Travel Fund

/TF/Money Man

Looking for Travel Fund Forms? : Click Here!

Pay for books and supplies this year and travel to and from veterinary related events without checking the couch for money! Think about participating in Travel Fund!


Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Travel Fund?
  2. Who can participate?
  3. How do I earn money?
  4. How much money are we talking about?
  5. Where does the money come from?
  6. Where do I sign up?
  7. Can I come up with my own fundraiser?
  8. How do I get my money?
  9. How do I know how much money I have in my account?
  10. Does my money carry over to the following year if I don’t use it?
  11. Can I use my money on travel after I graduate?
  12. Can I use my money to pay for travel to and from job interviews?
  13. Can I get reimbursed for alcoholic beverages?

What is Travel Fund?

Travel fund is the opportunity for you to earn money specifically for travel to and from internships, externships, and conferences.  Starting this year, you may also use your monies towards buying supplies and books at the student bookstore (VESST).

Who can participate?

All currently enrolled students in the DVM program at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

How do I earn the money?

Students can sign up to chair or co-chair a fundraiser and will earn a percentage of the profits for the fundraisers. This requires the most time commitment, but also is the way to earn the most money. Students can also sign up to help volunteer with a fundraiser and will earn money on an hourly basis. For students who are only able to volunteer a few hours or need more flexibility, this is perfect.

How much money are we talking?

It can be up to several hundred dollars!! It just depends on the fundraiser you participate in. But it’s definitely enough to help out getting you to and from veterinary related events/ paying for books/supplies.

Where does the money come from?

It depends on the fundraiser. I.E. Kolache breakfasts, Halloween Candy Grams, Santa Claws and Paws, Fleece Sales, Valentine’s Day Flowers: monies come from the net profit off of sales of these items. However, for See Spot Run, monies come from local and national sponsors.

Funds earned are then split between the Chair (typically 40% of net profits) and the volunteers (typically 60% of net profits are split between all volunteers).

Where do I sign up?

To sign up to Chair a fundraiser – see the attached form/ descriptions and email MAConnor@cvm.tamu.edu. Chairs need to be able to cover costs of fundraisers up front – but you will be reimbursed for all expenses!

To work fundraisers contact the chairs when they are recruiting volunteers for the events (usually you will receive an email).

Can I come up with my own fundraiser?

Absolutely! Contact me if you are interested and I will get you started!

Attached is a list of the current fundraisers. If we don’t have chairs for the events they won’t happen- so think about taking it on!!!

How do I get my money?

TVMA/AVMA, externships, and 4th year rotations that require travel are preapproved. Contact me, the travel fund administrator, to obtain a reimbursement form. Fill out the form, attach copies of receipts, and return it to me. I can turn around and issue you a check. The process takes about 1 week.

If you are a 1st or 2nd year,  internships must be approved by the SCAVMA executive committee… it sounds difficult, but it’s not- contact me for a form before you go, fill it out, and I will get it approved.  Save your receipts, fill out a reimbursement form, and return it to me. If you fill out the approval form before you go and your trip is approved, I can issue you a check upon receiving your reimbursement form and receipts. This takes about 1 week. (Please know: Summer time may mean some delays)

How do I know how much money I have in my account?

The Travel Fund Administrator can look up your balance. Please send the administrator an email at MAConnor@cvm.tamu.eduand they can look your balance up for you. Please allow a week for processing time.

Does my money carry over to the following year if I don’t use it?

Yes!! You earned it you keep it.

Can I use my money on travel after I graduate?

No. You can’t withdrawal unused money either.  Please submit all requests for Travel Fund Reimbursement within a month of graduation.

Can I use my money to pay for travel to and from job interviews?

Unfortunately, no.

Can I get reimbursed for alcoholic beverages?

Sorry, the world isn’t perfect, no.


Fundraising Events

Email Marilyn Connor

Kolache Breakfast

breakfast kolaches, cinnamon rolls, etc. sold in fishbowl to staff and students. Chairs organize dates for selling, set up with supplier, take pre-order emails, and decide number of shifts. Profits divided up between workers minus percentage for chairs. Usually 7:30-9 am, 2 days a week, 3 workers per shift so can take orders to the hospital if needed.

Needs 1-2 chairs.

Candygrams

Description: For Halloween, $1.50 candy bags are sold as gifts to your friends and fellow students. They are sold in fishbowl and outside CCC for the week before Halloween, and delivered or put in mailboxes on Halloween. Chairs must purchase candy, gift bags, and make copies of order forms.

Needs 1-2 chairs.

Santa Claws and Paws

Open to the public for people to bring their pets for a Christmas picture with Santa for their Christmas card. Usually set up in CCC with the room decorated. Decorations and Santa suit provided. Need a photographer (with a digital camera), Santa, and individuals to put cards together. Costs include film and cards. Requires advertisement around school and in the community!

Needs 1- 2 chairs.

See Spot Run

A fun-run for people and their dogs, with contests and awards for various categories. It’s the manager’s job to cover costs, so getting corporate sponsorship is recommended. A large number of people can help.  On-line registration has helped make things easier. Make sure to work with PTTS about scheduling Bryan Parks and Recreation for signs, cones, etc.

Needs 2 chairs.

Silent Auction

Large money maker! In November, a silent auction is held for vet school, usually outside CCC. Chair position requires involves organizing a group to set up tables and bid sheets, keeping track of bids, and getting items to the person who buys them. Students get items donated and funds from the item, minus a percentage to the chair, goes directly to that student’s account.

Needs 1 chair.

Fleece Sales

Another large money maker! T-shirts and fleeces are sold in the fishbowl at new semesters and whenever new designs come out. CC’s Creations is usually who we deal with, and they have designs we have used in the past. A bulk discount is the best deal, so pre-orders or high volume sales is recommended. Workers needed for sales whenever desired by chair.

Needs 2 chairs.

Valentine’s Day Flowers & Chocolate Covered Strawberries

An in-house V-Day delivery service for the vet school. Involves taking pre-orders the week ahead, getting flowers, vases, cards, etc. from suppliers, arranging flowers the night before V-Day, and delivering/selling on V-Day. Pre-orders are crucial! Number of workers needed is substantial, and don’t forget to reserve the Mark Francis Room early so you can use it!

Needs at least 2-4 chairs, but has been done with only 1 chair.

This is just the start-if you have more questions email the Travel Fund Administrator. I’d be happy to talk with you and answer your questions to the best of my ability! Spots for the event you want to chair may fill up quickly. Contact the Travel Fund Administrator even if you are just thinking about it!

Marilyn Connor: MAConnor@cvm.tamu.edu