About USTA Committees

As a volunteer-driven organization, the USTA is composed of a number of committees that work with the association’s staff and members to ensure that we are fulfilling our mission to promote the growth and development of the game.

 

The USTA president appoints all committee chairs and members, all of whom serve a two-year term – during which they work to satisfy their respective charges, generate recommendations to the USTA Board of Directors and attend USTA meetings. There are roughly 40 committees across the organization that serve a variety of purposes, including but not limited to: addressing issues such as adult and junior competition, rules and regulations, and officials; serving as advisory groups on initiatives, such as sport science trends; and providing services for and at USTA events such as league championships, junior tournaments and wheelchair tennis clinics.

 

Traditionally, each USTA section makes endorsements to the USTA president for appointments. Advisory Group on Committees (AGC) advises and assists the USTA president in the committee appointment process (CAP). In addition, the AGC conducts the annual committee evaluation process that assesses the effectiveness and progress of each committee, and consists of a chair, coordinator, council chairs, a section executive director and the chair of the diversity and inclusion committee.

 

Volunteering at the USTA section or district level is not required prior to serving on a national committee –  however, USTA membership is mandatory. Many national volunteers have nonetheless participated in their local communities in some way before serving at the national level. Other factors considered among prospective volunteers include their relevant skill sets to their desired committee, relevant tennis, employment and educational experience, diversity and both geographic and section representation.

 

To learn more about USTA National Committees and to apply, please visit our FAQs

 

Please contact us at committeeinfo@usta.com if you have any questions on the committee appointment process.

Frequently Asked Questions: Applying for a USTA National Committee

According to the USTA Bylaws, the USTA President makes all committee appointments. The Advisory Group on Committees (AGC) assists the President during the Committee Appointment Process (CAP).

There are several different volunteer committees that address issues affecting tennis such as junior competition, rules and regulations, officials, schools, sportsmanship and more. The committee structure may vary term to term, and more information will be available soon.

Some national committees serve as advisory groups on specific tennis-related initiatives, such as sport science trends. Others provide service for and at USTA events such as league championships, junior player tournaments, wheelchair tennis clinics, and more. All committees have a volunteer chair and staff member who coordinate the committee communications and actions.

Stay tuned for information regarding the 2024 Committee application process.

Yes, every person who wishes to serve on a national committee must complete an online Volunteer Application each term. 

The 2023-24 USTA Committee Appointment Process applications are now closed.

 

Please email committeeinfo@usta.com for further inquiries.

  • Name and contact information
  • What committee/s applying for – up to three
  • What position sought – member, vice chair, chair, council chair
  • USTA involvement
  • Tennis & other volunteer activities
  • Relevant employment/skills
  • Educational background
  • Self-assessment of personal leadership competencies

  • Experience/skills/expertise/competencies
  • Relevance to committee
  • Leadership competencies
  • Diversity
  • USTA section/geographic representation
  • USTA section endorsement
  • Incoming committee chair input

  • Customer focus
  • Integrity and trust
  • Interpersonal savvy
  • Managing diversity and inclusion
  • Organizational agility
  • Priority setting
  • Results orientation

National committee members include representatives from the tennis industry; volunteers from the USTA sections, states and districts; local community tennis leaders; and others with a passion for tennis. Anyone may apply to be appointed to a national committee.

  • All USTA Board and committee members must be USTA members.
  • Committee members must be proficient in the use of the internet. Much of the communication for committees is done by email, using word processing software. You would be trained and required to use an online discussion and document-sharing collaboration with Google Sites.
  • Committee members are expected to attend two meetings per year: the USTA Annual Meeting (held in the spring) and the Semiannual Meeting (held in New York during the US Open) and participate in committee teleconferences as scheduled.
  • Committee members are expected to actively participate in the needs of the committee throughout the year.

The USTA does not cover costs for committee members. You may contact your section to determine if they may subsidize these costs. 

Committee chairs and council chairs are notified in October. Committee members are notified in November.

The Bylaws of the United States Tennis Association determine the timeline for the committee appointment process (CAP). The application process begins on Aug. 4 of the second year in the term. At that time, the slate for the upcoming term has not been announced. The current committees are still meeting and work continues until the end of the year. In accordance with this timeline, council/committee structure changes are not finalized prior to the deadlines set in the USTA Bylaws regarding the announcement of the new slate and subsequent timeframe for an alternative slate. The slate for the upcoming term is due on Sept. 20 (Bylaw 35f). The application closes on Sept. 27. Any petitions for an alternative slate must be submitted by Oct. 15 (Bylaw 35.h.). After that date, if no petition is submitted, the term “President Elect” can be used (Bylaw 35.i.) and the appointment process can begin. The Board of Directors for the upcoming term is affirmed on Oct. 25 (Bylaw 38).

Any applicant that chooses a committee that is not in the organizational chart for the next term who only selects that committee will be contacted to review alternate opportunities. No other applicants will be contacted individually.

Applications are read by a number of people who participate in the selection process.  Section Leadership has access to the applicant’s information from their section. The Council Chairs have access to all applications and work closely with the Section Leadership they have been assigned to assist. Newly appointed Committee Chairs review the applications for their individual committees.  The First Vice President, the Advisory Group on Committees Chair, Coordinator and Staff Member have access to all applications and review accordingly.  

Volunteers who have served USTA 20 years or longer receive the following benefits for lifetime:  

  • Invitation to Annual Meeting and Conference and Semiannual Meeting and Conference
  • Access to AMEX Travel
  • Access to USTA Hotel rates at meetings
  • Meals at official functions
  • Priority ticket order form for US Open
  • USTA Volunteer Non-Photo Pass for one plus guest
  • Access to US Open Bus Transportation
  • Access to USTA Volunteer Lounge and Seating area

 

Volunteers who have served USTA less than 20 years receive the following benefits for two years following their last appointment:

  • Invitation to Annual Meeting and Conference and Semiannual Meeting and Conference
  • Access to AMEX Travel
  • Access to USTA Hotel rates at meetings
  • Meals at official functions
  • Priority ticket order form for US Open
  • USTA Volunteer Non-Photo Pass for one plus guest
  • Access to US Open Bus Transportation
  • Access to USTA Volunteer Lounge and Seating area

committeeinfo@usta.com

 

Paula Hale

Chair, Advisory Group on Committees and Evaluations


Meet the USTA's Board of Directors