★ All receiving instruction through the Gym Bin experience a reduction in fees because the BGC supplements the coaches salaries.

★ The BGC purchases supplies such as chalk which reduces your fees.

★ The BGC funds the training of area coaches when they go to conferences
and clinics to be better trained to coach the sport of gymnastics.

★ The BGC contributes toward the High School and the Aerials awards banquets.

★ The BGC has contributed $2000 each year to the Bemidji High School gymnastics program in addition to other contributions toward the high school program.

Without the volunteer hours of all BGC members we would not have the funds to promote gymnastics this way or reduce fees making gymnastics affordable for all gymnasts.

The BGC assists the High School Gymnastics program.

• The BGC was very instrumental in getting the gymnastics program started at BHS.
  
  
• Having no gymnastics equipment, the High School rents the facilities from the Gym Bin and uses the BGC owned equipment for practices and meets. The BGC recieves no rent from BHS.
  
  
• The BGC considers the needs of the High School Gymnastics program when evaluating new equipment needs. The time line of the purchase of our most recent piece of equipment, the $25,000 spring floor was accelerated with the High School Region Meet in mind. Also, in 2003, a new set of Uneven Bars costing almost $2700 was purchased when we realized that our existing bars were sufficient for our younger and shorter gymnasts, but were not adequate for many of the High School Gymnasts who are taller. The BGC has been proud to continue to provide equipment updates as needed!
  
  
• Each year, The BGC donates $2000 to High School Gymnastics.
  
  
• The BGC assists with expenses associated with sending girls to regions, state and for an end of the season awards banquet.
  
  
• The BHS Athletic Director arranges BHS’s meet schedule, transportation, hires judges and provides programs. Mary Allen spearheads getting BGC volunteers to provide scorekeepers, announcers, runners, timers, & flashers. The BGC provides and mans concessions.
  
  
• The BGC sends High School Coaches to clinics and conferences to increase their knowledge of the sport.
  
  
• With urging from the BGC and many BGC volunteers helping, the 2005 High School Region Gymnasts championship was very successfully held at BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL!

• What is the difference between the High School program and the Bemidji Aerials program? Click here for a PDF file comparison.
  
  
• Other benefits that High School gymnasts who are ACTIVE* BGC members may reaped are receiving money toward new leotards, discounts on local clinics and camps and more!
  

The BGC assists the USAG Program (which includes Rising Stars and Aerials).

• The BGC sends USAG coaches to clinics and conferences to increase their knowledge of the sport.
  
  
• The BGC supplements coaching salaries for all Rising Stars and Aerial Members thus reducing the cost of gymnastics for each child. Many clubs are charging between $300-$600 per month for gymnastics with a $450 mandatory choreography fee for optional gymnasts. We are pleased that the BGC and the Gym Bin can work together to keep gymnastics in Bemidji at a much reduced rate.
  
  
• The BGC pays for coaches traveling expenses if you are an active* BGC member.
  
  
• The BGC pays for team entry fees if you are an active* BGC member.
  
  
• The BGC plans and contibutes toward an award banquet honoring our competitive gymnasts at the end of each season.
  
  
• The BGC pays for new team bags for active* members who are beginning their competitive career once they have achieved the standards to compete.
  
  
• The BGC hosts a level 4, 5 & 6 home meet annually which provides the only opportunity for local people to see our Aerials compete as well as offering an important opportunity for our gymnasts to compete in a smaller, less stressful environment. Our gymnasts are excited to compete at home and are highly successful in their own gym!
  
  
• The BGC offers developmental clinics for our competitive gymnasts. This has included more individualized instruction with our coaches and has included working with a level 10 judge from the metropolitan area either in our gym or in her gym in the cities as well as working with George Gorgloi -- Past Romanian national coach and coach to over 30 gold medalists in International competition including Olympic Legend Nadia Comaneci This is a great benefit to both coaches and our gymnasts. Active* members receive a discount on all developmental clinics.

• What is the difference between the High School program and the Bemidji Aerials program? Click here for a PDF file comparison.
  
  
• The BGC offers meet financing for active* members.
  

Being an active member of the BGC is a perfect opportunity to get to know other families!

Becoming involved helps you know more about gymnastics and meet great families as you work hand in hand with them!

What is an Active Member?
An active member has completed a membership form, paid the $5 dues and has volunteered to help us out! In order for the BGC to support gymnastics at the level that we do, we use over 2000 hours of volunteer labor each year. If 1/4 of that comes from the High School Team families, 1/4 from Rising Star families, and 1/2 comes from Aerial families, we will meet our needs. To be considered an active member, we require that you donate your time helping the BGC -- 18 hours annually per High Schooler or Rising Star gymnast and 36 hours annually per Aerials gymnast. There are many opportunities to help. Watch your e-mails, newsletters and the volunteer board at the gym. Active/inactive status is based on your volunteer hours the previous year. A new Rising Star will be considered active their first year upon paying their BGC membership dues.

(For those moving up to the Rising Stars or Aerials in January, volunteer hours will be prorated. For those moving up to Rising Stars after May, volunteer expectation will begin with the new calendar year which runs from September to September. Those moving up to the Aerials after May will be expected to fulfill their previously stated Rising Star volunteer hours with the expectation that Aerials hours will begin with the new calendar year which runs from September to September.)

What additional Benefits do ACTIVE members receive?
An active member could receive several additional benefits varying on the level of participation in meets, clinics, camps, etc. Some of those
additional discounts are as follows:

★For each USAG meet, a $25 meet fee to help pay for coaching expenses and team fees will be waived for active members. This alone
could amount to up to $250.

★ Active members will receive discounts on all camps, developmental clinics, and home meets. There are more clinics offered for Rising Stars than Aerials so even without meets this could save each Rising Star up to $100 per year. Aerials and BHS gymnasts could also save up to $100 per year.

★ USAG active members will be offered financing of meets through the BGC. Without this service, non-active members would have to pay for all meets at one time in the Fall when many other gymnastics bills are due (i.e. insurance, USAG numbers, your monthly bill, etc.). That lump sum for those attending all meets could amount to $450 for lower levels ad up to $810 for upper levels. With the financing available for active members, the BGC pays your bill in full and then your payments to the BGC to cover these expenses are spread out throughout the season.

★ Active USAG members who have a Level 5 gymnast on the Aerials team will be provided with a gym bag to use free of charge once they have achieved the standards to compete.

Notes:
★It is YOUR responsibility to report your volunteer hours by signing in on the volunteer record sheets kept in Mary's Office.
★A monthly report will be printed and placed in the volunteer folder so that you may verify your volunteer hours status.
★Please stay informed by reading newsletters, emails, and watching the Team and Volunteer bulletin boards.
★If you need hours to maintain an active membership status please ask Mary or a board member what you can do!
★We are all in this together, lets make light work for all and continue to advance our mission of supporting gymnastics in Bemidji!

What is an Inactive Member?
A member will be moved to inactive status if they have not paid their dues or if they have not fulfilled their volunteer hour requirements from the previous year.

Help out the BGC as we try to help you!