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STANDING RULES FOR COMMITTEES
International Committee | Membership Committee | Rules & Officials Committee | Equipment Committee | Nominating & Elections Committee | Ethics & Disciplinary Committee | Personnel Committee | Tournament Committee | Sanctioning Committee | Ratings Committee
International Committee

  1. The chairman of the International Committee shall recommend to the Board for approval persons with special expertise whom he/she wishes to have serve on the Committee. The committee shall consist of 20% active athletes and at least one woman. 

  2. No member of the International Committee may be related to another member nor may any member be an employee or employer of another member. 

  3. A simple majority shall constitute a quorum. 

  4. The committee will meet at least annually at the site of the National Championships where matters of international interest will be discussed. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Committee Chairman, including emergency meetings as necessary utilizing conference call techniques as appropriate. Notice of all meetings shall be relayed to board members who are entitled to attend with voice but without vote (unless they are members of the Committee). 

  5. Except for emergency meetings, all meetings will be preceded by a thirty (30) day written notice to each member. 

  6. The Chairman will appoint a Secretary who will record business and votes taken at each meeting including votes by mail telephone and telefax. The Secretary shall keep accurate and complete minutes of all meetings and forward same within thirty (30) days of the meeting to the USATT Secretary and the Executive Director for distribution to board members. 

  7. Roberts Rules of Order shall form the basis for the conduct of meetings.

Membership Committee 

  1. The Membership Committee shall meet at least once a year.  Other meetings via teleconference will be set at the discretion of the chair.  Minutes of meetings will be sent to headquarters to be kept on file.  Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail with a simple majority to constitute a quorum.

  2. Since clubs and memberships are closely dependent upon each other, the Membership Committee reports shall be submitted also to the Clubs Committee. The Clubs Committee shall reciprocate with reports to the Membership Committee. 

  3. A quarterly membership report from USATT Headquarters to the Membership Committee shall include separate adult and junior, new, renewal and non-renewal statistics. 

  4. The Membership Committee will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. 

  5. The Membership Committee will develop a new membership structure targeting recreational players.  Committee will develop and provide programs through clubs for the recreational player.  A new level of membership will be created with fees proposed for this level and approved by the board. 

  6. A list of "user friendly" clubs accepting the programs for recreational development will be published in USATT Magazine and also made available to all new recreational members.  Clubs will implement programs for the exclusive use of recreational members.

Rules and Officials Committee 

  1. ITTF rules and regulations will be adopted by the USATT automatically unless where USATT takes exceptions. 

  2. Referees and Chief Umpires of all four-star and five-star tournaments, all U. S. Olympic events and trials, and all U.S. Trials, including Junior and Senior will be appointed by the Officials Committee. 

  3. There are three levels of domestic umpires; Club, Regional and National and one level of domestic referee, the National Referee, to be certified by the Officials Committee. Criteria for these certifications will be proposed by the Certification & Education Committee and approved by the Officials Committee. 

  4. International Umpires immigrating from foreign Associations will be accepted as International Umpires in all domestic tournaments. They will be required to serve in at least one U.S. Open or U. S. National Tournament and be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee for qualification to represent USATT in any foreign tournaments. 

  5. Selection of umpires to be Officials (Tournament Referee, Deputy Tournament Referee, Chief Umpire and Assistant Chief Umpire) and to answer the invitations for umpires and/or referees from foreign Association will be the responsibility of the Selection Committee within the Officials Committee. 

  6. Officials Committee will work closely with the development of athletes of all levels and the development of Coaches through the Athlete/Coaching Liaison Committee within the Officials Committee. 

  7. Level of umpire certification required of USATT certified coaches will be defined by the USATT Coaching Development Committee.

Equipment Committee 

  1. Only USATT-approved equipment may be advertised in USATT Table Tennis National Publication or displayed and sold at any table tennis event run by USATT. 

  2. Sanctioned tournaments at which merchandise and/or exhibitor booths are offered for rent and booth space is available must provide booth space for manufacturers and distributors of USATT-approved equipment, with equal booth rental fees for like-sized booths.  Exemptions will be granted when the primary tournament sponsor (a sponsor that provides 100% of the prize pool) is a table tennis manufacturer or  distributor. 

  3. Fees for approval     

                                                     Volume Approval Fees 

Less than   $  25,000                                                                        ..............................................$   250.

$  25,000  to   $  50,000                                                 .............................................. $   375.

$  50,000  to   $100,000                                                 .............................................. $   500.

$100,000  to   $150,000                                                 .............................................. $   750.

$150,000  to   $200,000                                                 .............................................. $1,000.

$200,000  to   $300,000                                                 .............................................. $1,500.

$300,000  to   $400,000                                                 .............................................. $2,000.

$400,000  to   $500,000                                                 .............................................. $2,500.

$500,00    to   $600,000                                                 .............................................. $3,000.

$600,000  to   $700,000                                                 .............................................. $3,500.

Over             $700,000                                                                        ..............................................   $4,000. 

                                                           Individual Fees 

Tables           $250                  Each Model                  Maximum              $750

Balls              $250                  Each Model                  Maximum              $500

Rubber          $  25                  Each Model                  Maximum              $250

Net Sets        $  25                  Each Model                  Maximum              $100 

Manufacturers are entitled to deduct 25% from the individual fees only on any item that is currently approved by the ITTF. 

Amount Due on Volume Approval Fees                       $                                                     

Amount Due on Individual Fees                                     $                                                    

(Less 25% if currently ITTF-approved) 

Amount Due for USATT Approval                                  $                                                    

(Volume Fee plus Individual Fee) 

   4.    Testing and Inspection Fees 

A fee for inspection and testing by USATT will be charged when a Manufacturer submits equipment for approval unless it is already approved by the ITTF. 

Fees for each test are as follows: 

Tables................................................... $60

Net Sets................................................ $20

Rubber Sheets......................................$15

Balls...................................................... $50 

Fee for inspecting and testing will accompany equipment.

Nominating/Elections Committee  

  1. For the eight (8) officers elected by the general membership the Nominating Committee (hereafter referred to as Committee) will prepare a slate of candidates for election to the Board and forward this slate to the Board at a date in June specified by the President. This slate will include not more than 2 candidates for each office. 

  2. All eligible adult USATT members may run and/or vote for officers. 

  3. The Committee will solicit individual members to run for office. Solicitations will also be placed in the National Publication and on the USATT web site. 

  4. The Committee will consider anyone nominated whether the member places his/her own name in nomination or it the name is submitted by another member, provided the nominated member agrees to serve if elected. 

  5. The Committee will provide a petition form to any candidate wishing to be nominated by  petition.  The candidate will be responsible for reproducing the required number of forms. Candidates must submit signatures of one hundred and fifty (150) adult members providing all of the information as requested on that form. 

  6. The Committee will design the petition form to provide sufficient information to determine the validity of signatures. The Committee will verify that all candidates, including those by petition, are eligible to serve. 

  7. The Committee will forward to the Board by September 1 all nominations to the Board made by petition with the required number of valid signatures. 

  8. Require that each candidate for the Board sign and return a statement that he meets all eligibility requirements and will, if elected, uphold and obey the Constitution and Bylaws. 

  9. After approval of the slate by the Board and addition of all names by petition, send the final list to the National Publication for the September/October issue. 

  10. Prepare the ballot and mail it September 1-15 to all USATT Adult members as of August 1. Provision will be made for the voting to be secret. 

  11. No ballot will be sent to a foreign address unless specifically requested by the member concerned. 

  12. Ballots must be returned to USATT Headquarters on or before a date between October 1 and October 15 as determined by the Committee. 

  13. The Committee will arrange to have the ballots counted within 5 days after the designated closing date and determine the winners. 

  14. No ballot will be opened or otherwise revealed before the date of counting. 

  15. Votes should be tallied by state provided that it can be done without revealing the individual vote of any member. 

  16. No member of the USATT staff shall provide any information regarding the number of ballots received prior to the actual counting of votes. 

  17. Arrange for the tie votes to be broken in accordance with the following procedures.  Voting will be by e-mail or fax to headquarters to a staff member designated by the Committee chairperson. 

  18. Incumbent Board members whose terms do not expire in that year will vote for the tied positions. If there is still a tie the Board will vote again one time.{This includes all Board members except those whose term expires. 

  19. If there is still a tie, incumbent Board members, including those reelected without tie will vote. If there is still a tie the Board will vote again one time. 

  20. If there is still a tie the winning candidates will be decided by lot. 

  21. Mail the election results to the Board, the Public Relations Committee Chairman, the editor of the National Publication and all candidates. 

  22. The Committee will submit an annual report including the names of all potential candidates contacted. 

  23. The Chairman of the Committee will not be eligible to serve on the Board until at least one year after s/he resigns from or otherwise leaves the Committee. Committee members may not be candidates if they have accepted committee appointment pertaining to the election in question. 

  24. Any group that drafts or disseminates campaign information shall register with USATT Headquarters.  The group must identify at least one representative of the group and disclose any contributions (whether in cash or in-kind contributions) received over $100 within ten days prior to the sending of ballots.  The group must clearly identify itself, its members and its financial backers on each campaign communication it produces or disseminates.  USATT Headquarters must within one business day of receipt of the information publish this information on its electronic access page (e.g.., over the Internet) in a space reserved for election disclosure information. 

  25. The chairperson of the Nomination Committee shall, in coordination with the USATT Olympic Committee, conduct the election of the Olympic Athletes' Representative and the National Athletes' Representatives. 

  26. Election of Olympic Athletes' Representative: Election Procedures (Revised Nov. 2003)

  1. Candidates for Olympic Athletes' Representative and National Athletes' Representatives will be nominated by those eligible to vote for these offices in accordance with Chapter VIII, Section 18 of the USATT Bylaws. 
  2. In years when the Olympic Athletes' Representative is elected, selection of the National Athlete's Representatives shall be started after the election of the Olympic Athlete's Representative.  The Nominating & Elections Committee chairman shall determine dates to ensure that the members are selected before the beginning of their term, e.g. January 1. 
  3. The Nominating & Elections Committee will send nomination forms to the eligible voters by June 15. 
  4. Each voter may nominate up to 3 candidates.  The top 3 who are willing to serve will be placed on the ballot for a general election by eligible voters.  All nominations must be received before July 15. 
  5. The Nominating & Elections Committee will arrange secret voting, and will mail ballots containing the names of all candidates and a space for a write in vote to all eligible voters by August 15. 
  6. The ballots will be returned by mail to the USATT Headquarters by September 15. 
  7. The ballots will be counted at the USATT Headquarters as directed by the Nominating & Elections Committee chairman by September 20. 
  8. Notwithstanding sections 2-7 above, the above dates will be adjusted in order for the elections to be completed following the conclusion of the Games. 
  9. The person who receives the largest plurality vote will be elected to the Board as of January 1 for the term indicated above. 
  10. In the event of a tie vote, new ballots will be sent to eligible athletes with a new date for submitting ballots.
  11. If there is still a tie for the Olympic Representative the incumbent shall not be eligible.  If there is still a tie, the Olympic Representative shall be determined by lot. 
  12. If there is still a tie for the National Athlete Representative, the incumbent shall not be eligible.
  13. If there is still a tie for the National Athlete Representative, eligible athletes of the same sex as the tied position will vote again.  If there is still a tie, the National Athlete Representative shall be determined by lot.
  14. Any disputes regarding election procedures or results will be settled using the Internal Grievance Procedures within Chapter XX of the USATT Bylaws.

Ethics and Disciplinary Committee 

  1. No Committee member may participate on any matter that directly pertains to them except to provide input as requested. 

  2. Quarterly reports from the chair must be submitted to all Committee members. 

  3. The Chair shall keep the Organizational Committee Chair apprised of all pending actions not subject to confidentiality. 

  4. The Chair shall maintain a file of all activities which shall be forwarded the next chair within 30 days of their assuming the post. 

  5. The Chair shall attempt to contact all members regarding actions requiring additional input.  If a member does not respond within 5 days, they shall be deemed to have no input on the subject. 

  6. A finding by the hearing committee created as per Chapter 19 Section 2 of the USATT bylaws, may be achieved by majority decision.

Personnel Committee 

  1. The Personnel Committee shall consist of a committee chair and a number of members.  No USATT employee, whether full time, part time, temporary or contract within the past twelve months, may serve on the Committee. 

  2. At least one member of the Personnel Committee shall be a member of the Search Committee (as needed) that will make recommendations to the Board of Directors as Directors. 

  3. The Personnel Committee shall review all proposals for changes in staff salaries and benefits (outside the normal annual employee review and budget procedure) and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval or rejection. 

  4. The Personnel Committee shall conduct an annual review of USATT personnel files. 

  5. The Personnel Committee shall conduct annual interviews with USATT staff. 

  6. The Personnel Committee shall review the USATT Human Resources Policy Manual once every two years, and will make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed changes. 

  7. The Personnel Committee shall be informed of disciplinary action or involuntary termination of USATT employees within seven days of each occurrence. 

  8. Copies of resignation of USATT staff will be forwarded to the Personnel Committee within three days of submission to the Executive Director. 

  9. The Personnel Committee shall be informed of any USATT staff grievance, and shall take action as outlined in the USATT Human Resources Policy Manual.

Tournament Committee 

Standing rules for separate committees under the auspices of the Tournament Committee are as follows: 

Sanctioning Committee 

  1. A list shall be published in USATT Magazine of tournament directors who are delinquent in filing tournament reports and/or paying monies to the USATT. 

  2. No club and/or tournament director shall be granted a tournament sanction while having outstanding reports and/or monies owed to the USATT. 

  3. It shall be the responsibility of each Regional Tournament Coordinator (RTC) to assist in the collection of any monies owed to the USATT. 

  4. Regional Tournament Coordinator meetings shall be held semi-annually in conjunction with the U. S. Open and the U. S. National Championships. 

  5. Any deviation in tournament procedure from the USATT Rules and Laws of Table Tennis must have prior written approval from the National Tournament Coordinator.

Ratings Committee 

  1. All tournament results must be submitted to USATT Headquarters no later than 14 days after the completion of the tournament. 

  2. A fee schedule approved by the USATT Board of Directors to penalize Tournament Directors progressively for delinquent in submitting tournament results after the completion of a sanctioned tournament. The schedule will be as follows: 

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