Attend a USDF Educational Event. USDF approved nine new GMO Education Initiative (previously called the National Education Initiative) programs, for a total of 93 educational events across the country for 2019, including Adult Amateur and Ride-A-Test clinics, lungeing clinics, training and test symposiums, and several other clinics. A full calendar of educational events can be found here.
Run for Delegate. There are two levels of delegates in the USDF Governance – Participating Member (PM) Delegates, and Group Member (GM) Delegates. PM delegates are elected by the members in their region to represent their interests, while GM Delegates are appointed by the GMO they are a part of to represent their GMO at the USDF Annual Convention.
GM Delegates who represent GMOs (that are in good standing with USDF and have over 25 members) have voting rights in the Board of Governors (BOG) meeting at Convention. PM delegates will vote on governance issues at the BOG General Assembly, as well as issues that may arise throughout the year. PM delegates communicate with their Regional Director to stay informed on important regional and national issues, as well as with the Participating Members within their region whom they represent in the BOG meeting. If you are interested in becoming a delegate, visit the Nominations and Elections page of the USDF website.
Get Involved in Your Local GMO. The USDF has over 100 affiliated clubs, or Group Member Organizations (GMOs), across the US and Canada. By joining a local GMO you automatically become a USDF Group Member when your club submits its roster to the USDF Office. Group Members (GMs) are eligible to compete in USEF/USDF-recognized competitions, earn USDF Rider Awards, receive the Member Perks (found on the member perks page), and earn USDF University credits for participating in accredited educational opportunities (like the newly approved educational opportunities previously mentioned!) Many GMOs also host shows and other fun events for their members.
GMOs can apply for the GMO Education Initiative Grant (previously called the National Education Initiative Grant) to host accredited educational opportunities, including clinics, symposiums, Ride-A-Test clinics, adult camps, and unmounted events. GMOs are eligible to apply for grants exclusive to USDF GMOs through The Dressage Foundation Violet Hopkins Fund to receive financial assistance for hosting educational opportunities for their members, and through USDF for grants specific to USDF education programs. To find a GMO in your area to get involved in, visit the USDF GMO listing page.
Attend the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention. Held each year in a different city, the Adequan ® /USDF Annual Convention is an opportunity for our members to discuss the latest developments in dressage and have a say in the governance of USDF. The Annual Awards Banquet is also hosted on Saturday night of the convention and is a wonderful opportunity to have your accomplishments celebrated! The 2019Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention will be held December 4-7 in Savannah, GA. 5. Volunteer at the US Dressage Finals. The US Dressage Finals wouldn’t run without our outstanding volunteers. Volunteer positions include ring stewards, warmup stewards, event setup, runners, gate keepers, awards assistants, hospitality, breakdown, and scribes. You can sign up to volunteer here or read about Robyn Armer’s US Dressage Finals volunteer experience in Volunteering at the US Dressage Finals Presented By Adequan®.
Volunteer at the US Dressage Finals. The US Dressage Finals wouldn’t run without our outstanding volunteers. Volunteer positions include ring stewards, warmup stewards, event setup, runners, gate keepers, awards assistants, hospitality, breakdown, and scribes. You can sign up to volunteer here or read about Robyn Armer’s US Dressage Finals volunteer experience in Volunteering at the US Dressage Finals Presented By Adequan®.
Great ideas!