Chesapeake Figure Skating Club Strategic Planning Meeting

August 1, 2006 at the home of Silvia Petrik

Meeting began at 6:30

In attendance: Silvia Petrik, Brenda Amrhein, Richard Dennison, Susan Dennison, Suzana Balasubramanian, Lee Jones, Nick Kohut, Natalie Blagowidow, Linda Gettier and Sam Ketterman

The goal of the meeting was to identify ways for the Club to better serve our members.  The Board the brainstormed ideas, which were then organized into eight categories.  The Board ranked the categories in order of importance, and discussed the ideas in the group ranked first.  Ideas in the additional groups will be discussed at future Board meetings.

The first group included ideas on how to “Foster Progress.”  These ideas were:

1. Hold competition with judges’ critique. Attract strong outside skaters, but competition should be appropriate for the strength of our members. – How to achieve: Provide skaters with individual evaluation critiques from judges; critiques are recommended to be done at the beginning of the season; skaters and coaches would go in together to meet with judges for feedback.
2. Provide opportunities to advance skater skills through testing. -  How to achieve: Create a skaters’ wall to show those skates who have achieved high levels .
3. Recognize skater progress so they feel good about their efforts. How to achieve – Create skaters’ wall; Linda sends e-mails after competitions recognizing skaters who did well; create a photo file of all members for congratulations.
4. Form competitive program awareness with basic program. - How to achieve: Provide skater and parent education to explain and promote the competitive track; this education should be provided before skaters complete Freestyle 2; could be scheduled for this Fall during the Bridge Program after Freestyle on Sundays.
5. Create an environment where high achievement is recognized and inspires all other up & coming skaters. – How to achieve: Create a skaters wall; find out why high level skaters are leaving for other rinks; work with Ice World to develop ice times for levels and dance; talk to coaches to develop plan.
6. Provide structure for skaters to measure their progress. – How to achieve: Test sessions; banner to show skaters’ names and level
7. Sponsor higher level skaters. – How to achieve: Offer skaters who pass junior moves a refund of test fee.
8. Foster skaters through novice-senior level & even to national level competitions. – How to achieve: Invite coaches to next Board meeting.

Group 2: “Rink Relations”

a.       Improve communication among rink/club.

b.      Work with rink/Heather to develop more classes ( Jeff’s edge, power with Gary); more would be interesting – could be 8 weeks long, e.g. dance, pairs, etc.

c.       Build a team of coaches.

d.      Ask for more food variety.

e.       Offer sessions by level.

f.        Work with the rink to create programs and ice times to facilitate the next level of training.

g.       Keep rink viable so we continue to have a good place to skate.

h.       Improve the lockers so we can use them more efficiently.

i.         Offer performance opportunities different form what the rink offers.

Group 3: “Support Parents”

a.       Help parents manage & pace long-term commitment, financial & otherwise.

b.      Foster collaboration among coaches and parents & among skaters.

c.       Support network for parents to understand “the system.”

d.      Hold clinic with topics which all level of skaters (and parents/members) can benefit from.

e.       Provide opportunity for ice skating education for members and parents.

Group 4: “ Promote Fitness”

a.       Provide a good environment for learning & training.

b.      Provide healthy environment for progress of the skater.

c.       Small gym would be nice, or pool.

d.      Encourage physical fitness with exercise.

e.       Continue to offer extra classes such as power or edge.

Group 5: “Social Network”

a.       Organize more social events so members can get to know one another.

b.      Give skaters and families a second social circle in their lives, foster belonging.

c.       Identify age groups served in the membership. Focus activities according to needs of specific groups.

Tie for Group 6: “Future”

a.       Leave a legacy for next generation (5, 10 years) of skaters.

b.      Provide leadership training & Board continuity through transition  - i.e. President/Vice-President with 2-, 3-year terms.

c.       Have Club members involved in test sessions.

Tie for Group 6: “Fundraising”

a.       Painless, fun, easy, good money for effort involved.

b.      To raise money from different fundraising.

c.       Recruit more volunteers for Club events.

d.      Attract more funding and promote recognition of Club in community and skating arena.

e.       Provide Club services at reasonable costs.

Group 8: “Publicity”

a.       Increase publicity about events, tests & competition results.

b.      Advertise to bring more members.

c.       Continue to take Club banner and Club jackets to competitions.

d.      Promote the Club as a team.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30.