Membership Categories: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the YMCA changing its membership categories?What are the new membership categories?What do the numbers on the categories mean?What does the plus mean on the new membership categories? For example, two plus.Why are there so many different categories?When does the new membership structure go into effect?Do center-specific membership categories and rates change?I'm currently paying rates using the YMCA's Income-based Rate Scale (IBRS). Do the new categories and rates apply to me?I'm an existing member. Will I automatically be moved to a new category?Is the one plus membership similar to a single parent membership?What about our single parents who currently have a family membership. Will they be converted to a two plus membership or a one plus membership?Who is eligible to be on a membership?What are the age requirements for dependents on a membership?What about disabled adults who are over the qualifying age but still live with their parents?Can memberships with more than one adult qualify for IBRS?Who qualifies for the senior or young adult rate?Does the new structure allow for nannies? What about large households, such as a sorority or fraternity house?If grandchildren live with their grandparents for only part of the year, can they be added to the membership and then removed?Can grandparents and their grandchildren be on the same membership even if they do not live in the same household?You no longer have a "Family" category. Is the Y still committed to serving families? Why is the YMCA changing its membership categories?
Last year, a YMCA volunteer group comprised of community and business leaders was commissioned to work with senior-level YMCA staff to evaluate our existing membership structure and pricing. The evaluation was prompted by the growing amount of feedback we receive from members who live in households -- whether they include one parent living in the home, the growing number of aging parents living with their grown children, or perhaps young adults living with non-relatives -- that do not easily fit into our existing membership categories.
As a result of that review, we announced a new membership structure to allow you greater flexibility in selecting the membership option that best reflects your household needs.
What are the new membership categories?
Effective January 1, 2009, the new membership categories will be:
| One | One adult age 29-61. |
| One Plus | One adult, and dependents*, living in the same household. |
| Young One | One adult age 19-28. |
| Two | Two people, under the age of 61, living in the same household. |
| Two Plus | Two adults, plus dependents*, living in the same household. |
| Senior One | One adult age 62 or older. |
| Senior Two | Two adults, age 62 or older, living in the same household. |
| Teen One | Youth ages 12-18. |
| Three Plus | Three adults, plus dependents*, living in the same household. |
| Four Plus | Four adults, plus dependents*, living in the same household. |
* Dependents must be under the age of 18 unless enrolled full-time in college.
What do the numbers on the categories mean?
The number indicates the number of adults on the membership.
What does the plus mean on the new membership categories? For example, two plus.
The plus indicates dependents. On the three plus and four plus memberships, dependents are optional.
Why are there so many different categories?
To better accommodate a variety of household situations, we added three categories. Doing so should address the needs of a variety of households that may have one to four adults. In any of these situations, one to four adults may support the household.
When does the new membership structure go into effect?
The new structure is effective for existing members on January 1, 2009. The new structure will be available for new members by mid-December.
Do center-specific membership categories and rates change?
Center-specific membership categories will change to reflect the same categories as the association-wide membership categories. This change will occur on the same timetable as the association-wide categories. Our 2009 rate structure will take effect at the same time that the new membership categories take effect.
I'm currently paying rates using the YMCA's Income-based Rate Scale (IBRS). Do the new categories and rates apply to me?
Yes. All membership categories and types will be affected, and your IBRS membership rate will reflect the new categories and rates for 2009.
I'm an existing member. Will I automatically be moved to a new category?
Yes. Families will move to the two plus category. Adults will move to the one category. Young adults will move to the young one category. Couples will move to the two category. Seniors will move to the senior one category. Senior couples will move to the senior two category. Teens will move to the teen one membership.
Is the one plus membership similar to a single parent membership?
Yes. Currently our single parents with multiple children must purchase a family membership while single parents with one child can purchase a couple membership. In our new structure, we will provide the same rate for the single parent, regardless of number of children to pay the equivalent of the couple membership. That membership is the one plus membership.
What about our single parents who currently have a family membership. Will they be converted to a two plus membership or a one plus membership?
If you are a single parent with an existing family membership, the YMCA will not automatically shift your membership category. However, you may request to be shifted if you qualify for a new category that better suits your needs.
Who is eligible to be on a membership?
Anyone in the household can be on the membership up to a maximum of four adults. If there are more than four adults in the household, the group will need to buy multiple memberships that best fit their needs.
What are the age requirements for dependents on a membership?
Dependents should be 18 or younger unless enrolled as a full-time student up to the age of 25. Children must reside in the household unless it is a two plus membership involving grandparents who care for their grandchildren.
What about disabled adults who are over the qualifying age but still live with their parents?
Disabled or challenged adults who are dependents will continue to be included on a membership as a dependent, not as an adult.
Can memberships with more than one adult qualify for IBRS?
Yes. The decision to grant an IBRS membership is based on a review of a household's total income. If a membership consisting of two or more adults requests an IBRS membership, they must present a federal tax form (a 1040) for every adult in the household. They must prove the income for the entire household.
Who qualifies for the senior or young adult rate?
In the senior one membership, the senior must be 62 or older. In the senior two membership, one person must be 62 years of age or older. In the young one membership, the adult must be between the ages 19 to 28.
Does the new structure allow for nannies?
In the new structure, nannies can be added to the membership. To do so, a family will need to purchase a three-plus membership to accommodate the parents, the children and the nanny.
What about large households, such as a sorority or fraternity house?
They can sign up in the three or four plus membership category. More than likely, they will pay the full-rate. If these new members reside in a sorority or fraternity house, they would need to prove the income of the household in order to qualify for an IBRS membership.
If grandchildren live with their grandparents for only part of the year, can they be added to the membership and then removed?
Yes.
Can grandparents and their grandchildren be on the same membership even if they do not live in the same household?
Yes. Because so many grandparents care for their grandchildren on a regular or semi-regular schedule, we have added this option to the two-plus membership. This is the only exception to the two-plus membership where the children do not have to reside in the same household.
You no longer have a "Family" category. Is the Y still committed to serving families?
The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is committed to serving families as they are vital to our mission. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. We considered using the word family and the word household in multiple categories. Because we are basing the membership category structure on households, there may be times when individuals in the same household do not consider themselves family. For example, with the new structure, two adult sisters and their children could join under the two plus membership category.
We decided to include the word "household" in the definition of the membership category as opposed to the name of the category.
