs that are independently operated are eligible to join separately if they independently meet the criteria for membership as either a Voting Member or a General Member.

Voting Member – $50 per calendar year

A taekwondo dojang, school, or club located within the State of Colorado that meets the criteria listed below may apply to COSTA as a Voting Member. Qualified Voting Members will be allowed one representative. The dojang, school, or club must:

1. Be a registered business or officially recognized college or university club in the State of Colorado prior to casting any votes;
2. Be a USATKD registered organization at least one month prior to casting any votes;
3. Have at least 25 USATKD registered individual memberships (in good standing and have participated in the Colorado State Taekwondo Championships within the calendar year) in their school prior to casting any votes; participants include athletes, coaches, or referees affiliated with the USATKD registered club;
4. Pay COSTA membership dues at least one month prior to casting any votes;
5. Voting Members who meet qualifications to vote, may cast votes to approve agenda items, including elections of COSTA Board Officers, at Special Meetings or Annual Meetings.

General Members – $25 per calendar year

A taekwondo dojang, school, or club located within the State of Colorado that does not meet the criteria above may apply for COSTA membership. General Members will be allowed one member representative, may attend Special Meetings or Annual Meetings, and their affiliated athletes, coaches, or referees may request stipends (see stipend policy) but General Members are not eligible to vote on any agenda item or election.

Individual Members – $15 per calendar year

Individuals who do not belong to a COSTA member taekwondo dojang, school, or club may apply for COSTA membership. Individual Members who are 18 years and older may only vote to elect Athlete Representatives, Coach Representatives, or Referee Representatives based on their USATKD membership (class of representative). Individuals who wish to become members of COSTA must meet the following criteria:

1. Be legal residents of the State of Colorado;
2. Be a USATKD member in good standing (volunteer memberships are not eligible);
3. Complete all SafeSport training (for individuals age 18 and older).

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Annual Facebook announcement thanking organization or individual for COSTA membership with link to dojang/school webpage (if applicable).
• Athlete-specific news shared on COSTA Facebook page, such as official competition or USAT camp participation, placements, or other taekwondo-related information (posts promoting businesses, schools, or personal interests are prohibited).
• Access to resources for education and training, such as referee, sparring, poomsae, freestyle, or demonstration seminars presented by USAT-certified referees or World Taekwondo-certified international referees.
• The opportunity to host COSTA-sponsored education and training events with host location promotion on COSTA social media.
• Discounts on fees (based on event).
• Eligible athletes can request stipends.
• Requests to post non-COSTA endorsed or non-USAT sanctioned events will be considered on a case-by-case basis.