1. Soccer Northwest Ontario Strategic Plan Presented to SNO AGM Thunder Bay, January 17, 2009

2. Strategic Planning Process 1.Process developed by Board – Feb-Aug Plan model on OSA Strategic Plan 2.Planning Conference – September 5-7 38 participants incl. Kenora & Fort Frances Identified priorities for Clubs, District Association, Coach Development, Referee Development, Player Development (high performance & participation) 3.Outcomes & Measurements - Oct 23-25 Board + T Colistro, D Colistro, C Felice & K Marshall Voting structure, Board restructuring, Constitution, Policies & Procedures, budget, operating principles Defined Objective Description & Measurable Results

3. Vision Soccer is sport of choice in Northwestern Ontario, the game everyone wants to play.

4. VALUES Player-centred: Players are the primary focus in the development of the game of soccer. Enjoyable: Having fun is an integral part of a rewarding soccer experience. Inclusive: Soccer welcomes all who wish to participate. Integrity and Ethical Behaviour: Soccer promotes fair play, honesty, high moral principles and professional standards. Respect: Soccer builds a respect for others. Social Skills: Soccer promotes social skills and inter-personal development.

5. VALUES Community Pride: Soccer contributes to developing healthy and responsible individuals, with a sense of pride for their communities. Commitment: The success of soccer is based on commitment and active participation at meetings, clinics, etc. by all individuals including administrators, coaches, referees and players in order to ensure a high quality of play at all levels. Unity: Soccer organizations and soccer leaders work together in a unified approach to develop the sport. Celebration: Soccer celebrates its achievements and demonstrates its appreciation to volunteers for their contributions.

6. MISSION The Soccer Northwest Ontario provides leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders by providing exceptional and sustainable programs and services, and by overcoming geographical barriers in order to develop the game at all levels, to involvethe entire District.

7. OPERATING PRINCIPLES The SNO conducts its business using these operating principles: 1. Operating in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation 2. Recognizing the diversity among members and treating all fairly and with respect 3. Providing timely and accurate communication 4. Being open, transparent, accountable and honest 5. Being an efficient and effective business with a strong customer focus 6. Encouraging the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. 7. Taking a proactive approach to leadership and decision- making 8. Providing proper and timely execution of programs and services.

8. STRATEGIC OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS Organizational Development Volunteer Development Technical Development –Coach Development –Referee Development –Player Development – Participation –Player Development – High Performance Sustainability/Capacity Promotion

9. Organizational Development Provide Organizational Development support to Clubs and provide more consistent governance by SNO Board Provide information support to Clubs relevant to each administrative area. Create environment of mutual support and cooperation within District. Improve SNO communications and effectiveness of meetings Improve outreach to, and representation from, outlying areas. Create more effective SNO Board Provide stronger leadership at District Association level Provide better competition in District

10. Volunteer Development Provide stronger leadership at District Association level

11. Coach Development Provide coach clinic instructors in all communities in District Provide more coach clinics in all communities in District Provide more educational opportunities to coaches in all communities in District

12. Referee Development Provide leadership in referee development Eliminate barriers for referee development in SNO District by providing referee development leadership in all communities in District Provide more referees in all communities in District

13. Player Development – Participation Create better player development environment in District Improve quality of player development

14. Player Development High Performance Provide better coaching to high performance players Improve leadership involved in high performance development Change OSA Policy for high performance player development to permit players to play for SNO Clubs year round Provide players with better player development opportunities Expand SNO player identification into all communities in District

15. Sustainability/Capacity Facilitate access to outside resources to coaches in all communities in District Improve financial management of SNO Adjust OSA Fee Structure to recognize “fee for service”

16. Promotion Attract all players in District under the SNO umbrella Improve marketing by Clubs Create more SNO presence in outlying communities

17. Reporting to Members Outcomes & Measurements Re: Strategic Initiatives 1.Objective 2.Description Defined by Board + Others in October 3.Performance Measure Defined by Board + Others in October 4.Link to Strategic Priorities Priorities identified by Members @ September Planning Conference 5.Progress – June 2009 6.Progress – December 2009

18. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Provide organizational development support to Clubs and provide more consistent governance by SNO Board –Update/publish Policies & Procedures Major review & upgrade in 2008 Annual review starting in 2009 Post policies and procedures on SNO website

19. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Provide information support to Clubs relevant to each administrative area –Create/publish “Club Handbook for Dummies” Update existing document in 2010

20. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Create environment of mutual support and cooperation within District –Improve relations between Clubs Get Club personnel in same room frequently –Information sharing & facilitate better relationships Facilitate special groupings eg. all coaches –Improve relations between Clubs & Dist Assoc SNO host Club Workshops @ each AGM Develop criteria for recognition of Clubs & Individuals Recognize club achievements on website & at AGM

21. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Improve SNO communications & effectiveness of meetings –Improve & better utilize website –Utilize video conference technology –Utilize OSA’s AIMS –Promote sport –More consultation with Members re: finances –Increase SNO Board interaction with Club Presidents –Create Calendar of Events

22. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements SNO communications & meeting effectiveness –Improve & better utilize website Launch new website by May 2009 –Utilize video conference technology Video conferencing & web conferencing for 2009 Board meetings –Utilize OSA’s AIMS Implement AIMS for communications by Jan 2009

23. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements SNO communications & meeting effectiveness –Promote sport Publish “Membership Benefits” brochure –by March 2010 –More consultation with Members re: finances Introduce finance consultation meetings with Club Presidents & Treasurers by September 2009 –Increase SNO Board interaction with Club Presidents Invite Club Presidents to Board meetings twice a year

24. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements –Create Calendar of Events Publish Calendar of Events to include: –Board Meetings –Due Dates –Clinics –Discipline Hearings –AGM –Club Presidents’ Meetings

25. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Improve outreach to, and representation from, outlying areas –Create District Hubs Research feasibility of District Hubs in 2009 Appoint District Coach with Assistants in outlying communities –SNO spokespersons to visit outlying areas SNO Board representatives to attend Club AGM’s –SNO Board to include rep from outlying areas Create 2 positions on SNO Board for outside TBay

26. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Create more effective SNO Board –Create and blend better balance of leadership skills with experience Introduce new nomination process for 2010 AGM –Make Board more geographically reflective of District Create 2 positions to represent outlying communities –Board must enforce District policies Board must be authority in conflict resolution Board must be pro-activ Clarify roles Introduce policies to make governance more effective

27. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Provide stronger leadership at District Association level –More paid staff to support volunteer Board members Expand paid staff –Improve nomination process for electing Board members at 2009 AGM, approve new nomination process for 2010 AGM to include nominations in advance and resume for each nominee –Provide better voting Structure Approve new voting structure

28. Organizational Development Outcomes & Measurements Provide better competition in District –Create District Youth League Create District Youth League in 2009

29. Volunteer Development Outcomes & Measurements Provide stronger leadership at District Association level –Increase accountability at District Board level Nomination process to emphasize required effort by each Board member –Attract Board members with greater commitment to roles Advertise positions up for election Clarify expectations and commitment required to serve on SNO Board –Clarify roles, responsibilities and relationships of District Board members.

30. Technical Development – Coach Outcomes & Measurements Provide coach clinic instructors in all communities in District –Qualify coaches from all communities to be certified as clinic instructors Upgrade eligibility of coaches by Spring 2009 Host Community Coach Youth in March 2008 Host Community Coach Senior in Spring 2008 Host Pre-B Prep in Thunder Bay by Summer 2009 Host Pre-B in Thunder Bay by Autumn 2009 Submit RTD and lobby OSA to permit Pre-B certified coaches in outlying areas to teach coach clinics in 2009 Certify Coach Clinic Instructors in West Region by Autumn 2010 –Subsidize persons to attend coach instructor clinics –Upgrade coaches to be eligible to be clinic instructors Have 2 coach clinic instructors in Fort Frances/Kenora/Dryden by 2011 Have 2 extra coach clinic instructors in Thunder Bay by 2011

31. Technical Development – Coach Outcomes & Measurements Provide more coach clinics in all communities in District –Reduce minimum number of participants required to host clinic SNO to submit RFD to OSA in 2009 to revise policy by reducing minimum number of participants SNO President to lobby OSA Technical Development Committee in 2009 Host Community Coach Child,Youth & Senior in 2009

32. Technical Development – Coach Outcomes & Measurements Provide more educational opportunities to coaches in all communities in District –Provide workshops Host District Coaches session in 2009 –Host coaching conference Host Coaching Conference in District during SNO AGM in Thunder Bay in January 2010 –Subsidize coaches to attend workshops and conferences within District Technical Director to explore funding options in 2009 –Provide educational resources to coaches Technical Director to research potential educational resources in 2009

33. Technical Development – Referee Outcomes & Measurements Provide leadership in referee development –Create Referee Development Committee Appoint Referee Development Committee in 2009 Develop and approve terms of reference for Referee Development Committee by 2009 –Provide mentorship Develop mentorship, retention, benchmarks and assessment programs in 2009 for implementation in 2010 –Create referee retention program Establish benchmarks –Assess referees –Create referee association Create referee association by 2010

34. Technical Development – Referee Outcomes & Measurements Eliminate barriers for referee development in SNO District by providing referee development leadership in all communities in District –Lower costs or subsidize costs Study clinic costs and “red tape” issues and recommend solutions in 2009 –Reduce “red tape” –Reduce minimum number of participants required to host clinic SNO to submit RFD to OSA in 2009 to revise policy by reducing minimum number of participants SNO President to lobby OSA Technical Development Committee in 2009 –Appoint Assistant District Referee Coordinator in each outlying area Complete appointments in Autumn 2009 –Recruit and train Referee Clinic Instructors in each outlying area Qualify two District Referee Clinic Instructors in 2009

35. Technical Development – Referee Outcomes & Measurements Provide more referees in all communities in District –Recruit referees Establish Club Head Referee in all Youth Clubs by 2010 Conduct District Referee Clinic in Thunder Bay every year –Train referees –Retain referees –Improve accessibility to referee clinics in outlying areas Conduct District Referee Clinic every two years in outlying areas

36. Technical Development Player Development - Participation Outcomes & Measurements Create better player development environment in District –Create a SNO District League Have a minimum of four teams in each division Establish league structure, operations, Constitution, rules, Board by 2009 Operate Under 13 Boys and Girls Divisions in 2009 Operate Under 12 and Under 14 Boys & Girls Divisions in 2010 Operate Under 13 and Under 15 Boys & Girls Divisions in 2011 Operate Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 Boys & Girls Divisions in 2012 Operate Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Boys & Girls Divisions in 2013 Operate Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 Boys & Girls Divisions in 2014 Add Under Senior Men’s & Women’s Divisions in 2015

37. Technical Development - Player Development - Participation Outcomes & Measurements Improve quality of player development –Provide better coaching –Improve player programs –Implement LTPD SNO Technical Development Committee to monitor OSA implementation of LTPD in 2009 SNO Technical Development Committee to address implementation of LTPD in SNO in 2010 SNO Technical Development Committee to provide entrance level program for parent coaches based on LTPD in 2009 SNO Technical Development Committee to provide standards of player development for Clubs and District program by 2010.

38. Technical Development - Player Development – High Performance Outcomes & Measurements Provide better coaching to high performance players –Improve coaching development To have all coaches of teams in Youth Level 5 League (District League) certified at Community Coach Level by 2011 Submit RTD to OSA for deviation from OSA policy in 2009 and 2010 –Increase education opportunities for coaches Implement Technical Workshop for all coaches in Youth Level 5 League by 2014 in order to prepare for Pre-B certification To have all Team Head Coaches in Youth Level 5 League certified at Pre-B by 2015

39. Technical Development - Player Development – High Performance Outcomes & Measurements Improve leadership involved in high performance development –Provide qualified managers Technical Development Committee to prepare and implement Managers Workshop in conjunction with Coaching Conference by 2010 –Provide qualified referees Regional Referees officiating Under-14 to Under-18 Divisions in Youth Level 5 League by 2015 District Referees officiating Under-12 and 13 Divisions in Youth Level 5 League by 2015

40. Technical Development - Player Development – High Performance Outcomes & Measurements Change OSA Policy for high performance player development to permit players to play for SNO Clubs year round –Permit players to play for Club and SNO/OSA year round SNO to submit RFD to OSA in 2009 to make North Region exempt from OSA policy. –Increase focus on competition provided by Clubs –Lessen SNO/OSA focus on individual player development

41. Technical Development - Player Development – High Performance Outcomes & Measurements Provide players with better player development opportunities –Provide players with higher level competition. –Provide players with more frequent competition. –Introduce Youth Level 5 League in SNO involving all areas of District Starting in 2010, SNO District All-Star Teams to operate at each age division of Youth Level 5 League Starting in 2010, SNO District All-Star Teams to play in high level tournaments

42. Technical Development - Player Development – High Performance Outcomes & Measurements Expand SNO player identification into all communities in District –Hold ID camps in outlying communities ID Camp in Thunder Bay in 2008 ID Camp in Dryden in 2009 ID Camp in Kenora in 2010 ID Camp in Fort Frances in 2011

43. Sustainability/Capacity Outcomes & Measurements Facilitate access to outside resources to coaches in all communities in District –Provide sponsorship –Provide funding and subsidies access outside resources Research possible sponsorship and funding sources in 2009

44. Sustainability/Capacity Outcomes & Measurements Improve financial management of SNO –Create balanced budget including development of cash reserve Present 10% surplus budget every year until SNO establishes reserve fund equivalent to 25% of the annual expenditures Achieve reserve fund equivalent to 25% of the annual expenditures by 2014 –Review current fee structure Revise fee structure in 2009 to achieve necessary revenue in order to provide services required by members –Have more consultation with Member organizations Starting in 2009, conduct a Budget Meeting on the Friday evening before each SNO AGM Starting in 2009, invite 3 Club Treasurers to participate in annual Board Budget Meeting

45. Sustainability/Capacity Outcomes & Measurements Adjust OSA Fee Structure to recognize “fee for service” –Adjust OSA player registration fees to ensure that fees are scaled to benefits Lobby OSA in 2009 to change its fee schedule to better reflect “fee for service” or fees based on “length of season”

46. Promotion Outcomes & Measurements Attract all players in District under the SNO umbrella –Adjust SNO player registration fees to ensure that fees are scaled to benefits Conduct SNO Fee Schedule review in 2009 to address fees scaled to benefits –Improve District services Implement strategic initiatives included in SNO Strategic Plan Conduct meeting with six Thunder Bay Clubs and with Western Clubs in Kenora in 2009 Develop marketing strategy in 2009 –Create “SNO Benefits of Membership” document to retain members, attract new members and provide answer to: “Why join SNO?” Customize “OSA Benefits of Membership” document to create SNO Benefits document Publish “SNO Benefits of Membership” document in 2010 –Meet with unaffiliated organizations Conduct meetings with unaffiliated organizations in 2010 after fee adjustments, Benefits document and marketing strategy developed

47. Promotion Outcomes & Measurements Improve marketing by Clubs –Develop District guidelines for club advertising Conduct research for publication of brochure with District marketing guidelines in 2009 Publish brochure in 2010 –Promote programs of all affiliated clubs Provide website linkage to all affiliated clubs in 2009 Establish District Officer Referral for players looking for Clubs in 2009 Facilitate coordinated effort to promote all affiliated clubs by 2010 Increase number of players in each affiliated Club

48. Promotion Outcomes & Measurements Create more SNO presence in outlying communities –Hold meetings in outlying communities Starting in 2009, commence a 3 year rotating cycle whereby an Executive Committee member attends the AGM of each Club in outlying communities Every second year beginning in 2010, hold SNO Board weekend meeting with clubs in Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances