Policies & Procedures

Welcome to the Bowmanville Figure Skating Club (BFSC) Policies & Procedures page. As a community-based, volunteer-driven organization affiliated with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada, we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, transparent, safe, and athlete-centred environment.

This page serves as the central hub for our club's governing documents, strategic direction, and operational guidelines. Additional policies will be published here as they come online.

1. Club Goals & Strategic Plan (2026–2029)

Our Strategic Plan outlines BFSC’s operational priorities and developmental goals for the 2026–2029 seasons, ensuring alignment with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada standards while supporting sustainable growth, athlete development, and an exceptional club experience.

1.1 Overview

BFSC serves skaters in Clarington and surrounding communities through programs ranging from CanSkate learn-to-skate to STARSkate and competitive training delivered at local facilities including South Courtice Arena and Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex.

• Vision: To be a leading, inclusive figure skating club in Ontario where every skater can achieve personal excellence and develop a lifelong love of skating.
• Mission:
  • Provide accessible, developmentally appropriate skating programs from early childhood to adulthood.
  • Support skaters' technical, artistic, and personal growth through certified coaching and structured pathways.
  • Partner with families, volunteers, and community stakeholders to strengthen skating in the region.

1.2 Strategic Goal Areas (2026–2029)

1. Participation Growth: Increase total registration by 20% over three seasons, with an emphasis on CanSkate entry pathways and conversion to STARSkate.
2. Athlete Development: Align programming with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada long-term development frameworks, offering seasonal development days, simulations, and workshops.
3. Quality Coaching: Maintain a fully certified, Skate Canada-registered coaching team across all programs with ongoing professional development.
4. Inclusion & Safe Sport: Ensure programming is welcoming to all skaters, promote Safe Sport policies, and explore financial assistance options to reduce cost barriers.
5. Club Experience: Enhance communication, host seasonal showcases or test days, and celebrate skater achievements.
6. Organizational Sustainability: Maintain strong governance and financial oversight through an engaged volunteer Board and multi-year sponsorship strategies.

1.3 Implementation & Measuring Success

• Short Term (12 Months): Focus on participation growth, communication improvements, and immediate coach development opportunities.
• Medium Term (2–3 Years): Introduce enhanced athlete development programs and expand community partnerships.
• Measuring Success: Success is evaluated through registration and retention numbers, test completion and athlete progression, and member satisfaction survey feedback.

View the full BFSC Club Goals and Strategic Plan.pdf

2. Volunteer Policy & Safe Sport Screening Guidelines

• Effective Date: October 1, 2026
• Version: 1.0
• Review Cycle: Annual
• Policy Owner: BFSC Board of Directors

2.1 Purpose & Scope

The Bowmanville Figure Skating Club (BFSC) is committed to providing a safe, athlete-centred, and inclusive environment. This policy outlines screening, supervision, and conduct requirements for all volunteers in alignment with Skate Ontario's Safe Sport Framework and Volunteer Screening Guidelines.

• Adult Volunteers (18+): Governed by the screening categories detailed below.
• Youth Volunteers & Program Assistants (<18): Governed under Skate Canada / Skate Ontario Program Assistant guidelines. Youth volunteers must complete PA training, obtain parent/guardian consent, and operate under the direct, continuous supervision of certified Skate Canada coaches.

2.2 Screening Requirements

To ensure participant safety, volunteer roles are categorized based on the level of interaction, direct supervision, and authority over child and youth athletes.

Category 1: Screened Roles (Vulnerable Sector Check Required)

Roles involving direct contact, supervision, or authority over athletes and youth participants require:

1. A Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) through local police services every three (3) years (or Skate Ontario VSC E-PIC).
2. An Annual Offence Declaration form during off-years between VSC renewals.

Screened Roles include: Board Members, Dressing Room Volunteers, Ice Captains, and Event Chaperones / Team Managers.

Category 2: Non-Screened Roles

Adults may volunteer for roles that do not involve direct athlete supervision without completing a VSC. These volunteers must still complete the Skate Ontario Conduct Acknowledgment.

Non-Screened Roles include: Music players, Announcers, Fundraising support, Donation/Admission collection, and General event setup/hospitality.

2.3 Volunteer Screening Summary Matrix

2.4 Conduct Requirements & The Rule of Two

All volunteers must abide by Skate Ontario's Volunteer Conduct Standards.

• Definition: An athlete must never be left alone in a closed, non-public, or unobserved space (e.g., dressing rooms, offices, meeting spaces) with a single adult volunteer or coach.
• Execution: All interactions must be open, observable, and involve at least two vetted, unrelated adults who do not reside in the same household.
• Dressing Rooms: Must always be supervised by two screened adult volunteers of the appropriate gender, or the doors must remain open when only one adult is nearby.

2.5 On-Ice Volunteers & Compliance

• On-Ice Volunteers: BFSC does not permit adult on-ice volunteers under any circumstances. All on-ice roles are performed exclusively by certified, active Skate Canada Coaches or designated Program Assistants.
• Reporting Concerns: Safety concerns or violations should be reported to the BFSC Safe Sport Officer / President, or directly to Skate Canada Safe Sport.
• Enforcement: Non-compliance (including refusal of screening or failure to observe the Rule of Two) will result in immediate suspension or removal from volunteer duties.

View the full Volunteer Policy.pdf