David Watkins Memorial Fund


We congratulate all of our G.S.G.R.A. members that qualified and competed in the I.G.R.A. World Gay Finals Rodeo in Fort Worth this year and our royalty contestants competing in San Diego. You are welcome to apply for reimbursement from the David Watkins Memorial Fund.

The original purpose of the David Watkins Memorial Fund was to offer some limited support to contestants to help defray the expenses involved in competing in the I.G.R.A. Finals Rodeo. It is recognized that contestants in horse events incur expenses over and above those incurred by contestants in general with the result that G.S.G.R.A. was often under represented in these events. With this in mind, the fund was to focus on, but not be limited to this particular problem. The fund consists of such moneys as may be donated to the fund from time to time. G.S.G.R.A. will hold such funds to be distributed by way of grants, solely to assist in defraying expenses incurred by contestants competing in the I.G.R.A. Finals Rodeo. Members of our G.S.G.R.A. Royalty are the primary contributors to this fund and we greatly appreciate their time and dedication to this endeavor. In order to qualify to receive a grant from the fund, the contestant must:

Rodeo Contestants:

1.     Have been a member of G.S.G.R.A., in good standing, from the date of the first rodeo in the current season (beginning January 2011) in which the contestant competed through the weekend of the Finals Rodeo

2.     Have earned all points for the current I.G.R.A. Finals Rodeo as a declared member of G.S.G.R.A

3.     Compete in the Finals Rodeo

Royalty or Dance Contestants:

1.     Have been a member of the Association, in good standing

2.     Compete at the IGRA Royalty or Dance Contest

Funds may be distributed by way of grants in two categories, general expenses and horse related expenses.

a.      In the general category, contestants may request grants towards the following expenses:

                                i.            Hotel accommodation not to exceed the hotel basic rate for Friday through Sunday night, and only the actual share of room cost incurred.

                              ii.            Travel from the home city to the Finals City and return; air fare not to exceed the least expensive advance reservation rate or fuel only if driving.

                            iii.            Registration fees only for the events in which the contestant was qualified and invited.

b.     In addition to the above, the Horse contestants may request grants towards the following expenses:

                                i.            Trailer and/or truck rental and fuel costs.

                              ii.            Lodging expenses in transit and horse boarding expenses (stable/pasture)

Qualified contestants may submit grant requests for approved expenses. Grant request must:

1.     Be postmarked no later than December 19, 2011.

2.     Detail the expenses incurred.

3.     Attach receipts for all expenses to be considered.

Grants will be made proportionally. The amount available for grants in a category will be divided by the total of the qualified requests in that category. The result will be calculated to a percentage and applied to the amount requested.

To apply for a grant, please send a detailed accounting of:

1.     all expenses incurred

2.     receipts (or copies) for all expenses

3.     proof of participation in the Finals

You may use the “GSGRA Check Request” found here: check request. This documentation shall be postmarked, no later than December 19, 2011, to:

Bruce Roby, Treasurer
GSGRA, Inc
1375 California St Apt 101
San Francisco, CA 94109

If you have any questions contact G.S.G.R.A. Executive Board members or State Board of Directors. And, if you would like an e-mail acknowledgment of the receipt of your request and documentation, please include your e-mail address in your submission.