Why Volunteer?

Click Here For Volunteer Application Form

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE LIFE-LINE OF SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS

Those interested in being considered as a volunteer, should contact info@osu.ca.

The Club could not exist without the efforts of all those individuals who are coaches, conveners, managers, trainers and volunteers. It takes a tremendous effort to accomplish all that must be done in order to sustain a successful soccer program.

Soccer as a sport has a tremendous social impact. It’s important in our culture, traditions and identity of
our community. As a community based club, OSU and its volunteers are a major 
contributor to the health, social and economic life of our community.

VOLUNTEERING IS THE KEY TO A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

As people search for ways to enrich their lives, many do so by giving their personal time and 
skills to the community and community based sports organizations. Our volunteers offer a wide range of activities, and assume a number of responsibilities at all levels in our club having a profound affect on the soccer experience of thousands of our young athletes. 

Volunteer Recognition 

OSU and the Club Board of Directors appreciate the time and effort that volunteers contribute to the club and the youth in our community. As such, OSU strives to provide volunteers with the necessary tools and support in order to be successful.

Each year, we present the Austin Carnaffan Memorial Plaque to an outstanding volunteer within our club. 

Volunteer BBQ

Each summer, OSU holds a Volunteer Appreciation BBQ for all club volunteers and their families. The event features food and beveages, along with facepainting, volunteer gifts and music. Please look out for information from your coordinator on the event details each year.

Volunteer Positions

Below are a few areas where we accept volunteer positions for the club:

• team head and assistant coaches
• team managers, trainers and photographers
• team fundraising and sponsorship
• field marshalls, special events assistance and equipment duties

Volunteer Screening

The Ottawa South United S.A has adopted the (OSA) Volunteer Screening Policy. 
The full details of the OSU Employee/Volunteer Background Checks Procedure 
are outlined in this section under Background Checks Procedure.

It is the policy of The Ottawa South United S.A that every reasonable effort 
will be taken under the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) Volunteer Screening Policy to exclude from program responsibilities, (not to be confused with parental responsibilities affecting their own children), any individual with a documented history of child molestation or other criminal record, that would bring unnecessary risk to the health and safety of Ontario Soccer Association program participants. 
It is the intent of the Ottawa South United S.A to exclude from participation, at a 
minimum, all persons who have been convicted of crimes against persons.

Ottawa South United S.A will comply with all Ontario Soccer Association guidelines and procedures. Ottawa South United S.A has placed as a condition of participation, the requirement of all Volunteers to complete a Police Check Form as well as the Club 
Volunteer Application form every three years. Only persons who comply with these conditions shall be allowed to participate in Ottawa South United S.A affiliated events.

In this regard, volunteer is defined as any person who at anytime could be expected, in the performance of their duties, to be alone with any registered player for any length of time. This includes coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers who are appointed or selected in any manner or hired to coach at any level within Ottawa South United S.A.

Volunteer Background Checks

Every volunteer of Ottawa South United S.A must have a completed Police Check Form 
as well as the Club Volunteer Application form and interview.

A volunteer is defined as any person who at anytime could be expected, in the performance of their duties, to be alone with any registered player for any length of time. This includes coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers who are appointed or selected in any manner or hired to coach at any level within Ottawa South United S.A.

Procedures

• Volunteers will be provided blank Police Check Form and Club Volunteer Application form.
• The completed Police Check Form and Club Volunteer Application form must be returned to the Ottawa South United S.A office by the volunteer.
• The completed Police Check Form will be given to the local police office for a background check.
• The Background Records Search will only be given to the Board of Directors designee. 
• All responses, whether positive or negative will be kept in strict confidence.
• A satisfactory report from the Background Records Search, that is also acceptable to the Ottawa South United S.A designee will result in that individual being eligible to be a volunteer
• A negative report from the Background Records Search, that is also unacceptable to the Ottawa South United S.A designee will result in that individual being ineligible to be a volunteer.
• Should any individual refuse to participate or intentionally falsify information will not be eligible to be a volunteer.

Risk Assessment 

Definition of Risk

The first principle of screening is risk management, which simply means “What could go wrong here” and “How do we avoid it?” Risk management involves looking at the possibilities of loss or injury that might arise in programs, activities and services and taking steps to stop, minimize, prevent or eliminate them all together. This includes the Club’s obligation to take all reasonable measures to care for and protect their participants from harm. The need to screen an applicant is dictated by the nature of the position and its inherent level of risk. When determining risk consider such factors as the participant, the environment, the nature of the activity, the level of supervision and the nature of the relationship.

For example, a high risk position is defined as a position in which staff members, volunteers, or Board members are in direct contact with, or provide direct service to, vulnerable individuals, and in particular when the applicant will be in a position of trust, power or influence and whose contact is unsupervised and/or takes place off site.

Definition of Positions

The various levels of play in the sport have been ranked according to the level of risk associated with that position and the appropriate screening measures have been assigned to each level of risk. 

Low Risk Position   Medium Risk Position High Risk Position   Recreational Team   (All other House League Officials)   Recreational Team Officials  (U16-U19) Competitive Team Officials  Mini Soccer Team Officials             All-star Team Officials             Select Team Officials  SCREENING MEASURES Application Form (Reference Checks Optional) Application Form    Application Form (with references)          Police Records Check Interview by Selection Committee   References Checked Out   Police Records Check   Evaluation by Club

• Shall never be alone with a player
• Shall not be responsible for transportation to/from practices/games/tournaments
• Shall not be responsible for water or snacks
• Shall be a role model - no drugs/alcohol/smoking or abusive language at practices/games/tournaments
• Shall comply with the Dress Code as defined by the Club
• Shall ADHERE to Ontario Soccer and Club policies
• Shall embrace Club values, principles, and policy as per Club Constitution
• Shall demonstrate the ability to set and maintain standards for players (i.e. respect, self-discipline, fair play)