southeastdistrict

ED Blog: “Cup Of Jo” – Community Recreation Rock Stars

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Many communities employ Recreation Directors {aka “recreation rock stars”} to oversee the many programs, spaces and facilities, and events that contribute to our quality of life and wellness. Recreation Directors are typically hired by the municipality and take on several roles, one often being a “community builder”, who liaises and supports the many volunteer groups that make sport, culture and recreation activities happen. They can take on many different titles, such as Facility Manager, Programmer, and Leisure Services Manager.

We have seen an increase in the development of these positions in the past couple of years in the south east. Our staff have met with several municipalities who have or are in the midst of exploring such a position. Why? Well, groups are telling us that recreation service delivery is becoming more and more complex with aging infrastructure. There is increased stress put on volunteers to fundraise as well as manage facilities and implement programs. There are also challenges around keeping up with participant demands and the changing needs in the community.

Recreation Directors are being hired for the successful administration of recreation services to alleviate the stress put on the volunteer sector. It doesn’t mean these positions replace volunteers, it just means they can manage the day-to-day operations and provide leadership and support to volunteers.

All of the leisure activities we get to do in our parks, sport facilities, and arts spaces is dependent on the hard work, passion and leadership of these professionals. They plan for future; develop safe and quality recreation programs, support and provide leadership to volunteer groups such as minor sport clubs and local volunteer boards; effectively operate and maintain quality recreation facilities including parks, arenas and pools; and research and acquire funding to run programs. They are ROCK STARS!

If you are a community that is exploring a new recreation position, and you would like to learn more, contact us! Our South East District staff team offers workshops, tools and resources that can help you on your way to getting your very own recreation rock star!

You must check out our new Mission Moments video on our website (www.southeastdistrict.ca) that features two rural south east communities that recently hired Recreation Directors – see what they had to say!

South East District also has a Recreation Practitioner Manual that consists of seven (7) modules that can be used as a refresher, orientation or training opportunity!

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Cheer Story: Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation!

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Early this year, South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District launched the 2022 Walk for Reconciliation. The program aims to provide sport, culture and recreation groups the information and resources needed to host a reconciliation walking event. These events serve as an essential role in raising awareness and demonstrating community support for reconciliation.

This September, multiple events were held throughout the south east on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Weyburn Treaty 4 Timeline Walk for Reconciliation

“In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Weyburn Arts Council held a Walk for Reconciliation featuring a Treaty 4 Timeline,” Regan Lanning, Curator/Arts Coordinator explained.

“The educational component of our walk were the 15 educational signs spread out around Jubilee Park that took people through life on Treaty 4 Territory from pre-contact to present day.”

“We covered events that happened on Treaty 4 land, like the Treaty negotiations, but also events that happened elsewhere in the country that had a direct effect on the people of Treaty 4, like the Residential School System, the 60s Scoop, and even the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which granted all lands west of Quebec to the Indigenous Peoples if not already settled by colonists.”

The Treaty Timeline remained in the park until October 10th.

Oxbow Building Relationships: We are in this Together

The Oxbow & District Recreation Board hosted the ‘Building Relationships: We are in this Together’ event. The event featured Angie McArthur, residential school survivor and Lindsey Little Chief.

“Throughout the day, Angie McArthur shared her knowledge and teachings with participants. Lindsey Little Chief sang traditional songs, and hand the group do a round dance together. Lindsey explained each song and why we were doing the dance,” Treena Mohrbutter, Community Development Officer explained.

“The Town of Oxbow has now formed a relationship with Elders at Whitebear First Nations, which was not there before,” Mohrbutter said.

Oxbow Photo Credit: Starr Mercer Photography

ED Blog: “Cup Of Jo” – Welcoming & Inclusive Communities

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Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act. – Author Unknown

Municipalities and sport, culture and recreation organizations are all key players in creating welcoming and inclusive communities. Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan defines a Welcoming & Inclusive Community as a community where its citizens and members feel safe, respected, and comfortable in being themselves and expressing all aspects of their identities. It is a place where each person shares a sense of belonging with its other members.

Further, a Welcoming & Inclusive Community is based on the concept of integration – inclusiveness, sense of belonging, feeling of acceptance, making roots and connections, a sense of giving and taking, as well as the ability to contribute to community, free of barriers, where everybody feels safe, and where trust is present.

What is inclusion you ask? Inclusion is:

  • Taking into consideration that diverse groups have different needs that might require extra work on your part before they can have access to the opportunities and events that everyone else has. (This is especially relevant to our local sport clubs, recreation facilities and arts programs.)
  • Treating each person and group according to their needs.
  • Everybody’s responsibility.

(Source: Creating Inclusive Communities, calgary.ca/cns, 2022)

Our province is proudly diverse, and we know that simply accepting diversity is not enough. We need to act everyday to build more inclusive communities! Groups with diverse needs continue to experience discrimination and exclusion. An inclusive community, where each resident is valued for their uniqueness and feels they belong, makes us better!

South East District is excited to offer several virtual Think Tanks this fall. These free facilitated sessions allow for brainstorming and help to “start the conversation” on a variety of topics. One of the think tank topics focuses on building “welcoming and inclusive communities”! Contact our staff to learn more!

And don’t forget about the Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Toolkit available on the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan website.
We also have several diversity resources pertaining to sport, culture and recreation available on our online hub.

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ED Blog: “Cup Of Jo” – Join The “Strong Boards” Movement!

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Voluntarism continues to be very important in the sport, recreation and culture sectors. Many organizations rely heavily on volunteers for day-to-day operations such as programming, fundraising, facility management and finances. However, we all know there are significant demands on volunteers’ time. Recruiting and keeping satisfied and productive volunteers is a challenge for boards. Volunteer burnout is a reality for many!

When we sent out our 2022 community survey, we asked the question, “If you are a part of a volunteer board or committee, identify an item you feel the board needs to work on, do or strengthen for better success and efficiency”. These were some of the answers we received:

  • Establish appropriate areas of focus – committee gets going “all over the map”
  • Find more volunteers and more ideas to engage people
  • Need a constitution, policy and procedures for the board
  • Look at new ways of doing things and be open-minded
  • Create a strong strategic plan – we don’t know where we are going
  • Outline responsibilities/duties of each position/member of the committee
  • More overall communication between all boards and clubs
  • Show appreciation and recognition to our members
  • Not sure what we need

To respond to this area of volunteer development (specifically board development), South East District created STRONG BOARDS. STRONG BOARDS uses a framework of five (5) fundamentals that volunteer boards and committees can review and focus on to become more efficient and effective. These include Structure, People, Communication, Policy & Procedure, and Planning & Evaluation. Each fundamental area is essential for long-term success of a volunteer board and is based on best practice.

By reviewing and completing a simple checklist tool (it can easily be completed at a board meeting), volunteer boards can identify and take steps to strengthen processes, improve structures, and enhance operations. South East District’s approachable staff team is available to help you determine which resources can assist you in addressing any deficiencies your board identifies from the checklist work.

Consider participating, so you can join the STRONG BOARDS movement!

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Cheer Story: Pump Track in Moosomin

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Moosomin held their grand opening for their new pump track on June 30, 2022. A pump track is a track for wheeled sports equipment that, when ridden properly, does not require pedaling or pushing, but a “pumping” action to maintain momentum. So, while you can pedal, it is not required. There are different kinds of equipment that can be used on a pump track including Mountain Bikes, BMX Bikes, Balance Bikes, Children’s Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards, Roller Blades and Longboards. It’s not just for kids – people of all ages can access the pump track free of charge, and it can be accessed at anytime making it an awesome family leisure activity!

The track removes barriers to participation in the outdoors by providing a safe space to ride and be active. Mike Schwean, Moosomin Recreation Director, explained, “We had concerns with local kids who were building bike homemade jumps. Our concern was the kids’ safety, so we removed the jumps, but the kids kept building them. We felt the only way we could address the problem was to investigate the development of a pump track engineered with safety in mind. We knew there was a large group of very active bikers in town with these homemade jumps. Parks and Recreation loved the enthusiasm but were concerned for the safety of the riders.”

The project was funded entirely by grants and sponsors. The total cost of this project was $165,000. The community received $125,000 from a Federal Grant Program, $30,000 in funding from a major sponsor – IJACK Industries, and $10,000 in funding from secondary sponsors. IJACK has signed on as the main sponsor and purchased the naming rights, so the track will be known as the IJACK Pump Track.

“To our knowledge, this was the first track of its kind in Saskatchewan, and it has been amazing,” Schwean said. “It allows for all skill levels. The track helps connect community spaces, encourage physical activity, mental health, and ensure both our community and region have a new, safe recreational pursuit. This has been a fantastic project; I would highly recommend other communities to look into one for their community!”

Watch this quick video to learn about pump track best practices!
Articles Sources/Credit to:
Mike Schwean, Town of Moosomin
Sask Today

Cheer Story: Reconciliation games hosted by South East Men’s Fastball League

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On June 11, the South East Men’s Fastball League hosted a day of reconciliation games where all six teams in the league played against each other to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The event happened in Whitewood, which is also referred to as Treaty 4 territory. The three Indigenous teams played against the three non-Indigenous teams that day. The teams that participated are the Fleming Jets, Kahkewistahaw Jays, Whitewood Falcons, Round Lake Braves, Grenfell Gems and Cowessess Royals. Teams wore orange shirts with their team logos instead of their normal jerseys in recognition of honouring the Indigenous children and survivors of residential schools.

Tyler Thomlinson manager and assistant coach of the Grenfell Gems, shared his thoughts. “I think it’s an important thing for us just because fastball is a sport that historically unites people, that’s the whole spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, is trying to unite people, and fastball, at least in our area and lives,” he said. “It’s a wonderful avenue to celebrate the relationships of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have with each other. It’s a nice way to come together and celebrate the culture together too.”

“It’s great to have all the teams here and everyone out on the ball field, it’s great to see everyone come out. Today is just about putting yourself in other people’s shoes, you never know what other people are going through and with what happened in the past with our dark Canadian history, we need to talk about it,” said Ian Glasser, president of the South East Men’s Fastball League.

Chief Evan Taypotat of Kahkewistahaw also said a few words at the event. “We have to honour what today means, of what wearing the orange shirt means. Many times around this diamond, even many times at the hockey rink, when we’re there skin colour doesn’t matter and skin color doesn’t matter today. It’s just our best versus their best, and that’s what we have to practice tomorrow in our day-to-day life.

“We have to make sure we take what we know here, and apply that in the outside world because these towns need the First Nation dollars to live, and the First Nations need these towns to live.”

Taypotat said he hopes events like these can help lead by example to bring all communities closer together. “In Canada, we’ve got to make sure we work towards that. Today is a small step, today is a good step, but today is the right step and I thank the South East Men’s Fastball Association for taking this next step.”

Check out the Reconciliation Calls to Action.

Article & Photo Credit: The World-Spectator Moosomin

ED Blog: “Cup Of Jo” – So Much More Than Flowers

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I was recently inspired by a presentation made during a Communities in Bloom webinar hosted by all the Sport, Culture & Recreation District organizations in the province. If you want to create community pride, engage residents, and “tidy your town”, Communities in Bloom (CiB) is a program you should explore!

Communities in Bloom is a provincial and national program that recognizes community participation in projects involving beautification, heritage, and environmental awareness. It is administered by the Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association (SPRA). Participants are evaluated on the quality of the municipality’s green spaces, dedication to quality of living, general appearance, environmental awareness, heritage and the level of community involvement.

What I learned in the webinar is that this program is about so much more than flowers…it’s about improving local environments and making communities a better place to live, work and visit! It can be a great way for newcomers to the community to get to know others, learn the town history, and work together with longtime residents on civic projects. The program consists of communities receiving information and being evaluated either provincially or nationally by a volunteer jury of trained professionals on the accomplishments of their entire community on six key criteria: Community Appearance, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Tree Management, Landscape and Plant & Floral Displays. (Source: communitiesinbloom.ca).

The key to a successful program is a full-time volunteer committee who works closely with and has support from municipal council and local businesses. Volunteer CiB committees often work closely with the Town maintenance staff. Examples of program projects (depending on committee goals and plans) can include urban food forests, raised garden beds in parks, clean-up days, hanging flower baskets, landscaping, tree planting, front yard competitions, weeding, recycling and much more! So, don’t wait – beautify your community now!

Check out this CiB promotional video:

To learn more about how to participate in CiB, contact Andrew Exelby, SPRA, by email at aexelby@spra.sk.ca 

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Cheer Story: Pilot “Butte”ification Committee

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Communities in Bloom (CiB) is a provincial and national program that recognizes community participation in projects involving beautification, heritage, and environmental awareness. It is administered by the Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association (SPRA). Participants are evaluated on the quality of the municipality’s green spaces, dedication to quality of living, general appearance, environmental awareness, heritage and the level of community involvement. Pilot Butte is one of many communities in the south east that participate in CiB.

Pilot Butte formed a beautification committee in 2019 as a committee of council. Their goal was to work on sustaining projects that improve the town’s green spaces and to beautify the community. The committee is made up of 11 volunteers and is supported by town residents for assistance with projects. Scott Einarson, committee volunteer states, “it is imperative to have the ongoing support of Town Council and working alongside Town staff have contributed to the success of initiatives.”

The full-time committee receives funding through the Town as well as committee fundraising efforts such as the sale of Mother’s Day hanging baskets and recycling bins. The volunteers do much of their planning from September to May, May to June is a “sprint” of heavy work, and July to August is maintenance.

Scott explained that the committee entered the judging program (Novice Category) of CiB in the first year, “it set a framework for our committee and brought more understanding to the Communities in Bloom Program. The judges helped us to set priorities and goals for moving forward.”

The committee has had several accomplishments over the past three years including an urban food forest with 40 species of editable and medicinal plants, spray park landscaping plan and installation, Tradeshow “Blossoming Butte”, Summer and Halloween yard judging, weeding, planting trees and perennials, seniors flower bed, cemetery cleanup, tree inventory and park plan, year round metal bin for recycling, and much more!

Check out Beautify Pilot Butte on Facebook!

To get involved or to learn more about CiB visit www.spra.sk.ca. 

ED Blog: “Cup of Jo” – Shaping Dynamic Leaders: Our Youth

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“The creation of a thousand forests is one acorn” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every year, we see communities hiring youth for various summer positions – to work at the pool as lifeguards, the regional park as camp or activity leaders, sport groups as assistant coaches, and/or the museum/library as programmers. These opportunities provide so much value for our youth to grow and learn, to build confidence, and to develop life skills!

South East District is offering communities a series of youth training in June targeted at teens who are passionate about kids, sport/arts and active play – and who would like to work as a youth leader in recreation. Youth can choose one course or all courses! Though many people think of leadership as a natural-born gift, it is really a set of skills that anyone can develop through experience and practice. The earlier someone learns those skills, they are more likely to use them throughout their life.

The following leadership development programs help young people develop the skills and confidence to become leaders in their community:

HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD)
HIGH FIVE-trained instructors use these principles to create inclusive and inviting spaces for their program participants. This ensures that at every level, HIGH FIVE organizations are committed to delivering the highest standard of programming.

Play Leadership
This training provides Play Leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to plan and coordinate safe, accessible and fun play opportunities for children.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders
Statistics show that over 70% of youth drop out of sport by age 13. The Respect in Sport Activity Leader/Coach Program educates youth leaders, coaches, officials and participants (14-years and up) to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). Activity Leader and Parent Programs are the Safe Sport Canada solution!

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” Everything starts from somewhere and these leadership workshops are great seeds that can later shape future dynamic leaders!

To learn more or register for these workshops: https://southeastdistrict.ca/event-calendar/post/youth-leaders-intraining.

Apply to our Training Fund to support youth to attend these courses! Visit our funding page at southeastdistrict.ca.

Email: ed@southeastdistrict.ca for more details!

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Celebrating our Women Leaders

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At South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District, we are celebrating the outstanding efforts and achievements of these three women during National Volunteer Week: Danielle Hoffman of Stoughton, Kristeen Cherpin of Radville, and Sheila Guenther of Estevan. Each of them has served multiple board terms with our Board of Directors and are departing the board in May of this year. We want to take this moment to recognize and thank these dynamic and wonderful ladies!

It is generally recognized that women are often underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in sport, culture and recreation. However, these women have changed that reality within our board representation! They have brought new voices, varying opinions, and different approaches and solutions to the board decision-making process. Their female leadership has strengthened our overall performance in the boardroom!

Danielle Hoffman
Danielle has served on the board for three years, is currently the chairperson, and has served as vice chair. Danielle has a knack for seeing the “big picture” and is very knowledgeable of policy and process. She is the General Manager of the Poplar Tree Inn in Stoughton. She is also very involved in her community and has sat on many boards such as the Rec, Pool, Fire, SE Transportation as well as on Town Council. We will miss you, Danielle!

Kristeen Cherpin
Kristeen has been a part of the board since 2018. For the last two years, she has committed her time as a financial signor, coming into the district office monthly to authorize financial transactions for the organization. Kristeen lives in Radville and has a profound understanding of rural community issues and trends, especially when it comes to recreation and volunteering. Thank you, Kristeen, for your dedication to our South East District team!

Sheila Guenther
Sheila is from Estevan and joined the board in 2017. She has served as chairperson, vice chairperson, financial signor, and has chaired several board committees during her tenure. In addition to her involvement with South East District, Sheila is an official with Swimming Canada and World Para Swimming. We will miss Sheila’s professional, thoughtful and lighthearted demeanour and wish her all the best with her future endeavours!

Cheers to our Women Leaders!