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Shinkara Hardship Fund
The Shinkara Fund was established to assist junior athletes who might need a little help with the expenses related to club volleyball. The RMR thanks "legendary local volley-philanthropist" Tom Kawano for all of his support over the years. Many adults and juniors have come to love the sport, and have enjoyed expanded opportunities to play, thanks to Tom and his good works!
Application for Shinkara funding must be made using this online FORM. The application is due February 28th of each year.
Club Directors are kindly requested to confirm specific details of each member-family application, using the Club Director Shinkara Form The deadline for Club Director response in support of Shinkara applications is March 15th.
Awards are traditionally confirmed in early April. Note that these funds are distributed directly to the club for which the athlete competes, in support of club fees and related club expenses.
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The Shinkara Assistance Program is funded directly by the RMR, and offers "need-based gifts" usually between $200 and $750 per member-athlete. Details regarding the Shinkara process are outlined below:
* The RMR Shinkara Application is now an online-only process. Applications are due February 28th.
* The Club Director Report in support of each application is also an online-only process. That documentation is due March 15th.
Awards are determined based on the pool of funds available, the number of applicants, and an assessment of relative need. Gifts are processed in early April, with funds paid directly to the club for which the athlete plays.
All applicants must be RMR/USAV members in good-standing, who participate through their entire club/team season. Additionally the club and team for whom the athlete plays must remain in good standing with RMR and USAV through April 30th of the gift-year, and the athlete's team must participate in a minimum of TWO RMR-hosted events during that season.
Elements considered towards "establishment of need" include but are not limited to: gross and net family income, number of RMR-member athletes in play, specific team membership fees, and related athlete expenses including athlete travel costs.
Athletes are encouraged to actively engage in fund-raising activities before applying for need-based gifts. Similarly, teams and clubs are asked to offer group fund-raising activities that help their member families offset the high cost of club volleyball. Evidence of such activity is considered during assessment of need.
The RMR offers its Shinkara Assistance gifts freely, through its own internal funding mechanism. "Assessment of relative need" is managed entirely by internal committee and is not subject to complaint or appeal. By applying for Shinkara aid, families specifically agree to these guiding principles and voluntarily surrender any perceived right to appeal or to make additional claim.
The Shinkara assistance program may be discontinued at any time, for any reason, before or after gifts have been assessed or distributed, and at the sole discretion of the RMR.