The purpose is to encourage clubs to sponsor educational seminars that promote improvement of the breed in accordance with the standard, better understanding, interest and perception of the Shetland Sheepdog to the general public, and the issues and direction needed by breeders and exhibitors for it's betterment. While  "general interest" seminars are not excluded from consideration, greater weight will be given to curricula specific to the Shetland Sheepdog.

These funds are for clubs that might not otherwise be able to afford the costs in putting on a seminar.

 

Examples of appropriate seminars are:

Health screening
Health issues and concerns
Conditioning of animals
Brood bitch and stud dog management
Puppy socialization
Temperament testing techniques
Illustration and/or interpretation of the standard
Breed history

Structure and locomotion
Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club
Nutrition
Judges education -(Must be done with assistance of regional Judges Education Representative in accordance with material provided and approved by the ASSA and AKC.)
 

Grants will NOT be considered for seminars that focus on a main theme of exhibition enhancement in any venue such as grooming, handling, or training techniques.

 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL

 

The ASSA Educational Grants Committee reserves the right, in its discretion, to review and approve the presenter and program content prior to approval of financial assistance. As a guide, the Committee will consider, without limitation, whether the seminar content is educational and non-commercial, is consistent with the goals of the ASSA, and the general welfare of the Association and its membership. The Committee reserves the right, in its discretion, to reject, in whole or in part, any application for a grant for an educational seminar. Clubs may apply for funding for one seminar per calendar year.
 

Member Clubs interested in applying for a grant for an educational seminar should submit to their Regional Director a budget of the planned event, a description of and, if available, an outline of seminar content, together with the name or names of the presenters no later than 30 days prior to the planned event.  The application should include anticipated attendance and income expected. Applications submitted after this date, or after the event has been held, will not be eligible.
 

The Regional Director will forward it without delay, along with their recommendation for approval, to the Educational Grants Chairman. The Educational Grants Committee (3 people consisting of the Chairman and 2 committee members) will determine the amount to be given to the club applying; grants may be made up to $250 for a 2 day and $125 for a one day presentation.  The Regional Director is responsible in following up on the seminar held, and providing a written event summary to the Educational Grants Chairman no later than 30 days after the event completion. The report should include, but not be limited to, a financial accounting, and any concerns on program acceptability and value.

 

The Educational Grants Chairman will respond as soon as possible to Regional Directors when approval is granted for a Member Club event and will instruct the ASSA Treasurer to forward funds immediately.

GUIDELINES FOR REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

Once a year per Region, $500.00 SEED money will be made available as support for an educational event.  Each Regional Director, assisted, at times, by the Regional Judges Education Chairman, will be ultimately responsible for the event in their Region.  They will try to obtain the assistance of ASSA Member Clubs as host clubs and will use member survey volunteers as people to assist with the seminar.  Events may be hosted by single as well as multiple host clubs and events may be presented in conjunction with Specialties.  The host club(s) will get the profits from the event less the $500.00 seed money and, in addition, will be required to donate a minimum of 10% of the events profits (after repayment to the $500.00 seed money) to the ASSA.  If the profit is less than $500.00, 50% of the profit will be refunded to ASSA.

The Regional Director, the Regional Judges Education Chairman, and the host club will work together to develop the event content. Samples of acceptable topic groups for the outline include: the breed standard, breed medical/health issues, judge's education, history, AKC rules, legislation, nutrition, genetics and kennel management.  It is anticipated that the potential audience for the event will include judges, ASSA members and non-ASSA member breeders, etc. Regional Directors interested in developing and holding an educational seminar should present a budget of the planned event, a description and outline of seminar content, together with the name or names of the presenters, no later than 60 days prior to the event date. The request should include anticipated attendance and income expected. Requests submitted after this date, will not be eligible.

The AKC encourages events of this nature and will assist communications by sending, at no charge, mailing labels for judges with in a specified area.

The Regional Director will forward these written requests to the Education Chairman and host club will advertise and promote the event and will be totally in charge of the planning for its success. The Regional Director will provide a written event summary to the Education Grants Chairman no later than 30 days after the event completion. The report should include, but not be limited to, a financial accounting, and any concerns on program acceptability and value, and will be presented to the Board at its next meeting.

The Educational Grants Chairman will respond as soon as possible to Regional Directors when approval is granted for a Regional Educational Seminar and will instruct the ASSA Treasurer to forward the funds immediately.