1. WELCOME ALL to the 2008

2. GREETINGS

3. Good morning ladies and gentleman, member clubs, ministry officials, ODSA executive, board members, guest speakers and sports consultants. My name is Christopher Lowcock and I’m the ED of the ODSA. It is my privilege to welcome all of you here today to the 2008 ODSA Leadership Conference funded through a grant provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Sport Priority Funding initiative in the area of Excellence. We have gathered on this weekend in September to review the progress of the ODSA, to share with our member clubs best practices and to mold and plan for the future of this growing organization, to create a resource binder and to host our 2008 AGM.

4. ODSA Executive & Board Before we get started let me introduce to you the ODSA Executive & Board When I mention your name please stand to signify yourself Again I’m the Executive Director – Christopher Lowcock (former President) President – Michael Sullivan (former Vice President) Secretary – Karen McQuade (Secretary) Treasurer – Thomas Meyer (former TUC President & Board Member) Board Member – Joanne Gallagher (TUC Member) Board Member – Don Lane (ODGC Secretary – Manager PDGA Canada) Board Member – Dusan Nedelko (SRDGC President) Board Member – Michael Yuhasz (WODS Member) Board Member – Nathalie Muller (OCUA Board – Not in Attendance) Board Member – Brandon Fleming (BCDGC Board – Not in Attendance) I’d also like to acknowledge our Funding Partners and Sponsors

5. ODSA Executive & Board Executive Director – Christopher Lowcock (former President) President – Michael Sullivan (former Vice President) Secretary – Karen McQuade Treasurer – Thomas Meyer (former TUC President & Board Member) Board Member – Joanne Gallagher (TUC Member) Board Member – Don Lane (ODGC Secretary – Manager PDGA Canada) Board Member – Dusan Nedelko (SRDGC President) Board Member – Michael Yuhasz (WODS Member Not in Attendance) Board Member – Nathalie Muller (OCUA Board – Not in Attendance) Board Member – Brandon Fleming (BCDGC Board – Not in Attendance)

6. Funding Partners & Sponsors First our funding partners. For their support and grants leading up to this event and including the underwriting of this conference. First and foremost The Ministry of Heath Promotion, Sport and Recreation Branch for the grant associated with Sport Priority Funding and the Active 2010 Initiatives. The Ontario Trillium Foundation for all of their support and funding. change The Ontario Disc Sports Association, Westmount Hospitality Group owners of this property, all the contributing sponsors for the delegate bags and materials, including VC Ultimate, GAIA, Discraft, Innova, Wham-o the Coaching Association of Ontario, Canadian Sport Centres and the Coaching Association of Canada and the PSO Council.

7. Funding Partners

8. Conference Sponsors

9. Involvement I’ve been involved in disc sports for over 30 years, playing and organizing and to some extent I’ve been involved in the growth of the disc sports at the local, national and international levels. It has been a labour of love in delivering many programs and directives over the years in many facets of the sport. For the last 3 years I’ve focused my energies on the provincial scene, with the help of many key people in creating a Provincial Sports Organization for disc sports and seeking government recognition. This morning I want to talk you about why a PSO was created and how it should benefit disc sports and member clubs. However, before we get started lets Understand the Landscape and meet the present players who are involved at the local level and let them tell us their stories. When I mention your name please stand and tell us about your club.

10. Involvement

11. ULTIMATE GROUPS BUL – Barrie Ultimate League – Talena Krus (Board Member) DUC – Durham Ultimate Club – Kevin MacLeod (League Administrator) * GBU – Georgian Bay Ultimate – Joel Zavitz (President) GUPA – Guelph Ultimate Players Assoc. – Dave Lubrick (Board Member) HUC – Hamilton Ultimate Club – Steve Robinson (President) KU – Kingston Ultimate – Joel Yearsley (President) OCUA – Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Assoc. – Marcia Morris (ED) SUPA – Sault Ultimate Players Assoc. – Curtis Vanderloo (Member) SUC – Sudbury Ultimate Club – Dave Hunt – (President) * TBU – Thunder Bay Ultimate – Thomas Newman (Founding Member) TUC – Toronto Ultimate Club – Ethan Milberg (Vice President) * UE – Ultimate Experience – Kurtis McLellan (President & TUC Vice Chair) WODS – Waterloo Org. Of Disc Sports – Jeanette Bacic (Board Member) WU – Windsor Ultimate – Paul Medved (Board Member) * NON MEMBERS

12. DISC GOLF GROUPS BRDGC – Brantford Disc Golf Club – Melissa Lancaster (Board Member) DISC FUNCTIONAL – Bill Tweedie (Owner) *GDGC – Guelph Disc Golf Club – Mike Pay (Board Member) ODGC – Ottawa Disc Golf Club – Don Lane (Secretary) SRDGC – South River Disc Golf Club – Dusan Nedelko (President) STDSC – St. Thomas Disc Sports Club – Branden Dobson (President) *TIDGC – Toronto Island Disc Golf Club – Kim Scott-Wood (Board Member) WSDGC – Woodstock Disc Golf Collective – Brandon Sparks (Board Member) *NON MEMBERS

13. Why a PSO Was Created In 2005 in consultation with the Ontario sporting community the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation embarked on a course to open up a closed system in order to recognize new and upcoming sports. This was to help increase the participation and percentage of daily physical activity amongst Ontario residences. So, we knocked on the door, the door was opened… and we were welcomed in! It really wasn’t that simple, however the door was opened and we seized the opportunity in the following year!

14. Why A PSO Was Created

15. Creating the Organization To provide affordable insurance To facilitate growth at the local level To help disseminate information and resources Assist in start-up offering web space and registration services Provide an opportunity to build grass roots programming

16. Creating the Organization Originally the disc scene in Ontario was quite fragmented with two huge Ultimate clubs and a few larger Disc Golf entities. However there were a lot of smaller fledgling organizations that couldn’t afford simple start-up costs for Commercial General Liability insurance. The necessary requirement of most cities, towns, school boards, provincial parks and conservation authorities. Researching the sports insurance market we realized we could get heightened and improved insurance coverage at more affordable rates. So we embarked on an all out promotion and buy in, into the concept through the creation of a PSO and passing these savings onto member clubs.

17. The Road On January 31st, 2006 - DISCANADA - Disc Involvement Society of Canada Ontario made application to the Ministry of Health Promotion to secure, for the first time, official disc sports recognition and funding to support growth by becoming a PSO (Provincial Sports Organization).

18. The Road On January 31st, 2006 - DISCANADA - Disc Involvement Society of Canada Ontario made application to the Ministry of Health Promotion to secure, for the first time, official disc sports recognition and funding to support growth by becoming a PSO (Provincial Sports Organization).

19. A MAJOR ADVANCEMENT FOR OUR SPORT At that time the current board and executive were pleased to report that we‘d met all the criteria and received full recognition as of February 27th, 2006. THIS WAS A MAJOR ADVANCEMENT FOR OUR SPORT. From that point onward, a strategic plan to grow the disciplines at the grass root level, while providing a heightened level of support for existing clubs and leagues, was put into play.

20. A MAJOR ADVANCEMENT FOR OUR SPORT At that time the current board and executive were pleased to report that we‘d met all the criteria and received full recognition as of February 27th, 2006. THIS WAS A MAJOR ADVANCEMENT FOR OUR SPORT. From that point onward, a strategic plan to grow the disciplines at the grass root level, while providing a heightened level of support for existing clubs and leagues, was put into play.

21. WHO WE ARE – Today? ONTARIO DISC SPORTS ASSOCIATION ( After a name change in 2007 ) ODSA is a Provincial Sports Organization, with a mandate to increase the number of participants in disc sports, namely Ultimate and Disc Golf, by providing hands on instruction, dissemination of information and promotion of disc sports throughout the province of Ontario.

22. WHO WE ARE – Today? ONTARIO DISC SPORTS ASSOCIATION ( After a name change in 2007 ) ODSA is a Provincial Sports Organization, with a mandate to increase the number of participants in disc sports, namely Ultimate and Disc Golf, by providing hands on instruction, dissemination of information and promotion of disc sports throughout the province of Ontario.

23. Member Club Driven We’ve had explosive growth from a mere 268 players in our first year representing 3 clubs. Growing the membership 10 fold in our second year with a member club base of 12, representing 2168 members? To our current list of 25 member clubs representing 11,155 players, which is made up of 15 Ultimate clubs and 10 Disc Golf organizations. I’ve created a few charts showing club and member growth over the years including projects into next year

24. TODAYS LANDSCAPE ULTIMATE CLUBS BUL – Barrie Ultimate Club DUC – Durham Ultimate Club HUC – Hamilton Ultimate Club GUPA – Guelph Ultimate Players Assoc. KU – Kingston Ultimate MRSC – Mississauga Rec. Sports Club NUPA – North Bay Ultimate Players Assoc. OCUA – Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Assoc. PUL – Peterborough Ultimate League SU – Sarnia Ultimate SUC – Sudbury Ultimate Club SUPA – Sault Ultimate Players Assoc. TUC – Toronto Ultimate Club WODS – Waterloo Org. of Disc Sports WU – Windsor Ultimate DISC GOLF CLUBS BCDGC – Bronte Creek Disc Golf Club BADGE - Brampton Area Disc Golf Enthusiasts BDGC – Brantford Disc Golf Club DF – Disc Functional EDGE – Etobicoke Disc Golf Experience ODGC – Ottawa Disc Golf Club NBDGC – North Bay Disc Golf Club SRDGC – South River Disc Golf Club STDSC – St. Thomas Disc Sports Club WSDGC – Woodstock Disc Golf Collective NORTH EAST SOUTH

25. ODSA Member Club Breakdowns

26. Congratulations Today, in just over 3 years, we are the 3rd largest disc organization in the world, after the Ultimate Players Association (UPA) and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). Two US organizations that have been around for over 20 years and have memberships that extend around the world.

27. Congratulations Today, in just over 3 years, we are the 3rd largest disc organization in the world, after the Ultimate Players Association (UPA) and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). Two US organizations that have been around for over 20 years and have memberships that extend around the world.

28. ODSA Member Breakdowns

29. Provincial Sport Organization PSO recognition is not just a straight forward application and away you go. There are many varying criteria's in which to meet, and an organization must be strong and functional, following proper corporate governance and prudent risk management principals as a standard of excellence in which to operate under.

30. Provincial Sport Organization PSO recognition is not just a straight forward application and away you go. There are many varying criteria's in which to meet, and an organization must be strong and functional, following proper corporate governance and prudent risk management principals as a standard of excellence in which to operate under.

31. Sport Organization Standards Have a minimum of 200 members with a minimum representation of 25 members in Northern Ontario and 50 members in Southern Ontario and 50 members in Eastern Ontario. [1][1] Be affiliated with the National Sport Organization (NSO) that is generally regarded as the national governing body for the amateur version of the sport. Be able to demonstrate how it provides opportunities for all citizens of Ontario. Be the provincial leader in its sport - the Ministry supports the concept of a single provincial umbrella organization in each sport, providing services to all disciplines. Whenever possible, new sports will be amalgamated into existing recognized PSO’s with similar activities. [1] Sport & Recreation Branch staff will work with currently recognized Provincial Sport Organizations to assist them in achieving long term compliance.[1]

32. Sport Organization Standards Have a minimum of 200 members with a minimum representation of 25 members in Northern Ontario and 50 members in Southern Ontario and 50 members in Eastern Ontario. [1][1] Be affiliated with the National Sport Organization (NSO) that is generally regarded as the national governing body for the amateur version of the sport. Be able to demonstrate how it provides opportunities for all citizens of Ontario. Be the provincial leader in its sport - the Ministry supports the concept of a single provincial umbrella organization in each sport, providing services to all disciplines. Whenever possible, new sports will be amalgamated into existing recognized PSO’s with similar activities. [1] Sport & Recreation Branch staff will work with currently recognized Provincial Sport Organizations to assist them in achieving long term compliance.[1]

33. Governance Standards Governance Standards required of a PSO: Volunteer based and incorporated as a not-for-profit; Governed by an elected Board of Directors; Provide a plan outlining the organization’s objectives and how they will be achieved (i.e. Operational Plan, Business Plan, Strategic Plan) Has a constitution and bylaws; Holds an annual general meeting; Approved annual budget and year-end financial statements; Has approved operational policies and agrees to implement policies as required by the Ministry.

34. Governance Standards Governance Standards required of a PSO: Volunteer based and incorporated as a not-for-profit; Governed by an elected Board of Directors; Provide a plan outlining the organization’s objectives and how they will be achieved (i.e. Operational Plan, Business Plan, Strategic Plan) Has a constitution and bylaws; Holds an annual general meeting; Approved annual budget and year-end financial statements; Has approved operational policies and agrees to implement policies as required by the Ministry.

35. What can being recognized by MHP do for member clubs. Heightens awareness of disc sports Makes us a stronger voice Able to come to the table with the other sports with a more serious involvement Legitimizes the sport and games Helps in promotion and capacity building Able to tap into government funding and community grants

36. What can being recognized by MHP do for member clubs. Heightens awareness of disc sports Makes us a stronger voice Able to come to the table with the other sports with a more serious involvement Legitimizes the sport and games Helps in promotion and capacity building Able to tap into government funding and community grants (and here are some examples of funding)

37. Education and Grass Roots Over the course of the last few years we have received $80,000 from the Ministry of Health Promotion and taught 20,000 students at over 200 schools through hands on play across the province exposing grades 7 through to grades10 student to disc sports, and left thousands of dollars worth of apparatus and educational materials. We’ve also distributed rulebooks and DVD’s to thousands of our own members

38. Education and Grass Roots Over the course of the last few years we have received $80,000 from the Ministry of Health Promotion and taught 20,000 students at over 200 schools through hands on play across the province exposing grades 7 through to grades10 student to disc sports, and left thousands of dollars worth of apparatus and educational materials. We’ve also distributed rulebooks and DVD’s to thousands of our own members

39. Excellence and Capacity In 2008 we received $100,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation as part of a two year grant for $189,000. An investment in improving the ODSA through a number of initiatives to help in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Strategic, Operational and Revenue Generation Plans and to help and teach our member clubs about best practices We also received and additional grant from MHP for $50,000 this year to build upon our educational process of excellence to embrace member clubs to operate under these directives in order to build capacity and mitigate risk.

40. Excellence and Capacity In 2008 we received $100,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation as part of a two year grant for $189,000. An investment in improving the ODSA through a number of initiatives to help in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Strategic, Operational and Revenue Generation Plans and to help and teach our member clubs about best practices We also received and additional grant from MHP for $50,000 this year to build upon our educational process of excellence to embrace member clubs to operate under these directives in order to build capacity and mitigate risk.

41. What is the purpose of a PSO? One of the key deliverables of the ODSA is to educate the masses. With our recent Disc Sports Tour, we hope we've made a difference in educating numerous communities about their leagues, courses and offerings available as a new recreation alternative. We've constantly updated our website on where we've been, what apparatus and tools we left behind to support future play as well as provided an overview of the numbers of students reached and the disc sport taught in each school. What is left to accomplish is for individual clubs, leagues and courses to embrace these efforts by mentoring these schools and the students. Contact the schools in your respective area from the information that has been provided (right off the ODSA website, under the schedules sections). We mentioned your leagues and efforts as part of our communication to the schools. We positioned this program as a Sports Development Initiative presented by our PSO & local clubs & courses (for example...'presented by ODSA, the local North Bay Ultimate Players Association (NBUPA) along with the North Bay Disc Golf Club (NBDGC) and the Disc Golf course at Laurentian Ski Hill in order to highlight the local connection. We truly hope that you and your club will now take the lead and move this forward. The schools now have the tools, they need local mentors to continue to help build momentum and provide expertise. You can deliver that to them now!

42. What is the purpose of a PSO?

44. ODSA Leadership Conference Over the course of this weekend, together we will hear and learn from experts on the various components involved in operating well run clubs and leagues sharing knowledge in corporate governance and risk management. Additionally we be enlightened on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and seek understanding on coaching principles for a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Together we will work to implement these standards to enrich our PSO and strengthen our member clubs with an approach to excellence.