August 06
Purpose
1. The purpose of having an athlete representative is to ensure that athletes’ views and interests are represented and promoted at all levels of the Ontario Ringette Association on all issues which, directly or indirectly, affect any Ringetteä player.
Objectives
- To ensure the participation of athletes, in a constructive manner, in the decision-making process of the Ontario Ringette Association.
- To ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, Ontario Ringette Association policies and programs meet athletes’ needs by means which, may include:
- Utilizing the staff and volunteers of Ontario Ringette Association as resource people
- Effective athlete representation as a voting member of the Ontario Ringette Association Board of Directors
- The presentation of the athletes’ views and positions to the relevant decision-making body on all issues identified by the athlete representative as affecting athletes, directly or indirectly
- Monitoring programs
- Providing meetings for discussion and information exchange among athletes.
- To keep athletes informed of policies and programs and their development through the mechanism of a regular newsletter or by other means of communication.
- To encourage the appointment of team leaders on Provincial level teams, i.e.: A and AA teams at the Junior age level and above and all AAA teams;
- To distribute and collect team reports
b) To summarize and relay information to responsible bodies.
Eligibility for Appointment
6. The position of athlete representative is open to any Ringetteä athlete over the age of nineteen (19) or over at the time of election, whether active or retired from competition for less than one (1) year.
Appointment of Athlete Representatives
7. The first Athlete Representative shall be appointed at the May 2001 ORA Annual General Meeting from nominations submitted to the Nominations Chair. Nominations for the position of Athlete Representative should take into consideration the athletes record of involvement as follows:
- number of years as a player
- level of participation, i.e. regional, provincial, national
- participation as a Ringetteä volunteer.
This position will be on a trial basis only for the first year with the person elected to fill the position at the 2001 AGM serving a term of one year only. Subsequent terms will be established by by-law changes approved at the 2002 Annual General Meeting.
Responsibilities of Athlete Representatives:
8. The duties of the Athlete Representative are as follows:
- Represent athletes on the Ontario Ringette Association Board of Directors
- Report to the athletes at regular intervals during the year
- Provide a mechanism for athletes to point out confidential concerns and keep them confidential
- Communicate with the Ontario Ringette Association Executive Committee
- Direct athletes’ concerns and views to responsible bodies
- Promote team unity through positive actions
- Advise her/his successor of all procedures, contacts and activities that have occurred during her/his appointed term, and facilitate her/his integration into the position
- Chair the Ontario Ringette Association Athletes’ Forum which, is held during the Ontario Ringette "AA" and "A" Championships
- Where possible, assist with promotional activities of the Ontario Ringette Association, especially where player participation is the focus.