The development of the skater is the whole purpose for the existence of the club, the coach and Skate Canada. With the exception of the coaches, the people who run our club are volunteers. Become acquainted with the members of the Executive Committee. Also try to help out at test days, Club competition, for fundraising and other activities. We are always looking for volunteers to help in many aspects of the club's functions.

New skating parent? Check out this article written for new skating parents:
(See attached file: Guidelines-for-New-Parents-Article.pdf)

Your child is involved in skating for a sense of sportsmanship, accomplishment and to socialize. As parents, we typically provide challenges and goals for our children to attain. The parent molds a passion for excellence and rewards dedication, commitment and hard work. Skaters soon learn that by displaying their commitment to skating and fulfilling parental expectations, they reap many rewards.

The skating parent's role is to provide physical, emotional and, of course, financial support.
· Your skater will need you to show an interest in the progress, as well as giving your encouragement and understanding when times are difficult. You help to shape your child's attitudes, how they cope with success and failure, how they relate to other skaters and how they react to criticism. Set a good example, as your child will be watching and learning from you.
· Even young skaters need to have some input into skating decisions. Do not impose your goals onto your child. Assist your child in establishing his or her skating goals with the coach.
· Skating can become expensive if you allow it to. Ultimately, the decision of how much money from the family budget should go to skating is up to the parent. Try not to put added pressure on the skater about financial matters.
· The number of lessons your child will need depends on many factors including; how fast your child progresses with new material; how much the parent is willing to spend per week in lessons; and how much time the coach has to teach them
· Coaches give separate lessons (at a fee) for each discipline and each lesson lasts approximately 15 minutes. The cost per lesson varies with each coach due to qualifications and experience.

When hiring a coach, the club can provide information about the coaches available to teach your son or daughter. The coach should be one that the skater feels comfortable with, and one you both respect as an individual as well as a teacher. You want a coach who treats your child with respect and who is interested in your child's development as a person as well as a skater. Regular meetings and planning sessions between the coach and parents are important. You should keep the coach informed about the skater's educational commitments, financial constraints and other information that may impact on your skater's training. This is a good time to discuss any concerns and ask questions about your skater's progress.

As a parent we want to provide challenges and goals for our children. This can be difficult, not only on a day-to-day basis, but especially when involved in an organized sport. Not all children learn at the same rate as others and we should always allow the children to control their own dreams and ambitions.

Keeping children motivated is always a difficult challenge. As a parent, always try to instill enthusiasm with support. Encourage your children to believe in themselves and that you believe in them too. Be positive in their accomplishments and supportive during the ups and downs.

Set goals, foster self-responsibility, discourage excuses, encourage persistence, support their coach and always remember that winning is not always measured by a medal but by achieving a goal they have set, whether that be a test passed, landing a double loop or doing their best program ever.

Please always try to remember that we all strive to provide a safe and happy environment for our children to learn, develop self confidence and pride in their accomplishments. When your child steps out onto the ice the following poem by W.A. Clennan describes what we are all trying to achieve:

"The contest lasts for moments,
though the training has taken years.
It wasn't the winning alone that was worth
the work and tears.
The applause will be forgotten,
the prize will be misplaced,
but the long hard hours of practice will never be a waste.
In trying to win you build a skill,
you learn that winning depends on will.
You never grow by how much you win,
you only grow by how much you put in.
So any challenge you have just begun,
put forth your best and you have already won."

Parents’ Code

· Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
· Teach your child that an honest effort is as important as winning a medal.
· Encourage your child to abide by the rules of the Carleton Place Figure Skating Club.
· Never yell at or ridicule your child for making a mistake.
· Never compare your child’s achievements to another’s.
· Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good efforts by other skaters as well as your own.
· Do not publicly question or criticise officials, coaches or club members and never question their honesty.
· Recognise the value and importance of the volunteer. They give their time and resources to provide a club for your child.
· Be supportive.
· Be informed. If you want information - Go find it - don’t wait for it to come to you

SKATE CANADA PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
(See attached file: Parents Code of Conduct poster EN.pdf)

Club Obligations to parents (and skaters):
· To provide up-to-date quality Skate Canada programs to all members.
· To provide the skater and their parent(s) with the basic information necessary to enable them to choose a realistic and affordable course of action to achieve their goals and objectives
· To clearly outline all Club program policies including cost and method of payment
· To clearly outline all Club policies including parent responsibilities, safety issues, Club competition and ice show, test days, ice qualifications, etc.
· To ensure that sufficient, qualified coaches are available to teach all programs within the Club, including private instruction.
· To ensure that the best interests of all skaters in the Club are taken into account when making Club decisions.
· To communicate as regularly and effectively as possible with skaters and parents as to Club activities, changes in Skate Canada rules and regulations, Club regulations and policies and other important or relevant information affecting the skater’s participation in the sport.
· To help promote that a positive learning environment is maintained in the Club
· Respect all members’ racial and religious practices.
· To inform all members in regards to the Club’s constitution and by-laws and requirements for the Annual General Meeting

Interclub / Competitions
· If and when your child chooses to enter a competition you will be exposed to a whole different part of skating.
· Within the category your child enters, there will probably be several other skaters also competing. There will be a draw to fairly determine the order the skaters will compete. If there are many skaters competing in the same category, they will likely be divided into "flights".
· Each flight of skaters has the opportunity to "warm-up" for about 5-6 minutes. Following the warm-up, each skater will perform his/her program in the order drawn. Each flight will receive the same amount of warm-up time.
· A panel of judges will mark each performance and Skate Canada trained accountants will tabulate and post the results for everyone to use.
· A skater who skates a personal best and graciously wins as well as graciously loses, is a winning skater
· Please feel free to communicate with any members of the Executive for more information, we will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. After all we were once in your shoes.