1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 2 2.0 MISSION STATEMENT – GUIDING PRINCIPLES ............................................................... 3 3.0 REVIEW OF ORGANIZATION – WHO IS WHO? ............................................................... 5 4.0 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................................... 6 5.0 TEAM MANAGERS ........................................................................................................ 8 6.0 TEAM COMPOSITIONS ................................................................................................ 10 7.0 SCHEDULES ................................................................................................................. 13 8.0 HOW RACES ARE RUN ................................................................................................. 14 9.0 RACE OFFICIALS .......................................................................................................... 15 10.0 ALPINE RESPONSIBILITY CODE .................................................................................... 15 11.0 MILTON HEIGHTS RACING CLUB – CODE OF CONDUCT ................................................ 16 1.0 INTRODUCTION Welcome parents of athletes in the Milton Heights Racing Club. This Parent Handbook has been prepared to provide our parent community with relevant information needed to get the most out of the racing season at Glen Eden. If you are new to racing, we hope this book will be helpful. But the best way to find out how racing works is to talk to parents who have been involved. Better still, GET INVOLVED! This handbook provides an quick summary of the race program. Communication within such a varied program is always an ongoing challenge. Because weather is a major factor in our sport, plans can change quickly. Please make communication your priority. The manager/coordinator of your athlete’s team is your prime source of information. Ski racing is an activity that only works when a significant number of parents volunteer to help run races and organize activities. We can only run a successful program if all parents get involved. We urge you to get involved! You will find that you have a lot fun, get to know your club family and make new friends. As a cooperative, we require that all families get involved and volunteer in some way. The rule is “For every racer on the team, one parent on the hill.” Enjoy the season, ski fast, ski safe, and have fun! Milton Heights Racing Club | Introduction 2 2.0 MISSION STATEMENT – GUIDING PRINCIPLES Milton Heights Racing Club (MHRC) is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization that offers competitive, high quality ski-racing and snowboard programs in the GTA. MHRC operates out of Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre and is a member of both Alpine Ontario South Division and the Association of Ontario Snowboarders. MHRC is a grass roots organization with its main objective being to provide opportunities for athletes to raise their alpine ski / snowboard racing skills to a higher level of excellence by promoting participation in a program based on the skill level of the athletes. MHRC encourages personal growth through an emphasis on sportsmanship. 2.2 ORIGINS OF THE CLUB Since the 1970s, MHRC has been nurturing a shared joy of skiing and snowboarding, team spirit and good sportsmanship. With approximately 250 racers, our club offers racing programs for ages 6-21 and a popular adult racing program. The MHRC operates out of its own clubhouse, situated between the East and West Lodges at Glen Eden and operates its own volunteer operated canteen. All registered athletes and parents are welcome to use the clubhouse. 2.3 MISSION STATEMENT OF RACE COMMITTEE The object of the Race Committee is to assist, support, promote and encourage organized ski racing through the Milton Heights Racing Club at Glen Eden. The object of the committee is to foster among its members, teams, and individual athletes a community of purpose and spirit, good sportsmanship, efficiency and organization and to encourage and attempt to influence Glen Eden and the Milton Heights Race Club to conduct the program in the best interests of the athletes in terms of their individual and athletic development as well as safety. Milton Heights Racing Club | Mission Statement – Guiding Principles 3 2.4 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Consisting of elected members as well as the team managers for the current season, the committee meets regularly in pursuit of this mission. The sport at this level is a very “parent intensive” activity on race day. While our coach staff will set and dismantle the course, everything else that takes place is undertaken by and directly involves parents just like you. Race officials, bib collecting, gate keeping, course maintenance and coat running are all parent responsibilities. The goal is to “keep it fun, keep it fair, and keep it safe”. Some parents have enjoyed extended involvement in organizations such as Alpine Ontario to make sure our race program keeps abreast of activities occurring at the provincial level. 2.6 PARENT INVOLVEMENT & ITS RESULTS Over the past seasons several sustainable activities have been organized, and have evolved to meet our mission. Some of these activities are for information and organization, some for fun, some for fundraising, and some to enhance the club profile and “sense of community”. The old adage “many hands make light work” was never truer than at MHRC. Glen Eden remains a great host, they provide us with coaching that is second to none, but your participation as a parent is what makes the winter truly an event to remember for you and the athletes. Please join us for a great winter of racing and winter fun!! Milton Heights Racing Club | Mission Statement – Guiding Principles 4 3.0 REVIEW OF ORGANIZATION – WHO IS WHO? 3.1 Milton Heights Racing Club Management The club’s management is composed of the following roles: BOARD OF DIRECTORS • President – Shawn Murray • Vice-President – Sherry Westfahl • Treasurer – Tiffany Wilson • Secretary – Jacqueline Zhu • Race Director – Scott Robb • SBX Development – Dave Balne • Technology – Marc Léveillé • Sponsorship – Marc Léveillé / Lavina Bucuur • Operations – Stephen Shelton • Registration – Julie Robinson • Volunteer Co-ordinator – Lavina Bucuur • Social Media / Communications – Marc Léveillé RACE COMMITTEE • Race Director – Scott Robb • Race Administrator – Juliette Lamb • SBX – Rob Russell • JDL – open • U10 – open • U12 – open • U14 – Lisa Silveira • U16 – Sherry Westfahl • U18/21 – Bobbie David • Adult Racing – Greg Weeks Milton Heights Racing Club | Review of Organization – Who is Who? 5 4.0 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 MHRC ROLE (MHRC) is a volunteer run organization that owns and manages their race program. Glen Eden provides the administration, coaches, hill space, course set-up and equipment (timers, nets, huts, and race portable) required for running the program, however, Glen Eden does not run the home races. 4.2 MHRC BOD / RACE COMMITTEE This group organizes parents to run the home races at Glen Eden, provides a liaison between MHRC and the parents, and organizes various fund raising and social events for the club. MHRC Race Committee provides the “face” to other ski clubs and sponsors when they come to GE for races and represents the club with Alpine Ontario who runs the ski race program across Ontario. The committee works with Glen Eden on behalf of the athletes and their parents to enhance the program. 4.3 TEAM MANAGERS Each team will have a team manager or coordinator appointed by the MHRC BOD / Race Committee. The manager’s role is of vital importance to your racer’s team and is as follows: • Organize parents to run a home race. • Score all races for their respective team. • Organize a team “get to know each other event”. • Communicate information to the parents. • Provide administrative support. • Assist coaches as required. • Represent team parents on the Race Committee. Milton Heights Racing Club | Roles & Responsibilities 6 4.4 RACE ADMINISTRATOR MHRC hires a race administrator to assist in administrating all race programs provided. The role of the Race Administrator as it relates to MHRC is: • Be the official contact with Alpine Ontario for all races • Be responsible for tabulating all results and insuring that they are forwarded to Alpine Ontario • Assist team managers to set up races, including bibs on race day and be central point of contact for visiting and home teams • Be available to MHRC on Saturday and Sunday during the race season • Communicate any necessary information to all our club managers and members as required. • Provide assistance to the Head Coach and Race Director on administrative matters to the on hill programing 4.5 PARENTS As a member of the race club, all parents are required to provide one parent to work at all home races and volunteer to assist in club related activities, when required, i.e., fundraising, year-end banquet, administration, etc. The rule is for every racer on the team, one parent on the hill.” Parents are responsible for getting the athletes to the hill on time training/home races and away races. You will find that other parents will help in the travel commitments, but please do not abuse this. You are responsible for your own children. 4.6 AOA – ALPINE ONTARIO ALPIN This organization runs the Ontario race program, finds sponsors, officially administers the overall race