== The transition from the NSA to NASPA ==
# What is the difference between NASPA and the NSA? <br />As of 2010-01-01, [[Hasbro]] will no longer be providing provides regular funding to [[SCRABBLE]] [[clubs]] and [[tournaments]]. As a result, over the course of 2009, the NSA will transfer transfered responsiblity for clubs and tournaments to the newly formed NASPA, leaving the NSA to concentrate on developing new markets for SCRABBLE in areas such as School SCRABBLE.# How were the members of the NASPA [[Steering Committee]] chosen? <br /> The committee members were chosen by the NSA. The selection criteria were not made public, but the committee includes NSA Persons of the Year, top directors and non-directing players, people who have and have not worked directly for the NSA, and people from north, south, east and west. It clearly did not include several people who could have made significant contributions to the committee, but the initial size of the committee is was already a little too large, and there will be are plenty of later opportunities for others to work with NASPA. # Will I have to pay more to play SCRABBLE? <br />Yes. It takes money to run an organization. Hasbro is no longer providing that money, so for the foreseeable future, players will be charged higher fees than under the NSA regime. In particular, annual [[membership]] in NASPA costs US$30 (regardless of residence: U.S., Canada or overseas) compared to $20–25 for the NSA (although for a limited time, the “annual” membership fee will pay for membership through December 2010), and the NSA rating fee of US$1.00–1.75 per player will be has been replaced by a NASPA participation fee of US$0.50 per player per game which was effective July 1, 2009.# What will I get for my money? <br />NASPA is a player-run organization committed to expanding the playing community by continually improving its services and your playing experience. If you have suggestions as to new services you would like to pay for, please contact our [[Membership Committee]]. As of now, buying a membership will show shows your support for the new organization, entitle entitles you to play in sanctioned tournaments and have your achievements officially recognized, and you will receive a special low membership number.
# Should I renew my [[membership]] in the NSA? <br />You may do so if you want to continue to receive the NSA newsletter, but you do not have to do so to play in sanctioned tournaments.
# What membership do I need to play in a sanctioned tournament? <br /> For tournaments beginning before July 1, 2009, you must have either NSA or NASPA membership. For tournaments beginning on or after July 1, 2009, you You must have NASPA membership.# I just renewed my NSA membership. Do I get a prorated refund, or can I use my NSA membership to play in NASPA-sanctioned events? <br /> No, but if you purchase an annual NASPA membership before July 1, 2009, it will be valid until the end of 2010, so you will have paid fees for two years of membership and received benefits for almost two years of membership. # When will did NSA clubs become NASPA clubs? <br /> July 1, 2009, if they pay paid a fee.
# How do I register a new upcoming tournament? <br /> Contact the [[Tournament Committee]].
# Will the rules and lexicon change? <br /> The NSA [[Rules Committee]] and [[Dictionary Committee]] have been transferred to NASPA, and continue their work as usual. There will be regular updates to the Rules, and the [[Long List]] will be updated in the next few years.