The Chesapeake Region annual budget has historically included funds to reimburse teams that compete at Nationals.  In 2001, the Region’s budget included $24,300 for reimbursement of registration fees.  Thirteen teams received full reimbursement, and 26 received partial reimbursement.  In general, teams that won their Regional Championships received full reimbursement while other teams received lesser amounts.  Conglomerate teams with out-of-region team members received reimbursement proportional to the number of team members registered in the Chesapeake Region.

Each team independently decided how the reimbursement funds were to be used.  Some teams returned money to team members, and other teams used the money to buy equipment, rent practice space, buy uniforms, and cover other team costs.

After much consideration, the Board of Directors decided to reduce the reimbursement funding in 2002 by $4,300 (an 18% reduction).  The Board has also undertaken a thorough review of the reimbursement policy.  The reduction and review were necessitated by the Board’s desire to control costs and minimize individual and team Regional registration fees while still supporting team participation in National competition.  As part of this review, Board members identified and discussed a variety of reasons for reimbursement and a variety of ways to allocate the money to different teams.

Although the budget decision has been made for the current season, the Board realizes that they will be faced with the same dilemma as they develop future budgets.  This is an issue that involves a substantial amount of money and affects a substantial number of members.  With that in mind, members of the Board need your input.   Please take a few minutes to answer the five questions on the Nationals Reimbursement Survey.  Your responses will be combined with the responses of other members and will be presented to the Board before the next budget is developed.  Thanks for your help.