Educational Grant Program – Ida Mizelle Fund
Effective: January 1, 2004
Link for the Application Form for an Educational Grant is at the bottom of this page
Purpose: The purpose of the WNYDA Educational Grant Program is to provide support for educational programs for WNYDA members in the Western NY area. This Grant Program is made entirely possible by the generous donation of Ida Mizelle, an original founder of the Western NY Dressage Association, LTD.
Grant Program Description: Each membership year (December 1 through November 30) the WNYDA board will grant funds for up to three educational programs in the Western NY area. Grants can range from $100 up to $1000 per event, depending on the funding required. Grants will only be awarded via an application process and presentation to the WNYDA board, and will only be granted to WNYDA members. A requirement of this program is that a full financial budget and program description be provided as well as full financial disclosure of expenses and income following the successful completion of the educational program. WNYDA will not provide event management or oversight, as it will be the responsibility of the applying member to secure all facilities, equipment and volunteers needed for a successful event. WNYDA will however allow for free advertising of the event in our Newsletter and on our Web Site to promote attendance. Financial management of the event is the responsibility of the Event Manager/Organizer.
Grant Process: The
process for a WNYDA member to apply for the Educational Grant Program is
to complete a standard application. This
application must be provided to the WNYDA Board of Directors at least 90
days in advance of the proposed event date.
The Board will review the application and determine what grant
monies can and will be provided. A
WNYDA member can only receive one grant in any given membership year.
The primary areas for planning a successful education program
include the following:
PROGRAMS are the essence of the grants and should
be well planned. They are not to merely consist of individual riding
lessons at a reduced price. Every effort should be made to include
auditors, and participants should be encouraged to watch as much as
possible of the instruction of others in a clinic. Programs can be mounted
or unmounted or a combination of both.
Scheduling should include time for some theory in the form of a
formal presentation, or at least a guided question and answer period.
Participants are expected to attend and auditors are encouraged to fully
participate.
INSTRUCTORS/CLINICIANS are the core of any program
and need to be selected carefully. They need not necessarily be big names
from competition ranks, but should have an established record of teaching
amateurs and beginners and assisting them with some training ideas to take
home.
FACILITIES can vary considerably depending on
local conditions, especially the weather.
A ring the size of the small arena (20mX40m) is a minimum. A
dressage ring is not always necessary.
Safe stabling and/or trailer parking is a must, as is reasonable
footing.
BUDGETING is an important part of the application
process. Of course selection of the instructor/s will influence the final
cost, especially when there are large transportation costs involved. Going
overboard should not be necessary, but trying for a very low budget
production may result in "getting what you pay for." The charge
for participants should not be kept too low as it causes people to expect
subsidized instruction at all times.
WNYDA participants must be allowed a discounted participant fee.
Profit sharing arrangements with an instructor are not permitted even when
only applied to auditor fees. Excess income cannot be used to finance
other programs, projects or activities, and should be returned to WNYDA.
AUDITORS should be an integral part of the
planning process and every effort should be made to include auditors. A
small charge is not out of order, but is a way of telling people that it
is a thing of value to gain knowledge. WNYDA members must be allowed a
discounted auditor fee. It is of course incumbent on the event manager and
instructor to see that auditors receive something of value and feel they
are a real part of the program.
Rules of Use: WNYDA
will provide insurance coverage for the Event when grant monies are
awarded. As a result,
participants will be required to sign a WNYDA Hold Harmless Agreement.
It is the responsibility of the Event Manager to ensure that all
elements of the Hold Harmless are enforced and that no participants are
allowed to participate without the signed Hold Harmless in WNYDA’s
possession.
The Application form for the WNYDA Educational Grant Program is available in pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat® Reader to view and print the entry form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat® Reader, you can download it by pressing this button:
