Middle Georgia Sport Horse Association

At its April 2010 meeting, the MGSHA Board voted to reinstate the “Bonus Bucks” program to encourage more members to help with MGSHA events. The program provides equal opportunity for everyone to benefit from their membership no matter what discipline they pursue or even if they are non-riders. It is no secret that volunteers are an important and necessary resource in the smooth operation of all events and we need to appreciate and recognize the commitment they make to the success of the event and the organization. Currently, we do not recognize our volunteers – in fact, in many ways we short-change them.

We are also short-changing our Association. Previously, members could have quite a financial advantage at shows but not contribute to the work of the Association. For example, an individual joins MGSHA for $35.00 (with $17.00 of that going to USDF). That leaves only $18.00 for the MGSHA treasury. With a $5.00 per class discount, the MGSHA treasury starts taking heavy hits pretty quickly, especially when riders enter five to six classes per show. Meanwhile, we always have a shortage of volunteers for set-up, jump crews, office work, clean-up, etc. Burn out with the few volunteers who do the work happens very quickly and the barn hosting the show is stuck with far more work than compensation.

The Association is also working to re-establish our Year End Awards program and scholarship opportunities which, historically, require a minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify. A quick web search of more than 25 other USDF-GMOs showed the volunteer hour requirement for Year End awards, also. The current Year End Award program only covers dressage scores so work needs to be done to cover other disciplines but each will still require volunteer hours (currently two hours which must be worked by the award applicant.) The scholarship program requires 15 volunteer hours but is usually a $250 award (if the treasury permits!). Volunteer hours worked from the May 22 show forward may be applied for the award and scholarship programs, even while they are reviewed.

How to get RICH with Bonus Bucks

Bonus Bucks can be earned and “spent” in a variety of ways. There’s always something to do to for the Association from helping at shows to writing articles. The following is a partial list of ways to earn Bonus Bucks
Volunteering at an MGSHA hosted events: One hour = 5 Bonus Bucks

This includes pre-show organization and set-up, working at the show in the office, as jump crew, ringmaster, paddock master, announcer, hospitality for judges, clean-up, etc.

Helping with MGSHA Marketing/Publicity/Recruiting

Selling program/newsletter ads: $25 in sales = 1 Buck

Writing a published article (min 750 words) for the newsletter/publication to promote MGSHA = 5 Bucks

Recruiting a NEW member = 5 Bucks

Photographing MGSHA event = 5 Bucks

Organize/conduct/help with other MGSHA events

Organize/lead seminar, clinic, annual meeting = 25 Bucks

Work on a committee for an event (min 5 hours) = 10 Bucks

Officers/Board members

Elected officers earn 10 Bucks per year of service awarded at the end of their term. Note: Officers/Board members with a 50% or more absenteeism rate of attendance at meetings shall be awarded any volunteer hours.

Ideas for additional ways to earn Bonus Bucks should be submitted to the MGSHA Board for Membership Chair for approval prior to the event/service.

You can also have someone else work your volunteer hours to earn Bonus Bucks, i.e. parents can work to earn Bonus Bucks for junior members. However, to qualify for year end awards or scholarships, the member must work the required volunteer hours themselves.

Members are responsible for submitting volunteer hour form to the Membership Chair within two weeks of the event/activity to receive credit. Forms will be available at MGSHA events and on the website.