Rundle Riders is a non-profit organization; we primarily rely on volunteers to make the program run. Our board members meet about once a month, to work and report on different tasks that each member or staff person does to allow our program run. Our board members work on marketing to potential participants and volunteers. Of course, there is someone who keeps our books and makes sure our instructor is paid. We have a board of people with many skills, an acceptance of all, understanding of those who have disabilities and occasionally skills with horses. The Rundle Riders board recognizes that not all volunteers can commit time year-round to helping. We have many other opportunities for volunteers to help.
When our program is in full operation, we typically have 4-6 different lesson times. In a lesson the maximum number of participants is 4, this means there are up to 4 horses, 4 horse leaders, every rider needs a different level of support while atop the horse. Some riders just need the leader, others need 1 side-walker a few may need 2 side-walkers. This could mean that we need as many as 12 volunteers in a lesson. Each session of lessons lasts 4-6 weeks depending on the availability of the horses. That is a lot of bodies to help run a lesson. We recognize that this is a rather big commitment. The participants ride for bout an hour, the leaders need to arrive one hour prior to lesson time. In this hour ahead horses need to be groomed, tacked and warmed up. There may also help with arena set up and tear down. If you would like to only be a side-walker you can typically arrive 30 minutes prior to lesson start. Once the lesson is over the horses need you to put their tack away and give them some loving and a little brush.
Our participants are not the only ones who benefit from the lessons, the volunteers benefit as well. Â Volunteers and participants both build connections with our horses, volunteers also build connections with the participants. Lesson volunteers will also have the opportunity to build some horse skills and skills working with people of all abilities.
Another role we have for people to support our program is to volunteer for the upcoming casino fundraiser. We have the opportunity to work a casino about once every 2-3 years. This is the only fundraiser that we do to help us keep our program costs to a minimum for all. This is a one shift commitment there are three different shifts each of the 2 days we are working the casino. The location of our fundraiser is SE, Calgary, ACE Casino 4040 Blackfoot Trail SE. Our casino dates are October 6 & 7th , 2023. We haven’t had a casino for many years. You can choose a shift here.
