Navigating COVID-19: A Community Sport Perspective

In the winter of 2020, the Rocky Point Sailing Association (RPSA) in Port Moody, BC was preparing for the upcoming season. RPSA is primarily run by volunteers and employs ten seasonal full-time staff who deliver long-term athlete development (LTAD) programming to more than 600 participants annually. When the COVID-19 pandemic was announced, summer programs were…

Volunteer Recruitment

Virtual volunteering can reduce some of the barriers to volunteering with more schedule flexibility, micro assignments requiring shorter time investment, and allowing people to contribute from home. Learn more in the SIRCuit.

Capacity Audit

Thinking of developing a new program or initiative? Before you start, research suggests completing a “capacity audit” to identify any gaps in available resources. The audit could include human resources (e.g., number of volunteers, level of expertise among executive members), financial resources (e.g., availability and stability of funds), existing relationships (e.g., quality of partnerships), planning (e.g., alignment with…

Building Capacity in Community Sport Organizations

Community sport organizations (CSOs) occupy an important place in our communities by providing sport and recreation opportunities for all ages, as well as serving a wider social role within our communities (see, for example, Taking Action: Community Sport Organizations and Social Responsibility by Misener, 2018). Previous research has pointed to the challenges these organizations face,…

Virtual Volunteering

Virtual volunteering is a novel way to engage volunteers during persisting COVID-19 restrictions, but it doesn’t need to stop post-pandemic. Online opportunities can help sport organizations build their pool of volunteers, attract volunteers with diverse skill sets, and become a more flexible and inclusive organization.

Virtual Volunteering in Community Sport

As community sport clubs begin their return to play phases, the short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 – on the field and in the office – are unmistakable. Physical distancing measures and stay-at-home protocols have illuminated how technology can keep people connected and involved in their local communities. These new ways of working provide an…

WFH Communication

Under normal circumstances, the commonly cited rule of thumb for remote teams/workers is that the leader may need to communicate, in an intentional way, twice as much as they would were the team situated together in an office space. But these are not normal circumstances. Communication practices with staff should consider current working from home…

Sport Volunteering

Looking to give you resumé a boost? Research shows sport volunteering positively influences hiring managers’ perceptions of applicant qualifications. Sport volunteering may act as a signal of values and competencies, such as altruism and a willingness to work in a team environment.

National Volunteer Week 2020

Many community sport clubs rely on volunteers for management and program delivery, including coaching. One way to support volunteer recruitment and retention is to understand volunteers’ expectations – both of themselves, and of the organization. In recognition of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), learn how sport organizations can support strong “psychological contracts” amongst volunteer coaches.

Volunteer Recruitment at AWG 2020

The 2020 Arctic Winter Games Host Society will rely on 1,800 volunteers for the successful delivery of the Games in Whitehorse. Learn about the importance of employer leave policies, community presentations and volunteer fairs as recruitment strategies in the SIRC blog.