10 - May - 2023 www . wsca . org WSCA Digital Spotlight
The Health of WSCA
As we all know , the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals and organizations around the world , and the Western Saddle Clubs Association and its member clubs are no different . At the local level , saddle clubs have suffered with lessened sponsorship and decreased show entries . On the organizational level , WSCA has faced a variety of financial challenges resulting from the cancellation of the 2020 Champ Show and the subsequent years of recovery . I want to take this time to discuss the health of the association and our plans for the future .
Due to successful events in the past , WSCA has had the benefit of financial safeguard in the form of certificates of deposit which currently total approximately $ 63,000 . While this is a tremendous amount of money and an incredible asset , it is a fraction of what is needed to run a non-profit business of this size annually . This money was always intended to keep us solvent in the event of an emergency . 2020 posed the largest threat that this association has yet encountered .
Despite these challenges , I want to assure you that the Board of Directors is doing everything we can to navigate this difficult time and to continue serving our members . Current discussion with delegates at the recent General Meeting explored alternate revenue streams to help offset the impact of the pandemic on our finances . With an eye to maintaining event quality and the family friendly ethos of our Western Saddle Clubs Association , we are moving forward with new ways to become involved in this association that we all love .
The most difficult thing is the decision to act , the rest is merely tenacity . Amelia Earhart
To those delegates and members able to attend the Spring General Meeting , I would say thank you for being an integral part of this ongoing discussion . For those newer to it , start off by taking a moment to review our WSCA Champ Show budget for 2023 . In it , you will see the incredible impact that class sponsorship could have in safeguarding the welfare of 2024 ’ s event . In the months to come , we will be sharing community building and fundraising ideas to serve saddle clubs at the local level and beyond to class sponsorship at Champ Show . The merit of local clubs and sub associations is doubtless ; they are our friends and our families . That said , the WSCA Champ Show is the culmination of a season of these local events and we cannot sustain it without sustaining the organization which makes it possible . We hope that you will partner with us in the long-term sustainability of WSCA and Champ Show as we launch this effort to enhance our equine community .
Sincerely ,
Lynn-Ellen St . Martin , WSCA President Rachel Duenow , WSCA Vice-President Ann Goebel , WSCA Board Member Amber Duncanson , WSCA Board Member Julia Northwick , WSCA Board Member Keith Sather , WSCA Board Member Kevin Berger , WSCA Board Member Lori Taylor , WSCA Board Member Paul Hansen , WSCA Board Member Steve Bobzin , WSCA Board Member