rdasouthscotland | National Office Update

12 January 2022

National Office Update

Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

Happy New Year and welcome back to another year at RDA. I hope you all had a nice break over Christmas.

President’s Awards Nominations

We have had some lovely nominations for this year’s President’s Awards. The deadline to nominate your volunteers who have done over 30 years of service is 7th February 2022, please send nominations to your Regional Chairs/committees so they can endorse your nomination. For any help/support please contact Faye McKenning on 01926 405966 or email at fmckenning@rda.org.uk

Committee Changes

Please can any changes to your committees (Regional, County and Group) be sent to Faye McKenning (fmckenning@rda.org.uk) so we can organise inductions and keep our records up to date.

Job Vacancy: Finance Officer (Job Share)

We are looking for an experienced Finance Officer who will enjoy working within a small Finance team of 3. The tasks are to be split between two Finance Officers (one existing and one new post) on a job share basis, reporting to the Director of Finance. The hours are flexible and may be worked over 3, 4 or 5 days. The role is varied and includes purchase and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations, VAT returns and payroll.

Closing Date: Midday 24th January 2022.

Full details can be found here: https://www.rda.org.uk/join-the-rda-uk-team/#1641570281481-13047963-226d

Job Vacancy: IT Projects Manager

We currently have a vacancy at the National Office for an IT Projects Manager. The IT Projects Manager will develop, lead and manage IT projects for RDA, working to scope and understand business/ volunteer needs, running tendering processes with third-party providers and contract managing all IT projects through to completion and ongoing relationships with suppliers. They will be the product owner of specific RDA-wide software packages to provide the interface with the supplier and to understand the capabilities and functionality of the systems. This will include (but not be limited to) websites and database (salesforce).

Closing date: 9am 7th February 2022.

For full details see here: https://www.rda.org.uk/join-the-rda-uk-team/

Weekly Webinars
This week: Strategy Overview with Ed Bracher (7pm 13th January 2022)

RDA Chief Executive Ed Bracher will be reviewing the feedback from the strategy consultation and discuss the next steps in the process.

Next week: TBC.

Intellectual Disability Dressage

In response to requests to rename this section of our Dressage competition, discussions have taken place with RDA Dressage Reps and our Participant Reps, and we have decided to go with Grade 7. This follows on nicely from Grades 1-5 plus our own Grade 6 for unclassified riders. For Regional Qualifiers and Championships, ID classes will now be entitled Grade 7.

Polework for Showjumping Level 1 and 2 - Make the basics fun *Please note change of date*

This zoom session will include ideas for level 1 towards level 2, and what the judge is looking for in competitions. Plus an interactive zoom session with Anona White, SJ level 4 Coach, Judge and Assessor.

Due to circumstances outside our control, the Tuesday January 18th session has had to be postponed to Tuesday 1st February, 6.30-8pm. All those who have booked onto the session on the 18th have had their booking automatically moved to the Tuesday 1st February but will be contacted to see if this suits them. The first session is still on Tuesday 25th January 2pm- 3.30pm. Each session will cover the same material, they are on at different times so people can choose a suitable time. It may be possible to run this at another time if these fill up. Please contact hkallow@rda.org.uk for further information.

These will count as a Showjumping review if a reflection is returned afterwards for those currently at Level 2. This will only count as a review up to Level 2; if you are level 3 or above you will need a face-to-face review.

The information is available on Events (myrda.org.uk)

Countryside Challenge Training

This will take place at the National Training Centre on 28th February and is open to all, whether you are a Judge, a Coach or a participant. The day will run from 9.30am until 3pm and will include a practical demonstration in the indoor school. There will be an online form to complete in our next newsletter to register your interest but please pop the date in your diary for now.

Reminder: Creative Writing Competition

Entries are still open for this year’s Creative Writing Competition! Please can you share this with your riders/drivers.
There are three classes for participants to choose from:

§ An RDA Letter
§ An RDA Short Story
§ An RDA Poem

There will be a prize for the overall winner in each class – and all entries will receive a rosette! The closing date for entries is FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2022.

You can download a copy of the application form for the competition using the link below:

https://www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/education-asdan/

If you have any questions at all, please contact Alex Walker at RDA National Office: awalker@rda.org.uk or telephone (01926) 405971

SOS Group

SOS Group, who provide office solutions, are a long-time supporter and supplier of RDA, our National Championship at Hartpury and the virtual Champs last year, are offering groups free consultations with Director Andrew Skelton. They also have produced a short video below to help assist our groups during 2022 and beyond. On the video two and a half minute video, Andrew covers:

1. Why SOS supports RDA
2. What does SOS offer
3. Why choose SOS
4. The current situation
5. The next step

Please click the link https://www.sosgroup-ltd.co.uk/rda/ to find out more.

Best wishes,

Brigitta Falcini
Communications Coordinator
Riding for the Disabled Association