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SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONONTARGET!
Asyoucanimaginethistransitionisnotonlylargebutverycomplex.Althoughthebusinessofthe
foursectionswilltransitiontoSkateOntarioeffectiveApril1,2017muchoftheoperationalefforts
willcontinuetobegeneratedoutofSectionOfficeswithSectionstaff.So,whowillbemanagingand
executingtheactivitiessupportingskatingactivities inthemeantime? WeneedSectionstaffand
volunteers to stayengagedandcontinue the greatwork theyhavebeendoingall year – running
competitions,skatingprograms,organizingtestdaysandgenerallysupportingskatersinOntario.
Nine sub-committees have been working to address operational diversity of the four Sections,
developing processes and solutions to service all aspects of skating from finances to coaching to
competitionstoofficials. Althoughall thedecisionshaveyettobemade,general frameworksfor
operationsinSkateOntariohavebeenestablishedandcommunicated.
Oneofthebiggestchallengesfacedaswe’vemovedtotransition,isdeterminingwhatorganizational
designwillbestserviceskatingneeds intheProvince.Anorganizationaldesignthatleveragesthe
talents, abilities and passions of the Board of Directors led by President, Karen Butcher; the
ManagementteamleadbyExecutiveDirector,LisaAlexanderandtheOperatingCommitteesledby
volunteers,thatwillguidetheactivitiesofthehundredsofskatingvolunteers.
ThroughthisUpdatewewillprovidehighleveloverviewsoftheinterimdesign(below)we’restarting
with.
.
Stayinformed,signupforSkateOntarioNews!http://www.skateontario.org/links/
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017
TransitionCommittee
Chairman:GlennFortin(Aurora)
CommitteeMembers:
GloriaBrighten(Kanata)JanetBalkwill(Kanata)ThereseBilsborough
(Cochrane/FontHill)SusanBlatz(Troy)
CherylHollows(Rosseau)WilliamLindsay
(Chatham)PaulMallet(Waterloo)LizMannell(Welland)
SusanneMorgan(Barrie)Mary-RoseWeir
(Stouffville)DarleneJoseph–Skate
Canada(Gloucester)
SkateOntarioStaffExecutiveDirector:
LisaAlexander
DirectorofSportOperations:ScottRachuk
DirectorofFinanceandBusinessOperations
DerekVentnor
OperationsManagerKelseyBennett
TransitionEffectiveDateApril1,2017
NOTE:Transitionsforskatingprogramsandeventsmayextendbeyondtransitiondate
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THEENGAGEDPOLICYBOARD
WiththeelectionoftheBoardofDirectorsonFebruary25,2017,SkateOntarioenteredanexciting
newerawithaparadigmshift inourgovernancefromfourOperationalBoardstoasingleEngaged
PolicyBoard. Byadopting thisbestpractice, SkateOntariohasnow joined themodern trendofa
growingnumberofsuccessfulnot-for-profitorganizations.
AsstatedintheCallforNominations:
SkateOntario’sapproachtogovernanceisinalignmentwiththeprinciplesofgovernancewhichclearly
defineanddelineatetheauthorityandaccountabilityoftheBoard’spolicy-making/strategicroleand
theoperationalroleofManagement.
What does this mean? In simple terms, the Board makes policy and management carries it out.
CollectivelyandindividuallyBoardmembersbringspecificandidentifiedcompetenciestotheBoard.
They will be expected to carry out fiduciary responsibilities in an informed and engaged manner
however,theywillnotbeinvolvedinthedaytodayoperationsofSkateOntario.Inaddition,therewill
bea limitednumberof standing committeesprovidingstrategicdirectiononspecificorganizational
matters.
The roleof theExecutiveDirectorwillbean integralpart of thismodelas theyare responsible for
executingBoarddirection,deliveringontheStrategicPlanandoverseeingoperations.Inadditionto
staff, SkateOntario will have several operating committees and rely on the expertise of ourmany
valued volunteers to deliver programming for skaters, officials, coaches and competitions. These
operatingcommitteeswillnotreporttotheBoardbutratherwillworkwithandreporttoManagement.
Understandingthisfundamentalchangeinhowwedobusinesswillneedtobeuniversallyunderstood
andembracedasitwilladdressconcernsinthepastregardingconflictofinterest,duplicationofefforts,
effectivenessandefficiency
SKATEONTARIO–2017-2018BoardofDirectors
President(twoyearterm):• KarenButcher
Directors(twoyearterm):• SharonBollenbach
• AndreaDerby
• GlennFortin
• SheilaghMcCaskill
Directors(oneyearterm):• ThereseBilsborough
• BrentBrandham
• MiganMegardichian
• Mary-RoseWeir
SeeBoardofDirectorBio’satSkateOntarioWebsiteaddress
http://www.skateontario.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SkateOntario_BOD_V1.pdf
SUB-COMMITTEES
GovernanceJanetBalkwill–Chair
CherylHollowsPaulMallet
Finance
DerekVentnor–Chair
PaulCotter;CherylHollows;TraceyHughes;TraceyHayden;SusanCash;MichelleHunsley;
MichelleRoss;MichaelHollingsworth
RegionsLizMannell–Chair
GlennFortin,PaulMallet,JanetBalkwill;ThereseBilsborough
LisaAlexander
Judges,Evaluators,TechnicalSusanBlatz–Chair
LornaSchroderSabrinaWong;JuliaMullins
RonConacherLaureneCollin-Knoblauch
DataSpecialistsThereseBilsborough-Chair
DavidGillies;PeterWongRichardCourdin;
Coaches
PaulMacIntosh-Chair
TraceyZwiers;AlisonPurkissRoxanneDaignault
LisaWoodcockSheilaghMcCaskill
Competitions
SusanneMorgan-Chair
CarolMoir;MichelleHunsleyKarenSyme;JaneDrolet
RhondaVanderveenScottRachuk
CommunicationandChange
Mary-RoseWeir-Chair
CherylHollows;WilliamLindsay
NominationsCherylHollows–Chair
JanetBalkwill,SheilaghCroxon
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017
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SkateOntarioStaff
TransitioningSectionOfficeOperationsEffectiveApril1,2017allSectionoperationswillbeamalgamatedintoSkateOntarioandallSection
obligationswillbemanagedthroughSkateOntario.CurrentSectionstaffandvolunteerswillcontinue
tobeavailable,astheyhavebeen,toansweryourquestionsandprovideprogramsupportoverthe
nextseveralmonths.Althoughallemailaddressesarebeingchangedto@skateontario.org,Section
staffwillstillreceiveallmailsenttocurrentemailaddresses.Telephonenumberswillremainthesame.
NOTE:FuturelocationofSkateOntairowillbeinMississauga.Wewillbea5minutedrivefromthe
HersheyCentreanda15minutedrivetotheairport.Themovetothislocationisanticipatedforearly
June.
Asyoucanimaginethisistransitionisnotonlylargebutverycomplex.TheconsolidationofSection
officeoperationswill transpire inaphasedmanneroverthenextthreetofourtoensureeveryone
lookingforinformation,directionorsupportcanfindit.
OPERATINGCOMMITTEESandVOLUNTEERSNine Operating Committees are included within this interim organization design. The role of an
OperatingCommittee istoworkwiththe staff inexecutingtheStrategicPlan. Theyarethekeyto
activatingourvolunteerbase–themanypeoplewhohaverunandofficiatedcompetitionsandtest
days;securedsponsorsandfunds;madesureclubswerehealthyandavailableforskating.
TheseOperatingCommitteesarelistedbelowalongwiththeirmandatesandinterimleads.Youwill
see thatCommittee Leads come from thebodyof theTransitionCommittee – individualswhoare
currentlyleadingtransitionsub-committeesrightnow.Thishelps“quickstart”theCommittees.Once
TermsofReferenceandCommitteemembershipguidelinesaredevelopedformalCommitteeChairs
willbeappointed.WewantallvolunteerstoseewheretheycancontributewithintheSkateOntario
organization.ItisexpectedthatmoredetailsontheseCommitteesandthecontinuedroleofvolunteers
willbeavailablewithinseveralweeks. Inthemeantime,pleasefeelfreetoconfirmyourcontinued
involvement as a volunteer by completing the Volunteer Form. http://www.skateontario.org/links/
StayuptodatebyvisitingtheSkateOntarioWebsiteregularly.
SUB-COMMITTEES
GovernanceJanetBalkwill–Chair
CherylHollowsPaulMallet
Finance
DerekVentnor–Chair
PaulCotter;CherylHollows;TraceyHughes;TraceyHayden;SusanCash;MichelleHunsley;
MichelleRoss;MichaelHollingsworth
RegionsLizMannell–Chair
GlennFortin,PaulMallet,JanetBalkwill;ThereseBilsborough
LisaAlexander
Judges,Evaluators,TechnicalSusanBlatz–Chair
LornaSchroderSabrinaWong;JuliaMullins
RonConacherLaureneCollin-Knoblauch
DataSpecialistsThereseBilsborough-Chair
DavidGillies;PeterWongRichardCourdin;
Coaches
PaulMacIntosh-Chair
TraceyZwiers;AlisonPurkissRoxanneDaignault
LisaWoodcockSheilaghMcCaskill
Competitions
SusanneMorgan-Chair
CarolMoir;MichelleHunsleyKarenSyme;JaneDrolet
RhondaVanderveenScottRachuk
CommunicationandChange
Mary-RoseWeir-Chair
CherylHollows;WilliamLindsay
NominationsCherylHollows–Chair
JanetBalkwill,SheilaghCroxon
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017
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OperatingCommitteesSkateOntariowillhavethefollowing“parent”committees(whomayhavesub-committeesdepending
ontheirfunction),whoseresponsibilitieswillbeasfollows:
TechnicalCommittee–ScottRachukThis committee will be directly linked to the staff Sport team to manage the clarification and
communicationoftechnicalrulesthroughouttheprovince.
CoachesCommittee–PaulMacIntoshThiscommitteewillbedirectlylinkedtothestaffSportteamtosupporttherecruitment,development
and supportof coaches throughout theprovince. This groupwill assistwithneedsanalysis, actas
mentors,andencouragetheadvancementofcoachesintheprovince.
JET(Judges,Evaluators,Technical)Committee–SusanBlatzTheJETCommitteewillmanagethe recruitment,development,promotionandadministrationofall
judges, evaluators, tech reps and referees in Skate Ontario ensuring that events throughout the
provincearestaffedwithqualifiedpeople.Theywillmakerecommendationstothenationalcommittee
regarding appointments and promotions. This group will act as mentors and encourage the
advancementofofficialsintheprovince.
DataSpecialistCommittee–ThereseBilsboroughThe Data Specialist Committee will manage the recruitment, development, promotion and
administration of all Data Specialists in Ontario ensuring that events throughout the province are
staffedwithqualifiedpeople.Theywillassistwithtraininginresultsasrequested,distributenational
exams andmake recommendations to the national office of Data Specialists who are ready to be
promoted.Thisgroupwillactasmentors,encouragetheadvancementofDataSpecialists,andprovide
technicalsupport.
SkaterSupport–GloriaBrightenandJanetBalkwillThe Skater Support Committee will work directlywith the staff Sport team to identify, design and
executeawiderangeofprogramstoenhancethesupportofOntarioskaters.Theywillprovideadvice,
planning,andsupportinanumberofareasincluding,butnotlimitedto,teamleading,skateroutfitting,
skaterdevelopmentseminars,skaterdevelopmentteams,andskaterachievementawards.
ClubConnectionsCommittee–CherylHollowsandPaulMalletTheClubConnectionsCommitteewillprovidea“clubvoice”byfacilitatingtwo-waycommunication
betweenSkateOntarioandtheSkatingClubsandSchoolsonmatterssuchasprogramdevelopment,
pilotprojectsandother initiatives.Theywillalsoprovidesupportandadviceonvariousclub issues,
including but not limited to, club constitutions, programming, conflict resolution and community
relations.Thiscommitteewillrequiremembersfromacrosstheprovinceandrepresentationofdiverse
clubexperiences,sensitivities,andcharacteristics(e.g.membershipsize).
VolunteerDevelopmentCommittee–Mary-RoseWeirThe Volunteer Committee will assist with the recruitment, development and encouragement of
volunteersacrosstheprovinceforavarietyoffunctionswhereneedsareidentified.Theywillplanand
supporttrainingacrosstheprovinceusingavarietyofmethods.
SUB-COMMITTEES
GovernanceJanetBalkwill–Chair
CherylHollowsPaulMallet
Finance
DerekVentnor–Chair
PaulCotter;CherylHollows;TraceyHughes;TraceyHayden;SusanCash;MichelleHunsley;
MichelleRoss;MichaelHollingsworth
RegionsLizMannell–Chair
GlennFortin,PaulMallet,JanetBalkwill;ThereseBilsborough
LisaAlexander
Judges,Evaluators,TechnicalSusanBlatz–Chair
LornaSchroderSabrinaWong;JuliaMullins
RonConacherLaureneCollin-Knoblauch
DataSpecialistsThereseBilsborough-Chair
DavidGillies;PeterWongRichardCourdin;
Coaches
PaulMacIntosh-Chair
TraceyZwiers;AlisonPurkissRoxanneDaignault
LisaWoodcockSheilaghMcCaskill
Competitions
SusanneMorgan-Chair
CarolMoir;MichelleHunsleyKarenSyme;JaneDrolet
RhondaVanderveenScottRachuk
CommunicationandChange
Mary-RoseWeir-Chair
CherylHollows;WilliamLindsay
NominationsCherylHollows–Chair
JanetBalkwill,SheilaghCroxon
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017
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OperatingCommittees(Cont’d)EventsCommittee–SusanneMorganandLizMannellTheEventsCommitteewillbedirectlylinkedtothestaffEventteamandassistwiththedefinitionof
theSkateOntario standardsandservicepropositionrelatedtothedeliveryofall events inOntario.
Theywillsupporttheexecutionofalleventsintheprovincebysharingthisinformation,developingand
maintainingrelationshipswith,andworkingwithawideandextensivenetworkofvolunteerswhoare
onthegrounddeliveringevents.
BusinessDevelopmentCommittee–LisaAlexanderThe Business Development Committee will source and foster effective external partnership
relationships.
BursaryandSkaterRecognition–LisaAlexanderTheBursaryandSkaterRecognitionCommitteewilldesigntheprocessandpoliciesforthedistribution
ofskaterbursariesacrosstheprovince.Theywillmanagebothtargetedbursariesandprovince-wide
performanceprograms.
COMPETITIONSHostingThe Competition Bid process is underway. Information and applications for both Club Hosted and
Section Hosted Bids are available on the Skate Ontario Website
http://www.skateontario.org/competitions/andSectionwebsites.Bidswillbeprocessedthroughthe
currentSectionCompetitionCommitteesbeforebeingacceptedbySkateOntario.
SkateOntario–QualifyingStructurescomingsoonTheOntarioSectionals2018qualifyingstructurewillbereleasedtoallstakeholdersbyApril15,2017.
TheSkateOntarioSTARSkateChampionship2018qualifyingstructurewillbereleasedAugust2017.OFFICIALSHowwillEvaluatorAssignmentsforTestDaysbehandledafterApril1?
Tominimize confusion and ensure an effective transition of assigning resources for test days, the
processforsupportingtestdayswillremainunchangeduntilAugust31,2017.Specifically:
• FormerCOS PatrickWay
• FormerEOS BarbaraHough
• FormerNOS JuliaMullins
• FormerWOS Clubs/SkatingSchools
WhatJudgedevelopmentisbeingplanned?
• NoviceSynchronizedSkatingtraining.Announcementofdates(lateApril/May)andlocation
willbeavailableshortly.
• Skate Canada will host a Section Level Technical Seminar for Singles during the Education
SummitJuly8-11,2017attheNationalPerformanceCenterinToronto.Lookfordetailsathttp://www.skateontario.org/officials/
SUB-COMMITTEES
GovernanceJanetBalkwill–Chair
CherylHollowsPaulMallet
Finance
DerekVentnor–Chair
PaulCotter;CherylHollows;TraceyHughes;TraceyHayden;SusanCash;MichelleHunsley;
MichelleRoss;MichaelHollingsworth
RegionsLizMannell–Chair
GlennFortin,PaulMallet,JanetBalkwill;ThereseBilsborough
LisaAlexander
Judges,Evaluators,TechnicalSusanBlatz–Chair
LornaSchroderSabrinaWong;JuliaMullins
RonConacherLaureneCollin-Knoblauch
DataSpecialistsThereseBilsborough-Chair
DavidGillies;PeterWongRichardCourdin;
Coaches
PaulMacIntosh-Chair
TraceyZwiers;AlisonPurkissRoxanneDaignault
LisaWoodcockSheilaghMcCaskill
Competitions
SusanneMorgan-Chair
CarolMoir;MichelleHunsleyKarenSyme;JaneDrolet
RhondaVanderveenScottRachuk
CommunicationandChange
Mary-RoseWeir-Chair
CherylHollows;WilliamLindsay
NominationsCherylHollows–Chair
JanetBalkwill,SheilaghCroxon
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017
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CLUBS
ClubConnectionsCommittee–CherylHollowsandPaulMallet–InterimLeadsEffectiveApril1,2017,SkateOntariowillimplementanewclubcommunicationandsupportstructure
thatreplacesexistingRegionsasfollows:
• AnoperationalClubConnectionsCommitteewillbecreatedconsistingof8to10volunteerswithskillsandexpertiseinclub-relatedmatters.Thecommitteewilloperateunderthe
directionofaprofessionalManagerofClubDevelopmenttoprovidesupportandadviceon
variousclubissues,includingbutnotlimitedto,clubconstitutions,programming,conflict
resolution,andcommunityrelations.TheCommittee’smandatewillincludeprovidinga
“clubvoice”byfacilitatingtwo-waycommunicationbetweenSkateOntarioandtheSkating
ClubsandSchoolsonmatterssuchasprogramdevelopment,pilotprojects,andother
initiatives.Committeememberswillresideacrosstheprovinceandwillrepresentdiverse
clubexperiences,sensitivities,andcharacteristics(e.g.,membershipsize). • ThehighlysuccessfulClubConsultationprogramwillcontinueunderthedirectionofthe
ManagerofClubDevelopmenttofurthersupportclubdevelopment,outreach,and
communication. • OpportunitiesforclubsandclubcommunitiestointeractwithSkateOntariostaff,theClub
ConnectionsCommittee,andClubConsultantswillbeprovidedthroughbothface-to-face
initiatives(e.g.,seminars)andonlineinteractions.
NotethatthecompositionofexistingclubgroupingswillremainunchangedforArea/Interclub/Futures
competitions, and for test day groupings where they currently exist. These club communities are
encouragedtocontinueengagingindialogueandcollectiveworkonaninformalbasis,servingasLOC’s
forcompetitions,andsupportingand/ordeliveringSkateOntarioseminarsandspecialevents.Goto
Skate Ontario website for more details. http://www.skateontario.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/04/Skate-Ontario-Regions-Update-and-Club-Communiations-Committee-.pdf
Skaters’PromotionalContestSkateOntariointendstocontinuetoruntheSkaterPromotionalContestonanannualbasis.Plansand
detailsfor17/18arecurrentlybeingfinalized.
COACHES NCCPCoachingCoursesTherehavebeenrevisionstothestructureofNCCPwithinSkateCanada.Allcoachesareencouraged
tovisitSkateCanadaNCCPUpdate
Club Coach (formerly CanSkate) andProvincial Coach (formerly ISPC) courses are being scheduled
acrosstheprovince.For informationondates, locationsandregistration,seeSkateOntariowebsite
http://www.skateontario.org/coaches/ortheexistingwebsitesfortheformerSections.
NOTE:SkateCanadaiscurrentlyworkingontheRegionalCoachCoursewiththepilotprogrambeing
delivered at the Skate Canada Education Summit, July 10-12, 2017 at the Skate Canada Education
Summit.ChecktheSkateCanadaCoachessiteformoredetails.
SUB-COMMITTEES
GovernanceJanetBalkwill–Chair
CherylHollowsPaulMallet
Finance
DerekVentnor–Chair
PaulCotter;CherylHollows;TraceyHughes;TraceyHayden;SusanCash;MichelleHunsley;
MichelleRoss;MichaelHollingsworth
RegionsLizMannell–Chair
GlennFortin,PaulMallet,JanetBalkwill;ThereseBilsborough
LisaAlexander
Judges,Evaluators,TechnicalSusanBlatz–Chair
LornaSchroderSabrinaWong;JuliaMullins
RonConacherLaureneCollin-Knoblauch
DataSpecialistsThereseBilsborough-Chair
DavidGillies;PeterWongRichardCourdin;
Coaches
PaulMacIntosh-Chair
TraceyZwiers;AlisonPurkissRoxanneDaignault
LisaWoodcockSheilaghMcCaskill
Competitions
SusanneMorgan-Chair
CarolMoir;MichelleHunsleyKarenSyme;JaneDrolet
RhondaVanderveenScottRachuk
CommunicationandChange
Mary-RoseWeir-Chair
CherylHollows;WilliamLindsay
NominationsCherylHollows–Chair
JanetBalkwill,SheilaghCroxon
SKATEONTARIOTRANSITIONCOMMITTEE
UPDATE#4–APRIL2017