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April 2004 In attendance: Robbie, Levon, Robert, Miriam, Leslie, Gordon and Jill. Regrets: Tony, Shawn Athletes elected a chair person (Gordon) for this meeting. Athletes then reviewed the minutes from March 5th. Some adjustments were made to the minutes. Current Business: Athletes took turns bringing up issues which were then discussed by committee members as a group: Upcoming Events/News/Updates: 1. Members of the committee often assist at head office. 2. Many committee members attended the Old-Timer’s hockey game and sold programs for $2 a piece. There were 27 boxes and 55 books per box. One member of the team was collecting the money and giving back change. This was difficult at first because they did not have any change. The programs were sold out, raising a lot of money for Special Olympics. Members had a really enjoyable time. Between the second and third period, Special Olympics athletes got to go and meet the players and get their autographs. 3. Soccer will be finished on Sunday. Outdoor Soccer will begin on May 14th. 4. On this upcoming Thursday, the C floor hockey team is playing a Mississauga exhibition game. On the following Thursday, there will be an exhibition game against Scarborough’s C’s and D’s because their invitational tournament was cancelled. These tournaments will take place at Kent Senior Public School (located at Dufferin and Bloor). There are many holes in the nets at this school (the nets belong to the school). Sometimes the teams have to put extra goalie pads in the net to prevent pucks from escaping. 5. Marcia Mack is back at the office, but she is very busy. 6. One member of the committee spoke at a library at Dundas and Bathurst recently. There was supposed to be a turnout of about 25 people, yet only 6 showed up. This was probably because of the weather that day (there was a downpour). Another member of the committee had a poor turnout when he also spoke at a library last Wednesday. 7. On May 6th, one athlete will be speaking at a track meet. 8. On June 19th there will be a talent show at Gretzky’s Sports Bar. It will display the artistic, musical and writing talents of Special Olympic Athletes. There are flyers being distributed about this event. 9. There was a Richmond Hill dinner held recently. The dinner was excellent and the service was excellent. Following dinner, there was a dance. There were also door prizes. 10. There was recently a North American Conference for Special Olympics at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. Some athletes were invited to attend. There were about 40-50 people in attendance. It was paid for by Special Olympics. 11. There are only a few more weeks of swimming left. May 17th is the last day. This will be a fun night where parents, family and friends will be permitted to join the athletes in the pool. 12. A lot of teams are finishing early this season. 13. Some athletes will be selling 50/50 draw tickets on the 13th at a Raptor’s game. 14. There was still a lot of room for 5 and 10 pin bowlers at a recent tournament in Kingston. This may have been because the Richmond Hill tournament was also coming up and they were too close together. 15. Floor hockey won three gold medals at the Nationals and one bronze. Because of the weather in P.E.I. the organization almost cancelled the event. 16. Soccer may be at a different location next year. It may also cost more money. 17. The regionals will take place at Birchmount stadium (across from Variety Village). The sports participating will be softball, track & field, and soccer. Athletes involved in more than one sport must choose only one sport to participate. This will be a one day event. 18. The bowling tournament at Newtonbrook was not catered as was mentioned in previous meetings. Next year, they are hoping to have it catered. 19. The floor hockey team has enjoyed several parties since their return. They are also enjoying a much needed rest. 20. Athletes wonder what will happen in July when the committee has been in existence for a year. They were wondering if they would need to switch with other athletes or whether they could still remain on the committee. Budget/Cutbacks/Fundraising: 21. The Committee’s treasurer received bank statements for the Committee’s bank account. Some money was deducted for processing the cheques. The statements go to the main office. 22. One member of the committee had a question about interest rates for the Committee’s bank account. Another member suggested that we speak to a bank manager or people in the finance department at head office. 23. Over $10,000 was raised at the Newtonbrook tournament. Another tournament may be planned for next year around the third weekend in March. Athlete Empowerment Issues: 24. It is the opinion of Committee members that incidents of jealousy over athletes who win medals at tournaments need to stop. When an athlete wins medals, they should be congratulated. Athletes should be mature about it. Athletes should not try to mislead their fellow athletes about practices etc. Athletes may be suspended if they participate in this behaviour. Additionally, athletes should not boast when they receive a medal. 25. Special Olympics head office is doing a lot more for the athletes. Athletes remember that in 1996, they did not participate in the things they do now (such as various empowerment committees, parties, and fundraising events). Special Olympics has come a long way since 1968. 26. Last year there were many cancellations of soccer due to rain. When athletes use a school field, they cannot make it up. If they use public fields, they more likely can make it up. The school field that they used last year had long grass and lots of garbage. One person cut themselves on glass in the field. 27. One member of the Committee’s floor hockey team always seems to be in a bad mood. This person takes it out on other members of the team. The coach is already aware of this. 28. At Variety Village, some athletes disturb practices. This may wreck it for everyone (it may cause the team to have to find a new facility). 29. It is disappointing when athletes can’t bring a guest to a banquet. However, the reasoning behind this is that if one person brings a guest, everyone else will want to. Concerns over cost and the capacity of the venue will arise. 30. On May 8th Mississauga will be hosting a 10 pin bowling tournament. There is also a swimming tournament on this day. Coaches get upset if you cannot attend a tournament for your sport. Coaches have a meeting at the beginning of each season to try to organize dates for tournaments and ensure that they do not cross paths. Some coaches don’t show up, however. Coaches should maintain regular contact (through e-mail or phone) to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Other Important Issues: 31. One member of the Committee had the opportunity to attend a Raptor’s game last Sunday (March 28th). It was a lot of fun. 32. Athletes should be careful when talking to strangers, even if they seem friendly. 33. Members of the committee are hoping that the Provincial Fall Conference takes place this year. 34. The Delta Chelsea is a more convenient place for conferences because it is downtown and therefore easily accessible by TTC. 35. One member of the committee expressed concern that too many people from Ontario are being sent to Nationals. Another athlete suggested that this is because of the size of the province. 36. Sometimes in swim practice, when an athlete has a birthday, the whole team has to swim the number of laps of their age. This incorporates a lot of fun into the practice. 37. Special Olympics does not have ice hockey or horse back riding because of safety, insurance and cost issues. 38. ODSP questions athletes who go overseas. Athletes do not earn ODSP while away in foreign countries. 39. The reason why there have been no responses to the minutes may be because everyone is very busy. Many coaches do read the minutes on the website. 40. Marcia Mack is leaving at the end of September. Members of the committee are very appreciative of Marcia. She has touched the lives of many athletes, coaches and volunteers. The next meeting will take place on Monday May 3rd, 2004. Home || Sports || Events || Volunteering || Donations || Links || Contact Us |
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