 Issue 1 |
|
April 2008
|
|
Welcome to the new version of Softball Ontario's Participation ProgramNewsletter! The new design of the newsletter will allow everyone toaccess it, regardless of the speed of their internet connection.
This issue contains information on volunteers, marketing, umpires, and a newposter and video contest for your players from the OntarioGovernment. Articles include:
|
Softball Ontario is always looking forstories for the Participation Program Newsletter. If your SoftballAssociation is doing something special, or has something to share with thesoftball community, email Lisa Crompton at lcrompton@softballontario.ca tobe featured in the next issue of The Participation Program Newsletter. |
| Feature Articles |
By Lisa Crompton, Participation Program Coordinator It's a story familiar to most SoftballAssociations: few volunteers doing the work of many. With springapproaching the pressure is on for Softball Associations; registration dates,securing diamonds, scheduling games, drafting teams, recruiting coaches,purchasing uniforms… The list goes on and on. Ifyou do not have an effective and efficient team of volunteers within yourAssociation, preparing for the season can be like taking on a full-timejob. Unfortunately, many Softball Associations do not haveenough volunteers and the bulk of the responsibility rests on very few people,which can lead to volunteer burnout and a weakening of the Association as awhole. How can your association avoid overloading itsvolunteers?
|
|
 Join Softball Ontario in celebrating SoftballVolunteers during National Volunteer Week from April 27 to May 3, 2008! Volunteer Canada has put together some great resources, including aCertificate of Appreciation, to help you celebrate National VolunteerWeek. You can download these resources at http://volunteer.ca/nvw. National Volunteer Week is a great opportunity for you to recognize yourAssociation's volunteers, and encourage others to join! |
|
|
Is your Softball Association holding registration dates in thelocal mall, arena, or another public venue? Are you looking for ways toencourage more children to register to play softball in 2008? SoftballOntario is here to help you! To assist Softball Associations withincreasing registrations in 2008, Softball Ontario has created SoftballPromotional Kits and is making them available to Softball Associations acrossOntario. How do you qualify to receive a Softball Promotional Kit? It’s easy! To qualify, your Association must use the kit at aregistration or promotional event held in a public venue and you will need tosubmit a report to Softball Ontario following your event.
|
|
It's Not Gonna Kill You!
Have you seen posters featuring children cowering infear from a soccer ball sitting in the hallway? Or the commercialwith a teen hiding in his closet from a rolling basketball? They are part of the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotions' " It's Not Gonna Kill You" campaign aimed atencouraging  kids to be active and eat healthy. Now, thecampaign is giving kids a chance to have their say by challenging them to maketheir own ads. Softball Ontario thinks it's a great opportunity toencourage softball players aged 12-15 to design a softball-centred ad! Prizes include... |
|
|
By Steph Sutton, Coaches and Umpires ProgramCoordinator
The Softball Ontario Fast Pitch Umpires Committeehas geared their Umpires program to meet the needs of local softballassociations in Ontario.
The Softball Ontario Umpires Program line-up card for the2008 softball season includes the following training opportunities andservices for young Umpires and seasoned veterans alike...
|
|
If and when your Softball Association is mentionedin the newspaper or a member of your Executive is quoted, it's annoyingto feel like you're the last person to have heard. Instead, use Google's freeGoogleAlert service. Go to http://www.google.com/alerts?hl=enand put your Association's name in the box, and you'll get an email wheneverthere's a listing somewhere on the web (of course, this doesn't workperfectly).
|
|
| News from Softball Ontario |
|
Stay on top of Softball news inOntario! Here are the five (5) most recent Softball Ontario NewsReleases:
|
| Other Softball Ontario Newsletters |
|
Softball Ontario has a newsletter for everyneed. To view the latest editions of our newsletters, click the linkbelow!
* ComingSoon!
|
|
|
|
|
| Interesting Facts |
|
Insurance coverage forplayers does not extend to Umpires. Umpires require a specific insurancepolicy which is available through Softball Ontario.
|
| Opportunities |
|
|
QUESTIONS?
Feel free to contact SoftballOntario with any questions or comments you may have about upcomingopportunities. We would be happy to assist you! Email your questions to info@softballontario.ca. |
|
| Programs & Services |
|
|
| Contact Us |
|
Softball Ontario
1185Eglinton Avenue East
North York, ON
M3C 3C6
Phone: (416)426-7150
Fax: (416) 426-7368
|
|
|
It's a story familiar tomost Softball Associations: few volunteers doing the work of many. Withspring approaching the pressure is on for Softball Associations; registrationdates, securing diamonds, scheduling games, drafting teams, recruitingcoaches, purchasing uniforms… The list goes on and on.
 If you do not have an effective and efficient teamof volunteers within your Association, preparing for the season can be liketaking on a full-time job. Unfortunately, many Softball Associations donot have enough volunteers and the bulk of the responsibility rests on veryfew people, which can lead to volunteer burnout and a weakening of theAssociation as a whole. How can your association avoid overloading itsvolunteers? By taking advantage of your largest resource: theplayers.
Although the fact that you can look towards youryouth players for volunteers may not be a great revelation to many SoftballAssociations; however, most Associations have not been able to effectivelyrecruit volunteers from their pool of players.
There are a fewcommonly held beliefs about youth volunteers that affect the way SoftballAssociations think about recruiting them. Some people believe thattoday’s youth is just not interested in volunteering, while others believethat they are only interested in completing the hours required to graduatefrom high school.
They’re Not Interested
Many think that teens are not interested in volunteering within theircommunity. In fact, Ontario’s youth is much more interested involunteering for your Association than you may think! When trying torecruit youth volunteers, what volunteer opportunities are you offering? Many Associations only offer youth volunteers the opportunity to be a coach;but this leaves out many areas where volunteers are desperately needed. Take stock of the work that needs to be done within your Association – whichjobs can be completed by youth volunteers and which require an adult?
While a job such as Treasurer or President clearly requires an adultvolunteer, is there any reason that a youth volunteer can not assist withMarketing, Promotions, or Public Relations? By providing additionalvolunteer opportunities, you will be opening your Association up to a wholenew set of volunteers.
According to the Canadian Council on SocialDevelopment, youth volunteering is strongly influenced by careerconsiderations. More than half (55%) of youths decide to volunteer inorder to improve their future job opportunities. How can this benefit myassociation, you ask? Recognize the fact that youth volunteers are juststarting out, with little real life experience - provide real opportunitiesfor them to grow and learn. Advertise your volunteer opportunities andemphasize how the experience might benefit the volunteer.
Wantexamples?
If you’re looking for a volunteer to help write PressReleases and stories for your web site, aim the advertisement at a student whowants to be a Journalist or work in Public Relations by saying “GreatExperience for an aspiring Journalist” or “A perfect opportunity to add toyour portfolio”.
Looking for a volunteer to take on some of theadministrative duties for your Association? Aim the advertisement at astudent who wants to work in Sports Administration by saying “The perfectopportunity for you to start building your resume as a SportsAdministrator”.
The valuable experience gained volunteeringfor your Association will help them with their future goals. With morethan thirty (30) college programs dedicated to the field of sports andrecreation (including Sports & Recreation Administration, Sport &Event Marketing, Sports Journalism, Recreation & Leisure Services, andmany more), all you need to do is convince prospective volunteers that youropportunity will help them reach their goals.
They’ll LeaveWhen They’re Done Their Required Hours
Most SoftballAssociations are aware that the Ontario Government has implemented arequirement that high-school students complete 40-hours of community work inorder to graduate. However many fear that once they have finished theirrequired hours they will also be finished as volunteers. As a result,some Associations are less likely to provide training to youth volunteersbecause they fear that the turnover rate will be too high to justify theinvestment. In reality, only 1 in 5 youths volunteer only because theyare required to by their school.
Far from the 40-hours of requiredcommunity work, on average youth volunteers contribute 130 volunteer hours totheir community each year! Generally, their motivation stems from abelief in specific causes, a wish to improve their employment opportunities,and a desire to explore and use their skills and abilities. Keep thesefactors in mind when you’re advertising your volunteer opportunities andyou’ll be more likely to recruit a great youth volunteer.
How to recruit YouthVolunteers
A 1998 study revealed that young people listeight common characteristics that they are seeking when looking for volunteeropportunities (from Volunteer Connections: New Strategies for InvolvingYouth by Volunteer Canada):
-
Flexibility
Young people seek choice andspontaneity, short-term and long-term opportunities. Provide volunteerassignments that can be done after school, on weekends, or during schoolholidays. Offer flexibility around exam time.
-
Legitimacy
Provide information about the full range of volunteer work you haveavailable and explain its significance. Young people want to know how they aremaking a difference.
-
Ease ofAccess
Make sure that information is available on yourorganization and the volunteer position. Be clear about how you will help thevolunteer prepare for a position, explain what kind of training you willprovide.
-
Experience
What skills will they learn through the volunteer position and how willthese skills further their career paths? Explain the relevance of volunteerexperience – make direct connections with employment possibilities.
-
Incentives
Offer tangible rewards, especially references. Can you connect them withpotential employers?
-
Variety
Young people want an opportunity to explore their interests and work towardspersonal goals. Can you promise them work that will keep them learning aboutnew things?
-
Organization
These volunteers are lookingfor an efficient but informal environment. They want to participate in arelaxed and supportive workplace. Reassure them that they won’t be overwhelmedwith policies and procedures. Let them know that checklists or phone (ore-mail) check-ins are as valid as written reports.
-
Laughs
Young people want their volunteering experience to enjoyable, satisfying andfun.
Make sure to incorporate thesecharacteristics into your youth volunteer opportunities and you’ll be well onyour way to successfully recruiting youth volunteers!
Is your SoftballAssociation holding registration dates in the local mall, arena, or anotherpublic venue? Are you looking for ways to encourage more children toregister to play softball in 2008? Softball Ontario is here to helpyou! To assist Softball Associations with increasing registrations in2008, Softball Ontario has created Softball Promotional Kits and is makingthem available to Softball  Associations across Ontario.
How do you qualify toreceive a Softball Promotional Kit? It’s easy! To qualify, yourAssociation must use the kit at a registration or promotional event held in apublic venue and you will need to submit a report to Softball Ontariofollowing your event.
Included in your SoftballPromotional Kit are the following materials:
♦250 Softball Ontario Tattoos
♦ 100 SoftballOntario Magnets
♦ 100 Learn to Play Brochures
♦ 100 Softball Ontario Pencils
♦ 50 Softball Stickers
♦ 25 Softball Stress Balls
♦ 6 Learn toPlay Posters
♦ 1 Softball T-Shirt
♦ 1 Inflatable Catcher (must be returned toSoftball Ontario)
In exchange, SoftballOntario asks that you provide Event Reports detailing the followinginformation:
♦ A description of the event
♦ How the promotional materials were used
♦ Was the event successful
♦ How many registrations did you receive as a result of the event
♦ What could be done in the future to improve theevent
♦ List any future Events you plan onattending
The Event Report is due toSoftball Ontario within one (1) week of each event. Any unusedpromotional materials, along with the Inflatable Catcher, must be returned toSoftball Ontario following the event.
If you are interested inreceiving a Softball Promotional Kit for your upcoming registration orpromotional event, contact Lisa Crompton with the details of your event atlcrompton@softballontario.ca or call416-426-7150. Softball Promotional Kits are only available whilesupplies last; apply for yours today!
Have you seen postersfeaturing children cowering in fear from a soccer ball sitting in thehallway?  Or the commercial with a teen hiding in his closetfrom a rolling basketball?
They are part of theOntario Ministry of Health Promotions' "It's Not Gonna KillYou" campaign aimed at encouraging kids to be active and eathealthy. Now, the campaign is giving kids a chance to have their say bychallenging them to make their own ads.
Softball Ontariothinks it's a great opportunity to encourage softball players aged 12-15 todesign a softball-centred ad! Prizes include:
1st Place –160 GB iPod Classic
2nd Place – 8 GB iPod Nano
3rd Place – 2 GB iPodShuffle
Encourage your 12-15 yearold players to submit their video and poster, along with a completed ContestEntry Form to the Ministry of Health Promotion by 4:00 p.m.on Friday, April 25, 2008.
Eligibility:
-
The contest is open to allyouth who are aged 12 to 15 as of April 25, 2008.
-
Video must be no longerthan 2 minutes and no shorter than 30 seconds.
-
Poster must be no largerthan a piece of bristol board (22 x 28 inches/55.9 x 71.1 centimetres) and nosmaller than a piece of letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches/21.6 x 27.9centimetres).
-
Each contestant may enteronly one original video and one poster, either alone or as part of a teameffort.
-
Each contestant mustcertify on the Contest Entry Form that the submission is an original work bythe contestant or his/her team.
For tips on how to create awinning entry, rules and regulations, or to find out how to enter the contest,visit www.itsnotgonnakillyou.ca.
Email a copy of completedposters and videos to Softball Ontario, and they may be featured on theSoftball Ontario web site at www.softballontario.ca!
The Softball Ontario FastPitch Umpires Committee has geared their Umpires program to meet the needs oflocal softball associations in Ontario.
The Softball OntarioUmpires Program line-up card for the 2008 softball season includes thefollowing training opportunities and services for young Umpires and seasonedveterans alike:
Softball OntarioJunior Development Umpire Clinic
Ages12-15
This four (4) hourinteractive clinic is instructed by the best Umpire Instructors in theProvince and provides the following benefits:
-
Accident and LiabilityInsurance Coverage from Softball Ontario
-
A Softball Ontario JuniorUmpire T-shirt
-
A year subscription toJunior Blue, Softball Ontario E-Newsletter
-
A Softball Ontarioinformative Junior Umpire Manual
-
A Softball Ontariocertificate
Softball Ontario Intermediate UmpireClinic
Ages 15-18
This six (6) hour interactive clinic is an advance clinic thatprepares the Junior Umpires as they advance in their career. AnIntermediate Umpire can enjoy the following benefits:
-
Accident and LiabilityInsurance Coverage from Softball Ontario
-
A Softball Canada RuleBook
-
A year subscription toJunior Blue, Softball Ontario E-Newsletter
-
A Softball Ontarioinformative Intermediate Umpire Manual
-
A Softball Ontariocertificate
Softball OntarioStair-Step Umpire Registration Program
Intermediate Umpires havethe ability to “Stair Step” to receive benefits as a fully registered andcarded Softball Ontario Umpire. The Stair Step program allows theseyoung Umpires the opportunity to participate in the Softball Ontario MemberAssociation Qualifiers, Elimination and Provincial Championships for a reducefee.
Softball OntarioRefresher Clinic
This four (4) hour clinicprovides Umpires in your association an opportunity to “tune up” your umpireson the rules and Umpire mechanics of the game. This is great way to giveumpires the necessary tools for the Softball season.
Softball OntarioRules for Coaches
Rules for Coaches is anideal information session for your Coaches to have their very own personalUmpire to answer questions and provide rule interpretations of our greatgame.
New! SoftballOntario Umpire Registration - FP Local Only Category
The Softball Ontario Umpires programrealizes that there are Umpires who require Accident and Liability Insuranceonly to officiate at their local house league games including local exhibitionand tournament play. Softball Ontario can provide that coverage for alow rate of $53.00. Softball Ontario Local FP Umpires receive acertificate for proof of insurance, a Softball Canada rulebook and can enjoythe other benefits of being a member of Softball Ontario such as clinicdiscounts, affiliation with Softball Canada and receive a 1 year subscriptionto Behind the Mask, a Softball Ontario E-Newsletter.
Softball OntarioStair-Step Umpire Registration Program
FP Local Only Umpires have theability to “Stair Step” to receive benefits as a fully registered and cardedSoftball Ontario Umpire. The Stair Step program allows these Umpires theopportunity to participate in the Softball Ontario Member AssociationQualifiers, Elimination and Provincial Championships for a reduce fee of$25.00.
Softball Ontario can help your localassociation prepare it’s Umpires for the softball season. If you wouldlike more information on Softball Ontario Umpires program, please contactStephanie Sutton, Program Coordinator at 416-426-7150 or by email at ssutton@softballontario.ca.
|
| |
     |
| |
|
Registrations
Softball Association!
