EFFECTIVE

EFFECTIVE

ATHLETE

LEADERSHIP

You are welcome to use and distribute the information in this book, but please credit Athletes CAN when doing so.

CREATING

ATHLETES

COUNCIL

THE HOWS AND WHYS OF CREATING AN

ATHLETES COUNCIL

Sometimes your performances don't speak for themselves. For whatever reason, you've been left off the team, you've been forced to compete under conditions you think are unsafe, you lost your carding and you think it's unfair. Some of these events need never have happened that way if you'd been part of the decision-making process.

But unless you, or someone representing you, is at the table you won't be heard and decisions that are made probably won't take your interests into account. They'll just consider what other people think your interests probably are. And they may very well be wrong.

So...what can you do?

CREATE AN ATHLETES COUNCIL (IN NINE EASY STEPS):

1. Get a group of interested athletes together and figure out the issues facing you in your sport, i.e. selection, safety etc.;

2. Approach the Board of Directors and ask that the Board approve the creation of an Athletes Council and agree to recognize it as the voice of athletes in your sport;

3. Ask the Board to give you enough funding to meet at least once a year and to send out a Newsletter so you can communicate with athletes;

4. Use the attached Terms of Reference (adapted from Diving and Track and Field) to establish how the Council will work;

5. Make sure that all athletes are well-represented, i.e. national team, juniors, developmental, women, men, and that the different disciplines and events in your sport are represented;

6. Meet informally at events and talk over the phone so you are well-informed about how the athletes in your sport feel about the issues;

7. DEVELOP SOLUTIONS!

8. Figure out how to get your point across!

-- ask the board to expand to allow for two athlete reps. (male and female) - you need two because it's very hard to speak up on your own.

-- ask the board to support these athlete reps. by making sure they understand how the board makes decisions.

-- ask for athlete reps. on the committees of the board, i.e. national team committee, high performance, finance, personnel, coaching, selection etc. - this is usually where the real decisions are made.

9. Call us at Athletes CAN for help! We'll be glad to give you advice on how to get started and how to be effective.

GOOD LUCK! GO FOR IT!

BEING AN EFFECTIVE ATHLETE REP

1. Determine your mandate -- who do you represent? What do those people want you to do?

2. Establish strong and continuous lines of communication between you and those you represent - meetings at competitions, regular memos, telephone calls.

3. Learn and understand how your organization works -- which are the committees where decisions are made, how do athletes become a part of the decision-making?

4. Identify the key people and get to know them - show them that you will contribute in a constructive way to the future of the organization.

5. Attend meetings !!!

6. Be prepared !! Read pre-meeting materials, talk to other committee members - you cannot contribute if you do not attend prepared to discuss the issues.

7. Follow - up !! Do what you have been asked to do promptly and well.

8. Report on meetings to those you represent. Let them know what is happening BEFORE it happens!

9. Have a plan - if you see something that you and those you represent think is not right, be prepared with a plan to change it. Clearly identify the problem and offer paths to solutions.

10. Don't be afraid to speak up or ask questions when you do not understand. You may feel stupid, but you cannot be effective without understanding (chances are someone else has the same question, anyway).

11. Where you are knowledgeable, be sure of yourself. Athletes live the sport system - we understand how it really works (not just how it is supposed to work).

12. Remember - a stronger sport system starts with you!!

BENEFITS OF BEING AN ATHLETE REP

1. Effect positive change.

2. Learn about your NSO and the Canadian high performance sport system.

3. Educate people in the NSO about the current needs / status of national team.

4. Develop communication and presentation skills.

5. Put it on your resume.

6. Meet other athlete reps through conferences, workshops, etc. - exchange ideas, network.

7. Earn respect for your abilities outside sport.

8. Educate your team mates about your NSO, the high performance sport system.

9. Realize opportunities for you and your team that you learned about by getting involved.

WHY MOST ATHLETES DON’T WANT TO BE AN ATHLETE REP

1. I don’t have time.

2. I don’t like the politics.

3. I’m not interested.

4. It’s too stressful.

5. I don’t feel as though I have the skills to do it.

6. I just want to focus on my sport.

7. I don’t want to be controversial or I don’t want to piss any one off.

8. I don’t want the responsibility.

9. It’s too much work.

ATHLETE COUNCIL MODEL

TERMS OF REFERENCE

ATHLETES COUNCIL

TERMS OF REFERENCE

[NOTE: THIS IS A SUGGESTED FORM FOR YOUR TERMS OF REFERENCE. IT SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE NEEDS AND STRUCTURE OF YOUR SPORT.]

A. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Canadian Divers' Association shall be to represent and promote divers' views and interests to the CADA on all issues which, directly or indirectly, affect national team divers, high performance divers and/or any national caliber diver.

B. OBJECTIVES

1. To ensure athletes are able to participate in a constructive manner in the decision-making process of the CADA.

2. To ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, CADA policies and programs meet athletes' needs by means which include:

(i) utilizing the CADA staff as resource people for such background or other information as may be needed by the CADA;

(ii) effective athlete representation on the CADA Technical committee;

(iii) the presentation of the athletes' views and position to the relevant decision-making body on all issues identified by the CDA as affecting athletes, directly or indirectly;

(iv) monitoring programs;

(v) negotiating the contract between the CADA and athletes participating in the Athletes Assistance Program of Sport Canada;

(vi) providing meetings for discussions and information exchange among athletes;

(vii) developing annual and quadrennial plans for athletes as a group.

3. To keep athletes informed of policies and programs and their development through the mechanism of a regular newsletter or by other means of communication.

4. To ensure that athlete team leaders are elected on travelling teams:

(i) through the team leader, distribute and collect team reports;

(ii) summarize and relay information to responsible bodies.

C. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. CDA membership is open to any registered Senior National caliber diver, and Age Group National Team diver.

D. EXECUTIVE

1. A total of five athletes' reps will be elected by divers during the Summer Nationals. These five reps will form the Executive of the CDA:

(i) one position will be elected only by National Team (carded) Divers;

(ii) one position will be elected by the Age Group National Team Divers;

(iii) the remainder of the positions will be elected by the CDA members who are present during the electoral process.

2. The Executive should count no less than 3 Active divers.

3. The Executive shall meet right after the general assembly in order to distribute their positions and roles within the CDA. These positions are as follows: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Director, Director (Age Group Rep.)

(i) the Age Group director will always be elected from the Group A divers during Age Group Nationals;

(ii) the Executive will communicate amongst themselves as much as possible during the year in order to discuss relevant athlete issues.

E. ELECTION OF REPS

1. Election process:

(i) Elections of representatives will take place every year during Summer Senior National championships. Elections for the age group rep will occur during the Age Group National championships;

(ii) terms of office are for one year.

F. RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECTUTIVE AND REPS

1. Duties for the President:

(i) chairperson of the CDA;

(ii) prepare agenda for meetings;

(iii) represent membership on the CADA technical committee;

(iv) represent membership at the CADA AGM;

(v) report to executive following meetings;

(vi) organize meetings for the CDA;

(vii) communicate with the board of directors, CADA staff, coaches and officials;

(viii) direct athletes concerns and views to responsible bodies.

2. Duties for the Vice-President:

(i) replace the President when he/she can't attend meetings;

(ii) distribute, collect, summarize and revise meet reports;

(iii) promote team unity through positive actions.

3. Duties for the Secretary:

(i) prepare the agenda for meetings with the President;

(ii) write the minutes for meetings.

4. Carded athletes rep and the Age Group rep will be responsible for their respective special interest portfolios.

5. Other portfolios:

(i) planning - annual, quadrennial;

(ii) awards - athlete achievement and recognition ...;

(iii) diving rules;

(iv) drugs, doping.

6. Delegates attending the AGM:

(i) President;

(ii) one delegate from the remaining four positions to be elected by the Executive.

7. CADA Technical Committee:

(i) the President of the CDA will be the rep;

(ii) should it be impossible for the President to attend such a meeting, the Vice-President shall replace the President;

(iii) should it be impossible for the Vice-President to attend such a meeting, another executive member will be appointed by the President.

G. REMOVAL FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Athletes representatives can be removed from the executive committee by one of four ways:

(i) Athletes representative elections;

(ii) Executive impeachment - An athlete representative would be impeachable through the actions of the executive, via a vote of no confidence; at least 4 out of 5 reps must support the motion.

(iii) Carded athlete rep and Age Group National team rep. impeachment - The carded athlete rep would be impeachable by his/her electors, via a vote of no confidence; at least 2/3 of the carded athletes must support the motion.

Athletes Council - Athletics Canada

Terms of Reference

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Athletes Council of Athletics Canada is to provide a recognized forum in which National Team athletes may identify issues, recommend solutions, and express the interests, needs and concerns of National Team athletes to the Athletics Canada staff and Board of Directors.

2. OBJECTIVES

1. To serve as a source of athletes' opinion and advice to the Association.

2. To actively represent the interests and concerns of National Team athletes.

3. To provide a forum in which athletes may share and develop information or ideas as they relate to athletics.

4. To identify issues of concern to the athletes and develop ways and means to address these issues.

5. To make policy recommendations relative to the Athlete Reserve Fund.

6. To ensure athlete input into the evaluation of National Team programs and the Multi-Year plans.

7. To ensure effective athlete representation on the Board of Directors and other Committees where required.

8. DRAFTTo monitor the selection process and implementation of the Athletes Assistance Program of Sport Canada (carding) with respect to the track and field athletes involved.

9. To monitor and review the association's Athlete Agreement.

3. MEMBERSHIP

ELIGIBILITY

1. All Council members must be or have been athletes and competing members of a major Canadian National Team within four (4) years preceding election to Council. Major team competitions are identified as any one of the following:

- World Outdoor Championships

- Olympic Games

- Commonwealth Games

- World Junior Championships

have been an A, B, or C carded athlete in track and field in the past four years.

2. All council members must reside in Canada.

3. The National Team members that will make up the voting body will consist of all eligible member athletes identified in point 1 above and including all athletes currently carded through Athletes Canada. (Approx. 200)

COMPOSITION

1. There shall be one Council member for each of the following event groups:

- Sprints

- Hurdles

- Distance

- Off-Track *this is new*

- Jumps

- Throws

- Multi-events

- Walks

2. Event group representatives to the Council shall be elected by the National team members of their respective event groups to a two year term. Nominations will be received by the National Office in writing only at least forty-five (45) days prior to the election mail out date. Ballots will be generated and distributed to the National Team members by the Athletics Canada staff member liaison to the Council. Only the members of an event group may vote for that group's representative.

DRAFT

EXECUTIVE

1. A President shall be elected from the Council members for a two year position.

Duties of the President shall include:

(i) Chair the Council meetings;

(ii) Prepare the agenda for Council meetings in consultation with members of Council and ensure that it is distributed to Council

(iii) Represent the National Team and Council on the Athletics Canada Board of Directors; and

(iv) Report to Council following each meeting of the Board of Directors.

2. A Vice President shall be elected from the Council members for a two year position. The Vice President will replace the President at meetings as required when the President is unavailable.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

JOB DESCRIPTION

To serve as a source of athletes' opinion and advice to the Council and to assist the organization in program and policy development for the benefit of track and field in Canada.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF COUNCIL MEMBERS?

1. To attend Council meetings and be prepared to contribute to the discussions.

2. Communicate the activities and concerns of the Council to the athletes in your event group through direct contact or written information.

3. Actively solicit the opinions and ideas of athletes in your event group on issues that are before the Council or are of importance to the team.

4. Represent the Council's views on other committees that require an athlete member, when requested, and communicate the activities of that committee to the Council.

DRAFT
WANTED

NATIONAL TEAM LONG TRACK SKATER

to sit as SKATERS’ REP on the

CALGARY TRAINING CENTRE COMMITTEE

Background: The Calgary Training Centre is a new partnership between the Olympic Oval, CASSA and the National Sport Centre established to ensure that the best possible environment is created for high performance skaters training in the Calgary area. The Committee has representatives from the Oval, CASSA and the National Sport Centre in addition to two coaching reps (one short track, one long track) and two skaters’ reps (one short track and one long track).

Duties:

- to attend four meetings per year (these could be full day meetings and you would be expected to attend them for the full day ... the Committee will attempt to schedule meetings around training and competition as much as possible - but don’t count on that for every meeting).

- to report back to national team and Oval skaters on what is going on (a brief written summary circulated shortly after each meeting would be appropriate).

- to consult with national team (and Oval skaters where necessary) on issues that affect them and to communicate those findings to the Training Centre Committee.

- to represent the national team (and Oval team skaters when necessary) fairly, equitably and professionally.

Benefits:

- find out what’s going on, how it affects the team, and how you can get involved

- learn about planning and decision-making for a high performance training centre

- free lunch & snacks when there’s a full day meeting

- get to know the people who are responsible for our training environment and what their jobs entail

- you may put this position on your resume to show that you have experience in carrying out a responsible volunteer position

- help ensure that the interests of the national long track skaters are effectively addressed

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED:

Please let Ingrid Liepa or Gregg Planert know by April 4th that you are interested in the job. If more than one person is interested, we will have an election at a national team meeting on the evening of April 4th. The first Training Centre Committee meeting is on April 6th (all day). If no one is interested, the position will remain unfilled and the long track skaters will not have a voice on this Committee.

Canadian Olympic association Athletes’ council

JOB DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

To serve as a source of athletes’ opinion and advice to the Canadian Olympic Association and to assist the organization in program and policy development.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A COUNCIL MEMBER?

Attend the COA Annual Congress and be prepared to contribute to the discussions and activities of the Congress.

Communicate the activities and concerns of the council to your team members through direct contact or written information.

Actively solicit the opinions and ideas of your fellow team members on issues that are before the council or are of importance to your team.

Represent the Athletes’ Council views on other committees that have an Athletes’ Council position for example; Olympic Affairs, Finance and Admin. etc. and communicate the activities of that committee to the Council.

Discuss and develop methods of ensuring the protection of athletes’ rights.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

You must be or have been a member of a Canadian National Team and competed in the Olympic or Pan Am Games or other major international competition within three years preceding your appointment to the Council.

You must keep current with your national team and the issues that affect them.

You must be elected by your peers to this position and be prepared to serve for a four year term.

January 9, 1998

CANADIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION

ATHLETES’ COUNCIL

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose

The purpose of the Athletes’ Council is to provide a recognized forum and voice for Canadian Olympic and Pan American athletes to the COA.

Objectives

1. To serve as a source of athletes’ opinion and advice to the Canadian Olympic Association Executive Committee and Board of Directors with regard to current or contemplated policies and programs.

2. To actively represent the interests and concerns of Olympic and Pan American athletes.

3. To review issues of interest to athletes which are raised at the council or presented for consideration.

4. To provide a forum in which athletes may share and develop information or ideas as they relate to Olympic or Pan American athletes.

5. To ensure the adequate communication of issues of concern to the community of active and aspiring Olympic and Pan American athletes

6. To pursue the development and maintenance of systems which will define and secure athletes’ rights.

Council Membership

1. There shall be one Council member for each sport represented on the current programs of the Olympic and Pan American Games in each Olympiad. Each Council member is a class F member of the COA.

2. All Council members must be or have been athletes and competing members of a Canadian national team in the Olympic or Pan American Games or other major international competition within three (3) years preceding appointment to the Council. Participation on the Council shall be restricted such that any athletes who do not maintain reasonable currency with national team members or who have not competed in major international competition within the previous seven (7) years shall not represent their respective sports on Council.

3. Council members must be chosen through election by their teammates. An alternate representative should also be named at this time.

4. Unless reasonable in the circumstances, members of the Council shall preferably be elected for a four (4) year term by their fellow athletes.

5. Council members shall make best efforts to communicate at least once annually about the activities of the Council to their respective athletes’ group.

Executive Council

1. The Council Executive shall be elected from the Council members at the first annual general meeting following the Summer Olympics and shall be comprised of the Chairperson, who shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, the Vice Chairperson and Second Vice Chairperson who shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and three (3) additional executive members who shall be elected for a term of two (2) years at the first annual meeting following the Summer Olympics and the third annual meeting following the Summer Olympics or until properly replaced by their respective NSOs.

2. The above stated three (3) additional executive members shall be elected in such a manner that, to the extent reasonably possible and accepted by a majority of the Council members present at the time of election, the Executive Council shall have representatives from both genders, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, winter sports, summer sports, team sports and individual sports.

3. The Executive shall normally meet three (3) times a year in addition to the annual general meeting to discuss the ongoing business of the Council and shall report back to the Council members. Two of these meetings will be held in conjunction with the COA Executive Committee meetings during which there will be a joint meeting of both executives.

4. The AC Executive Committee are automatically members of the COA Board of Directors. The Board meets twice a year.

5. Members of the Executive will be expected to attend 75% of their meetings (including the Congress) or be asked to resign.

6. All Executive expenses, together with Executive member expenses associated therewith, shall be born by the COA in keeping with Association guidelines for that purpose.

7. The past Chairperson shall be available at the request of the new Executive for a period of one year, as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Executive, to attend the Executive meetings and the next annual general meeting of members.

Council Meetings

1. The Council, though not necessarily so limited, shall hold at least one meeting annually to coincide with the Annual General Meeting of the COA, with full approval of the Executive Committee.

2. At the first such meeting of the Quadrennial the Council shall elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Second Vice Chairperson.

The duties of the Chairperson, or, in his or her absence, the Vice-Chairperson, shall include the preparation, in consultation with the COA, of meeting agendas, the chairing of meetings, the communication of Council opinions and recommendations to the COA, requesting assistance from COA staff with stenographic, translation, duplicating, mailing and other needs.

3. Substitution of Council members shall be permitted at meetings which regular members are unable to attend, provided such substitutes meet the same eligibility requirements stipulated for members. Alternative representatives must be approved by the appropriate NSOs, and confirmation of their appointment as alternates must be made in writing to the COA, preferably no later than one month before the Council meeting in question.

4. All Council meeting expenses, together with Council member expenses associated therewith, shall be borne by the COA in keeping with Association guidelines established for that purpose.

5. At the request of the Council, the COA shall provide the services of a facilitator to assist with the planning and organization of Council meetings and to serve as a resource person for such background or other information as may be required for Council deliberations. Such facilitator will attend or participate in Council meetings only at the discretion of the Chairperson.

6. In the event that a Canadian is a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, that person shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Council.

7. Athletes who are COA members in other categories may attend a meeting of the Athletes’ Council, at their cost, with the approval of the “F” members present at the meeting.

Aussi disponible en français.

HOSTING

ATHLETE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

HOSTING AN ATHLETE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

CRITICAL PATH

I Preparation

A. Twelve Weeks in Advance

1. Set date – need approximately 6 hours in one day or two evenings

2. Choose location. You will need: (a) somewhere accessible by public transportation and to athletes with disabilities (b) a room to hold 20 to 25 people

3. Find a local partner – an Athletes CAN Board member and local athlete(s)

4. Obtain an advance from Athletes CAN for expenses – advance meetings of organizing committee, printing, food

5. Prepare brochure (see Appendix A)

6. Advertise in Athletes CAN Fast Forward newsletter and at local national sport centre (if applicable)

B. Eight to Ten Weeks in Advance

1. Solicit registrations: write a letter (and enclose brochure) and phone local athletes (Athletes CAN and Provincial Sport Organization lists, local national sport centre); post brochure at training facilities

2. Determine any special needs – access, food, translation, etc.

C. Six to Eight Weeks in Advance

1. Prepare materials:

§ manual – ensure sufficient copies of Effective Athlete Leadership

§ ensure sufficient copies of other Athletes CAN literature such as newsletter, Sport Solution brochures, Dale Carnegie applications, Speakers Bureau applications, etc.

§ overheads and projector, flip charts

§ arrange access to ‘day of’ photocopying

§ copies of small groups discussion notes (from manual)

§ workshop evaluation form (see Appendix B)

2. Train course leaders (i.e., Athletes CAN Board member with experience trains local athlete to teach course)

3. Arrange ‘day of’ photographer

D. Four to Six Weeks in Advance

1. Order food – drinks, snacks, lunch plus cups, napkins, plates, etc.

II Registration

1. Set price – for instance, $15 includes materials, lunch, Athletes CAN tshirt or cap

2. Keep accounts and return money to Athletes CAN with all the receipts for expenses

3. Give participants’ names and addresses to Athletes CAN office to update database

III Follow up

1. Within 30 days of workshop, report to Board of Athletes CAN re. number of participants, any ideas generated, evaluation (overview plus any suggestions), financial statement and expense claim

2. Provide short article and photos to Fast Forward

3. Write thank you letters to participants

§ include any project work determined - such as a task list

§ include course contact list

§ work on a local chapter

SAMPLE EVALUATION FORM

1. Overall, I would rate this Leadership Workshop as:

1 2 3 4 5

Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent

2. Which topics were most useful to you?

3. Which topics were least useful to you?

4. What did you like most about this workshop?

5. What did you like least about this workshop?

6. What suggestions do you have for improving this workshop?

7. Please provide general comments on the workshop:

8. Please provide suggestions for future topics:

9. Please circle the number that best represents your opinion on the room, lunch:

Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent

Meeting Room

- size 1 2 3 4 5

- set up of room 1 2 3 4 5

-accessibility 1 2 3 4 5

Lunch (quality): 1 2 3 4 5

10. This experience has contributed to my feeling more knowledgeable about the Canadian Sport system and more confident in my ability to participate in the process of athlete leadership.

Not at all A little bit Somewhat Quite a lot A great deal

The reasons are:

NOTE: The questions in this evaluation are intended as samples and show a variety of formats that can be used in an evaluation. It is important to give some time and energy to devising an evaluation form that will effectively measure the success of your workshop.

RESOURCES

A. ORGANIZATIONS

Athletes CAN: 2021 Cliff Rd, Mississauga ON L5A 3N7 Toll free: 1-888-832-4222 Tel. 905-272-3642 Fax 905-272-3961 email: athcan@idirect.com

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport & Physical Activity Tel. 613-748-5793

Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport - Tel. 613-748-5755

Canadian Olympic Association, Ben Morin Tel. 613-748-5647 / Fax 613-747-9483

Centre for Sport and Law: Tel. 613-798-0550 / Fax 613-798-0735

email: info@sportlaw.ca

Athlete Services Resources: (Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria):

Quebec 514-872-1999 Josée Grand’Maître (bilingual)

Ontario 416-426-7238 Molly Killingbeck

Manitoba 204-474-6604 Kjerstin Baldwin

Alberta 403-220-4405 Karen Strong

Vancouver 604-737-3003 Todd Allison

Victoria 250-744-3583 Bruce Wasylik

Atlantic 506-452-1582 Lori Johnstone

B. LITERATURE

Athletes' Rights in Canada, by Bruce Kidd and Mary Eberts (Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Toronto, 1982).

Partners in Sport: The Athlete’s Guide to Finding Sponsorship, by Sheryl Boyle (Canadian Sport and Fitness Administration Centre Publication, 1995).

Rights & Obligations: A Handbook for Athletes and Sport Organizations, by Rachel Corbett and Hilary Findlay (Centre for Sport and Law, Edmonton, 1993).

Sports and the Law in Canada, 2nd edition by John Barnes (Butterworths Canada Ltd, 1988).

Winners and Losers: Sport & Physical Activity in the 90s, by Jill Le Clair (Thompson Educational Publishing Inc., Toronto, 1992).