Program Assistant and Helper Policy

1.       The Charlottetown Skating Club (CSC) takes all steps possible to keep the cost of CSC Registrations reasonable. One of the main ways the CSC does this is through the use of CSC members as volunteer Program Assistants (PA) and Helpers in the Pre-Canskate, Canskate and Junior Star Skate group sessions. This allows the CSC to reduce the cost of Registrations for all members in all Pre-Canskate, Canskate and STAR Skate programs.

2.       The CSC will annually provide all club members who are expected to volunteer as PA or Helpers with appropriate Skate Canada training for PA or Helpers on Pre-Canskate, Canskate or Junior group sessions. Training will be ongoing throughout the year.

3.       It is expected by the CSC that all club members who are at least 11 years of age and have successfully completed all Canskate levels will volunteer as a PA for one full Pre-Canskate and Canskate session (1.5hours) per week during the regular season and during any off season skating sessions held by CSC. PA’s for Junior group sessions are invited to assist at the discretion of the CSC professional coach responsible for group time on the STAR Skate Junior sessions.  

4.       It is expected by the CSC that all club members who are at least 9 years of age and skate on at least the STAR Skate Junior session will volunteer as a Helper for one Pre-Canskate/Canskate 1 session (45min.) per week during the regular season and during any off season skating sessions offered by CSC.  

5.       All PA and Helpers are expected to find replacements for any scheduled session where they are unable to fulfill their obligation as a PA or Helper. The PA/Helper is expected to notify the CSC professional coach of the alternate arrangements when they have found a replacement for their scheduled session. A PA or Helper who is unsuccessful in finding a replacement should also provide notice to the CSC Professional Coach responsible for the Pre-Canskate, CanSkate or Junior session no less than 48 hours before their scheduled session.

6.       The CSC expects that on each of their scheduled sessions, each PA or Helper will:

·       demonstrate a positive attitude and respect toward the CSC professional coach(es) responsible for the Pre-Canskate, Canskate or Junior STAR Skate group sessions;

·       demonstrate a positive attitude and respect toward the skaters on the Pre-Canskate, Canskate or Junior STAR Skate group sessions

·       complete the tasks assigned by the CSC professional coaches during their scheduled session;

·       keep their assigned group of Pre-Canskate, Canskate or Junior group skaters moving and on task during their scheduled session; and

·        When provided by the CSC, wear clothing that identifies them as a PA or Helper during their scheduled session.

7.       At the start of each Regular Skating session, generally from October to the following March, the CSC will evaluate its financial position and where possible, to further recognize the contribution of the volunteer PA and Helpers, offer Club Rewards in circumstances outlined in this policy.

8.       A Club Reward is a gift card of the PA or Helper’s choice with a maximum value of $50 during regular season and $20 during off-season schools operated by CSC and which does not require payment of an administration or activation fee.

9.       To be eligible to receive a Club Reward, a PA or Helper must:

·       Be a member in good standing of the CSC;

·       Be determined by the CSC professional coach responsible for their scheduled Pre-Canskate, Canskate or Junior STAR Skate Group session to meet the expectations outlined in paragraph 6 of this policy

·       Be determined to have completed at least 17 out of the 20 regular season scheduled sessions, but are absent for the other (3) scheduled sessions due to:

·       Illness or injury which prevents a PA or Helper from being on the ice; or

·       Other exceptional circumstances as approved in advance by the CSC Executive.

10.   CSC members who do not meet their obligations as a PA or a Helper as outlined in this policy, for reasons other than those outlined in paragraph 9, will not be eligible for:

·       Club Rewards;

·       other financial support offered by the CSC to club members in good standing such as funding for professional coaches to attend skating competitions or funding for off-season training; or

·       other supplementary funding offered by the CSC.

11.   Club members may also use their scheduled sessions as a PA or Helper as volunteer time for other programs or activities. In circumstances where club members wish to consider their scheduled sessions as volunteer time for other programs or activities, the club members are responsible for:

·       Registering themselves for the other program or activity and determining if their scheduled sessions meet the requirements of their other program or activity (i.e Community Bursary, Duke of Edinburgh);

·       Keeping track of the dates and times of the scheduled sessions they complete as a PA or Helper and requesting a CSC professional coach approve their time at the end of each completed session;

·       Advising the CSC of any requirements to validate their time as a PA or Helper; and

·       Any other obligations or requirements of the CSC Board or professional coaches.

*In order for the CSC Board to validate the volunteer time for other programs the club member must meet the requirements of paragraph #6 and # 9.

A skater may be excused from their responsibilities as a PA or helper at the discretion of the professional coaches responsible. Skaters who are excused from their responsibilities by a professional coach may not be eligible for club rewards or other supplementary funding offered by the CSC.