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December 2003 In attendance: Levon, Robert, Miriam, Robbie, Leslie, Jill, Gordon, Shawn, Marcia (Absent: Tony) Committee members enjoyed a pizza party courtesy of Pizza Pizza. Athletes elected a chair person (Shawn) for this meeting. The chair person for the next meeting will be Gordon. Athletes then reviewed the minutes from November 3rd. Members took turns reading meeting minutes. Some members wondered if it was necessary to read all of the minutes. However, several errors were picked up in the minutes and needed to be corrected. This reinforced the importance of reading the minutes before they appear on the website. Athletes took turns bringing up issues which were then discussed by committee members as a group: Upcoming Events/News/Updates: 1. The Metro Leafs recently had a Hoop-a-thon. 2. There will be a tournament on Saturday December 6th for the B’s and C’s. This tournament will be dedicated to Jennifer Chamberlain. There will be another tournament at the end of January for the D teams. 3. Soccer will not be practicing this month, but there will be a Christmas Party on Sunday December 7th for soccer. A few new younger athletes are playing with the team. This is difficult because the team is more of a competitive team than others. 4. Some teams are unaware of who will be going to the Provincials. They are wondering when they will find out. Marcia has contacted all coaches. Athletes should find out shortly who will be attending Provincials. All coaches, regardless of whether they are new or not, should have received information about choosing athletes for the Provincials. 5. There will be a Strategic Planning Committee Retreat in London (in the upcoming year). Budget/Cutbacks/Fundraising: 6. One member wondered whether money for parties is requested from athletes or whether coaches pay for the parties. One member suggested that funds are probably set aside for the parties. Additionally, many times parents make food for the parties. 7. Marcia has sent out a fundraising flyer for the Entertainment Books (one that the Seals have put together). 8. Other teams (B and C teams) are helping to fundraise for P.E.I. 9. The Athlete’s Committee elected a Treasurer (Robert). Athlete Numbers and Recruitment: 10. This was the sixth meeting. Some members have attend every meeting since July 7th. They are very happy that a committee like this exists and would like other people to be involved. One way of recruiting more members is to ask other athletes in their clubs if they would like to join. Athlete Empowerment Issues: 11. Five people will be attending a High School on the 16th of December to promote Special Olympics. 12. One member suggested that the example of what happened at Sport Chek shows how there may still be a lack of education about Special Olympics athletes. 13. Members wondered why Region Five has been chosen two years in a row as team of the year. Why aren’t teams from Region Eleven or teams from other Regions for that matter chosen? There are twelve regions in Ontario that should be considered. - Members wondered who selects the team of the year (who puts forth the nomination - can an athlete, or is it up to the discretion of the coach. 14. Also, for the Special Olympics All-Star Game (Floor Hockey), members wondered why they don’t ask Toronto Athletes to participate (Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton participate). Toronto has many athletes who are capable and willing to play. 15. Members of the committee wondered why the same athletes are featured on television frequently (ie. Off the Record). Members expressed concern that the same two athletes are always featured. Even though they do a great job, other athletes are capable and should be given the opportunity. 16. Athletes also wondered what the criteria are to get an athlete/coach nominated? Who does the nominating? - One member expressed concern that coaches who get nominated are always ones that coach in lower level teams. Additionally, athletes that get nominated are lower level athletes. - Marcia will get back to the committee with the criteria for nominated. Members of the committee can then take that information back to their head coaches. The Regional Competition Management Team selects people - they are responsible for telling coaches how many people to send. 17. Athlete Committee meetings are held at night - many members of the committee work during the day. Members discussed how they could make the committee accessible for athletes who would like to participate but cannot attend evening meetings: - Members suggested that athletes who participate in Special Olympics outside of Region 11 should be attending meetings in their own regions. - A committee member offered to send the points discussed in the meeting to an athlete who would like to participate. She will receive the points discussed via e-mail. The committee member will then relay her points back to the committee. Other Important Issues: 18. One member of the committee won another medal in a bowling tournament. 19. One member has recorded a message for the Athlete’s Phone Line. The Phone Line will need to be updated when there are more activities going on. 20. Members asked Marcia about the idea that one member participate in the Community Council meetings. Marcia said that if and when this does happen, it will be up to the Community Council to outline a policy. The commitment term would be one year. 21. Members were encouraged to speak up about how the committee can run more efficiently. The next meeting will take place on Monday January 5th, 2004. Home || Sports || Events || Volunteering || Donations || Links || Contact Us |
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