Key Volunteer Positions (KVP)

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart"
                                                                             - Elizabeth Andrew

The following Key Volunteer Positions (KVP) are incredibly valuable to the success of our organization. They may be led by individuals or a group of individuals working together to serve this mandate for the Etobicoke Ringette Association. Some roles will require periodic work; whereas others will be ongoing throughout the season. The ERA Board of Directors will review all applications and contact individuals for further discussion and follow-up.

Applications for any of the following positions can be made here: https://forms.gle/kWvwoWQvZxKQZiKG8

Fundraising & Sponsorship

• Promote Etobicoke Ringette as a great sport for sponsorship
• Manage and track sponsors at various levels
• Ensuring all sponsorship commitments are met throughout the season
• Ideate fundraising opportunities for the Association and/or teams including oversight for distribution of funds (working in collaboration with the Board and Treasurer on all proposals)
• Administrative oversight of fundraising activities
• Manage programs such as FlipGive and promote it among teams/members

RAMP Website/Player App Webmaster

• Make content updates to ERA website using RAMP Content Management System (CMS)
• Report system issues and enhancement suggestions to RAMP Support team
• Sync RAMP registrations with RAMP website/player app
• Oversee any issues or updates relating to players and schedules in the RAMP app

Convenor - Come Try Ringette

• Organize on-ice activities for players
• Solicit volunteers (on-ice and off-ice) to assist with day of the event activities
• Work with the Marketing Committee to promote event
• Work with the Registrar to ensure that CTR registration is set-up
• Register CTR even with RO
• Send communications to registered participants (event reminder, important event details and follow-up)
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Learn to Skate (FUN1)

• Hiring and training of instructors
• Create a schedule of Instructors (volunteer vs. paid) and find backups when absences are expected
• Create a practice plan for each week, following Ringette Ontario guidelines for Children’s Ringette https://www.ringette.ca/discover/childrens-ringette/ 
• Identify children who are ready to progress from Learn to Skate to Learn to Play
• Identify children and speak to families about our FUN2 or FUN3 program
• Attend weekly sessions to answer any questions from family members, provide assistance and ensure program is running smoothly, on-time etc. 
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Novice House League

• Oversee and direct all house league activities related to the rules of play and codes of conduct of Ringette Ontario and Etobicoke Ringette
• Assign divisional coordinators
• Coordinate the scheduling of all house league games and practices
• Communicate information regarding house league activities to coaches, team managers and parents
• Coordinate/vet coaches and bench staff for each team in conjunction with KVP - Coach Development
• Have an general awareness of all the players   
• Coordinate and direct the setting up teams/players at the beginning of the season and conduct team balance of the teams if required
• Ensure that there are enough coaches to cover house league practices
• Maintain an up-to-date list of the players on each team and the bench staff of each team
• Report to the Executive any inappropriate conduct on the part of ERA members in the House League Program
• Coordinate with KVP - Uniforms and Equipment for any jersey or equipment needs in the House League Program
• Arbitrate disputes within house league
• Create weekly game schedule
• Schedule minor officials (time keepers) for each game
• Identify children and speak to families about our FUN2 or FUN3 team experience
• Manage any escalations or feedback from parents, and report to the Board as appropriate
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Adult House League

• Organize registered players into balanced teams
• Coordinate with KVP - Uniforms and Equipment for any jersey or equipment needs in the Adult House League Program
• Create weekly game schedule
• Ensure scorekeeper and timekeepers are assigned to each game
• Manage any escalations or feedback from players, and report to the Board as appropriate
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Springette 

• Work with Registrar to open registration
• Work with Marketing committee to draft membership communications and advertising
• Organizes players into balanced teams
• Works with Director - Purchasing to purchase jerseys 
• Attends each session to ensure that any issues are addressed in a timely manner 
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer
• Tracks attendance and finds back-ups as needed  
• Schedule timekeepers for each game

Convenor - Tryout/Sort-out 

• Coordinate with Scheduler to arrange ice for the tryout / sort-out
• Ensure information and details about the event are widely distributed and posted on the ERA website
• Have a good understanding of RO Tryout and Team Formation rules at A, B and C level teams
• Select evaluators for the process who are experienced, neutral and unbiased
• Liaise with the Head Coach(es) to determine what skills / plays to focus on
• Arrange on-ice support including event lead, drill creation, scrimmage details, and additional on-ice or bench volunteers
• Assist in arranging an official exhibition game in conjunction with the Head Coach if required
• Chair the team selection committee
• Assist in determining the team(s) in conjunction with the Head Coach, taking into account the evaluator’s assessments
• Assist with player offers and / or parent discussions as required
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Uniforms & Equipment

• Coordinate with team managers for jersey / pants issuing and tracking
• Coordinate with coaches to issue rings / pylons / pinnies for each team
• Coordinate the issuing of goalie equipment
• Coordinate with purchasing if new / additional items are needed

LORL Rep

• Understand, follow and distribute LORL rules to all relevant parties
• Represent ERA at LORL meetings and ensure that pertinent information is shared with ERA Exec and members 
• Share concerns of ERA with LORL committees as necessary

GLRL Rep

• Understand, follow and distribute GLRL rules to all relevant parties
• Represent ERA at GLRL meetings and ensure that pertinent information is shared with ERA Exec and members 
• Share concerns of ERA with GLRL committees as necessary

Referee in Chief (RIC) and Referee Development

• Recruitment of new referees
• Deep understanding of all rules of ringette and be available to answer questions for coaches, players and members as required
• Training of new referees, including providing tournament opportunities and information for progressing through the ref levels 
• Conveying rule changes to coaches (directly or via Coach Development) 
• Ensure that all games are appropriately staffed
• Work with Treasurer to ensure timely payment to all refs
• Track payments against approved budget and report any discrepancies to the Board for review
• Confirm volunteer hours for high school instructors and submit to the Board for approval

Coach Development

• Ensure all coaches have valid Coaching Certifications and bench requirements
• Organize, recruit, encourage, support, guide coaches and bench staff
• Ensure continual recruitment of coaches at all levels
• Coordinate regular feedback sessions, ensuring coaches know the latest rules, formal and informal Professional Development sessions, etc.
• Conduct regular meetings with each team’s bench staff to provide updates and address issues
• Coordinate Coaching selection interviews as required
• Ensure bench staff qualifications are up-to-date for the upcoming season including police checks
• Review TRF’s to ensure team bench staff requirements are met
• Disseminate safety protocols to bench staff
• Mentor new coaches, or arrange a mentorship relationship between willing coaches from different teams
• Develop resources to assist coaches, including drill library, tips and tricks, online resources, etc
• Work in collaboration with Director of Competition to participate in Head Coach selections
• Set up a pre-season and post-season coaches meeting to review procedures

Player Development

• Liaise with Head Coaches to determine team requirements and focus for development (do not assume that every team needs the same support)
• In conjunction with HC (as required), help coordinate for each team:
• power skating sessions 
• Ringette skills sessions
• physicality sessions
• shooting practice sessions
• dryland training
• Coordinate goalie training for all ERA goalies and goalies-to-be
• Source outside player development opportunities
• Coordinate with AHL Convener for player development support from AHL players
• Coordinate with KVP - Coach Development as required

Marketing and Community Events

• Organize ringette demos for local groups (ie: Girl Guides/Brownies, Gymnastics clubs, schools etc)
• Advertising: create and distribute posters, social media promotions, street signs and other marketing materials to promote ERA registration
• Identify and recommend community events for ERA to participate (requires approval from Board) and register ERA as a vendor/participant (ie: Taste of the Kingsway, Santa Claus Parades, Local MRKT, Farmers Markets etc)
• Set-up and tear down of any ERA booths/tables etc.
• Identify and manage engaging activities for ERA members to get involved and promote the sport of ringette