Volunteering with CSSA
The Calgary Speed Skating Association is made up of more than skaters! Calgary Speed Skating Association includes skaters, coaches, a technical director, office manager, Board of Directors, staff and VOLUNTEERS!
The Calgary Speed Skating Association is committed to fostering an environment that values people who voluntarily offer their services in the activities of the Association (adopted from Speed Skating Canada Volunteer Policy) and relies heavily on our volunteers. Over the past 3 years, we have required over 4,500 volunteer hours each year, to successfully manage the programs and competitions that we run.
Current volunteer opportunities
ABLT, Jan. 11-12 — volunteersignup.org/EHCYQ
ABLT (Hospitality), Jan. 11-12 — volunteersignup.org/HQJM9
RU Fast, Feb. 1-2 — volunteersignup.org/9QKX7
RU Fast (Hospitality), Feb. 1-2 — volunteersignup.org/PLPYR
Please contact our VC of Volunteers for non-competition opportunities
Why should I volunteer?
〉 Allows our club to provide great events
〉 Learn more about the sport of speed skating
〉 Meet other parents and officials
〉 It’s fun to be a part of an event
〉 It’s rewarding to make a contribution
〉 Often provides a rink-side viewing location
〉 Makes time pass quickly at a meet
〉 Helps keep speed skating costs down
Competition Opportunities
Open each tab to learn more about what each official does. This information is sourced from the Officials Manual published by Speed Skating Canada.
- Meet Coordinator
- Referee
- Starter
- Recorder
- Timer
- Place Judge
- Clerk of the Course
- Lap Counter
- Track Steward
- Runner
- Announcer
- Hosts
The Meet Coordinator is responsible to the club/provincial executive and Referee for the total organization of the meet. This includes receiving and verifying entries, setting the program of events, overseeing the Chief Recorder and ensuring that all paperwork before, during and after the meet is complete, including record applications and results distribution.
The Meet Coordinator must know the main rules which cover the organization and the running of the particular competition. He/she must also have a thorough understanding of the duties of all officials. Meet Coordinators must be highly organized, perform calmly under pressure and work well with and be able to draw upon the strengths of the other volunteers.
The Meet Coordinator’s overall function is much the same for the various types of competitions. Most Coordinators will serve an apprenticeship under someone who has handled meets previously. If this is not possible, the Meet Coordinator will have to learn quickly the many items that need to be handled.
The Referee, as the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for all aspects of the meet. Their main requirement is a thorough knowledge of the rules and a sincere intention to apply them firmly but fairly. A novice Referee has probably had some experience as another official or has been a former skater and has a fair idea of the rules.
The Referee has broad, far-ranging powers to change everything from distances to the ice surface, to make rulings consistent with fair play and in fact, to do anything necessary to ensure that the meet is completed in the best manner possible.
The Referee decides all points of dispute and infringement of the rules. Their decision is final although there is provision for a written protest (on interruption of the rules, not on judgement calls) which ultimately is also decided by the Referee.
The Starter is in complete control of the start and decides all disputes relating to the start. They ensure that all competitors have a fair and equal opportunity at the start of the race.
The Recorders (in coordinator with and under the direction of, the Meet Coordinator) prepare and distribute all paper associated with the running of the meet. As such, they are an indispensable element of any competition. Accuracy, speed and remaining calm under pressure are the prime assets of Recorders.
The Recorders need a quiet, well lit, suitably sized room, equipped with photocopier/paper; computer/printer/paper, calculators, clipboards, binders, stationary supplies; SSC Red Book/ISU Manuals and SSC meet forms. A walkie-talkie is also important for effective communication with the other officials. The Chief Recorder together with the Meet Coordinator must ensure that the necessary office equipment and supplies are on-hand.
The recording office should be as free as possible from unnecessary interference from coaches, parents and even other officials. However, the office should not be so insular that nobody can access the area, for example, the media.
Several days to a week before the meet, the Chief Recorder (and often some of the recording staff) work(s) with the Meet Coordinator in receiving and verifying entries, setting up the program of events, assigning entrants to the initial heats and preparing timing and judging forms and meet result sheets.
The role of the Timers is to accurately time the skaters participating in the race. Timing is very important since skaters advancing to semis or finals may be determined by times. Records are kept for all distances and all skaters like to know when they have achieved a personal best time for a distance and how their time compares with the records.
Timers can advance into E-Timing for higher level competitions.
Also called a Finish Line Judge.
The role of the Finish Line Judges is to determine the order of finish of the participants in the race. This task is often quite demanding, particularly when the skaters are closely bunched at the finish line. In this respect, Finish Line Judges should have the ability to “hold” a mental picture of the moment of the skater’s skate crosses the finish line.
The Clerk of the Course and the assistant(s), also known as marshallers, must make sure that the skaters are ready for their upcoming races although, in theory, the ultimate responsibility to be ready is that of the skaters. The Clerks marshall the competitors, check their names and numbers and conduct the draw, unless the starting positions of the skaters in the race have been previously computer generated.
In mass start racing, the Clerks are in what many consider the most important position to influence the orderly and smooth running of the races. An efficient Clerk will have the next set of skaters ready to go, while unnecessary delays, confusion and frustration will result if the skaters are not ready.
Also called a Lap Recorder.
A minimum of two Lap Recorders are required for SSC sanctioned meets. The duty o the first Lap Recorder is to inform the skaters (and officials) of the number of laps left to be skated in a race. The second Lap Recorder provides a check for the first Lap Recorder and looks after the lapped skater(s) if required.
The Lap Recorder must have lap cards with large, legible numbers which can be shown to each of the skaters in the race as they approach the finish line and enter another lap. The numbers are presented to the skaters at about eye level from a position safely clear of the skating track and the Lap Recorder should also announce in a loud, clear voice, the number of laps remaining. When the last lap of any race is approaching, the Lap Recorder signals this by ringing a distinctive bell.
Track Stewards are responsible for maintaining and repairing the ice between races as well as replacing missing blocks on the corners during the races. Other on-ice duties may be assigned as directed by the Referee. They must be on skates, preferably speed skates, and be competent skaters and are required to wear a helmet.
Runners form a critical link in the flow of paper during a meet. After each race or series of races, a Runner is responsible for taking the complete race forms from the Chief Timer and Chief Finish Line Judge (or Trackside Recorder if used) and delivering them as quickly as possible back to the recording office.
The Runners may also perform a variety of other tasks during the competition, i.e. taking messages to the Announcer, changes to the Clerks, Judges and Timers, providing refreshments to the officials etc. Two to four Runners (including substitutes) are required for each meet.
Announcing is one of the most important jobs in the meet. The Announcer needs to be knowledgeable about the skaters and the sport to be able to convey to the crowd the points of interest. Above all, he/she should be enthusiastic about the sport and ready to sell it to the audience, whether indoors or outdoors.
The Announcer needs a complete program of events, a list of competitors, a notation of provincial and Canadian record times for the distance and the age group, and when possible, some background on the skaters (former age group champion, runner-up in age group last year, etc.)
Hosts play a vital role in making sure all of the volunteers and officials have a place to gather during breaks as well as replenish themselves with food and beverages.
Non-competition Opportunities
〉 Skate rental (assisting with skate rental distribution in August)
〉 Casino (runs approximately every 2 years)
〉 Coaching (parents and skaters interested in coaching will be paired with a trained coach)
〉 Remember to have the coach sign off on your volunteer hours regularly
〉 Skater recruitment (events and/or information kiosks for the public)
〉 Committee member (become a committee member: committees are set up throughout the season to assist with key tasks for the association, for example: fundraising and grant writing)
〉 Equipment maintenance (work with our VC of Equipment)
〉 Administration (helping office staff and/or Meet Coordinator with various tasks prior to a competition)
〉 Partner events with Sport Calgary, such as All Sport One Day and All Sport One City
〉 Special Event assistant (purchase food, set up, clean up, etc. for club events such as Officials’ Clinics, the AGM, the Awards Gala, walk-in registration and other events as needed)
How to Volunteer
A variety of volunteer opportunities will be offered throughout the season. These opportunities will be communicated to our members via email notification and/or updates to our volunteer website pages.
It is quick and easy, and we advise you to sign up early to have the most choices available for tasks and shifts being offered. A confirmation email is provided and due to the nature of the program, there may be possible changes or added information, so additional emails may follow.
If you are looking for hours, do not leave it to the last month! Contact our VC of Volunteers for assistance. One hour equals one credit.
Our main need for volunteers is on the days of the speed skating meets, but understand the struggle of multi children or other commitments. There are also opportunities that can be done while your child skates, leading up to a meet, or even providing food for the meets that all count towards your volunteer hours.
Speed Skating Meets
It takes a lot of volunteers to plan and execute a successful speed skating meet. Our skaters rely on your continued support! The following opportunities are available at our meets. There is lots of opportunities to volunteer opposite when your child is racing. For some, no experience is needed, while other require past experience. This will be marked on the sign up sheet. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend a Level One Officials Clinic prior to working at a sanctioned meet. Time spent at the clinic will count towards your total volunteer requirement. The clinic and times will be emailed out when they are scheduled.
Volunteer Requirements
Like all sports organizations, speed skating relies heavily on volunteers to successfully meet the demands of the sport. Members of the Calgary Speed Skating Association are required to volunteer each season. Each skating member is required to provide 20 hours of volunteer service during the season. For a family with more than one skating member,each additional skating member adds 10 volunteer hours to a maximum of 40 volunteer hours.
Tracking Hours
Members are responsible for the completion and recording of their own volunteer hours. They are responsible for having their time verified by a meet coordinator, CSSA board member, staff, or coach that they may have assisted.
- Volunteer hours are calculated to the end of the season (end of March).
- Submissions must be submitted for verification to the VC of Volunteers.
- Submit your completed volunteer hours as soon as possible after completing. This helps us in our season-end calculations.
Exceptions
- Calgary Speed Skating Association members who skate with other programs, such as the Oval Pathway and do not use any CSSA ice times are not required to volunteer, but are strongly encouraged to volunteer.
- Learn to Speed Skate and uncoached adult skaters are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer service.