Official Book of Rules & Regulations

Accolades

Section 1: Volunteer of the Year

1. Volunteer of the Year awards will be issued based on volunteerism performed during the previous calendar year.
2. There will be one “Volunteer of the Year” per calendar year.
3. The volunteer will receive a special ‘Thank You’ plaque suitable for display at home or in the office.
4. The volunteer's efforts will be featured on our website for one full year.
5. The volunteer will receive a free USESR T-Shirt or sweat shirt, any color, any size, with or without a front pocket on the T-Shirt.
6. The volunteer will receive a free dinner for two at a local fine dining restaurant.

Section 2: Qualifications:

1. The volunteer must meet the following qualifications or come closer to doing so than any other members. The volunteer must participate in at least two major annual fundraisers.
   1. In acknowledgement that major fundraisers may be distance prohibitive to a volunteer, participation shall be defined by (but not limited to such factors as how many tickets the volunteer sells and/or how the volunteer has participated in promotion of the fundraiser. Examples include but are not limited to: Submission of a news story to two or more media outlets; solicitation of sponsors for the fundraiser; personal donations of any product for the purpose of sale by the rescue to raise funds at the major fundraiser.
2. The volunteer must participate in at least four of the following activities:
   1. Contribution to newsletter articles or solicitation of at least 3 advertisers for the newsletter, the web site, or sponsors for a fundraiser.
   2. Provide foster care to a USESR equine for at least six consecutive months.
   3. Perform at least four (4) site inspections per calendar year or be approved to do so by USESR.
   4. Act as an educator, speaking to classrooms or youth groups about equine on behalf of USESR.
   5. Distribute flyers for two or more fundraisers or events or distribute flyers on a regular basis for at least six (6) consecutive months, such as foster care flyers or slaughter flyers with USESR’s name on them.
   6. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
   7. Participate in at least three (3) USESR volunteer promotional booths.
   8. Attend at least three (3) USESR Meet-N-Greets.
   9. Procure at least $300 in donations to USESR per calendar year. Donations made by the volunteer are acceptable.
   10. Hold at least one (1) Volunteer Position, such as Adoption Coordinator, Professional Trainer, or other as listed in our online Volunteer Handbook for a term of not less than six (6) months, and be active in that capacity on a monthly basis.

Section 3: Nominations:

1. Volunteers must be nominated by at least one member in order to be considered for this award.
2. Nominations must be submitted no later than November 30th in order for the volunteer to be considered for the award to be received the following January.
3. In the event that no one is nominated, no award shall be given.
4. Submissions may be made via e-mail or snail mail and will be acknowledged no later than January 10th, or 15 days from the date received, whichever is sooner.
5. Everyone nominated meeting the criteria will be awarded a gift basket and a note notifying them that they have been nominated.
6. Nominations may be submitted by members or non-members.
7. Winner of the Volunteer of the Year award will be determined by a special panel composed of two regular members in good standing and the Secretary of USESR.
   1. In the event the Secretary was a nominating member, he/she shall abstain from voting and instead pass the vote to the Treasurer.
   2. The special panel shall be chosen by invitation of the Board of Directors who shall make nominations to the panel during any meeting of the minds.
   3. Persons serving on the Special Panel shall not have any kinship or special relationship with any Volunteer of the Year nominees.

Section 4: Runners-Up

1. There shall be up to two (2) Runners-Up for Volunteer of the Year.
2. There must be a Volunteer of the Year in order for there to be a Runner-Up.
3. Runners-up will be chosen by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
4. Runners-Up must be members of USESR in good standing.
5. Runners-Up need not be nominated by anyone.

Section 5: Runner-Up Awards

1. Honorable mention on our website for one year.
2. One free USESR T-shirt or sweat shirt of any size or color, with or without a front pocket on the T-Shirt.

Section 6: Qualifications

1. The volunteer must participate in at least four (4) of the following activities per calendar year:
   1. The volunteer must participate in at least two major fundraisers per calendar year. Distance limitations shall be compensated for as described in Section 2, Letter A, Number 1, above.
   2. Provide foster care to a USESR equine for at least six (6) consecutive calendar months.
   3. Perform at least three (3) site inspections per calendar year or be approved to do so by USESR.
   4. Serve as a member of the USESR Board of Directors.
   5. Participate in at least three (3) USESR promotional booths.
   6. Attend at least one (1) USESR Meet-N-Greet.
   7. Procure at least $300.00 in donations to USESR per calendar year. Donations made by the volunteer are acceptable.
   8. Hold at least one (1) volunteer position as named in our online Volunteer Handbook.

Section 7: Accolades for Junior Ambassadors

1. Junior Ambassadors shall receive awards every September.
2. Nominations are not necessary.
3. There is no limit to the number of Junior Ambassadors eligible for awards.
4. Junior Ambassadors must participate in three (3) or more of the following activities per calendar year to be eligible for awards.
   1. Distribution of USESR flyers & materials to classmates and fellow equestrians.
   2. Recruitment of at least one (1) other new member or new Junior Ambassador.
   3. Perform at least 2 Site Inspections or be qualified by USESR to do so. Junior Ambassadors must be at least 16 years of age to perform site inspections.
   4. Hold at least one (1) fundraiser for USESR per calendar year.
   5. Write a report on an issue connected with equine rescue and submit it to USESR headquarters for publication on our website or in our newsletter. Reports completed for school count toward this, but a copy must be turned in to USESR, also.
   6. Submit a written book report on a book the Junior Ambassador has read, the story line of which dealt with equine rescue.

Section 8 Awards for Junior Ambassadors

1. Each Junior Ambassador shall receive prizes as we can get them donated, or one (1) USESR T-shirt, any color, any size, without a front pocket.
2. Prizes sought will include:
   • Tickets to Six Flags Over Texas
   • Free movie theater tickets
   • Gift certificates to restraints or fun places like Putt-Putt Golf & Games,
   • Tack items for horses
   • Free passes to sporting events such as Ranger games, etc.

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