Info on the ODS/Linda S. Acheson Education Fund
The ODS / Linda S. Acheson Education Fund |
The Linda Acheson Education Fund exists to support educational opportunities for ODS members and dressage enthusiasts. When it was created, founder Linda Acheson and subsequently the ODS Board established the goal to gather $50,000 in principal before expending interest on the fund in support of educational programs. So far we’ve reached $36,000 — and we need your help to reach the current goal of $50,000 and make this a vital part of ODS educational programming!
The Linda S. Acheson ODS Education fund was established in 1998 and was renamed in 2004 as a memorial to Linda Acheson, former ODS President, Treasurer, and “L program” graduate.
As a Certified Public Accountant, Linda was instrumental in modernizing the ODS office and the financial records. Additionally, Linda was an advocate of rider and instructor education. She organized the first ODS certified instructor program and supported the ODS “L” Education Program, and judged many schooling shows.
Linda established this fund during her tenure as president. Her intent was to create a specific account where the earnings could be used to finance educational events and programs—in whole, or part; for the benefit of ODS members. Upon her death, the education fund name was changed to recognize Linda, and it received numerous contributions in honor of her memory.
The Linda Acheson Education Fund is not a “restricted fund” in the sense of an endowment, however the ODS board agreed in principle that the funds were dedicated to the educational mission Linda intended.
The goal is to raise additional monies through fundraisers or bequests/gifts to reach a point where the income from the fund be used to sponsor educational programs. Linda estimated, and the Board of Directors subsequently adopted that the principal of the fund reach and be maintained at $50,000 (as of September 1, 2011, the fund is approximately $36,000). At the point the income from the fund may be utilized for educational activities, the ODS Board of Directors will establish an advisory panel to select projects or programs to support.
Be on the watch for fundraisers for this fund that will be held at the upcoming ODS Fall Festival, including a raffle and a wine-pull. If you would like to make a direct contribution to the fund, you may make an online donation using PayPal (go to this webpage: http://oregondressage.com/sponsorships.html) or you can mail a check, written out to the Oregon Dressage Society Education Fund and send it to ODS Office, 880 NE 25th Ave, Ste 2-173, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
Please contact the ODS office for details or if you would like to volunteer for marketing and/or fundraising on behalf of the fund.
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