replying to Kat12's post:

So I pay a membership fee. But even then I still have to pay for ice time (most of which is during the weekday, except for the time when our class is--really, doesn't anyone have a job in this country? (Some people are still unemployed, so some aren't skating either) or do they really contract ice just so one or two people who don't work or work night shifts can skate?).
Cheaper ice is at weird times because the best ice is more expensive and goes to: public skate, LTS, and hockey, clubs get what they can afford, skating clubs don't rake in the bucks like hockey (sad but true), especially clubs with low membership. My club ice is once a month on Saturday at 10-10:50. The remainder is freestyle punch or public, hockey, LTS, or whatever. During the daytime (i.e. before 3 most days, the rink is closed and empty-which is unfortunate for me, as I attend college at night.)
I still have to pay for testing (though at least there's no out-of-club fee).
For most clubs everyone pays, those outside of the club pay more; some clubs tack on fees like hospitality fees (food for the judges).
If I want to take lessons or classes with one of their coaches, I still have to pay for it.
That's how coaches make money. Some rinks charge a commission off the coaches fees, that's how they make more money and you still have to pay for ice time.
If I want the club jacket or whatever I have to buy that.
You don't HAVE to buy the jacket but sometimes it's cool, and the small 3% commission the club makes, is extra money in their bucket.
AND I have to volunteer (well, probably not since I'm not contracting ice--again, there are no times that I CAN).
Some clubs charge extra for NOT volunteering (mine charges you $100).
So I'm not really sure what I'm getting out of club membership except getting to say that I'm a member...do clubs eat part of the cost of the contracted ice to make it cheaper for members or something?
The more members that a club has, the larger the voice it has at the rink and in the community. That is a larger reason to join. Bottom line: ice skating is an expensive sport.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Ice skating is an extremely expensive sport. Its just the nature of the beast. However, I agree with what was posted by Skate@Delaware. I know I am fortunate enough to be a member at DSC and they have some great plans at the beginning of the season/registration that definitely help me budget for ice time, get it at a cheaper rate, and also acquire a locker. I plan to volunteer for the ice show again this coming year and attend the Adult Dance/Freestyle camp that they hold every year. So much fun!

Also, much of the funds go to tending the ice, building upkeep, ice shows, etc. Without the club dues or costs for coaching, ice, etc. Those things wouldn't exist.

The main benefits that one gets from joining a skating club are membership in USFS (which you can also get as an individual member if you prefer), the right to test on club-sponsored test sessions without paying additional out-of-club fees, and a voice in how the club is run and how it interacts with the local rink(s) -- if you choose to exercise that voice.

Many clubs also offer other benefits, such as offering ice time to members often at subsidized prices, sponsoring local competitions, offering skating classes, holding shows/exhibitions for members to participate in, offering judges' critiques of competitive programs, off-ice events for members to socialize at such as end-of-year picnics or parties, offering stipends/prizes/awards for member skaters who meet certain criteria in competitive results or otherwise, etc.

If your local club charges significantly more than it would cost to join UFSF as an individual member and doesn't offer any additional benefits that are of use to you, then you might be better off with individual membership. Or you might see whether there is anything you wish that the club would offer that would be of interest to you and other skaters in your area with similar needs, and get involved with the club governance to offer what would benefit you.

A club a participatory association of people involved in figure skating in your area -- adult skaters, young skaters and their parents, perhaps some skating officials who live in the area.

When there are many members with similar needs (e.g., kid skaters who want after-school freestyle ice times), it's a good way to have a collective voice in pursuing those goals when negotiating with the local rink.

If all the club leaders are parents of young skaters, they might not be aware of the needs of adult skaters and overlook opportunities to benefit them. Or vice versa. Or they might overlook the needs of ice dancers or synchro skaters (or would-be synchro skaters if there isn't a team in the area).

If you're really the only skater in your area with very different needs from all other local skaters, individual membership may be the way to go. If there's a broader need that is being left unfilled, try to network with others, get involved with the club, and get it filled.

Others have said it better, but really what you are getting from the club isn't tangible in a monetary sense. Clubs provide opportunities for skaters - shows, competitions, tests, exhibitions, etc, not to mention friendship. Skating is an individual sport and the club provides comraderie. Skating is expensive so the membership fee provides the club a little cushion in case they don't get enough money on an ice session or loses money on a test or competition.

I do understand (and agree) about the need to keep the clubs going as a vehicle to negotiate ice time with the rinks, (most of whom would rather see the money from hockey). This is exactly what happened to roller. Clubs died. Rinks closed. Rinks that were left don't want anything to do with "artistic" skating (figure skating on roller) since they loose $. (Also afraid of insurance if you fall and get hurt doing "that kind of stuff.") .....ALL OF THIS EQUALS NO WHERE TO SKATE........
However....
I do feel that maybe the rec skaters should be more "welcome" in the clubs. We don't want to take lessons but have to hear (usually weekly) that it would be "good" for us. People criticize us for our "technique." We are expected to always give right of way to those who are training since we don't compete. Not even sure where to put us if we don't test (high or low sessions). Clubs make you purchase ice and choose sessions ahead of time. If I can't make it ....TOO BAD, NO REFUNDS....Don't have interest/time to donate to competitions, but clubs may "force" you to work at the competitions. All of this kind of "turns off" the rec skaters....Yet, a "high level" rec skater kind of HAS to skate on freestyle practice ice since flying spins and double/triple attempts are dangerous at sessions....Of course, there aren't many "high level" rec skaters since most who can do those moves choose to take lessons/compete/test etc. .....(But there are a few of us!!)

I understand some of the intangible benefits, I just don't think they probably apply to me...most members will be kids so I wouldn't join to meet new friends, probably; I don't need the testing privileges or being able to represent the club at a competition, etc. But I'm giving it a whirl anyway!

I assume clubs get discounts on USFS membership? My club charges $60/yr for adults and it includes USFS membership, but I see that if I were to join USFS individually it'd cost me $85/yr...