DFSC Member Handbook Revised September 24, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS General Information 4 Board of Directors 5 Important Contacts 6 Membership 7 Membership fees applicable July 1 through June 30 7 Reduced membership fees applicable February 1 through June 30 8 USFS individual membership 8 Volunteer Requirements 8 Mandatory New Member Meeting 9 New Member FAQ 9 Club Communication 12 Professional Staff 12 Coach benefits and responsibilities 12 Figure skating professionals 13 DFSC staff coaching positions 15 Duties of the skating director 15 Duties of the learn-to-skate director 16 Duties of the ice show director 16 USFS dues 17 Reimbursement of PSA dues 17 Reimbursement of continuing education fees/expenses 18 Professional referrals 18 Coaching in the learn-to-skate program 18 Skating- and Learn-to-Skate Director’s Guide to Corrective Action 18 What to expect from a figure skating coach 21 What a figure skating coach expects from a skater 22 Team coaching 23 Choreography 23 Off-ice ballet, strength training, workout 24 When it all fails: a coach change 24 Parent Responsibilities 24 Equipment and Clothing 26 Boots 26 Blades 27 Skating attire 28 Ice Contracts 29 Ice sessions 30 On-ice classes 31 Session limits 32 Scheduling priority 32 Rules to handle sessions that are light 33 Ice Fees 34 Cancellations and coupons 35 Walking on to contract ice 36 Walking on to non-contract ice 37 Ice session exchanges 37 Injuries, illness, and medical credits 37 Credits for competitions, ice shows, skating seminars, and off-site training 37 Payments 38 Late payment policy 38 How much should I skate? 39 Ice Rinks 39 Ice Monitors 40 Ice monitor duties and procedures 40 Ice Safety and Etiquette 41 DFSC rules for appropriate behavior on the ice 41 Locker room etiquette 43 Music Rules 44 Testing 44 USFS testing structure 45 Hints for a successful moves in the field test 45 Hints for a successful freeskating test 46 Competitions 47 Things to do before leaving home for a competition 48 Tips for the skater at competition 49 A winning competition program 50 DFSC Reimbursement and Financial Award Policies for Uppers, Mids, 50 Nationals, and International Assignments Performance Policy 51 Sanctions 52 Committees/Job List 52 Northland Competition 55 Other Club Events 57 Traveling Trophy 58 Minnesota Skating Scholarship 58 Synchronized Skating Team 59 Learn-to-Skate Program 59 Housing 60 History of Figure Skating and the DFSC 60 Skating Terms 62 DFSC Volunteer Hours Tracking Form 67 DFSC Ice Credit Form 68 DFSC Test Application 69 USFS Periodization for Skaters 71 USFS Policy Statement on Harassment and Abuse 74 Figure Skating Website 76 Amended Bylaws of the DFSC 77 This handbook does not provide the answer to every question about DFSC membership. It is merely intended to impart a basic understanding of how the club works. Any unanswered questions should be directed to the skating professionals or any member of the board of directors. Member input inquiries are welcomed. This handbook will be updated annually. 3 GENERAL INFORMATION Welcome to the Duluth Figure Skating Club! Internet Website: http://www.duluthfsc.org 218-590-1710 The purpose of the Duluth Figure Skating Club (DFSC) is to encourage instruction, practice, and advancement of its members in any or all of the disciplines of figure skating; to encourage and cultivate a fraternal spirit amongst figure skaters; and to carry out the general policies and objectives of United States Figure Skating (USFS), the governing body of amateur figure skating in the United States. The DFSC is devoted to developing the potential of each club member. The DFSC is a non-profit organization sanctioned under USFS. (To learn more about USFS, visit their website at http://www.usfs.org.) A portion of each DFSC member’s dues is forwarded to USFS for enrollment. This enrollment entitles the member to participate in any USFS- sanctioned competition, take any USFS test, and receive a copy of Skating magazine (published monthly by USFS). The DFSC is governed by a board of directors with a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and eight directors. An election is held in the spring of each year, with one-third of the board elected or re-elected annually. The board establishes basic policy and protocols of the club. These are updated as needed. Board meetings are held monthly (the third Wednesday of the month) and are open to the general membership. A DFSC club member must comply with the club bylaws, rules, and regulations. In addition, membership carries with it the following responsibilities: assisting in the operation of the concession stand at the learn-to-skate program; working at the annual Northland Competition; and assisting with dress sales, the annual ice show, and other activities. A parent or adult (over18 years of age) must assume these responsibilities. A DFSC member will have the ability to purchase club ice throughout the year. This ice will enable the skater to receive personal attention and private instruction, which will allow the skater to improve his/her skills. Any coach utilized by the member on club ice must be pre- approved by the board of directors. DFSC membership also entitles the member to participation in the DFSC synchronized skating team and the annual DFSC ice show. The colors of the DFSC are blue, green, and white. The symbol of the club is three pine trees on a rendition of school figures. 4 2015-2016 DFSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Position Name Contact Term Expires 715-392-1159 President Jeff Cushman March 2016 [email protected] 218-390-7373 Vice President Jeff Manion March 2018 [email protected] Secretary – Northland 218-590-6041 Kathy Jensen March 2016 Co-Chair [email protected] 218-721-3343 Treasurer - Billing Agent Cindy Sund March 2018 [email protected] Board Member Corey Bonneville [email protected] March 2017 Board Member – 218-626-9678 Teri Kautz March 2018 Northland Co-Chair [email protected] Board Member Laura Kircher [email protected] March 2017 218-729-0472 Board Member Cora Knutson March 2016 [email protected] 715-218-0394 Board Member Debbie Lorenz March 2017 [email protected] Board Member Jennifer Martinelli [email protected] March 2017 218-390-3403 Board Member Amber Pickar March 2016 [email protected] 612-801-7386 Board Member Jason Wick March 2018 [email protected] Any parent of a DFSC skater or any DFSC adult skater who is interested in serving on the board of directors should make such interest known to an existing board member or officer. Board members are volunteers who donate many hours of time. Therefore, those who are unable to serve should give their support to those who do. 5 IMPORTANT CONTACTS POSITION NAME CONTACT INFORMATION Skating Director/Academy Director/Learn-to-Skate Co- Ted Engelking 651-489-4907 [email protected] Director 4386 Normanna Road Duluth, MN 55803 Billing Agent Cindy Sund 218-721-3343 [email protected] 218-590-6041 Club Secretary Kathy Jensen [email protected] Ice Scheduler Kalli Manion [email protected] 218-525-0524 Ice Show Director Heather Seyfer [email protected] 218-392-5366 (home) Learn-to-Skate Co-Director Sue Lien 218-349-3246 (cell) [email protected] (218)310-2197 Learn-to-Skate Co-Director Alyssa Reder [email protected] 313 N. Blackman Ave Duluth, MN 55811 Membership Chair Laura Lott 218-723-1472 [email protected] 218-729-9721 (home) Skating Director Emeritus Zoe Hill 218-343-4046 (cell) [email protected] 307 W Central Entrance #6 Test Chair Debbie Lorenz Duluth, MN 55811 [email protected] 6 MEMBERSHIP A skater can join the DFSC as a home club member. Associate membership is also an option provided the skater is a home club member of another USFS-sanctioned club or an individual member of USFS. The membership year is July 1 through June 30. For club registration and membership information, contact the membership chair. MEMBERSHIP FEES/GUIDELINES (JULY 1, 2015- JUNE 30, 2016) The following DFSC types of membership*/fees are available for those joining between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Home Club Individual or Family Memberships must fulfill volunteer requirements (shown below), contract at least 2 freestyles/week each month**, and either monitor 2 sessions or pay $20/month from September-May. Home Club Individual Membership - $160.00 (Including individual synchronized membership). May contract for any sessions based on USFS test level. Home Club Family Membership - $185.00 for up to four members (Add $10 for each member over and above four-including family synchronized membership). A $50 credit will be awarded to each home club member (one credit per family) who fulfills the 25-hour volunteer requirements (Northland 15hrs, and an additional 10hrs with committees/events). Family memberships are required to volunteer 35hrs (25 at Northland, and an additional 10hrs with committees/events). To qualify for the $50 credit, workers must be over 18 years of age. This credit is not transferable or refundable and can be used only to offset ice costs, test session fees and DFSC sponsored seminars. Associate Individual Membership*** - $115.00 (Including Associate Synchronized Membership). Must be a home club member of another USFSA sanctioned skating club or individual member of USFSA. Associate Family Membership*** - $150.00 for up to four members (Add $10 for each member over and above four.) (Including family synchronized membership). A $25 credit will be awarded to each associate member (one credit per family) who fulfills the 10 volunteer hour requirements (Northland, committees, and events). To qualify for the $25 credit, workers must be over 18 years of age. This credit is not transferable or refundable and can be used only to offset ice costs, test session fees and DFSC sponsored seminars.