Registration Information and Forms

FUSTA Registration Guidelines
FUSTA Dancer Registration Applications
FUSTA Membership Forms
Competition Organizers Registration Form
Other Forms and Applications

FUSTA Registration Guidelines - 2012

Please read these guidelines before going to the registration forms. NOTE: Your applications must be signed by your teachers. Photocopies of signatures are not allowed.

All competing dancers must register annually (late fee penalty, postmarked after February 15 will be collected). All cards will be validated with a sticker and for 2012 the sticker will be WHITE with BLUE lettering. All cards expire on December 31 and new cards must be applied for before competing at the dancer's first competition of the next year.

Following are the general guidelines for registration. Regional Registrars, organizers and teachers are requested to remember that everyone is expected to follow the guidelines. We should err on the side of the dancer when making reasonable and fair exceptions.

• Every highland dancer who wishes to compete must register under the worldwide (international) registration scheme. All competing dancers must register annually. A late fee penalty will be collected for all annual registrations postmarked after February 15. Brand new dancers registering in Primary or Beginner categories may submit their registration at any time during the year.
• For U.S. citizens (or legal residents) the official body for registration is FUSTA. Dancers should register in the region of residence. Dancers who are taking instruction from a foreign teacher should contact the National Registrar.
• Dancers must obtain a registration form (which includes the Code of Ethics) from their teacher, their Regional Registrars, or the FUSTA website. Dancers may be requested to resubmit their registration form if they do not use a current version of the form. (It is advisable that the dancer should keep a copy of the completed form for their records.)
• A teacher is defined as the qualified person who is actually teaching the dancer on a regular basis.
• The teacher must be qualified by one of the official examining bodies i.e., BATD, UKA, and SDTA, and be a current member (in good standing) of that body.
• Undecided and previously registered dancers who have allowed their registration to lapse will be assessed the late fee if registration is postmarked after February 15, 2012.
• The teacher must personally sign each registration form. Photocopied signatures will not be accepted. It is understood that this signature indicates the teacher has reviewed and approved the dancer's registration for the coming year.
• If the dancer changes teachers during the year, it is the responsibility of the dancer to notify the regional Registrar, in writing.
• All dancers should present their registration card to the competition organizer prior to competing. If no card is produced, the dancer is allowed to compete however, the dancer MUST produce the registration card to the dance organizer within 10 days from the date of the competition.
• It is the responsibility of the organizer to report the name and address of dancer(s) who competed without a registration card in hand at the time of the competition to the National Registrar within 10 days of the date of the competition.
• The card must be produced whether or not a prize was won.
• Prizes must be withheld until a card is produced.
• Prizes and registration card will be returned to the dancer within 10 days of receipt of the card, unless other arrangements have been made. Any expense incurred will be the responsibility of the dancer.
• It is the responsibility of the organizer to check each card, ensure it is valid and to stamp cards of Beginner dancers who place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any of the Highland Dances (Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Reel, or Special or Trophy Fling) and also date below stamp. For the Novice category, their card will be stamped at every competition where they win a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize in any dance and date below stamp.
• Wrongfully stamped cards: the organizer returns the card to the registrar with an explanation of the error and the registrar will write up a new card filling in all the appropriate spaces. There is no charge for this.
• Organizers should mark the card with the date (in space provided) if the competitor is receiving their first competition stamp. This is located on the back of the registration card in the space provided along the side.
• If the competitor is using the 6 month rule, in the Beginner or Novice categories, it is 6 months from the date of the first competition stamp.

Dancers who move up from one class to another during the year will not pay an additional "upgrade" fee, if they have already submitted their annual registration for the year. They will, however, need to send a signed registration form, new photo, their old card and a SASE to obtain the upgraded card.

Immediately upon moving up, dancers should request a new card.

EXCEPTION: NOVICE to INTERMEDIATE. (See note below.)
Regional Registrars must provide a new card within three weeks of receiving the paperwork from the dancer or teacher. Dancers and teachers may not request rush registrations - turnaround time is three weeks.

When a Beginner or Novice dancer loses their card, they can receive a replacement in that category for ONLY 6 months from the date of original registration for that category. This does not apply to any dancer who lost their card prior to 2001. After 6 months the dancer automatically advances to the next category.

If an Intermediate or Premier dancer loses their card, they can receive a replacement card by submitting a registration form and the necessary information.

The loss of a Registration card should be reported immediately. Lost cards are subject to a $5.00 replacement fee. To receive a replacement card dancers must provide a new registration form, new photo and SASE.

EXCEPTION: NOVICE to INTERMEDIATE. When a Novice dancer obtains their 6th win, the following steps should be taken:

• The completed Novice card, picture, registration form and an SASE are returned to the Regional Registrar.
• The dancer must provide an exact date (including month, date, and year) of their first intended Intermediate competition. With this date, the Intermediate card will be issued.
• Once Intermediate year has been determined, the dancer must follow the dates written on the back of the card.
• If the dancer has not determined their first Intermediate competition, they may hold their registration or send it to the Regional Registrar to hold, until a date is determined. If a dancer wants to avoid the Late Fee for annual registration, it is recommended they send the Intermediate registration to the Regional Registrar to hold until they determine an exact date.

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FUSTA Dancer Registration Applications

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FUSTA Membership Form
(for Teachers and Judges)

FUSTA Regional Membership Forms - 2012

• East
• Midwest
• Northwest
• Southeast
• Southwest
• West

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