CLUB PHILOSPHY

The philosophy of the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins Swim Club is based on the belief that group participation, comradeship, and competition provides positive influences towards healthy physical, psychological and emotional development.

The MJKFF Swim Club endeavors to provide a recreational outlet to community member (focusing on the young).

The MJKFF Swim Club strives to provide a safe, supportive, learning environment through skilled direction, supervision, and assistance focused on the attainment of realistic goals and individual potential.

The MJKFF Swim Club supports the statement of philosophy by establishing and meeting the following goals and objectives:

• To emphasize that speed swimming should be fun for everyone
• To stress the importance of family involvement
• To promote the development of each individual to his/her desired potential
• To anticipate and plan strategies and activities designed to meet the needs of participants
• To implement every reasonable safety precaution
• To provide trained coaches and officials who meet the established standards of the club and the provincial and national organizations
• To provide coaching, equipment and assistance to swimmers at the lowest possible cost
• To encourage participation in all activities, camps, clinics and competitions
• To have fun

ORGANIZATION

The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins Swim Club is an amateur organization, sanctioned by Swimming Natation Canada (SNC) and Swim Saskatchewan Inc. (SSI).  The MJKFF Swim Club appoints representatives to SSI to serve as directors and in committee capacities to assist in the promotion of competitive swimming within the province.  SSI in turn, from within the province, appoints a director of SNC.

The MJKFF Swim Club annually elects, from among the parents of swimmers, a Board of Directors, charged with the responsibility of administering all club activities.  They are empowered to hire staff and receive and disburse money for the betterment of the club.  The Board is comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and board members comprised of standing committee chairpersons.  The immediate Past-President sits on the board for one year following his/her term as president.  A 3 member Nomination Committee, appointed by the executive committee, does nominations for the board prior to the election meeting.  Further nominations are accepted at the election meeting.

LEVELS OF SWIMMERS:

MINI FINS – I CAN SWIM:

• An introduction for the younger swimmers to competitive skills and strokes
• Parents of this group volunteer their time to fulfill fundraising commitments as established by the board and attend Officials training clinics organized by the swim club

“ C” GROUP SWIMMERS:

• Introductory level of training and continuation of the development of the competitive skills and strokes leading to local and provincial competition
• Must take part in stretching exercises prior to swimming
• Parents of this group of swimmers are expected to:
  • Volunteer their time to work at all local meets
  • Take an active part on various committees
  • Take billets for local meets as established by the Board
  • Volunteer their time to fulfill fundraising commitments as established by the Board
  • Attend Officials training clinics organized by the swim club

“B” GROUP SWIMMERS:

• Intermediate level of training with a continuation of development of the competitive skills and strokes leading to competitions in local, provincial, and adjacent provinces swim meets
• Must take part in stretching exercises prior to swimming

• Parents of this group of swimmers are expected to:
  • Volunteer their time to work at all local meets
  • Serve on the Board of Directors and take part on various committees
  • Take billets for local meets as established by the Board
  • Volunteer their time to fulfill fundraising commitments as established by the Board
  • Attend Officials training clinics organized by the swim club

“A” GROUP SWIMMERS:

• Top level age group swimmers
• Advanced level of training and competition with a continuation of the development of competitive skills and strokes, involving participation in local, provincial, and inter provincial meets
• Must take part in stretching exercises prior to swimming
• Parents of this group of swimmers are expected to:
  • Volunteer their time to work at all local meets
  • Serve on the Board of Directors and take part on various committees
  • Take billets for local meets as established by the Board
  • Volunteer their time to fulfill fundraising commitments as established by the Board
  • Attend Officials training clinics organized by the swim club

Committees of the Board

EXECUTIVE:                                         comprised of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary; are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the club.  These are all two year terms with the President and Secretary being elected in odd numbered years, the Vice-President and Treasurer elected in even numbered year.

REGISTRATION:                                 responsible for the collection of fees, remittance of dues, and proper registration of swimmers

TEAM MANAGER:                            responsible for the hiring of all transportation on behalf of the club, appointing chaperones as required, and arranging out-of-town accommodation as required.  There should be 2 adults per vehicle whenever possible.  Vehicles must carry extra insurance.  If a swimmer is traveling with another family, fee is $3.00 per hour of travel to and from the meet.  Responsible, also, for the ordering and purchase of team clothing.

EQUIPMENT:                                       responsible for the economical purchase and resale of items such as club swim suits, trophies, awards, training equipment, and officiating equipment.  Also maintains a list of club properties and oversees their storage at a centralized location, as well as replacement as necessary (i.e., Stop watches, loud speaker, coffee pots, clip board, starter pistols, etc.)

SNC DIRECTOR:                                  responsible to see that the opinions of and the best interests of the MJKFF Swim                Club are put to SSI Winter Swimming Committee and to report to the club the activities of the SSI Winter Swimming Committee

MEET MANAGER:                             responsible for the promotion, organization and administration of swim meets hosted by the club.  Chairs the meet management committee which consists of the following subcommittees:  Official, Billeting, Concession, Publicity, and others as needed.

OFFICIALS MANAGER:                    responsible for recruiting the required number of officials to ensure club swim meets run smoothly

FUNDRAISING:                                   the Vice-President is responsible for arranging fundraising events with the help of a committee.  To monitor fundraising credits and forward statements on fundraising commitments to each family on a quarterly basis

GRIEVANCE:                                        three board members as appointed by the board of directors.  Complaints arising from problems within the swim club should be directed to this committee in writing if the conflict cannot be resolved by the parities involved

NEWSLETTER:                                    responsible to collect information from the coaches, committee chairpersons, etc., and report all events in a newsletter to be published once per month

SWIM MEETS:

The MJKFF Swim Club is a competitive club, and all swimmers are encouraged to attend meets as selected by the coaching staff.  Eligible swimmers for a forthcoming event will receive notification, and it is important that the swimmer and parents react to the notice in a timely manner.  Deadlines for registering are imposed in order to secure swim entries and transportation.  The payment of entry fees will be the swimmer responsibility in full if after registering for a meet the swimmer fails to attend the meet.  Once a trip begins, the swimmers are the joint responsibility of the chaperones and coaching staff.  Failure to behave properly will not be tolerated.  Swimmers must take responsibility for their actions.  If a swimmer has to be sent home for failure to exercise proper judgment, the parent will bear the cost.  Swimmers 18 years of age and older may travel on their own.

OFFICIALS:

Officials are needed at swim meets hosted by the club.  Each official must be approved by the SNC, and the Club conducts such courses as necessary to gain approval.  To illustrate the need, 36 officials are needed to conduct one event in an eight-lane pool.  If the officials are not present or not qualified, swimming results are not recognized by the SNC.  It is the clubs’ policy that parents should complete all Level 1 and Level 2 clinics and those parents volunteer their time to officiate at swim meets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In order for the club to operate efficiently, certain areas of responsibility are defined as follows:

Board of Directors:

·         To operate the club as efficiently as possible

·         To encourage and promote open communications between parents, coaches, and swimmers

·         To distribute a Parent’s Manual to all families at the time of registration

·         To contract the services of coaches as required

·         To organize all fundraising

·         Responsible for the financial management of the club

·         To obtain “on deck” coaches if no coach is available for swim meets

·         To keep minutes of all meetings and ensure copies are distributed to all executive members prior to the next meeting

·         To hold monthly meetings.  Day and time to be established at the beginning of the club fiscal year or as deemed necessary by the club president

Coaches:

·         Contracted by the club through the board of directors

·         To teach speed swimming

·         To determine which swimmers will represent the club at meets

·         To conduct organized practices

·         To make swimming practices as effective and enjoyable as possible

·         To encourage swimmers with positive and supportive leadership

·         To act as a positive role model for swimmers

·         To abstain from any substance or action while engaged in club duties, activities, and responsibilities which could jeopardize the safety and well-being of any member

·         Meal allowances and hotel expenses for meets will be paid by the club

The primary function of the coach (es) is to train club swimmers to swim according to the standards established by the SNC and to swim as fast as they can.  Coaches attend workouts with the swimmers.

Swimmers:

·         To attend practices

·         To swim to their desired potential

·         To cooperate with their coaches, chaperones, and fellow swimmers and officials at swim meets

·         To encourage their fellow team mates

·         To show sportsmanlike behavior during training and competition

·         To cooperate with and thank billets

·         When billeting at out-of-town swim meets

o        Mark all items with a clearly identifiable marking, including the initials “MJKFF”

o        Notify the chaperone or coach of things such as travel sickness or required medication.  If you have to take medication, bring it with you with clear instructions on how it is to be administered

o        Keep the noise down – radios, tape/disc players, games, etc., are allowed but you must respect the rights of other swimmers who may have to rest or do school assignments

o        Respect the vehicle – don’t climb over seats or throw garbage.  It is your home, for the trip

o        At the meet, be on time, learn local pool rules, know which events you are swimming in, and be ready when called

o        Stay with the team and report to the coach or chaperone when leaving and upon return

o        While at billets, be polite and obey house rules, clean up after yourself.  Know where your coach and chaperone are staying.  Let billets know of any special medication instructions.  Do not switch billets without chaperone approval.

Parents:

·         To fulfill fundraising commitments as established by the board

·         To inform coaches if their children are ill or absent for an extended period of time

·         To treat billeted swimmers as guests in your home, providing meals and transportation

·         Expected to work at and officiate at local swim meets

·         To ensure swimmers arrive to practice on time

·         To provide, wherever possible, transportation to and from meets and to be on time when providing same

·         To become involved in the club as administrators, officials or volunteer for club sponsored activities

·         To act as a positive role model for swimmers

·         To abstain from any substance or action while engaged in club duties, activities, and responsibilities which could jeopardize the safety and well-being of any club member

·         Parents are encouraged to attend all membership meetings of the club

Chaperones:

·         To safeguard swimmers’ valuables

·         To collect transport and accommodation fees

·         To disburse and account for all expenses

·         To maintain good conduct of all swimmers

·         To ensure all swimmers are picked up by their billets, and to know the location and telephone numbers of each billet

·         To assist at poolside as required

·         To refrain from smoking in vehicles or rooms occupied by swimmers

·         To refrain from consumption of alcohol/illicit drugs in the presence of swimmers

·         Chaperones are “proxy parents: for the club at out-of-town swim meets.  They are appointed by the Transportation Chairperson.  Responsibility begins when the swimmers board the transportation vehicle and ends when his/her parents at the end of the trip pick up the last swimmer.

·         Chaperone expenses at out-of-town meets are divided equally amongst the swimmers the swim meet

·         Chaperones will be designated for all meets where there is no parental or designate supervision

·         To maintain details of each swimmer in the event of an emergency, such as:

o        List of allergies

o        Medical insurance number

o        Home telephone number

o        Billet location and telephone number