Dial 9-1-1
Active Member
I'm sure we'll all forget about these cuts in 4-5 years when we're distracted by all the new election promises.
Here's the notice BCSS sent to all member schools:
On Friday July 24, 2009 BCSS received notification that the entire provincial government operating grant for the organization had been cut. This is a devastating financial blow for BCSS as there had been no communication, consultation or indications of any funding cuts prior to the announcement of this decision.
In addition, BCSS has received no word on the 2009-2010 Gaming grant request of $56,000.00 of which a large portion goes to the various commissions for facility rentals as well as referees and officials. (This application was submitted in February and is ‘still in process.’) We also have still not heard anything from the Ministry of Education on our request for support with the volunteer liability insurance program, which costs just under $50,000.00 per year.
At the May 2009 AGM the membership had been notified of the healthy organizational and financial status of BCSS and that planning was in place to continue to effectively and efficiently provide the services that BCSS offers its members.
This now leaves BCSS is a perilous position and as a direct result services will be cut back to focus on ‘essential core services’ only.
Core Services are;
Ø Student Athlete Eligibility
Ø Governance via updated Rules and Regulations
Ø 47 Provincial Championships – banners, medals
Ø Sport Commission funding
Ø Exnet registration
Ø Insurance Program – volunteer liability
Ø Limited Legal Coverage
Service Cuts include;
Ø Student-athlete scholarships
Ø Coaching recognition
Ø 2 staff positions
Ø No travel expenses for any in-person meetings (Eligibility Appeals Committee, Board of Directors, Competitive Standards Committee, etc.)
Ø No publication production – Championship programs, on-line report magazine, future hard copies of the Handbook
Ø Possible termination of office space in Burnaby
Ø Student leadership conference participation
Ø No budget work or committee work on meetings that focus on advocacy for our members with key stakeholders that can support Athletic Directors, volunteer Coaches and the organization.
Ø Miscellaneous requests for staff (i.e. research, compiling information, etc.)
In the interim, BCSS is asking each of the Districts through the Superintendents to recognize the value that BCSS has across the Province and assist us by providing some additional funding as follows;
Districts with a student population of under 10,000 = $1,500.00 per year
Districts with a student population of over 10,000 = $3,000.00 per year
BCSS will continue to work in a positive manner to use this opportunity to source out new funding partners, however, please note that regrettably it will not be ‘business as usual’.
The irony of the situation is the government continues to promote its goals of healthy and active citizens. BCSS directly achieves this goal by providing opportunities to over a 100,000 student athletes a year.
Any questions please contact me directly at 604-737-3066.
Yours in the Spirit of Sport;
Sue Keenan
Executive Director
Here's the notice BCSS sent to all member schools:
On Friday July 24, 2009 BCSS received notification that the entire provincial government operating grant for the organization had been cut. This is a devastating financial blow for BCSS as there had been no communication, consultation or indications of any funding cuts prior to the announcement of this decision.
In addition, BCSS has received no word on the 2009-2010 Gaming grant request of $56,000.00 of which a large portion goes to the various commissions for facility rentals as well as referees and officials. (This application was submitted in February and is ‘still in process.’) We also have still not heard anything from the Ministry of Education on our request for support with the volunteer liability insurance program, which costs just under $50,000.00 per year.
At the May 2009 AGM the membership had been notified of the healthy organizational and financial status of BCSS and that planning was in place to continue to effectively and efficiently provide the services that BCSS offers its members.
This now leaves BCSS is a perilous position and as a direct result services will be cut back to focus on ‘essential core services’ only.
Core Services are;
Ø Student Athlete Eligibility
Ø Governance via updated Rules and Regulations
Ø 47 Provincial Championships – banners, medals
Ø Sport Commission funding
Ø Exnet registration
Ø Insurance Program – volunteer liability
Ø Limited Legal Coverage
Service Cuts include;
Ø Student-athlete scholarships
Ø Coaching recognition
Ø 2 staff positions
Ø No travel expenses for any in-person meetings (Eligibility Appeals Committee, Board of Directors, Competitive Standards Committee, etc.)
Ø No publication production – Championship programs, on-line report magazine, future hard copies of the Handbook
Ø Possible termination of office space in Burnaby
Ø Student leadership conference participation
Ø No budget work or committee work on meetings that focus on advocacy for our members with key stakeholders that can support Athletic Directors, volunteer Coaches and the organization.
Ø Miscellaneous requests for staff (i.e. research, compiling information, etc.)
In the interim, BCSS is asking each of the Districts through the Superintendents to recognize the value that BCSS has across the Province and assist us by providing some additional funding as follows;
Districts with a student population of under 10,000 = $1,500.00 per year
Districts with a student population of over 10,000 = $3,000.00 per year
BCSS will continue to work in a positive manner to use this opportunity to source out new funding partners, however, please note that regrettably it will not be ‘business as usual’.
The irony of the situation is the government continues to promote its goals of healthy and active citizens. BCSS directly achieves this goal by providing opportunities to over a 100,000 student athletes a year.
Any questions please contact me directly at 604-737-3066.
Yours in the Spirit of Sport;
Sue Keenan
Executive Director
