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November 2003 In attendance: Levon, Robert, Miriam, Robbie, Leslie, Jill (Absent were Gordon, Shawn and Tony) Athletes elected a chair person (Leslie) for this meeting. Athletes then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Current Business: Some responses from Marcia… - September and October meeting minutes were posted and sent to head coaches. - Geri Rockstein sent a response to one of the committee’s concerns: a) Regarding fundraising, Geri agrees with the concern that athletes have to do too much fundraising. She believes that athletes should participate in fundraising for their individual clubs and not for Provincial Programs (they are then able to see the fruits of their labours). b) Coaches should vary programs so that athletes aren’t doing the same types of fundraising (thus having to go back to the same people to request sponsorship). c) Fundraising for Special Olympics needs to be run like a business. d) A volunteer fundraising arm should be established. Marcia had some responses from the last meeting minutes: - With regards to item #6 from October 6th minutes, Marcia will bring up the topic of a second day at Regionals. However, next year, the field will be a lot bigger. The problem with two days is that out of town competitors may have to stay over night or drive long distances. Larger, safer venues may provide the best option. - Athletes were aware that Parks and Recreation booked another team on the diamond. They feel that out of town athletes shouldn’t attend the regional qualifier (they have their own regional qualifiers). - With regards to the entertainment books (item #3 from last minutes), they were actually Rubber Duckies and the draw was held on October 18th. Toronto Special Olympics thanks all of those who assisted. - With regards to speaking to the Cubs (item #11 from October 6th), Marcia thinks this is a great idea. - Leslie has already passed along Marcia’s contact information with regards to this. - With regards to obtaining an Ambassador Package (item #14 from October 6th), Marcia will make one for you if you are available to attend Special Olympic events on a regular basis. - With regards to athlete appreciation of staff and initiatives taken at Special Olympics (significant shift in attitude towards athletes over the past few years - item #15 from October 6th)) - Marcia has passed these comments on to the staff within the office and also to the Athlete Empowerment Task Force. - With regards to the athlete who did a presentation at his workshop on Special Olympics (item #24 from October 6th), Marcia said he did a great job! - With regards to the incident at Sports Chek (item #25 from October 6th), Special Olympics Canada contacted Sports Chek regarding their treatment of Athlete Ambassadors. Sports Chek has apologized. - Marcia sent Jill the fundraising brochures (via e-mail). These were reviewed by committee members. - Marcia is really impressed with the efforts of the Athlete’s Committee. Athletes took turns bringing up issues which were then discussed by committee members as a group: Upcoming Events/News/Updates: 1. Leaside Figure Skating Club will be starting on Monday evenings from 6:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 5:10 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. at 1073 Millwood Road (Millwood and Laird). 2. Members discussed details of next month’s pizza party. Metro Hall does not really permit outside catering. Jill will contact Metro Hall with regards to this issue. 3. One member attended a media shoot for Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability - Ontario on Thursday October 23rd at Variety Village. He was in six scenes. He just received a letter in the mail inviting him to do some winter scenes. 4. Selections have been made for the provincial 10-pin bowling team. Three athletes will be coming from the Road Runners, one from Bathurst, one Head Coach. 5. The Seals swim team has made their selections for the Provincials. Three athletes and three coaches will be attending. 6. The North Toronto Penguins haven’t selected their athletes for the provincials yet. 7. The Penguins had a swim meet yesterday (November 2nd). It is difficult for swim teams to be there because they have just started. Some clubs don’t have a facility yet. Therefore, many athletes weren’t ready. 8. There was no fee for the Seals this year, but the fee for the Penguins was $40. 9. There is a hockey tournament December 6th. 10. A bowling tournament will take place a week from Saturday in Mississauga. 11. One member recently joined the Toronto Seals Swim Club. It has improved his flexibility in both Soccer and Hockey. His arm for bowling is also much better. 12. There will be a bowling tournament in Mississauga on November 5th (either the Tri-Regionals or Invitationals). The cost is $25 for the tournament. 13. The Thorncliffe Roadrunners received new bowling shirts. The cost was $25 even though they are worth much more. 14. The Scarborough Cyclones have new goalies every week. Next week will be one of the committee members will be the goalie. 15. The Metro Leafs used to be classified as Junior/Senior. Now they are classified under levels. 16. There will be a Sports Celebrities Festival held this month. 17. Ontario Special Olympics has a new web site. Highlighted on this site is the Task Force Committee, the Athlete’s Empowerment Task Force, upcoming competitions, interesting information about other regions. The graphics on this web site help non-readers. There are also numerous sub-menus. 18. Athletes wondered how many teams would be going to P.E.I. Four will be going from hockey in Ontario, while most other provinces send one team. Not all provinces compete in floor hockey. The Yukon is sending only one. Ontario sends more teams because it is a larger province. Budget/Cutbacks/Fundraising: 19. One athlete has been using his Ambassador’s Package (going door to door) 20. A lot of clubs are selling entertainment books. One athlete feels that Special Olympics could be making more money on the deal (Special Olympics gets $10 of the profits for each book sold). 21. Athletes reviewed brochures for Fundraising for Nationals. 22. The World Winter Games will be in 2005 in Nagano. 23. Japan will cost $5000 for one athlete. There will be Summer games in Shanghai after that. 24. Fundraising efforts are sometimes futile (prices are always rising). 25. Conferences require a lot of money. Athlete Numbers and Recruitment: 26. A couple of new athletes have joined the Seals. They have a couple of new coaches as well. Athlete Empowerment Issues: 27. One member expressed his concern about everyone at the meeting having the opportunity to speak. 28. A volunteer once told a member of the committee to let others have a chance to go to the provincials. He did not feel this was appropriate. 29. Members of the committee expressed concern over athletes who must take medications while away on a tournament. Many times a time zone change can mix up an athlete’s medication schedule. This has resulted in problems before (ie. Epileptic seizures.). Many members feel that those athletes who are capable should be able to administer and carry their own medication. Other Important Issues: 30. Last month’s Community Council meeting minutes were reviewed. 31. Jill contacted Tanya at Bayview Village. She has not yet responded. With regards to doing a booth at Bayview Village, Robert suggested we request information and buttons from head office. The best dates would be leading up to the holidays 32. To clarify - a chairperson does necessarily have to read the meeting minutes. A chairperson’s responsibilities involve making sure that the meeting runs smoothly, in an organized fashion and that everyone gets the chance to speak. 33. The Scarborough Cyclones did not sign a memorial card but made a year in dedication to Jennifer Chamberlain. 34. Dress codes for bowling are black khakis or dress pants and white socks (no hats). 35. Some members swim on Mondays. Their head coach, Geri, is supportive of this committee and doesn’t mind that team members miss one Monday per month. 36. Members expressed concern that there should be no personal business in the meetings. 37. To attend tournaments, athletes need to show up at practices. 38. Community Council was going to enlist a rotating member from the Athlete’s Committee. Athletes expressed interest in what was going on with that. 39. Athletes expressed concern over Pat Quinn’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They respect Pat Quinn greatly for all that he has done for the Leafs. 40. Athletes expressed concern over athletes who quit before major competitions (such as Nationals or Worlds). Athletes have great times at these events even if they don’t win a medal. 41. Athletes may not be invited to the provincials during their first year in a sport. 42. Ambassador packages cost money and take time to prepare. This is why not every athlete received one. 43. Many times athletes must stay in other accommodations than hotels (ie at universities). Sometimes sleeping arrangements can be stressful (especially for athletes who have to stay for a long time). Many members of the committee do not mind these arrangements. 44. Jill will be contacting athletes who have been missing meetings regularly. The next meeting will take place on Monday December 1st, 2003. Home || Sports || Events || Volunteering || Donations || Links || Contact Us |
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