IJRA Princess Tips

As the Princess of the IJRA you become the most visible representative of the Association. Outside of the established guidelines you can make your season as fun and memorable as you want. You have the ability to engage the membership in a way to develop your own leadership and serve as a role model to other members. This is a great opportunity to promote the sport of rodeo along with increasing goodwill among the contestants. You may even be able to use your title to gain additional sponsorship to help with special projects or specific princess sponsors, donations for the princess contestant prize packages, raffle fundraisers, membership events or even community giving. It is also important to realize you will be holding your title for an entire season so do not become overwhelmed and do not be afraid to ask for help. Feel free to use some past ideas or come up ideas entirely unique to your personality. A best practice once you become princess would be to outline the dates of the rodeos for the season and establish any themes and goals for the entire season so you can easily plan ahead. This will allow you time to make announcements to the membership timely and insure the most success in accomplishing your goals. A few focal points for a princess maybe IJRA promotion and awareness, membership engagement, fundraising and good stewardship. Some past examples:

IJRA Promotion

 See if it is possible to represent the IJRA in other rodeo grand entries. Possibly your local county fair rodeo or state association.

 Attend events such as the Hoosier Horse Fair in sash, crown and western attire.

 Speak to 4-H clubs or other groups to teach about rodeo and promote membership to the IJRA.

 Princess photos that can be handed out and possibly autographed for young children.

Membership Engagement

 Host a meet and greet to kick off the season.

 Focus on new or young members that look up to members in the older division.

 Hand written notes of encouragements if you notice someone needs special recognition.

 Host an ice cream social or s’more get together.

 Organize themed rodeos such as Tough Enough to Wear Pink or Ride for Freedom.

Fundraising

 50/50 drawings at a performance.

 Raffle a donated item to help with your membership engagement or other princess expense.

 Donated items may be specific for the upcoming princess contest. (flowers, jewelry, coupons)

Stewardship  Host a donation drive for Riley such as stuffed animals.

 Host a donation drive for a horse rescue or other pet rescue.

 Host a grandparents attended rodeo to promote attendance.

The emphasis is to HAVE FUN and have a GREAT SEASON to remember!