In This Issue

Continuing Education Credit Through CHA Conference
Earn continuing education credit hours October 21-24 at the CHA International Conference at The Oaks Equestrian Center in Lake City, FL. Visit the CHA website for information.

June 1, 2010

Things You Should Know About Your New Database

We're excited about the launch of our new website and database, scheduled for July. There are so many cool features that we wanted to take some time in the upcoming weeks just to tell you about them. Did you know that with our new database you will be able to manage your own contact information? And, if you are the primary contact or ED of a center, you'll be able to manage your center's contact information. Whether it's updating an email address or changing your phone number, you'll be able to do it yourself. Now that's exciting!

Don't forget to set up your unique email address and send it to [email protected].

Instructor Compliance FAQs
Just a reminder that the 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Instructor Compliance is on the website on the compliance page. Read them here.

Equine Welfare Tips

Horse handlers of every aspect have a responsibility to understand the horse and the horse's language. Often times when a horse presents a specific behavior, the human either misses the subtle signs that proceeded the behavior, don't understand the behavior and therefore punish it, or just dismiss it and keep doing what they are doing. These situations often lead the horse and us into unsafe situations that get worse over time.

Heidi Potter, a member of the NARHA Equine Welfare Task Force, shares her expertise in this short article on equine welfare. Read the full article.

Urgent Credit Card Compliance Standards

After July 1, no entity will be allowed to accept cards as a form of payment unless it is using equipment and/or software that has been certified as compliant by the card industry and has adopted the minimum required security practices. If your center takes credit cards in any form (online, card swipe, phone settlement), you will need to know about and comply with the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards).

Complying with these standards is urgent, as failure to comply could mean fines as well as the loss of your ability to process credit card transactions.

PCI DSS is the set of minimum standard practices about to be mandated for all entities that accept credit or debit cards as a form of payment. For information on PCI and compliance, visit http://www.pcicomplianceguide.org/pcifaqs.php#2 or contact your merchant service provider.

Early Registration Deadline Approaching

Registration is only $450 if you register before the end of June. After that, the regular early bird rate will apply. This year's education session tracks are filled with some of the most sophisticated sessions ever! Tracks will be: Research, Practical Applications, Integrative Programming and two Administrative tracks. All of this in beautiful Denver. Click here to register.

Click here for hotel reservations.

Click here to check out the conference web page and check back often to view conference updates as they're unveiled.

Sponsored by: Purina Mills, Markel Insurance Company, American Quarter Horse Association, Triple Crown Nutrition, Adequan, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), EquuSpeak LLC

NARHA 2010 National Conference Scholarship Application

NARHA continues to work diligently to grow the number of sponsors underwriting scholarships for NARHA's National Conference and Annual Meeting. As leaders in the EAAT industry, we are committed to providing our members educational opportunities for professional growth and center sustainability.

Click here to download the scholarship application. Applications are due by June 28. Submit completed applications via email to [email protected], via fax to (303) 252-4610, or via mail to NARHA, P.O. Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233, attn: Sandy Artichoker.

NARHA Volunteer Creates Video for Scholarship

Amy Reichenbach, a volunteer at the UNH Therapeutic Riding Program, as well as The Bridge Center, a NARHA accredited therapeutic horseback riding center in Massachusetts, was recently selected from 1,700 applicants as a top ten semi-finalist for Ford's Heart Behind the Oval Scholarship. As a semi-finalist, she was required to create a short video about her service work as a therapeutic riding program volunteer.

Unfortunately, Amy didn't win the scholarship, but she was glad for the experience. "Hopefully my video helped to spread the word about the many benefits of therapeutic riding," Amy said. "There is nothing that could ever replace the incredible experiences I've had -- and continue to have -- as a volunteer."

See Amy's video here.

NARHA Driving Certification Subcommittee Seeks Members

The NARHA Driving Certification Subcommittee seeks enthusiastic new members to join the committee. Applicants should have a strong interest in therapeutic riding and driving and a desire to continue the development and improve the NARHA Driving Instructor Certification process.

Interested individuals must meet the following criteria:

NARHA Certified Driving Instructor Level 1 or higher in good standing, although we may consider NARHA Advanced Instructors with a very strong background in driving
Attend scheduled conference calls and communicate with the committee chair and members in a timely manner
Responsibilities and activities vary but generally require 10 hours a month. Accessibility to email is a must
Attend the NARHA National Conference and participate in the committee forums and Evaluator Update
Accept the responsibility of tasks and provide valuable information to the committee in a timely fashion
NARHA lead or associate faculty is a plus!

The two-year term would begin January 1, 2011.

To express your interest in this exciting opportunity to serve NARHA and the field of equine-assisted activities, please submit a letter/email of interest and a resume to NARHA, Attn: Tara McChesney or email [email protected]. The submission deadline is September 15, 2010.

Please review the NARHA Driving Certification Subcommittee Purpose and Description below

Purpose:
To help NARHA develop and maintain standards in driving for individuals with special needs at NARHA Centers; to promote instructor certification opportunities in the area of driving; to generate interest in driving for individuals with special needs and develop and share educational information regarding driving for the disabled.

Responsibilities of the Subcommittee

Work closely with the NARHA staff
Periodically review and update materials for the Workshop and Certification process
Offer periodic opportunities to train Evaluators for On-Site Workshops and Certifications
Develop and periodically review training materials for Evaluators to carry out the work of the subcommittee
Ensure that the Certification Oversight Committee is kept informed of subcommittee decisions
Provide material to Oversight Committee for the Instructor Voice three times a year
Consider and respond to appeals of examination results
Consider and respond to requests for exceptions and accommodations to the On-Site certification testing requirements

Subcommittee Membership Requirements

Must have access to e-mail
Must work effectively as part of a team and adhere to deadlines
Must maintain individual NARHA membership and meet certification requirements
Ability to travel to specified meetings at NARHA's expense
Ability to attend the annual conference at own expense

Removal from Subcommittee
Members of the Driving Instructor Certification Subcommittee can be removed from the committee for failure to adhere to the NARHA Evaluator/Instructor Code of Ethics in addition to inability to meet the above requirements.

Join NARHA's Click4Cash

We are having a lot of fun and generating public interest for the EAAT industry through NARHA's partnership with Equestrian Collections. Nearly 100 NARHA centers are enjoying receiving their proceeds checks in the mail for the purchases their communities have made through their websites. To keep the fun rolling, Equestrian Collections will give one lucky center a $100 gift certificate for joining the NO COST program. They will announce the recipient in the June 2nd edition of NARHA News. Click here and follow the steps to join.

We have created a shopping area on Equestrian Collections for EAAT-focused products, but your shoppers can shop the entire site, maximizing the potential revenue for your center. All you have to do is get shoppers to click on your Shop & Change a Life button before they do the regular shopping they would do anyway. Once you have signed up, you will receive an email with step-by-step instructions for how to retrieve the Shop & Change a Life banner to place on your center's website.

Any questions? Please email Nina and reference CLICK4CASH in the subject line.

The NARHAbar Program: Delicious Chocolate Bars to Raise Money for Your Center

The NARHA staff can attest to the delicious quality of this chocolate. It comes in a variety of flavors and is packaged beautifully. We love this chocolate!

Afraid to take on one more thing but looking for a quick revenue boost? The NARHAbar Program is simple and actively engages your center's families in your success. It's easy because pride in participation is the key! Your best ambassadors are your riders, so let them help you put the fun back into fundraising.