EFRA Fall Session Update

Dear friends and members of EFRA:

I hope that everyone is keeping well and for everyone starting school, I hope you had a good couple of weeks so far.

On behalf of the EFRA Board of Directors I am reaching out to share the following critical updates (this is a long one so please feel free to skim the bold items and/or make sure you’re seated and grab your beverage of choice).

Effective September 15, 2020, I am now serving as Chair of EFRA’s Board of Directors for the remainder of the season.

• I am pleased to share that Alysha McDonald and Keely Smith have agreed to serve as Vice-Chairs. This will be a tremendous help as we navigate the unprecedented season we’re working towards. We will continue to work with our amazing board members to ensure that our players and members are safe and have fun as we move ahead. To see an updated list of the EFRA Board, please click here: https://elorafergusringette.ca/Staff/1003/.
• I acknowledge and thank outgoing Chair, Nancy Richardson for her service over the last year and a half, and the years prior as a board member, particularly her work establishing and developing our publicity portfolio. We have a strong foundation to work from thanks to you Nancy. I know that you'll continue to support our work and be an active/involved member of the EFRA family. We are all extremely grateful for that.  

I am pleased to announce that Bruce Parkin will represent EFRA as our COVID-19 Safety Leader (CSL).

• Bruce served as Chair of our Board from 2016 to 2018 and has continued to serve as Past-Chair since that time.
• Bruce, I know we will benefit greatly from your experience and guidance. 
• To learn more about Bruce’s role as CSL, please click here: https://ringetteontario.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Covid-10-Saftey-Leader.pdf. 

I am extremely proud to share that Ringette Ontario approved our plan to proceed into Stage 2 with sessions for modified training.

• For more information on Ringette Ontario’s guidelines for return to play guidelines, including the stages, please click here: https://ringetteontario.com/rtr-covid19/.
• To see our submitted application and plan, please click here: https://elorafergusringette.ca/Pages/2453/Return_to_Play/   
• It was a tremendous amount of work. Thank you to our board members for all the work behind the scenes, particularly Bruce Parkin for leading the charge as our COVID-19 Safety Leader.

As a result of our approval to proceed into Ringette Ontario's Stage 2, we can proceed with our Fall ringette sessions.

• For now, we will run two (2) sessions starting October 8, 2020. To participate in Fall Session 1 (October 8th to November 8th, 2020), registrations must be completed and fees paid by midnight on September 30, 2020. For the purposes of planning, safety of our members and COVID-19 contact tracing, no registrations will be accepted for Fall Session 1 following this deadline.
• For further information about the sessions and updated pricing, please click here: https://elorafergusringette.ca/Pages/2190/2020_21_Registration_Information/

Much work still needs to be done...and more help is needed.

• Thank you to everyone who has already stepped forward to volunteer as on-ice facilitators (aka coaches) for the fall sessions.
• We are still seeking help as coaches and bench staff with some groups. If you are interested please connect with Tracey Fleming at flemingtracey8@gmail.com for more information or if you have questions.
• We are also seeking help with a new bench staff position for each division - COVID-19 Safety Coordinators (CSC). We will not be able to access the ice unless each division has an identified CSC. For more information on what’s involved with these roles, please connect with our CSL Bruce Parkin at bparkin@centrewellington.ca.
• Please note that guidance will be provided to ensure that anyone volunteering in these roles will be supported and equipped as required.

We are doing our best to roll-out updates and information as quickly as we can.

• Once groups have been established for Fall Session 1, we will be rolling out the RAMP Team App association wide. Member will be required to use this App in order to participate in any EFRA ringette activity. The App will be used to confirm attendance and conduct pre-ice time screening for COVID-19. This is very similar to Team Snap for those of you who have used that previously. More information about the app, along with short tutorial videos, will be made available as well.

• In the meantime, please direct your questions to the following:
  - Registration & Fall Program questions: efr@elorafergusringette.ca
  - COVID-19 Safety questions: BParkin@centrewellington.ca
  
  Also, as information is coming quickly, please:
  - Visit https://elorafergusringette.ca/ regularly for updates
  - subscribe for email updates via https://elorafergusringette.ca/Utils/Subscriptions/Email.aspx
  - Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elorafergusringette/
  - Follow ups on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elorafergusringette/
  

Don’t forget our new online EDGE Wear store is open until October 5th!

• Our team hoodies are available for order along with some other new/fun items! Click here to browse and shop now: https://edgeringette2020.itemorder.com/sale   
  

We look forward to seeing everyone back at the rink (finally!). In the meantime, stay safe everyone.  

Sincerely,

June Perry
President, EFRA Board of Directors