Go HERE to view this eBlast Newsletter as a Web page

NATA’s membership renewal season is quickly approaching!  When you are writing that check – or most likely, hitting the “submit” button – don’t forget to make a contribution to the NATA Foundation! 

The contributions received during the annual membership renewal process support the NATA Foundations unrestricted funds.  Unrestricted funds are used to administer the Foundation’s important programs – such as management of the endowment program, development of the new Building Blocks for Clinical Practice and preparation and implementation of student programs.  Without these unrestricted funds, we wouldn’t be able to hold our Research Committee meetings to fund research grants, update the website to include new information or provide the Student Leadership Event at the NATA Annual Meeting.

So before you hit that “submit” button, remember to add your NATA Foundation contribution.  This is a simple and fast way to support the ONLY charitable organization dedicated to advancing the profession of athletic training through research and education.
 

The NATA Foundation Scholarship Program is one of the organization’s most successful and well-known activities.  This program will continue in 2011, providing scholarships in the amount of $2,300 to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

Information and requirements for the 2011 NATA Foundation Scholarship Program will be available October 1 via the NATA Foundation website (www.natafoundation.org).  The official application will be available mid-October.

Complete applications, which include all letters of recommendation and transcripts, are due February 7, 2011.  Applications that do not have all required documentation will not be accepted for review.  It is important students gather key documents, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, as soon as possible.  Students should check the website October 1 for instructions and requirements.

The review process will begin in February and winners will be announced in April.  The 2011 scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Student Leadership Event held during the NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia on Wednesday, June 22, in New Orleans, LA.

Those 2011 scholarship recipients attending the NATA Annual Meeting will also have the opportunity to volunteer for NATA Foundation programs while in New Orleans. Staff will be soliciting volunteers for the Convention Shuffle, the Silent Auction and other activities.

This is the perfect opportunity for scholarship recipients to support the NATA Foundation while gaining valuable volunteer experience and making key contacts in the organization.  Scholarship recipients selected as volunteers will receive a "2011 NATA Foundation Scholarship Winner" t-shirt.

More information on the volunteer program will be provided in the scholarship recipient notification packet.
 

NATA’s state athletic training organizations provide valuable services to athletic trainers across the country. Without these groups, our state legislative efforts would not exist and our grassroots programs would be minimal.

Most state AT groups take that support a step further and contribute to the NATA Foundation.  In 2010, we looked to the state organizations for continued, and consistent, support – and they answered the call.

The State Athletic Training Fundraising Plan, which was administered by the NATA Foundation district chairs, was designed to increase contributions from the state organizations and increase awareness of NATA Foundation programs and services.  The effort consisted of networking with state organization presidents via telephone, email, etc.  In the end, more than 30 states contributed to the plan!

All state organizations were invited to the 2010 Donor Reception in Philadelphia, PA.  Those states that contributed to the fundraising plan were recognized and those that contributed more than $1,000 were given special recognition.  Those states were: Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
 

Most physician groups, hospitals and clinics value their athletic training staffs.  Why?  Because athletic trainers are the heart of many successful practices!  Bottom line is our colleagues in the health care industry understand the dedication athletic trainers bring to the table.

These groups and professionals also benefit from the services provided by the NATA Foundation.  Whether it is the scholarship that helped a future athletic trainer continue his/her education, or the grant that funded research the group uses today, the NATA Foundation supports these practices by supporting the profession of athletic training.

This fall, NATA Foundation district chairs are reaching out to our colleagues in the medical practice industry to solicit contributions.  If you work for a medical group and your organization is interested in donating, contact your NATA Foundation District Chair.   A roster of all District Chairs is shown below.

• District 1 Chair
  M. Susan “Sue” Guyer, DPE, ATC, LAT, CSCS
  mguyer@spfldcol.edu

• District 2 Chair
  Robb Rehberg, PhD, ATC, NREMT
  robb@atsnj.org

• District 3 Chair
  Robert J. “Bob” Casmus, MS, ATC (NC/NT)
  bcasmus@catawba.edu

• District 4 Chair
  Sally E. “Sally” Nogle, PhD, ATC
  nogle@ath.msu.edu

• District 5 Chair
  Michelle D. “Michelle” Boyd, MS, ATC
  mboyd@truman.edu

• District 6 Chair
  Kenneth W. “Ken” Locker, MA, ATC
  kennethlocker@texashealth.org

• District 7 Chair
  Tamara C. McLeod, PhD, ATC, CSCS (T)
  tmcleod@atsu.edu

• District 8 Chair
  Robert D. “Robert” Kersey, PhD, ATC, CSCS
  rkersey@fullerton.edu

• District 9 Chair
  Ralph “Ray” Castle, PhD, ATC
  rcastl1@lsu.edu

• District 10 Chair
  Valerie Rich Moody, PhD, ATC, LAT, CSCS, WEMT-B
  valerie.rich@umontana.edu
  Valerie.moody@mso.umt.edu

The NATA Foundation offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for those who wish to support the profession of athletic training through research and education.  If you have a knack for fundraising, or you have skills that would fit with one of the organization’s research or education programs, contact Vice President of Governance Charlie Redmond, MS, MEd, ATC, PT (credmond@spfldcol.edu) or Executive Director Teresa Foster Welch, CAE (teresa@nata.org).
 

One of the key initiatives identified in the NATA Research & Education Foundation’s 2009 Strategic Plan is increasing awareness by enhancing our internal and external promotional activities.  To accomplish this goal, NATA Foundation leaders have implemented a number of new programs, including the development a Style Guide to ensure the information we are distributing is consistent for all audiences.

In the past, the NATA Research & Education Foundation has used different names for second reference.  For example, there is one group that refers to the organization as the “REF,” while others use the “Foundation” or the “NATA Foundation.”  In order to ensure we are consistent in our branding, the Board of Directors voted to use the term “NATA Foundation” on second reference.

Thank you for your help as we work to increase awareness of the NATA Foundation and its programs.
 

The NATA Foundation Free Communications Committee has changed the abstract submission due date to November 15.  This change was made to accommodate the increased number of submissions and to allow for additional promotion of abstracts presented at the NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia.

"The number of high quality abstracts submitted to the Free Communications program continues to increase each year," said Tom Dompier, PhD, ATC, Free Communications Committee chair.  "We also noticed Annual Meeting attendees are very interested in the information presented in the Free Communications program.  We need more time to properly manage the process. It is a simple solution for a good problem."

Abstracts are due at the national office November 15 and will be reviewed by the committee in December.  The committee will make its final selections during it January meeting.  Authors will be notified after the meeting and presentation dates, times and locations will be announced in the spring.

Fees for submitting abstracts remain $25.  More information on the Free Communications abstract submission process is available on the NATA Foundation website (www.natafoundation.org).
 

This Grant Information Summary may be downloaded in a 2-page pdf file from http://www.natafoundation.org/PDF/Hoffman2.pdf.

Is there an NATA Foundation volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty?  Someone who always goes the extra mile to support the mission of the organization?  If so, let us know!

The NATA Foundation is accepting nominations for the following volunteer service awards:

• Lifetime Contribution Award

• Volunteer Service Award

• New Initiative Award

Nominations are due November 1.  Additional information is posted on the NATA Foundation website (www.natafoundation.org)
 

One of the most popular fundraising activities for the NATA Foundation is the Athletic Training Student Challenge (AT Student Challenge).  This program, which generates friendly competition among athletic training student groups, is designed to raise funds for the organization while introducing athletic training students to the programs offered by the NATA Foundation.

All athletic training student groups at individual institutions are invited to compete, with the initial Intent to Participate Form due at the NATA Foundation national office on or before December 31, 2011.  Student groups will then organize and implement fund-raising campaigns during the academic year.

In order to be counted toward this program, contributions must be received at the NATA Foundation national office no later than April 30, 2011 and must include a Donation Submission Form.

The AT Student Challenge Winner will receive four (4) complimentary conference registrations (that can be used at state, district, or national athletic training meetings) for student members of the NATA not to exceed $500.  Other participants will be recognized according to amount of contribution.

Additional information and appropriate forms are available via the NATA Foundation website (www.natafoundation.org).  Questions or comments? Contact NATA Foundation Development Manager Heather Franklin (heatherf@nata.org or 972.532.8837).
 

The NATA Foundation Board of Directors would like to thank ALL of the individuals and groups who work hard to generate contributions for the organization!  The NATA Foundation could not continue to support its important programs and services without the unrestricted and endowment funds raised by our volunteers.  Whether the funds are generated by individuals, our district organizations, student athletic training clubs or other groups, we value your hard work and your contributions.

For 2009, two groups led the organization with their fundraising efforts.  District 9 was the winner of the District Challenge and Western Carolina was the winner of the Athletic Training Student Challenge for both 2009 and 2010.  Congratulations to both of these organizations!

Again, many thanks to all of the individuals and groups who contributed to the NATA Foundation in 2009.
 

The NATA Foundation Executive Committee is scheduled to meet October 3 & 4 in Dallas, Texas.  Key topics for discussion include the 2011 operating budget and development plan, review of fundraising activities and promotional opportunities and the 2011 Board election.
 

The NATA Foundation Research Committee will meet November 12 thru 14 to review the August 2010 grant requests.  The group will also review applications for the following research awards: Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, New Investigator Award and Doctoral Dissertation Award.
 

The NATA Foundation Board of Directors held its summer conference call Friday, August 27, 2010.  The following are highlights from the call.

2009 Audit
The Board reviewed the 2009 audit and final financial statements.  The purpose of an external, private audit is to ensure leadership that operations are correct and processes are consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  The documents were accepted by the Board as presented.

2011 Annual Meeting
The condensed Annual Meeting schedule and lack of professional baseball team in New Orleans presents challenges for holding an NATA Foundation fundraiser in 2011.  Any fundraiser must provide adequate return on investment.  One option is to tie in with the NATA Welcome Reception, asking attendees to contribute to attend the event.  The Board agreed this is an acceptable alternative.

The group will also investigate the possibility of offering space to groups for alumni parties.  The charge would be minimal and would provide revenue for the NATA Foundation and a site for alumni parties.

Fundraising Activities
The NATA Foundation is currently implementing three fundraising activities: 2010 Scholarship Recipient Telephone Solicitation plan, District Chair NATA Membership Renewal Email promotion and Medical Practice Group program.  The goal of these three activities is to increase unrestricted gifts to the organization.

2011 Board Elections
The NATA Foundation is holding its annual election for the following Board positions: Open positions – Districts 3, 4 and 7
Renewals – Vice President for District Relations, Vice President for External Affairs, District 1 Chair, District 5 Chair, District 8 Chair, Two At-Large Positions

Those holding these positions eligible for renewal were asked to submit self nominations by October 1 if they wish to continue.  If not, they were asked to submit nominations for the positions.
 

Time flies…and deadlines for key programs come and go quickly!  Here are some important dates and deadlines for 2010-2011 to keep you on track.

• Oct.1, 2010 Athletic Training Student Challenge Begins

• Oct. 1, 2010 NATA Foundation Scholarship Applications for 2011 Posted on Foundation website

• Oct. 1, 2010 NATA Foundation Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship application due

• Oct. 1, 2010 NATA Foundation Master's Research Grant applications due

• Nov. 1, 2010 Foundation Service Award Nominations due

• Nov. 15, 2010 Free Communications Program Abstracts for 2011 due

• Dec. 31, 2010 NATA Membership Renewal Deadline

• Feb. 7, 2011 NATA Foundation Scholarship Applications for 2011 due

• Feb. 15, 2011 General Research Grant applications due. Pre-Proposal Submission Form required

• Mar. 1, 2011 Annual Doctoral Grant Applications due

• Apr. 1, 2011 Spring Master’s Grant Applications due

• Apr. 2011 Athletic Training Student Challenge Contributions due

• June 19-22, 2011 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia, New Orleans, LA

NATA Research & Education Foundation
2952 Stemmons
Dallas, TX  75247
214.637.6282
www.natafoundation.org