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January 2004 In attendance: Levon, Robert, Miriam, Leslie, Tony and Jill. Regrets: Gordon, Robbie, Shawn Athletes elected a chair person (Miriam) for this meeting. Athletes then reviewed the minutes from December 1st. Some adjustments were made to December’s minutes. Current Business: Some responses from Special Olympics Staff and Athletes… 1. Karen Richards had some responses from December meeting minutes: - In response to item # 13 (Members wondered why Region Five has been chosen two years in a row as team of the year; Why aren’t other regions chosen?): For Ontario Special Olympics awards, a nomination form is posted on the website, advertised in Club Link and sent out to volunteers; Athletes also nominate someone for an award; When nominations are received, copies are made for the Award Selection Committee (three volunteers from across Ontario); We try not to concentrate on which regions are being selected, but on other important factors - who has been together the longest, most sportsmanlike etc. Response from committee: One member suggested that age and skill level may be a factor in who gets chosen. - In response to item #14 (members wondered why they don’t ask Toronto Athletes to participate in the Special Olympics All-Star Game (for Floor Hockey): The Passport to Sport Celebrity Face Off worked out wonderfully this year. The team is selected by Lynn Miller (she tries to invite a different team every year. She would be very surprised if Toronto never had the chance to play. (A whole team is selected and not individual athletes). - In response to item #16 (Athletes show concern that coaches and athletes who get nominated are always from C and D teams): This isn’t true. Both our coaches of the year this year work with all levels. - In response to item # 15 (Members of the committee wondered why the same athletes are featured on television frequently ie. Off the Record): The athlete chosen for Off the Record this year was asked by TSN to return because he did an excellent job. She agrees that different people should be selected. The best way to do this is for the OSO staff to let Special Olympics Canada know that we have other great speakers who could fill this role. 2. Members reviewed responses from an athlete via e-mail. Her points were as follows: - She agreed that fundraising should be treated more seriously (November minutes). She doesn’t mind doing fundraising for her own sports or for others. - Regarding the regional games (lack of space on the playing field - November minutes), they should be held for two days if other regions would like to get involved. If they aren’t held for two days, other regions should have their own regionals. We should have our own regionals because when other regions are involved, things don’t always run on time. Instead of Entertainment Books, Special Olympics should try lottery tickets (as done by Heart and Stroke or Princess Margaret Hospital) Response from Athlete’s Committee: Members thought that the Entertainment Books did very well. 3. Geri Rockstein responded to item #6 from December minutes (One member wondered whether money for parties is requested from athletes or whether coaches pay for the parties): Athletes are not charged for parties or anything else. It is paid through fundraising efforts. Presents given out are donated- we do not and would not purchase gifts. Athletes took turns bringing up issues which were then discussed by committee members as a group: Upcoming Events/News/Updates: 4. Some teams from ten pin bowling are going to Kingston on March 6th for a tournament. 5. On March 27th, Special Olympics athletes will be participating in a five and ten pin bowling tournament involving these sponsors: The Toronto Maple Leafs, The Toronto Argonauts, The Toronto Raptors, The Toronto Blue Jays and possibly The WWE. This will be the first tournament of its kind. The tournament will take place at Newtonbrook Bowling Alley from 10:00 a.m. until late afternoon. A buffet lunch will be served. There will be no fee for the athletes and all proceeds will go to Special Olympics. The event will be publicized on television and in newspapers. One member of the committee will be trying to recruit athletes and volunteers from bowling teams across region 11. 6. There will be a floor hockey tournament hosted by Scarborough on April 17th. This tournament did not take place last year. 7. One member of the committee discussed the fact that a Toronto Star reporter will be following his floor hockey team for several weeks (she will be writing an article about the team). The reporter will be interviewing athletes individually and will be present at both practices and tournaments. 8. Many clubs just started up again (due to the holiday season). There is not much club news for this reason. Budget/Cutbacks/Fundraising: 9. There has been a delay in receiving checks and a bank card from RBC for the Athlete’s Committee account. The committee treasurer spoke to Marcia about it, who suggested that the delay may be due to the holidays. The money that the Athlete’s Committee has saved has been deposited in the bank. One member of the committee suggested use for this money could be used for snacks (for committee meetings). The committee will discuss this further. 10. One member suggested that Special Olympics should develop it’s own athletic centre. Perhaps Special Olympics could get a loan to build these facilities. Rather than spending money on renting facilities, they should look towards the future. Renting is very expensive. For instance, it sometimes costs in the range of $2000 to rent a facility from the school board. Additionally, Variety Village has increased their fees for the use of their facilities. 11. It was also suggested that Special Olympics should charge athletes who participate ($5-$10). Many athletes do already pay fees for their sports clubs). Another member had concerns that many athletes only receive money from ODSP and are unable to afford such costs. Athlete Numbers and Recruitment: 12. Many older athletes have found out only recently about Special Olympics. This is because there has been little publicity in the past. There needs to be increased publicity in high schools etc. so that athletes can get started at a younger age. Athlete Empowerment Issues: 13. There was a speaking engagement at a high school last month. One athlete, who wasn’t able to participate due to transportation issues, was very disappointed. She had prepared a speech and committed the time to the event. 14. One member of the committee was disappointed that she was not chosen to attend the provincial games in Peterborough. Members wonder what the procedure is for choosing athletes. Specifically, does the amount of time that you have been participating in Special Olympics matter? Other members of the committee have had similar experiences. 15. Athletes who join Special Olympics may join for recreation, while others join for more competitive reasons. One member feels that there are many athletes who aren’t sure of their goals with Special Olympics. Athletes who want to make it internationally need to work hard and plan ahead. One practice a week is not enough. Something should be available for young athletes who would like to participate in more practices/preparation to become competitive at the national and international levels. Many athletes do cross-training for their sports. 16. Special Olympics athletes can be serious competitors. Other Important Issues: 17. July to December meeting minutes are posted on the website. 18. Members raised a concern about athletes who are going to be traveling but have not had experience on an airplane. Sometimes, experienced athletes serve as chaperones to those who have not had the experience. Often times, travelers are subjected to time zone and climate changes (which can be an adjustment, depending on the differences). Time zone changes may also cause difficulties for those taking scheduled medications. Some athletes are able to administer medications on their own while traveling. 19. Special Olympics accepts athletes from ages 8 to 88. The only time that Special Olympics may ask an athlete to leave is when they behave inappropriately. Athletes usually have three chances. Athletes who behave inappropriately should not be able to participate in tournaments. 20. Some members feel that others should not join the athlete’s committee until the next year starts. Athletes should go through Marcia if they would like to join the committee. 21. Members discussed what they would like to go in an article for an upcoming newsletter: · Athletes from Region 11’s Athlete’s Committee have been meeting for seven months. · Members have been participating in Special Olympics from between four to twenty-one years. · The purpose of the Athlete’s Committee is as follows: “To speak our minds”, “To say what we want to say”, to review concerns and announcements abut what is happening in our sports, “ To give our opinions, suggestions and concerns”, “to tell coaches athletes and staff about what is about” (minutes are posted monthly on the website for all to read). · What Athlete’s like best about the committee: “we see each other, talk and have fun”, “ we let staff know what we are saying”, “without the committee, staff wouldn’t know where they need to improve and what is bothering us”, “this meeting explains what we can do about things, what we like/what we’d like to improve”. · Special Olympics is a great organization with great staff, volunteers and wonderful athletes. 22. The meeting time may be changed to earlier in the evenings. Jill will check with the members of the committee who are not present to discuss whether a time change would be possible. The next meeting will take place on Monday February 2nd, 2004. Home || Sports || Events || Volunteering || Donations || Links || Contact Us |
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