(OTTAWA - January 21, 2011) The CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) held its 2011 Winter Board of Directors meeting January 11-13 in Ottawa. CCAA executive, staff and conference representatives gathered for two-and-a-half days to provide feedback and thoughtful discussion on core strategic areas and activities.

Highlights from the CCAA 2011 Winter Board Meeting

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.
• There appeared to be support by all conferences for a CCAA name change.  Specifically changing the word "Colleges" to "Collegiate".  A motion with 2/3 majority vote will be required to approve a name change at the 2011 AGM.
• A further motion for a change to the current PCAA (Provincial Colleges Athletic Association) terminology will be forthcoming in the spring workbook.
• Succession planning guidelines for recruitment and retention of CCAA's volunteers and staff was discussion, further research and development will be undertaken in this area.
• Eligibility motions for the 2011 AGM were reviewed and discussed.  Information sharing with conferences eligibility representative will occur with motions to be presented at the 2011 Annual General Meeting.

Administrative Effectiveness - Optimize administrative efficiency.

• New Communication and Events coordinator, Stephanie Wereley was introduced and welcomed by the board.
  • The CCAA Office moved prior to Christmas to prime location within St. Lawrence College in Cornwall, providing additional space for staff members.
  • Professional development opportunities for staff are reviewed on an ongoing basis to assist in attaining the skills and knowledge of their respective position and to increase job satisfaction.
  • Members were surveyed in September regarding a two day professional development conference in conjunction with the 2011 CCAA AGM.  Due to limited support the initiative will not be undertaken.
  • CCAA's 2011 Annual General Meeting will be hosted by OCAA at Blue Mountain Resort, two hours North of Toronto, June 12-16.
  • Simultaneous French and English translation will be available  at the June 2011 CCAA AGM.

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

• • 2011 - 12 bid that were approved:
  • Vancouver Island University - 2012 Women's Volleyball Championship, March 8-10, 2012.
  • Nova Scotia Agricultural College - 2012 Men’s  Basketball Championship, March 15-17, 2012.
  • Lethbridge College - 2012 Women's Basketball Championship, March 15-17, 2012.
  • Holland College - 2011 Golf Championship, October 18-21, 2011.
  • Thompson Rivers University - 2011 Cross Country Running Championship, Nov. 11-12, 2011.
  • Bids for 2012 men's volleyball and badminton are still in the bid process.  Board approval will be conducted via email voting, upon completion of bid committee review and recommendation.
  • Bids for 2012 fall sports are due May 1st by the following conferences:
  • Men's Soccer - BCCAA
  • Women's Soccer - ACAA
  • Golf - OCAA
  • Cross Country Running - FQSE
    • The establishment process of Invitational Championships was supported by all conferences.  Conferences interested hosting an invitational championship in a new CCAA sport will need to forward that application to the CCAA office by April 1st to ensure it is contained within the CCAA workbook process.  Invitational Championships approved at the 2011 AGM will take place the following year.  A committee will be working an Invitational Championship hosting and implementation grid.
    • New DVD exchange process for Volleyball and Basketball was approved with respective teams attending Nationals responsible to contact their opponents of the first round to exchange either DVDs or a video archived download of each other's final game from their PCAA Championship.   Both parties must agree to the method and mode of exchange either DVD or Video download.
    • Fill processes were reviewed along with sport specific motions.  All amendments to these motion will be circulated in Spring workbook.

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

• Current partnership up for renegotiation this season are PING, Spalding, Baden,Big Kahuna, SIRC, and Sportag.
• A number of new sponsors and potential partners are being approached within the next two months.
  • The CCAA sponsorship package was retooled and will aid in securing new sponsors in the coming year

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

• New banners, trophies and medals were on display and received positive feedback by Board.
• Current and future projects were reviewed including Championship Logo timeline and process , CCAA.TV, Nationwide Statistics, CCAA Slogan,. Brand Thunder, Community Service Campaign.
• The use of social media platforms such as twitter and facebook are now being used by the CCAA and a short demonstration was provided to Board members.  Information will be sent to Athletic Directors to disseminate to student-athletes to increase their awareness of CCAA social media sites.
• Further development of possible uses of You Tube from a CCAA perspective will be examined.
• CCAA Communications plan has been developed to increase awareness of the CCAA among target audiences, position the CCAA as an organization actively working to inform and support its members and drive our audiences to our website and our social media sites.

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

• The CCAA continues to work with the CIS in the 1st phase of Ad hoc partnering initiative.
• The CCAA has identified its role within the sport system in the context of Long Term Athlete Development, the CCAA is meeting with a number of its NSO and MSO stakeholders over the coming months  to develop and adjust programs, policy and regulations accordingly.
• The CCAA was present at the Team Sport Summit hosted in conjunction with Own the Podium and Sport Canada.  Representatives included convenors from each of CCAA team sports.  It was a three-and-a-half day event that had international and national presenters, small group workshops and panel discussions.  The CCAA was part of a panel discussion that focused on how we contribute to system development.
• The Sport Leadership Conference in Ottawa was attended by over 650 delegates from across Canada. It was a two day conference with workshop inter spaced with valuable Key Note presentations.  The CCAA's Female Apprentice Coach Program was recognized at the CAC Women in Coaching Luncheon.
• In October, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) invited the CCAA to participate in a workshop.  There was opportunity for open dialogue about the current and future changes to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) and how it may affect organizations and athletes.  The message that the CCAA reiterated was the need for more unannounced testing to validate the education component of the program and deter via word of mouth the possible use of prohibited substances.
• The CCAA has representation on a CCES Task Force, who's objective is to  determine the extent to which performance-enhancing drugs may be part of the competitive tackle football culture and to develop a comprehensive approach to education, deterrence and detection in the sport at all competitive levels.
• CCAA became a member of the True Sport movement  and in the email announcement, members were encouraged to take up the True Sport reigns at their own institutions.    The True Sport web site provides many tools, templates, stories, best practices and ideas of what you can do to live True Sport.

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.

• 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 Female Apprentice Coach Program has been funded by the Sport Canada for 6 years through project funding.  Within the context of project funding, programs need to look a becoming sustainable on their own.  There was discussion on how that might happen with further proposals in the spring workbook.
• Manitoba Conference has delayed its application to the CCAA.    The next date for application is November 15, 2011.

Financial Security - Enhance existing and explore new funding sources

• 2010-2011 marks the third year of a three-year multi-funding agreement with Sport Canada at a reference level of $332,900.  We also received a one-year $80,000 Project grant to support the CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program. 
• The travel equalization figure was projected at $350 this season.  All travel has been booked and the 2010-11 travel costs are currently coming in lower than predicted.
• Current membership fee structure will be maintained.

The 2011 CCAA Winter Board Meeting minutes will be forthcoming on the CCAA website.

CONTACT
Sandra Murray-MacDonell
Executive Director
t: 613.937.1508
e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.ccaa.ca/
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