2007 minor hockey summit report for... · summit presentation topic: growth - cooperate with the...

2007 Minor Hockey Summit

“A Membership Communication Strategy”

“A Branch Development Strategy”

BC HOCKEY AGM SUMMIT Whistler, BC, June 23, 2007

Minor Hockey Summit

Summit Agenda

Saturday - June 23, 2007

Time Speaker/Lead Topic Place Delegates 8:30am Al Berg Delegate welcome Sea to Sky 400 8:35 Rick Boekestyn Summit Focus Sea to Sky 400 8:40 Bill Ennos Summit

Background Sea to Sky 400

8:55 Paul Carson Facilitator Role/Format Speaker Introduction

Sea to Sky 400

Session #1 9:05 Don Hutchison Growth -

Cooperation with the School System

Sea to Sky 400

9:20 Facilitators Group Interaction Sea to Sky Harmony

250 150

9:45 Coffee Break Convention lobby

400

Session #2 10:00 Rick Boekestyn The Game –

Adjust the Competitive Environment

Sea to Sky 250

10:00 Garnet Nelson Jonathan Longworth

Governance – Develop alternative funding sources

Harmony A&B 150

10:15 – 10:45

Facilitators Group Interaction Sea to Sky Harmony A&B

10:45 – 10:55

Session #2 Session Summary Sea to Sky Harmony A&B

Session #3 11:00 Garnet Nelson

Jonathan Longworth

Governance – Develop alternative funding sources

Sea to Sky 250

11:00 Rick Boekestyn The Game – Adjust the Competitive Environment

Harmony A&B 150

11:15 Facilitators Group interaction Sea to Sky Harmony A&B

250 150

11:45 Concluding Remarks/Future Direction

Facilitator Paul Carson

Sea to Sky 400

12:00 Summit Concludes 79

Summit Process Introduction The Summit held at the BC Hockey AGM involved over 350 delegates from throughout the Branch. To accommodate the large audience delegates were at times, in one large group, divided into two subgroups and for workshops divided into approximately 30 groups. The basic format for the three discussion topics was; 1) Presentation on the topic by an expert in the field (10 minutes) 2) Small Group discussion on the topic (25 minutes)

- What is the current state of the topic in your area / association? - What would be the ideal state? - What needs to be achieved? - What are the priorities?

3) Group consensus (5 minutes) - Delegates were asked at the end of the group session to submit their

group findings on top priorities of the topic area. Thoughts were collected and the results summarized post event.

4) Concluding remarks on the topic (5 minutes)

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Summit Presentation

Topic: Growth - Cooperate with the school system to introduce hockey to all students in BC. Presentor – Jamie Fiset

Summit Presenter ProfileJamie Fiset

• Teacher, Langley School District #35• Teacher Coordinator of Langley Sec. Hockey Canada Skills Academy• Social Studies Department Head• Masters in Distributed Learning• Served on school planning, student councils, and distributed learning• BC Hockey High Performance goaltender instructor• Implemented an introductory elementary school

hockey curriculum both gym-based and on ice in 2006-07.

Please note, original work on the topic was produced by Don Hutchinson Don is the Physical Education Specialist and Athletic/Leadership Coordinator at Montgomery Middle School in Coquitlam, and has been teaching for 9 years. Currently he is the Physical Education British Columbia (PEBC) president, and an Executive Member of CAHPERD- QSIR, the Middle School PE Specialist for the Coquitlam School District, a member of the Action Schools BC! Advisory Committee, and is the Coquitlam Middle School Athletic Association past president. Don worked recently as a SportFit Specialist and Technical Consultant for 2010 Legacies Now. He is also the author of several published resources ranging from Dance to Intramurals. In addition, Don was the recipient of the 2005 Provincial and National PE Teacher of the Year Award and the 2006 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. 81

BC Hockey Minor Hockey Summit

Growth -Cooperation with the School System

% of students in public schools

play minor hockey

82

Acknowledgment: Special Thanks to Mr. Don Hutchinson (Teacher – Coquitlam School District)For the original presentation

Overview

1. School Resource Package

2. Educational Change in BC

3. Communication and Promotion

4. Where to Start

BC Hockey Minor Hockey SummitGrowth -Cooperation with the School System

83


1. School Resource Packageo Target audience: Grades K-8 Teacherso “Off-Ice” Resource Package (manual, DVD, posters)

for Teacherso Incorporates the Prescribed Learning Outcomes

(PLO’s) from the IRP (Curriculum) in the manualo Endorsement from Ministry of Education highly

recommended


2. Educational Changes In BCo The new K-7 IRP (implementation Sept 2009)

mandates 30 minutes of Daily Physical Activity and teachers will be searching for resources.

o The Program fits matches the current and revised K-7 and Grade 8 P.E. Curriculum.

o Bill 20 (School Fees Legislation).

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3. Communication and Promotiono Contact personnel at the District Office Level for approval,

direction, and protocol.o District Level Contacts: Superintendent, District Principal, Staff

Development Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator,Physical Education Coordinator, Healthy Active Living Coordinator, and Local Specialist Associations.

o School Level Contacts: Principal, Vice-Principal, PE Dept. Head, Athletic Director and Grade Specific Teachers.

o Parent Organizations: District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC), School Parent Advisory Council (PAC), and School Planning Council (SPC) Parent/Student Representatives.


3. Communication and Promotiono Offer In-service Sessions at schools.o Professional Development (Pro-D) Conferences/Workshops

– There are two Provincial Pro-D days every year.o District Pro-D Workshops.o Guest Presenters in Schools.o Provincial Specialists Association (PEBC).o National Physical Education Association (CAHPERD).o School Board Meetings.

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4. Where to Starto Who do you contact? – District or School Levelo How will the program be offered? – Gym based, ice only, or

combination. Number and frequency of sessions.o Who will offer the sessions? – Parents, Coaches,

Junior/Minor Hockey personnel, University volunteers, and Hockey Academy Staff and Students.

o Transportation – PACs will usually fund. Busing issues.o Equipment – What does the School’s insurance require?

Storage, cost and access?

86

Summit Presentation

Topic: Governance - Develop alternative funding streams to reduce member fee dependence. Presentors – Garnet Nelson, Jonathan Longworth

A group of passionate and creative individuals with diverse skills, experience and expertise in the areas of marketing, sponsorship and program activation.

The Team

Garnet NelsonManaging Partner

G arnet Nelson is a marketing professional with an extensive background in sport administration and major event sponsorship marketing. G arnet brings knowledge to clients in a range of specialized areas including sponsorship activation, marketing communications, rights negotiations, project-planning, budget administration, event management and sponsor-services. Prior to joining Altius, G arnet was Marketing Manager at the V ancouver 2010 Bid C orporation.

Jonathan LongworthManaging Partner

A marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience, J onathan has led the planning, strategic development and creative execution of multi-disciplinary campaigns for clients such as Bell C anada, BC Hydro, McDonald’s Restaurants of C anada and G eneral Motors. He now combines two of his passions; sport and building business results through brand development and enhancement, with a focus on developing insightful and innovative communications solutions that maximize his client’s opportunities and drive positive business results.

87

BC Hockey Minor Hockey Summit

Governance

Develop Alternate Funding Sources

Presented by Garnet Nelson & Jonathan Longworth

88

Altius Sport Marketing

• Division of Cossette Communication Group

• Established in 2003

• Based in Vancouver

• Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsors and licensee’s plus other sport properties, events and organizations

Some of our Clients

89

Services

Use sponsorship as a platform to achieve specific business objectives

Use sponsorship as a platform to achieve specific business objectives

• Assessment and negotiation

• Sponsorship marketing and communications

• Program implementation and management

• Hospitality programming

• Cross-partnership activation

• Ongoing strategic counsel

Evolution of Sponsorship

• Increasing number of ways for companies to reach their specific target audiences

• Companies are streamlining their sponsorship portfolios

• Sponsorship is now about more than just sign-boards, wall plaques and program advertisements

• Companies need - and expect - more from their sponsorships…

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Sponsorship Basics

• Companies become sponsors of an event or organization because:

1. They believe in the property2. The property ‘fits’ with their brand3. The event attracts their key demographic

• The event/organization provides visibility and recognition to sponsor

So…what do sponsors need?

Sponsorship must help the company achieve its business objectives

Sponsorship must help the company achieve its business objectives

ROI

Brand

Awareness

Drive Sales

Employee Engagement

1

2

3

4

10 things sponsors are looking for:

1. Overall brand fit2. Delivery to target audience3. A brand ‘experience’4. Short term vs long-term5. Tangible and intangible return on investment6. Low maintenance7. Flexibility8. Internal value9. Follows business basics10. Supports business objectives

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Summary

1. Be selective in the companies you target – remember ‘brand fit’

2. Identify your target audience, quantify with numbers

3. Provide opportunity for a unique brand ‘experience’

4. Timing is everything - short term vs. long-term goals

5. Look for ways to provide sponsor with tangible and intangible ROI

6. Make it easy for them to say yes. Be professional.

7. Be flexible with your options. You’re looking for a win-win.

8. Explore ways to involve their employees

9. Respect their business practices

10. Demonstrate how your event can support their business objectives

Altius Sport Marketing1085 Homer Street, 3rd FloorVancouver, B.C.V6B 1J4

Direct: 604.647.6270Mobile: 778.838.1236Email: [email protected]

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Sponsorship Checklist

Altius Sport Marketing 1085 Homer Street, 5th Floor

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 1J4 Telephone: 604 662 4560

Fax: 604 662 4503 www.cossette.com

Be selective in the companies you target – remember ‘brand fit’.

Identify your target audience, quantify with numbers.

Provide opportunity for sponsor to create a unique brand ‘experience’.

Timing is everything – consider the sponsor’s short term vs. long term goals.

Look for ways to provide sponsor with tangible and intangible return on

investment (ROI).

Make is easy for a sponsor to say yes. Be professional. Keep it simple.

Be flexible with your options. You’re looking for a win-win. The partnership is only successful if both parties are happy.

Explore ways to involve a sponsor’s employees

Respect sponsor’s business practices.

Demonstrate how your event can support the sponsor’s business

objectives. 93

Summit Presentations

Topic: The Game - Adjust competitive opportunities. Presentor – Rick Boekestyn, BC Hockey Vice President

BC HockeyBC Hockey

Minor Hockey SummitMinor Hockey Summit

The GameThe Game

Adjust the Competitive EnvironmentAdjust the Competitive Environment

WELCOME

94

Summit PresentorRick Boekestyn

• BC Hockey Chair of Minor Hockey• Community coach and BC Hockey

High Performance coach.• Official – Minor and Above Minor,

attained CHOP Level 5• Administrator representing East

Kootenays and now serving as BC Hockey Vice President

• Parent of a midget player• Chair of BC Hockey Category

Review Committee

95

Presentation OutcomesPresentation OutcomesDefine our Role

Review a Basic Understanding of the Present Competitive System

Explore new ideas from around the Branch

Explore National Systems

Influence on Current Programming

Our Role• Facilitate discussion

around competitive parity

• Gather data from membership on possible solutions

• Make recommendations to BC hockey executive committee

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REVIEW of PRESENT SYSTEM

• Based on all registered players in a MHA in peewee, bantam, & midget

• AAA – 220 players• AA –110 player• A – less than 110 players• No females

Influence on Current Programming

• High Performance• MML• Female Hockey• Provincials – Play-offs / MBL?

• High Performance• MML• Female Hockey• Provincials – Play-offs / MBL?

97

Future Possibilities - TieringPROS• Teams prove what level they play at.• Development benefit for players because they play

at their top competitive level.• Encourages player selection sooner in the season.CONS• Is it viable on a provincial scope? • Geography is an impediment• Good within District, tough to be consistent

provincially• “Sand Bagging” opportunities.

Future Possibilities – Open Boundaries

PROS • Perception of easy admin • Creates Strong Teams • Supports Parent Choice • Encourages better development Programs • Addresses wait list issues.

CONS • Recruiting • Tryout dates • Creates weak teams • Caters to small # of our member players • Servicing the elite • Jeopardizes ie. Subsidies • Potential cost increase • Affect on category systems, Makes it difficult

Future Possibilities – Status QuoPROS • Determines a “true” champion • An arbitrary system for determination of Categories that is based on quantitative numbers • Development of Players is strong - We have had many successes • Can be adjusted because we have a lot of date and history to study.

CONS • B Championship is unbalanced, Too large a gap • Not enough categories • Perception Issues - Parents desire “highest Level”• Does not factor in effect some AAA • MHA’s capping registration to fit into category • - Penalizes MHA’s that grow memberships • Large gap / spread of AAA Registration #’s • No mechanism for MHA’s to apply to play down a category • Difficult to set a fair criteria for determining categories.

Future Possibilities – Adjusted Categories

The committee reviewed possible scenarios that would involve a move from three categories (AAA, AA and A) to four (AAA, AA, A and B, with B being based on numbers rather than the current criteria that they be second entry teams). Under the scenario reviewed, the following changes were considered:

Categorization would be as follows: • AAA Associations with PW, Bantam and Midget registration 300 and

greater • AA Associations with PW, Bantam and Midget registration 175 to 299 • A Associations with PW, Bantam and Midget registration 80 to 174• B Associations with PW, Bantam and Midget registration 79 and fewer

98


The following goals were set out by the committee of items that could be achieved by way of adjustments to the status quo categorization numbers:

• -Would create a better tournament system • -Reduce any need for tiering outside of the Branch Categories • -More teams at AA and A levels • -Fair competition at the B level • -If it works – a result would be that all associations would

declare for championships.• Second entry teams would be categorized at the next lowest

level ie a AAA association would have their second team at AA, their third team at A and their fourth team at B.


PROS • Creates B as a category • Arbitrary – numbers based • Consistent with Hockey Canada Categories • Potential to have more carded teams • Better leagues (more competitive balance) • More teams eligible for Championships • Easier to administrate • More potential hosts for Championships • Would discourage formation of joint teams

CONS • New teams that will feel the “Competitive pinch” at the cutoff levels • Need to obtain buy-in from all Districts.

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Adjusted Categories – Summary by District

DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURTH LM SURREY 603.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM COQUITLAM 548.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM RIDGE MEADOWS 540.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM NORTH VANCOUVER 529.33 AAA AAA AA A BLM VAN. THUNDERBIRDS 512.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM ABBOTSFORD 493.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM LANGLEY 477.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM CLOVERDALE 454.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM SEMIAHMOO 411.33 AAA AAA AA A BLM RICHMOND 405.33 AAA AAA AA A BLM CHILLIWACK 391.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM BURNABY 364.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM SOUTH DELTA 361.33 AAA AAA AA A BLM PORT COQUITLAM 338.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM VANCOUVER MHA 327.00 AAA AAA AA A BLM NORTH DELTA 310.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM NSWC 233.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM ALDERGROVE 213.67 AA AA A BLM PT. MOODY 201.33 AA AA A BLM MISSION 197.67 AA AA A BLM SEAFAIR 176.33 AA AA A BLM HOLLYBURN C.C. 171.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM W. VANCOUVER 167.67 AA A BLM NEW WESTMINISTER 161.33 AA A BLM SUNSHINE COAST 153.00 AA A BLM BURNABY W.C. 148.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM SQUAMISH 132.33 AA A BLM ARBUTUS CLUB 102.67 AAA AAA AA A BLM WHISTLER 89.33 A A BLM HOPE 60.67 A B


DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURTH OK KELOWNA 581.00 AAA AAA AA A BOK KAMLOOPS 535.00 AAA AAA AA A BOK GR. VERNON 311.67 AAA AAA AA A BOK PENTICTON 263.00 AAA AA A BOK WESTSIDE 226.67 AAA AA A BOK SALMON ARM 196.67 AA AA A BOK MERRITT 148.67 AA A BOK WINFIELD 138.00 AA A BOK S. OKANAGAN 122.33 AA A BOK NORTH OKANAGAN 114.67 AA A BOK SUMMERLAND 103.67 AA A BOK WINDERMERE 83.00 A A BOK CLEARWATER 61.33 A BOK CHASE 61.00 A BOK LILLOOET 58.67 A BOK REVELSTOKE 57.33 A BOK LUMBY 51.67 A BOK THOMPSON CARIBOO 49.67 A BOK SICAMOUS 35.67 A BOK PRINCETON 30.67 A BOK LOGAN LAKE 18.00 A B


DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURTH EK CRANBROOK 252.33 AAA AA A BEK CRESTON VALLEY 78.67 A BEK KIMBERLEY 77.67 A BEK GOLDEN 65.00 A BEK FERNIE 41.33 A BEK ELK VALLEY 35.67 A BEK ELKFORD* 31.33 N/A BEK SPARWOOD* 7.67 A BEK CANAL FLATS* 3.67 A B

WK ROSSLAND TRAIL 130.67 AA A BWK NELSON 119.00 AA A BWK CASTLEGAR 111.33 AA A BWK BEAVER VALLEY 78.33 A BWK KASLO 53.00 A BWK GRANDFORKS 50.33 A BWK BOUNDARY* 8.67 A BWK NAKUSP 8.00 A B


DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURTH VI COWICHAN VALLEY 486.00 AAA AAA AA A BVI NANAIMO 373.00 AAA AAA AA A BVI COMOX VALLEY 347.33 AAA AAA AA A BVI CAMPBELL RIVER 253.67 AAA AA A BVI SAANICH 241.33 AAA AA A BVI OCEANSIDE 237.00 AAA AA A BVI JUAN DE FUCA 219.33 AA AA A BVI PENINSULA 211.67 AA AA A BVI ALBERNI VALLEY 185.33 AA AA A BVI POWELL RIVER 174.67 AA A BVI TRI PORT 169.67 AA A BVI KERRY PARK 166.00 AA A BVI V.R.C. 154.67 AAA AAA BVI VICTORIA 135.00 AA A BVI SOOKE 96.00 A A BVI LAKE COWICHAN 72.00 A BVI GOLD RIVER 33.67 A B

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DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURTH NW TERRACE 182.67 AA AA A BNW KITIMAT 162.00 AA A BNW SMITHERS 117.33 AA A BNW PRINCE RUPERT 81.33 A A BNW BURNS LAKE 71.00 A BNW VANDERHOOF 60.67 A BNW FORT ST. JAMES 57.00 A BNW HAZELTON 48.33 A BNW HOUSTON 44.33 A BNW FRASER LAKE 37.33 A BNW STEWART 11.00 A B

NE FORT ST. JOHN 263.67 AAA AA A BNE DAWSON CREEK 165.33 AA A BNE WHITEHORSE 157.33 AA A BNE FORT NELSON 81.00 A A BNE CHETWYND 56.00 A BNE TAYLOR 39.00 A BNE WATSON LAKE 36.33 A BNE DAWSON CITY 24.33 A BNE CLEARVIEW 23.67 A BNE HAINES JUNCTION 18.00 A BNE TUMBLER RIDGE 16.00 A BNE HUDSON’S HOPE* 10.67 A BNE TESLIN 4.33 A BNE LORNE MOUNTAIN 3.33 A B


DISTRICT ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURRENT NEW SECOND THIRD FOURNC GR. PR. GEORGE 602.33 AAA AAA AA A BNC WILLIAMS LAKE 264.33 AAA AA A BNC QUESNEL 201.00 AA AA A BNC 100 MILE HOUSE 153.00 AA A BNC MACKENZIE 64.67 A BNC VALEMOUNT 40.33 A B

NC MCBRIDE 34.33 A B

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ASSOCIATION 3-YR CURR NEW SEC THIRD NE FORT ST. JOHN 263.67 AAA AA A BNE DAWSON CREEK 165.33 AA A BNE WHITEHORSE 157.33 AA A BNE FORT NELSON 81.00 A A BNE CHETWYND 56.00 A BNE TAYLOR 39.00 A BNE WATSON LAKE 36.33 A BNE DAWSON CITY 24.33 A BNE CLEARVIEW 23.67 A BNE HAINES JUNCTION 18.00 A BNE TUMBLER RIDGE 16.00 A BNE HUDSON’S HOPE* 10.67 A BNE TESLIN 4.33 A B

NE LORNE MOUNTAIN 3.33 A B

Thank You

Boek’s Bombers

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2007 Minor Hockey Summit

“A Membership Communication Strategy”

“A Branch Development Strategy”

BC Hockey AGM June 23, 2007

Participant Workbook

INTRODUCTION

Twenty-five Branch personnel, representing grassroots hockey across Canada gathered for a two day seminar in Calgary in an effort to fully understand the potential impact on Summit Events on the positive growth of amateur hockey in Canada. This event, entitled the Minor Hockey Summit: Branch Planning and Orientation Seminar, was designed to assist those designated as Branch leaders to work together to develop strategies for the successful implementation of community-based summits. These summits will give members and those interested in become members of Hockey Canada, a voice in the ongoing growth and evolution of amateur hockey. In 1999, Hockey Canada and the Toronto Maple Leafs and teamed up with Molson Canada to host the “Molson Open Ice Summit on Player Development”. This resource guide has taken a number of ideas from the 1999 event along with other event resources to serve as a planning framework. It has been designed for Branch personnel, who in turn will work to identify resource staff to assist with the ongoing developmental process. It is a step-by-step guide that will show Branch staff how to work with local groups to build an event agenda. From this agenda, new relationships will evolve and events participants will collaborate on solutions and ideas that will address the challenges facing amateur hockey today. Summit events offer many benefits to the Branch, to Hockey Canada, and to the summit participants. Examples of these benefits are: - An expanded network of people with shared interests - A deeper appreciation of perspectives about amateur hockey and about strong

programs - The possibility of finding new opportunities manage amateur hockey to the

benefit of all participants - The opportunity to invent and/or combine strategies to support minor hockey

associations, female hockey associations, Branches and the national body. Branch led summits may take many forms, but the intended outcome is the same; “to give the community a voice in how the game is currently managed and to define ways in which innovative ideas may provide new directions for the development of the amateur hockey community”. Simply by hosting one summit, a Branch offers the potential to open a dialogue between the communities the sport of hockey is intending to serve. The most successful summit teams tend to: - be driven by a Branch designate or Branch designates who believe in the

potential of engaging the community; - have highly motivated people involved; - have a strong working knowledge of how the sport is managed at the amateur

level. 104

While there is no guarantee that a summit will ignite a series of positive strategies and/or solutions to meet the community’s needs, collectively a series of these events across Canada will help to generate a wide variety of opportunity for positive growth and dynamic development in female and male amateur hockey. If the Branch champions the spirit of the summit concept and the new relationships it generates into future conversations, then innovative change will occur over time. If hosting one summit can contribute to positive change, hosting a series of summits will only served to magnify the impact. Vignette

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Several years ago I attended an Outward Bound course with a number of colleagues from my university class. It was a well planned event that took many hours of in class time to truly prepare for the experience. Our professor was quite knowledgeable and knew how to prepare a group for a wilderness experience. But even though we spent many hours in preparation, we were aware that we would have a “guide” at the camp and we felt the guide assigned to our group would probably take full responsible for our experience and ensure that everything would work out exactly as planned. Long after the event was over and I reflected back on the experience, I realized this was my first experience with an expert facilitator! Our group arrived at the site of the Outward Bound Camp in Keremeos, British Columbia late in the evening confident that our professor and our guide had done all the necessary work to provide us with an exceptional experience. We were a little surprised when our first exercise that evening at the camp was to provide the guide with a detailed outline of our plan – “OUR PLAN”. I will always remember him saying “your experience here will be unique . . . and it will be driven by your plans and the experience you expect to have.” Our first major activity would be a day hike. So after arriving at camp late and spending 90 minutes meeting with our guide, it was time to get some rest. He assured us that Day One would be a long day and would set the stage for the entire experience we would have at Outward Bound. 105

At 5:30am the next morning we boarded a bus for the 30 minute ride to Beaconsfield Mountain, the home pf Apex Ski Resort. When we arrived at the mountain, we discovered there was a ski lift that could take us to the top of Beaconsfield Mountain and guarantee us a panoramic view of the Okanagan Valley below. However, the guide was quick to let us know that “to really appreciate the vista from high above the clouds, we would have to spend the day hiking the switchbacks of Beaconsfield”. We gathered up all our equipment and it was time for our group to begin the trek to the Summit. It was a beautiful warm day with a clear blue sky, even though the sun was still low on the horizon. As we began the accent, the sun too was in an ascending pattern and soon the warmth of the sun would caress the mountain side and the temperature would rise. Our guide was sure it was going to reach 30 degrees. Already 90 minutes into the trek it was warming up and some of the steep curves were taking there toll on the group. The pace was quick and the workload was challenging. Soon we would to stop at a resting point. Once we arrived at the resting point, some of the group complained of sore feet and tiring bodies. We sat on the ledge and looked back over our trail and out over the valley below. Only a short 90 minutes into the trip and already the view was terrific. At this point a few in the group thought the view may be good enough and going further would only mean more pain and discomfort. But after a good break everyone was ready to resume the climb. For the next stage of the journey, the trail narrowed and the path was much stepper than before. At times it felt as though we had to scramble on “all fours” just to advance up the trail. By noon, we had been climbing for 5 and a half hours. This time our stop would be longer – a full 30 minutes. Enough time for lunch, refreshments and a little rest. Again, many in the group gazed over an even more spectacular view than before. We could see down through the south Okanagan Valley for miles. As we finished our lunch break and began gathering up our gear to resume the trek, some members of our group decided that this was the end of the line for them. They argued that the view they were experiencing at this plateau was great and asked “how much better could it get than this?” Our guide stepped in to the discussion and said it was a personal choice to remain at that location and enjoy the view and a longer rest. But for those who wanted the full experience it was time to return to the trail to head for the summit. It was only another 2 hours on the trail, but the next part of the trail would be the most difficult. I found it hard to believe that 6 of the 13 people that began the trek earlier that day elected to stay behind and bask in the afternoon sun satisfied with the view. The rest of the group headed for the summit. The guide let stragglers know that we would be back in about 3 hours. 106

As our group of 8 headed off to the complete the final stage of the journey, the guide was pretty accurate when he described the challenge ahead. It was physically and mentally fatiguing in every way. It took all the strength we had and a lot of encouragement from one another. But sure enough we reached the summit at 2:30 in the afternoon. It was a blazing hot day, and the last part of our trek had many soaked to the skin. At the peak of Beaconsfield Mountain it was mission accomplished. The view was truly spectacular and the reward for a long day of extremely hard work was a panoramic view of the south Okanagan Valley. To the south we could see Osoyoos Lake and to the north Lake Okanagan. It was a terrific accomplishment and a each of us felt richly rewarded with the view and all the photos we took to commemorate the day! The time came to head back down and the trek took half the time it took us to arrive at the summit. We picked up our mates at on the way down and shared our experiences with enthusiasm. When we returned to the main camp that evening we sat around the camp fire reminiscing about the days accomplishments. The picture became more and clearer as we talked. What became very clear was the fact not everyone in life “strives for the peak”. Often they are satisfied with partial accomplishments. It’s possible that some in our group set a goal of achieving a reasonable plateau that would offer a pretty good view. If the challenge was too difficult, they would probably end their trek early. Others knew that in order to truly experience the full benefits Beaconsfield Mountain had to offer, nothing short of the peak would do.

“If you want something bad enough and you believe in your heart you can achieve this you will persist. When you're tired and exhausted & voices of doubt fill your mind - persist. Focus on the dream or desire and don't focus on the effort needed to reach it.”

Never give up!

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HISTORY OF THE BRANCH SUMMIT INITIATIVE Hockey Canada under the direction of Chairman Rene Marcil has been leading the Minor Hockey Summit direction and vision. The vision being that all Branches will host a summit in some form or fashion and engage the grassroots membership in a discussion on the game of hockey and share thoughts and innovative ideas.

Hockey Canada has committed resources to this initiative, and it is the role of the Branch to facilitate the process and engage its membership within the Branch and welcome the feedback.

The Summit initiative was introduced in early 2006 to the Branches and in June of 2006 a National Planning workshop was held in Calgary to educate and provide direction to each Branch in executing the Summit process.

BC Hockey felt that hosting a Summit in conjunction with the Branch AGM gave the best opportunity to gather a large group of participants and that such an event would provide the foundation for success in terms of maximizing participant attendance and drawing out valuable feedback from membership.

The target of the June AGM for a Summit event meant that there was a need to establish a plan to bring out the issues that would provide the framework for the event to be staged in Whistler. BC Hockey’s plan proceeded with the building of a web-based survey to capture members’ comments on the Strategic Direction of the Organization. This mechanism was designed to insure continuity in responses but was flexible enough to give respondents the opportunity to create individual comments. In the end, a survey with closed-ended questions of a multiple choice format with one or two open ended questions was developed. Today you are seeing the results of the information that was gathered earlier in the year with the use of the survey tool. The topic areas chosen are in direct relation to the information brought forward by BC Hockey membership. The purpose of this Summit is to deliver three presentations centered on the three core themes and then ask groups to engage in dialogue about these key themes. The BC Hockey Executive and the Summit workgroup believe that the discussions that take place today in response to the initial survey results and the presentations will generate innovative and creative ideas that will provide substance to the ongoing development of BC Hockey’s Strategic Plan. 108

OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES/GROUND RULES Outcomes: • Participants are provided with an opportunity to share and contribute to the

strategic direction of BC Hockey • Participants have a better understanding about issues and topic areas that affect

the ongoing maintenance and growth of grassroots hockey in British Columbia • BC Hockey develops a reporting mechanism to share the information with its

membership • Participants are clear about the Summit process and what will happen with this

information – next steps • Provide BC Hockey with feedback that will facilitate and enhance strategic

direction over the next few years Participant Experience: • Provide presentations and information that will challenge participants’ thoughts

and understanding about the management and delivery of grassroots hockey in British Columbia

• Insure participants have the opportunity to fully engage in the Summit process Ground Rules and Roles: • Be respectful and honour other points of view and perspectives • Look at “The Big Picture” • Keep the player (participant) at the forefront of your thoughts • Share thoughts and insights in a positive manner, be an active participant and

listener • Look at questions from differing points of view, try wearing different hats when

engaged in discussion 109

ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR Facilitator One who contributes structure and process to interactions so groups are able to function effectively and make high-quality decisions. A facilitator is a helper and enabler whose goal is to support others as they pursue their objectives. The Facilitator Will . . . A facilitator’s job is to manage the process and leave the content to the participants. • provides processes that help participants use their time efficiently to make high-

quality decisions

• guides group discussion to keep it on track

• makes accurate notes that reflect the ideas of participants

• supports participants in managing their own interpersonal dynamics providing

feedback to the group, so that they can assess their progress and make

adjustments

• helps the group communicate effectively

• creates a positive environment in which participants can work productively to

attain group goals

• fosters leadership in others by sharing the responsibility for leading the group

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2007 minor hockey summit report for... · summit presentation topic: growth - cooperate with the...

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