The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) recently held its 2010 Winter Board of Directors meeting January 12-14 in Ottawa. CCAA Executive, Staff and Conference representatives gathered for two and half days to provide feedback and thoughtful discussion on core strategic areas and activities.

Governance -  Effective, democratic and ethical development, delivery and operation of the Association.

• The CCAA’s strategic plan and operating plans will continue to be monitored and evaluated, specific performance indicators and identified outcomes will be developed for the plans.  
• Mark Kosak made a recent decision to resign as Athletic Director at Lethbridge College.  The Board approved the appointment of Mark Kosak to fill the Marketing Leadership function of the CCAA until the Annual General Meeting.  The Vice President Marketing position is currently vacant and will be added to the list of Executive positions open for election.  To maintain the cycle of position elections at the 2010 AGM the VP marketing shall be elected for a 1-year term. 
• Eligibility motions for the 2010 AGM were reviewed and discussed.  Information sharing with conferences eligibility representative will occur with motions to be presented at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

Administrative Effectiveness - Optimize administrative efficiency.

• Ø New Communication and Events coordinator, Meaghan Green was introduced and welcomed filling out the CCAA four full-time staff complement. 
• Ø Job descriptions, duty expectations and salary grids were reviewed by the Board in an in camera session
• Ø Revision to the current Human Resources policy and procedures were approved for implementation May 1st.
• Ø CCAA's 2010 Annual General Meeting will be hosted by ACAA and Holland College in Charlottetown PEI June 6-10.

National Championships - Provide competitive programming that will enhance the performance, foster excellence and enrich the educational experience of Canadian student-athletes.

• Ø Two bids were approved: UNBSJ to host of the 2011 Women's Volleyball Championship, March 10-12, 2011 and Durham College to host the 2011 Men’s Basketball Championship, March 17-19, 2011.
• Ø Bids for 2011 men's volleyball, women's basketball and badminton are still in the bid process.  Board approval will be conducted via email voting, upon completion of bid committee review and recommendation.
• Ø Bids for 2011 men's and women's soccer are due from FQSE institution(s) by May 1st.
• Ø Bids for 2011 Golf and Cross Country running  are due  May 1st  from interested institutions.
• Ø The hosting grid was reviewed and a new rotation will be presented at 2010 AGM, included in the grid will be the Open championship sports.
• Ø Changes to dates for 2011 soccer were approved new dates are November 9-11, 2011. 
• Ø 2011 Golf dates were approved for the third week of October as opposed to the second week.
• Ø Motions for Rankings and Coach of the Year awards for Golf and Cross Country Running were approved.
• Ø Implementation of hosting procedures and expectations will be conveyed directly to upcoming hosts and through conferences calls 6 months and 1 month out from an event.
• Ø Sport specific rules motions will be presented at AGM.  The current Golf Championship  fill process and the registration dates for Open Championships will be revised for and presented at AGM.

Corporate Partners - To develop innovative partnerships to generate value for our members.

• Current partnership up for renegotiation this season are PING, adidas, Black knight and West Jet.
• New Big Kahuna agreement was reviewed further information to educate members of the program will be circulated.
•  A number of sponsorship prospects were discussed along with their alignment to certain CCAA properties.
• A new CCAA bursary program was introduced and was met with favourable feedback. A corporate partner will be sought for the program.

Image and Profile of the CCAA - Enhance the profile and image of the CCAA to our various publics.

• Ø   The consensus around the new CCAA logo both by the Marketing Committee as well as the Board of Directors was "it's more important to do it right than quickly".  Feedback on concepts from focus groups was unfavourable.  As a result a new designer will be sought through an RFP process and a new timeline has been struck.  If each objective in the process is met with satisfaction by the Marketing committee and Executive Committee, an unveiling of the new logo is possible by the 2010 AGM.
• Ø   The new CCAA website was launched for the 2009-10 season, besides a new look, new features include: Facebook, YouTube, twitter, athletes of the week, live games of the week, newsletter sign up, directory download, advertising opportunities.
• Ø  The motion to have the host develop a PDF championship poster to be circulated out to all members 60 day prior to the event was approved for implementation 2011-12.  

Partners in the Canadian Sport System - To be recognized as a significant multi-sport partner in the Canadian Sport System

• The CIS-CCAA feasibility study was discussed and Benoit Giradin's the Lead Consultant of the study was available to provide the board with an update on the process (as of January 18)

1. Create a Steering Committee (met 3X) The role of the Steering committee is to supervise and facilitate the administrative process of the project. 
2. Diagnosis of Strategic issues in both org.

• Documentary analysis (1/2)
• Interviews with key leaders & institutions (95 %)
• On-line survey CIS/CCAA to all member institutions (Ads & Presidents & Athletes)
  • Early February 2010

1. Assess the Feasibility of strategic options

• Recommendations made by the consultants (February)
• Working session at the end of February (Steering Committee and ADs from each conferences) (February 24th)
  • Selection of a preferred option

1. Develop of an implementation strategy & business plan

• March and April 2010
• Ø  The CCAA will continue to consult with NSOs and other MSOs to identify needs and requirements and how CCAA services can be improved upon.
• Ø  The CCAA will be participating in the Canadian Sport For Life Workshop April 7-8, which is an opportunity to exchange with NSOs and develop an aligned strategy in relation to long term athlete development.  In addition the CCAA will be meeting with the other members of the education sector, High schools and Universities, to discuss education's role and it's alignment with the LTAD and role in Sport for Life.

Sport Development for our Members - To anticipate and respond to the interests of Student-Athletes and member post-secondary institutions to enrich the sport experience.

• Ø  Options for all CCAA Athletic Directors to come together in some type of forum will be provided in the spring workbook.
• Ø  Coaching development is offered to CCAA members via three programs: Coaching Professional Development Program, Female Apprentice Coach Program and Female Student-Athlete Coaching Professional Development Program.   The CCAA will continue to receive applications for both the Coaching and Female Student-Athlete Coaching PD  Programs.  On the CCAA website a new discussion board is being launched for Apprentice coaches and a section within the Coach PD Program will illustrate learned outcomes from previous participants as a transfer of knowledge tool.
• Ø The area of officials development was discussed and noted as an area of future consideration.
• Manitoba Conference has delayed its application to the CCAA.  Further growth in each sport is required to ensure there is a minimum of four teams registered with the CCAA in respective CCAA sports.   Specific detailed institutional information will be required of those members who are intending to join the CCAA.  The next date for application is November 15, 2010.

Financial Security - Enhance existing and explore new funding sources

• Ø  Current membership fee structure will be maintained.  A notice of notice from 2009 AGM will be to have all institutions participating in Golf and Cross Country running register at the CCAA AGM and pay sport specific fees. 
• The new Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (SFAF IV) for National Multisport Services was reviewed.  The CCAA continues to meet requirements for multiyear Sport Canada contributions.
• Ensuring accessibility by reducing financial barriers to participate - the travel equalization figure although set at $400 presently, will likely be substantially lower once all travel is completed. Participating teams will be rebated accordingly.   
• A motion to redistribute the travel subsidy for open championships will be presented at the 2010 AGM.

For more information:

The 2010 CCAA Winter Board Meeting minutes will be forthcoming on the CCAA website or please contact:

Sandra Murray-MacDonell

Executive Director

Tel: 613.937.1508

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