Decision making process - Approved July 14th, 2010

All, as I said in my  June 10th email, we will be reviewing and voting on a proposed decision making process at our monthly meeting July 14th.  Bob Uerz has documented a decision making process based on our discussions at the June 9th meeting which is posted at the above link and reproduced below:

SUMMARY OF BASIC ELEMENTS OF DECISION-MAKING FOR
THE CHITTENDEN DELEGATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS VERMONT
 (PROPOSED JUNE 20, 2010)


Brief Description of Roles and Responsibilities of Delegation Coordinators, Coaches, Parents/Guardians, Caregivers, and Athletes

Delegation Coordinators are volunteers who take the responsibility to make sure that the delegation complies with requirements of Special Olympics Vermont. Delegation Coordinators work with SOVT, coaches, parents/guardians, caregivers, and athletes as well as other volunteers to address numerous organizational issues. Especially in the absence of other volunteer resources, they propose solutions to complex problems and their role is key in this new decision-making process.

Coaches are volunteers and must comply fully with the rules and regulations set out by Special Olympics Vermont and follow the Code of Conduct published by Special Olympics. Coaches should be focused on the safety of athletes while imparting to those athletes the spirit of sportsmanship and understanding of the rules and objective of the particular sport. In the course of working with athletes, they will educate parents/guardians and athletes about the approach they will employ and stress that each athlete commit to training and active participation.

Parents/Guardians can choose to be volunteers or not. The Delegation hopes that parents/guardians as well as caregivers will make an effort to understand the training requirements required for the sport their athlete wishes to participate in and support the coach in preparing their athlete for competition. We encourage all parents/guardians and caregivers to be actively involved with the Delegation.

Athletes are the reason why the Delegation and Special Olympics Vermont exists. The Delegation is and must remain athlete-centered. All volunteers with this program must work together to see the Delegation grow and flourish. Athletes must be encouraged to try their best and develop both a commitment to sportsmanship and making their best effort.  Athletes are expected to follow the Athletes Code of Conduct as published by Special Olympics.

Since without involvement in fund raising, the Delegation can not achieve its goals, we ask all volunteers and athletes to be directly involved in the fund raising efforts and ask each to think about how we can bring into the Delegation the resources we need to continue to grow!

Primary Communication Tool for Chittenden Delegation

At the present time and into the future, the Delegation will use computer-based technology to communicate critical information to all members of the Delegation. We ask all to sign up for the “Special Olympics Vermont Chittenden Delegation” google group which can automatically provide e-mail announcements directly to you. We will use these announcements to “warn” (announce upcoming discussion and action) on critically important issues facing the Delegation.  Delegation news will also be posted on the “Chittenden Coordinators Corner” weblog along with email announcements broadcast to the distribution list maintained by the coordinators.  The “SOVT Chittenden Calendar” will also be actively maintained.

Postcards will continue to be sent to athletes announcing the start of the respective seasons listing the practice days and times. 


Advanced Notice for Key Decisions

A 30-day notice or warning will be given to critical decisions by the Delegation so that all may actively participate in the decision making process. After proper warning, a vote by those present at the monthly meeting of the Delegation will determine a final decision if that decision is not in conflict with rules and regulations of Special Olympics Vermont.

Responsibilities of All Members of the Chittenden Delegation

It is the responsibility of all members of the Chittenden Delegation (whether they be athletes, parents/guardians, caregivers, coaches, or delegation coordinators) to be respectful and try to understand the challenges before us. We encourage all to think about all possible options in solving problems and understand the value of each others opinion.