Key Volunteer Positions (KVP)

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart"
                                                                             - Elizabeth Andrew

The following Key Volunteer Positions (KVP) are incredibly valuable to the success of our organization. They may be led by individuals or a group of individuals working together to serve this mandate for the Etobicoke Ringette Association. Some roles will require periodic work; whereas others will be ongoing throughout the season. The ERA Board of Directors will review all applications and contact individuals for further discussion and follow-up.

Applications for any of the following positions can be made here: https://forms.gle/kWvwoWQvZxKQZiKG8

 *CRITICAL ROLE* Ice Scheduler

• Liaise with the City of Toronto permit officer to establish our annual ice allocation/schedule and act as a single point of contact for any changes or modifications to ice availability throughout the season
• NOTE: The ice allocation and contract have been signed for the 2026/27 season. This step is already done!
• Review proposed ice permits with ERA Executive and confirm budget with Treasurer
• Assign ice schedule for all teams for practices, skills/development sessions etc. 
• Receive and manage 'black-out' dates from each team (usually required for tournament weekends or other critical team functions) and ensure that LORL/GLRL are aware so that games are not scheduled
• Submit available ice to LORL/GLRL (they use this ice to schedule home games on our behalf). Once the schedule is set, any unused ice is 'returned' to the Association which can then be re-assigned for practices etc.
• Work with the ERA website administrator to upload all practice schedules into RAMP

Volunteer Coordinator

• Oversee the list of volunteers and communicate volunteer opportunities as needed
• Track the completion of volunteer training for those supporting our Delta Bingo Fundraiser and ensure that shifts are filled (2/month x 6 months). 
• Create a schedule of volunteers for Community events such as Taste of the Kingsway, Ukrainian Festival etc. 

RAMP Website/Player App Webmaster

• Make content updates to ERA website using RAMP Content Management System (CMS)
• Report system issues and enhancement suggestions to RAMP Support team
• Set up teams and sync RAMP registrations with RAMP website/player app
• Oversee any issues or updates relating to players and schedules in the RAMP app

Convenor - Come Try Ringette

• Organize on-ice activities for players
• Solicit volunteers (on-ice and off-ice) to assist with day of the event activities
• Work with the Marketing Committee to promote event
• Work with the Registrar to ensure that CTR registration is set-up
• Register CTR even with RO
• Send communications to registered participants (event reminder, important event details and follow-up)
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Learn to Skate 

• Hiring and training of instructors
• Create a schedule of Instructors (volunteer vs. paid) and find backups when absences are expected
• Create a practice plan for each week, following Ringette Ontario guidelines for Children’s Ringette https://www.ringette.ca/discover/childrens-ringette/ 
• Identify children who are ready to progress from Learn to Skate to Learn to Play
• Identify children and speak to families about our FUN2 or FUN3 program
• Attend weekly sessions to answer any questions from family members, provide assistance and ensure program is running smoothly, on-time etc. 
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Children's Ringette FUNdamentals

• Oversee and direct all FUN2 and FUN3 level activities related to the rules of play and codes of conduct of Ringette Ontario and Etobicoke Ringette
• Assign divisional coordinators
• Coordinate the scheduling of practices
• Communicate information regarding FUN2 and FUN3 activities to coaches, team managers and parents
• Coordinate/vet coaches and bench staff for each team in conjunction with KVP - Coach Development
• Have an general awareness of all the players   
• Coordinate and direct the setting up teams/players at the beginning of the season and conduct team balance of the teams if required
• Ensure that there are enough coaches to cover house league practices
• Maintain an up-to-date list of the players on each team and the bench staff of each team
• Coordinate with KVP - Uniforms and Equipment for any jersey or equipment needs 
• Arbitrate disputes within house league
• Schedule minor officials (time keepers) for each game
• Manage any escalations or feedback from parents, and report to the Board as appropriate
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Adult House League

• Organize registered players into balanced teams
• Coordinate with KVP - Uniforms and Equipment for any jersey or equipment needs in the Adult House League Program
• Create weekly game schedule
• Ensure scorekeeper and timekeepers are assigned to each game
• Manage any escalations or feedback from players with the ERA Disciplinary Commitee, and report to the Board as appropriate
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Convenor - Springette 

• Work with Registrar to open registration
• Work with Marketing committee to draft membership communications and advertising
• Organize players into balanced teams
• Works with Director - Purchasing to purchase jerseys 
• Attends each session to ensure that any issues are addressed in a timely manner 
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer
• Tracks attendance and finds back-ups as needed  
• Schedule timekeepers for each game

Convenor - Tryout/Sort-out 

• Coordinate with Scheduler to arrange ice for the tryout / sort-out
• Ensure information and details about the event are widely distributed and posted on the ERA website
• Have a good understanding of RO Tryout and Team Formation rules at A, B and C level teams
• Select evaluators for the process who are experienced, neutral and unbiased
• Liaise with the Head Coach(es) to determine what skills / plays to focus on
• Arrange on-ice support including event lead, drill creation, scrimmage details, and additional on-ice or bench volunteers
• Assist in arranging an official exhibition game in conjunction with the Head Coach if required
• Chair the team selection committee
• Assist in determining the team(s) in conjunction with the Head Coach, taking into account the evaluator’s assessments
• Assist with player offers and / or parent discussions as required
• Report any injuries to Safety Officer

Uniforms & Equipment

• Coordinate with team managers for jersey / pants issuing and tracking
• Coordinate with coaches to issue rings / pylons / pinnies for each team
• Coordinate the issuing of goalie equipment
• Coordinate with purchasing if new / additional items are needed
• Manage the distribution of player uniforms, tracking allocation and ensuring that all required uniforms are returned in good condition at the end of the season.

Lower Ontario Ringette League (LORL) Representative

• Understand, follow and distribute LORL rules to all relevant parties
• Represent ERA at LORL meetings and ensure that pertinent information is shared with ERA Exec and members 
• Share concerns of ERA with LORL committees as necessary

Great Lakes Ringette League (GLRL) Rep

**NOTE: This position is only required when ERA is hosting teams at the "A" or "AA" level of play. This is N/A for the 2026/27 season.

• Understand, follow and distribute GLRL rules to all relevant parties
• Represent ERA at GLRL meetings and ensure that pertinent information is shared with ERA Exec and members 
• Share concerns of ERA with GLRL committees as necessary

Referee in Chief (RIC) and Referee Development

• Recruitment of new referees
• Deep understanding of all rules of ringette and be available to answer questions for coaches, players and members as required
• Training of new referees, including providing tournament opportunities and information for progressing through the ref levels 
• Conveying rule changes to coaches (directly or via Coach Development) 
• Ensure that all games are appropriately staffed
• Work with Treasurer to ensure timely payment to all refs
• Track payments against approved budget and report any discrepancies to the Board for review
• Confirm volunteer hours for high school instructors and submit to the Board for approval

Coach Development

• Ensure all coaches have valid Coaching Certifications and bench requirements
• Organize, recruit, encourage, support, guide coaches and bench staff
• Ensure continual recruitment of coaches at all levels
• Coordinate regular feedback sessions, ensuring coaches know the latest rules, formal and informal Professional Development sessions, etc.
• Conduct regular meetings with each team’s bench staff to provide updates and address issues
• Coordinate Coaching selection interviews as required
• Ensure bench staff qualifications are up-to-date for the upcoming season including police checks
• Review TRF’s to ensure team bench staff requirements are met
• Disseminate safety protocols to bench staff
• Mentor new coaches, or arrange a mentorship relationship between willing coaches from different teams
• Develop resources to assist coaches, including drill library, tips and tricks, online resources, etc
• Work in collaboration with Director of Competition to participate in Head Coach selections
• Set up a pre-season and post-season coaches meeting to review procedures

Player Development

• Liaise with Head Coaches to determine team requirements and focus for development (do not assume that every team needs the same support)
• In conjunction with HC (as required), help coordinate for each team:
• power skating sessions 
• Ringette skills sessions
• physicality sessions
• shooting practice sessions
• dryland training
• Coordinate goalie training for all ERA goalies and goalies-to-be
• Source outside player development opportunities
• Coordinate with AHL Convener for player development support from AHL players
• Coordinate with KVP - Coach Development as required

Marketing and Community Events

• Organize ringette demos for local groups (ie: Girl Guides/Brownies, Gymnastics clubs, schools etc)
• Advertising: create and distribute posters, social media promotions, street signs and other marketing materials to promote ERA registration
• Identify and recommend community events for ERA to participate (requires approval from Board) and register ERA as a vendor/participant (ie: Taste of the Kingsway, Santa Claus Parades, Local MRKT, Farmers Markets etc)
• Set-up and tear down of any ERA booths/tables etc.
• Identify and manage engaging activities for ERA members to get involved and promote the sport of ringette