Note
I'm getting tired of hearing that OUSA does nothing for its members. Here are a couple of things I get from my OUSA membership:
- access to maps and events: if OUSA didn't negotiate insurance coverage for events, clubs in my area wouldn't be able to put on any events and get permission to make any maps and I wouldn't be able to orienteer.
- the feeling that I'm part of a national and worldwide organization: I take orienteering a lot more seriously because there is some structure. Without it, it would feel more like a hobby than a sport. Although there are lots of arguments over mapping and event structure and so forth, the fact that there are some standards against which to compare things gives me a feeling that it's not all random and totally at the whim of the local organizers. I love that I can orienteer at DVOA events or QOC events or UNO events or BAOC events or O-Ringen or spectator races at WOC and know that it's the same sport.
- having national teams: I love the fact that I know some of the national team athletes and can follow their training and competitions and vicariously savor their successes. Without a national organization there would not be national teams.
Those are the most important for me and, by themselves, well worth the cost of an OUSA membership. Everything else is gravy.