2011 Canada Games - 283 Days to Go!

SIRC volunteered at the lighting of the 2011 Canada Games torch today to kick off the beginning of the Games torch program.

The Ottawa Visitor Centre was a hive of activity with activities for local schools with performances by Jimmy Rankin and The Sacred Heart Concert Choir. Also on the program were welcoming speeches from the Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, director of sports, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection Stephen Gallant, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Peter Kelly, President and CEO for the Canada Games Council, Sue Hylland and Olympic medalist and Canada Games medalist Jennifer Botterill and three-time Olympic medalist Isabelle Charest.

You can follow the torch program to see where it will end up next. More details can be found at www.canadagames2011.ca/torch

Volunteers

Check out the latest SIRC Newsletter on Volunteers!

Recruiting, selection, references, training, recognition and retention is just as important with volunteers as it would be with paid employees. Often recruiting volunteers is a major hurdle faced by organizations. Why not try looking at the older or younger generations for a new pool of recruits? It is important to remember a proper background check is essential when someone wants to volunteer and this becomes critical when they will be working with children. Don’t forget this vital step just because the labour is free. Finally, work with your volunteers to ensure they have enough training. This will also help determine what keeps them motivated and happy, ensuring they continue to volunteer with your organization.

http://sirc.ca/newsletters/september10/index.html

SIRC Newsletter - Volunteering

Volunteers are critical to the success of sport and recreation! Appreciating our volunteers and providing well managed programming and tools will assist in the retention and positive experience for everyone involved. Typically volunteers feel a strong identification with the activity, a passion for giving back and want to make a meaningful contribution. How do organizations keep people coming back? From local clubs to national organizations, recruiting, managing and retaining volunteers can be difficult and daunting but there are tools out there to help.

CHECK OUT THE NEWSLETTER ONLINE

Volunteerism

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Volunteerism

Volunteerism is considered the backbone of Canada's sport and recreation system. Currently, Canada has over 6.5 million volunteers with 35% of those being involved in sport. Sport volunteers encompass people from all walks of life, from active and retired athletes, coaches and officials to professionals, parents and youth (and more) who want to help out in their community. Volunteers are the key to making sport possible for the physical, social and emotional development of children and adults, so it's important that we recognize and value their contributions to the sport community.

Read more: http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/october12/index.html

Diversity in Sport

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Diversity in Sport

The Canadian sport community has the opportunity to embrace our uniquely diverse population and actively strive for a multicultural and socially inclusive environment. Proactive sport organizations adopt a broad view of diversity and value it to its fullest extent. Ideally, this means going beyond merely removing barriers to participation but working towards ensuring that all participants are valued and respected.

Read more:  http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/mid-mar13/index.html

Officiating

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Officiating

There's no arguing, officiating comes with its challenges! Today's officials are fit, smart and passionate about what they do. Many are experts in their sport – from techniques, tactics, skills and strategies to formations in the game, it’s a job that deserves respect. Officials come from all walks of life, parents, teens, coaches and former athletes, all of which have one thing in common - a love of sport.

Read more:  http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/april13/index.html

Volunteering

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Volunteering

Volunteers play an extremely important role in the sport community - without these hard working people, many events simply would not occur. SIRC fully recognizes the value and vital role volunteers contribute every year so that we can continue to build upon our strong tradition of volunteering in sport.

Read more:  http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/May13/index.html