A frequent question from tournament organizers and others is how to look up members, find their ratings, membership expiration dates etc. In the Document Library of the website there are two documents worth recapping here (TDLists_1363044095.pdf and AGA_Member_Lookup_326001993.pdf).
The TDList's in our previous membership manager were files downloadable in .csv format. When we converted to the current system that functionality was replaced with links that generate the TDList from a database and return it to your browser. This URL wil return TDListA in the same format as the old TDListA.csv: https://aga-functions.azurewebsites.net/api/GenerateTDListA
Tip: if you are using OpenGotha to run your tournament, the link above is what you should put in as an answer to the button labelled 'Update AGA rating list from...'
A new feature that has been added is to do parametrized lookups that are returned in JSON format. These allow lookups by AGA ID, last name, and first name. The JSON format allows for ready automation with other applications. the last and first names can be partial names and all matching entries will be returned.
This example would look me up by AGA ID:
agalookup.azurewebsites.net/api/AGALookup?AGAID=15784
returning:
[
{
"AGAID": 15784,
"Name": "Khalsa, Gurujeet",
"Rating": "-6.92127",
"Sigma": "0.26627",
"MemberType": "Full",
"ExpirationDate": "11/1/2025",
"ChapterCode": "NGOC",
"ChapterName": "National Go Center",
"State": "MD"
}
]
Another frequent question is about discount codes for new adult AGA members. Chapter leaders can give a discount code that new members can enter on the payment page of their registration. New members can get their first year membership 1/2 off with this code. Each chapter has a code that is constructed as 'NEW' + <ChapterCode>, where the ChapterCode is the same as the one returned on a TDList or in a lookup. From the example above, the discount code for the National Go Center would be NEWNGOC.
We get questions about how to affiliate as a chapter member. Membership is not only important for voting representation for your chapter, but it is also how your chapter earns Chapter Rewards (Chapter_Rewards_FAQ_698972569.pdf). When signing up, new members will see a page like this:
Clicking on Add Chapter will allow new members to select an AGA chapter to be affiliated with. While advising members of discount codes, let them know to add your chapter as well.
Members who don't have a chapter or want to change chapters can do so as well. If they are logged in as a member they can open their profile from the drop-down by their name at the top of the page. In their profile there is a section, 'More Member Options'. In that section they can add or edit their chapter affiliation by clicking on the link 'Chapters/Additional Members'.
We get a variety of questions about finding a membership, logging on, updating information etc. There is no one answer to these. Send all inquiries to contact@usgo.org and they will be triaged to our Membership Manager.
Answers to questions from members age 65+ about the benefit from Grouper that pays them to remain active as AGA members can be found at Grouper - American Go Association. Here is some information about the Grouper benefit that you can share with Go-playing senior friends who might want to join the AGA:
Our partnership with Grouper empowers eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plan participants age 65+ to get paid for engaging in American Go Association activities. It's all about staying socially active and fostering a thriving community.
Who is Grouper? Grouper gives you access to your benefits, through the nation's largest health plans, to pay for part or all of the activities that provide social connection and keep you healthy.
How It Works: Participate in the activities you love (like playing Go!) and get help covering the costs through Grouper. This means, once Grouper confirms your eligibility, they will send you an initial $50 check, plus, $20 quarterly ongoing activity payments. That's right, get paid for playing Go with friends!
Redeem Your Benefit Today: To determine if your health plan qualifies you for this benefit, simply check your eligibility here (GrouperGroups.com/usgo). The registration process is swift and straightforward, taking only about 5 minutes of your time. Thank you for being a valued part of American Go Association!
This should help with some of the common inquiries we get. You can always write directly to president@usgo.org with your thoughts and suggestions or to contact@usgo.org with general queries. I hope to see many of you at the US Go Congress next July in Austin. As Co-director Bart Jacob says - It's going to be BIG!