Club Educational Seminar Grants

Encourages ASSA member 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 breed betterment.

Geographic Scope: United States (ASSA member clubs)

Award Amount:

• Up to $250 for 2-day presentations
• Up to $125 for 1-day presentations

Focus Areas:

• 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 breed 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)
• General interest seminars (given lower priority)

Not Funded: Seminars focused on exhibition enhancement in any venue such as grooming, handling, or training techniques

Eligibility:

• ASSA member clubs only
• One seminar per calendar year per club

Review Process: The ASSA Educational Grants Committee reserves the right to review and approve the presenter and program content prior to approval of financial assistance. The Committee will consider 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.

Application Process

1. Submission Timeline: Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the planned event. Applications submitted after this deadline or after the event has been held will not be eligible.
2. Required Materials:
   • Budget of the planned event
   • Description of seminar content
   • If available, outline of seminar content
   • Name(s) of presenter(s)
   • Anticipated attendance
   • Expected income
3. Submission Process:
   • Submit application to Regional Director
   • Regional Director forwards application along with their recommendation for approval to the Educational Grants Chairman
4. Review & Decision:
   • Educational Grants Committee (3 people consisting of the Chairman and 2 committee members) determines the amount to be granted
   • Educational Grants Chairman responds to Regional Directors when approval is granted
   • ASSA Treasurer forwards funds immediately upon approval
5. Post-Event Requirement:
   • Regional Director must provide a written event summary to the Educational Grants Chairman no later than 30 days after event completion
   • Report must include financial accounting and any concerns on program acceptability and value