Re: Attending the (SC) Symposium

[vanhove@unavco.ucar.edu (Teresa Van Hove)]

Hi Connie,

After reading the web page about this (SC) symposium, I feel much better 
about it.  All the sponsorship is from horse groups.  But I feel it 
would be a great conference for people involved in local trail issues
to attend, hopefully as a positive learning experience.   Vickie Smith
from Vermont (4th year AERC member) is interested in attending as well
as Betsy.  I have been coordinating pledges for Vickie and have
received $45.00 so far. Possibly more, some people continued to pledge 
to Betsy after her total had been reached and I don't think any of these 
people have contacted me yet after Angie sent out her e-mail about this.  
Since Vickie will be traveling all of the way from Vermont to attend I 
thought I would ask the people who have already agreed to send money 
if they would be willing to have that go to other expenses and go ahead and 
utilize this AERC trails fund for the actual registraion fee if someone
else has not already applied. 


> 
> Yay for the Ridecampers Registration Fund~!   You guys are wonderful!   
>        Betsey, If you are an AERC member and really would attend the
> Symposium but for the registration fee, hear here!   At the last Reno
> convention,  AERC set up  a Trails Fund  specifically for defraying
> registration fees at important (i.e., regional/national) trail
> conferences.   A hat was passed and quickly filled, and I want to 
> recognize Julie and Bob Suhr as major donors to the fund.
>        There are a few conditions:  you must be a paid-up AERC member;
> you must apply to AERC office beforehand, submitting a copy of the
> brochure, in order to be approved.   After attending the conference,
> submit some proof of having attended to the AERC office and  you will be
> reimbursed.   Last but not least, you must submit an article about the
> conference for publication in Endurance News.
>    The Trails Fund does not cover transportation, meals, lodging, nor
> time off from work (if necessary).     Unfortunately, the AERC Fund can
> be used for only one  AERC representative per conference  (and by no
> means do I imply that the "official" AERC rep. would be "better" than any
> other dedicated endurance riders who would attend).   But -- maybe there
> will be enough private donations for more than one registration fee?? 
> (:-D)   
>    Chris Wall used this Fund in 1997 and attended a CA State Trails
> Conference in the L.A. area; her article appeared in EN shortly
> thereafter.  Remember how she was taken aback at how few equestrians
> there were in attendance?    
>     I'm really encouraged by all the positive dialogue about  attending
> this conference.   I've also learned that many of the names listed as
> speakers are horseowners and riders, so there's hope.  However, I don't
> like to take anything for granted.  
>     And lest anyone feel left out...There is a National Trails Symposium,
> Nov. 13-17, in Tucson Arizona.  Call Arizona State Parks at (602)
> 542-7160 for more information.     Betsey,  does this help you reach a
> decision?    (;-)  Connie B.  
> 
>