If your question is about the [[NSA]] (or [[School SCRABBLE]] or [[casual SCRABBLE]] play), please look for the answer on the
[http://www.scrabbleassociation.com NSA website].
== The transition from the NSA to NASPA ==
# What is the difference between NASPA and the NSA? <br />As of 2010-01-01, [[Hasbro]] no longer provides regular funding to [[SCRABBLE]] [[clubs]] and [[tournaments]]. As a result, over the course of 2009, the NSA 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 was already a little too large, and there are plenty of 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U.S., Canada or overseas) compared to $20–25 for the NSA, and the NSA rating fee of US$1.00–1.75 per player has been replaced by a NASPA participation fee of US$0.50 per player per game which was effective July 1, 2009.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]]. Buying a membership shows your support for the organization, entitles you to play in sanctioned tournaments and have your achievements officially recognized.
# Is financial information available for NASPA? <br />You may view the organization's Form 990 from the [[Financial_Reports]] page.
# Should I renew my [[membership]] in the NSA? <br />The NSA no longer offers a membership program.
# What membership do I need to play in a sanctioned tournament? <br /> You must have NASPA membership.
# When did NSA clubs become NASPA clubs? <br /> July 1, 2009.
# 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.
# Will NASPA be taking over Word Gear too? <br /> Not in the foreseeable future. The NSA and Word Gear are separate businesses that happen to share staff and facilities.
== How NASPA works ==
# A player is listed in the wrong state. How can that be corrected? <br /> Each player should be able to log in to the member services as described [[:#Membership_Questions|above]] and update the address in his or her own profile. The new state will be used the next time the state rankings are computed.
# I haven't played in a tournament in many years, do I have to use my old rating or can I start over? <br /> Once you have received a rating, you must use it in your next tournament, no matter how long the time has been. Players are responsible for notifying the director if they have ever played in a sanctioned tournament and received a rating (and to ensure that the director has their correct rating/name on record).
# I have a [[WESPA]] rating but no NASPA rating; what happens at my first NASPA [[Collins]] tournament?<br />Your [[Director]] may at his/her discretion place you in a division based on your WESPA rating, but your initial NASPA rating will be computed as an unrated player.
== Tournaments ==
== [[NSC]] Questions ==
# How do you justify raising everyone’s fees to pay for the elite few who can attend the National SCRABBLE Championship? <br When/> We don’t, because it’s not true. [[Chris Cree]] signed where is the six-figure contracts necessary for a Players Championship held in Dayton in August 2009, long before we ever heard of NASPA. [[Hasbro]] kindly allowed us to rename the event the 2013 National SCRABBLE Championship, but the budget remained unchanged and is similar to that of the 2007 PC.# Did NASPA subsidize the 2009 National SCRABBLE Championship in Dayton]]? <br /> No. The 2009 NSC was a self-sustained event, although it received limited sponsorship from Hasbro and a few other organizations. The Dayton NSC paid full tournament participation fees to NASPA.# Where and when is the 2010 NSC? <br /> The 2010 NSC will be at the [http://www.intercontinental.com/dallas InterContinental Hotel in Dallas] August 7July 20–1124, with mandatory registration on July 19, 2010. We have a two-year contract; the 2011 NSC will be at the same locationRiviera.# How was Can I book my return flight on the 2010–2011 location chosenassumption that things will wrap up at their usual time? <br /> The venue submitted the best bid in There is a nationwide search conducted by an independent agency. No other venue came even close small chance that top players might need to matching their price and terms. No personal preferences were factors in the considerationstay a little later, but it will be business as usual for everyone else.
== Bulletins and Newsletters ==
# My friend doesn’t have Internet access, but is a NASPA member. How can my friend read the NASPA Bulletin? <br /> Although the NASPA Bulletin is protected by copyright, you may print it for your own personal use and for the personal use of other members. Registered directors are encouraged to do so for their players.
# I know someone who does not have Internet access and does not go to clubs or tournaments. How can they read the NASPA Bulletin? <br /> NASPA is an association for club and tournament players. If a person does not want to attend clubs or tournaments, they will not be interested in the NASPA Bulletin.
# When will the next issue of the Bulletin be published? <br /> We are working toward a more publication schedule and thank you for your patience. == The transition from the NSA to NASPA ==# What happened is the difference between NASPA and the NSA? <br />As of 2010-01-01, [[Hasbro]] no longer provides regular funding to [[SCRABBLE]] [[clubs]] and [[tournaments]]. As a result, over the course of 2009 June , the NSA transfered responsiblity for clubs and July issues 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 BulletinNASPA [[Steering Committee]] chosen? <br /> John Chew 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 was already a little too busy running tournaments large, and preparing there are plenty of 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 switchover on 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, and the NSA rating fee of US$1.00–1.75 per player 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-07-01 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]]. Buying a membership shows your support for the organization, entitles you to play in sanctioned tournaments and have your achievements officially recognized.# Is financial information available for NASPA? <br />You may view the organization's Form 990 from the [[Financial_Reports]] page.# Should I renew my [[membership]] in the NSA? <br />The NSA no longer offers a membership program. # What membership do I need to play in a sanctioned tournament? <br /> You must have NASPA membership.# When did NSA clubs become NASPA clubs? <br /> July 1, 2009 NSC . # 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 edit an issueNASPA, and continue their work as usual. HoweverThere will be regular updates to the Rules, we expect more regular issues and the [[Long List]] will be updated in the next few years. # Will NASPA be taking over Word Gear too? <br /> Not in the near foreseeable future. The NSA and Word Gear are separate businesses that happen to share staff and facilities.