VOLUNTEERING

1.  What kind of volunteers does KGHA need?
Most of our volunteer requirement centres on the team staff of coaches, trainers, managers and other administrative team functions (treasurer, scorekeepers, web manager).  KGHA does however always need people to make the Association and leagues run for the benefit of your daughter and the community.  Specifically, we are always looking for people to join the executive and represent us in our parent leagues (ODWHL and MOGHL).  We strongly encourage everyone to get involved, look on our website under volunteers and talk to the executive about how you might help your association.

2.  I think I have unique abilities but dont know how they might benefit KGHA.
If you think you have unique skills or abilities or qualifications but are unsure if we can use them, please talk to the volunteer coordinator or any member of the executive and they will help identify a good fit.

3.  I want to get qualified so I can help my daughter's team.  What do I need to do?
Getting involved is very easy but there are a few things you need to do.  First talk to your team staff or the Volunteer Coordinator.  They will gladly help you on your way.  You can also look at the volunteering pages on the website and the development pages for any clinics you may need to take depending on the position.

GETTING QUALIFIED

1.  What are the qualification requirements for volunteering?
All KGHA volunteers that interact with the players must complete the Hockey Canada Speak Out! clinic on Safety, conduct, harassment and abuse prevention and awareness.  Other qualification requirements depend on the position you wish to fill.  These are explained in our Development Library pages on this site

2. How do I get loaded on a course?
To get loaded on a course, first check with the Development Director to confirm what course(s) you need.  He can help you find a course or point you to a number of hockey clinic webpages to find a clinic near you.  For more information, you can check out our Development Library

RISK AND SAFETY

1.  How does KGHA promote the safety of its players?
We adhere to the Hockey Canada Safety guidelines with respect to equipment, injury prevention and safety programmes, the standard of play, player development, voluneer screening and staff training.  For more, please visit our Risk and Safety page on this website.

2.  I have heard about the dangers of children being exploited, what are you doing to prevent this?
Hockey Canada has taken a number of constructive steps to prevent this from happening including an environmental and social awarenss course called Speak Out! that every volunteer that comes in contact with our players must take.  As well, we require our volunteers to complete a Police Record check on a regular basis.

3.  I completed the Speak Out! course some time ago but have lost my certificate.  What can I do?
If you took the course through OWHA or one of its Associations, you can send an email directly to them from their website requesting a replacement card through the development person.  For those who took it through the boys side or anyone else, you must go through the Association who put ran the course or the granting body (ODHA, OMHA,...).  Failing this, you need to retake the course.

4.  You mentioned Police Record Checks, what are you looking for?
To show due diligence in protecting your daughters, KGHA mandates that ALL volunteers MUST complete a police records check every four years from a recognized firm or organization.  The intent of this check is to flag potential risks to our children but we also respect your privacy as a volunteer, using a trusted professional as the screening officer to identify potential risks and discuss them with you. 

5.  I get security clearances and checks for my work, is this enough?
To determine the applicability of your security check, you should discuss your case with the volunteer coordinator.  The stadard for KGHA is that we must have written testimony from a recognized police service that states the status of your police record.  Any check must enable KGHA to identify potential risks to our players/youth.  Normal security clearances through work are usually not sufficient as they lack the detail required.

6.  I hear about H1N1, is KGHA doing anything to help prevent the spread of this?
Yes, we are all aware of the H1N1 flu and its potential impact on our membership.  While we are not proposing any drastic measures, we have reinforced to all our staffs some best practices to prevent the spread of germs/illness in general and a few other precautions.  They can be found on our Risk & Safety page on this site.

 INSURANCE FAQ

2.  What type of coverage do we have?

• Comprehensive General Liability
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Major Medical/ Dental Coverage
• Sexual Misconduct Liability Insurance
• Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

For more details involving these coverage's, please refer to the "Safety Requires Teamwork" booklet.

4.  Is a parent covered if they are driving his or her own children to a hockey event?
No, coverage is in place for volunteers of the association while performing volunteer duties, there is no coverage for parents who are exercising their parental responsibility in getting their children to the game/practice.  Coverage is in place for the insured whose game or practice is being driven to from the time in which they are going directly to and from the sanctioned event.  Not for other side trips, etc.

The insurance covers volunteers directly associated with the team or performing a team function.  It is a parental responsibility to get their sons or daughters to the rink.  Unless the parent is the coach / asst. coach/manager or trainer or has been assigned a specific duty by the team (i.e. picking up another player, bringing equipment, getting skates sharpened) then they simply are not covered.

5.  What happens if a player says they've had an injury for several months, but haven't told you? Are they covered?
In order to obtain coverage injuries must be reported within 90 days.  Prompt reporting is crucial.

6.  Some volunteers are accused of specific acts involving harassment / abuse. Is there any coverage for the accused to clear their name?
The Hockey Canada Insurance program will not fund an action against an individual for libel and slander. If the individual believes he / she has been wronged and seeks damages from the individual who spreads the story, Hockey Canada may actually defend the individual in the aforementioned action.

7.  Does Hockey Canada Insurance cover the Local Association Directors and Officers Liability Insurance?
Hockey Canada’s D&O insurance program covers the directors and officers of all Minor Hockey Associations, Junior Teams, Branches, and Major Junior Hockey Teams and Leagues for their exposure to legal action arising from alleged wrongful acts, which they are believed to have committed while on the board of directors of one or more of these organizations.  In the event that a director or officer should receive an action against him/her the Branch Office must be advised immediately so that proper steps can be taken to investigate and defend the case.

8.  Are named and unnamed volunteers covered to go on the ice?
Only those volunteers that have been placed on the Local Association or Club lists approved by the Local Association and forwarded on to the Branch are insured for on and off-ice activities within the direct approved operations of the association.

9.  Are Off-Ice officials covered? For what?
Yes, if they appear on the approved list of volunteers that the Local Association or Club recognizes. This list should be forwarded to the Branch. Once added to the MHA list the Off-ice official is  covered as all other approved volunteers are, under the same coverage and limits. For on-ice activities, these volunteers are not covered. (For example if they decide to help out at practice on the ice.)