Navigating the Unknowns

When I joined the Kitchener Rangers as the incoming Chief Operating Officer officially on June 1, 2020, I was filled with so many emotions and came armed to the organization with a wide variety of skills and experiences. Unfortunately, much like many leaders across the community and across various business sectors, I had no experience in navigating through a global pandemic. I was starting my ‘dream job’ and preparing for the hardest season in the history of the organization.

Leading in the ‘New Normal’

A high functioning, successful team requires collaboration amongst the team members. Throughout the past 15 months, we knew that collaboration would be very critical for our recovery. There was never a bad idea, thought or concept during any staff meeting we held. Every staff member was encouraged to participate and innovate in all areas of our operation even if their job responsibilities were not related to another team member’s day to day role. As a leader, I will never have all the answers and rely heavily upon our collective team to overcome many challenges, and this was never more required than the past 15 months.

As an organization we have continued to emphasize the importance of mental health and wellbeing of our entire organization. With so many changes that occurred in the world it is very important that the environment within our organization is inclusive, supportive, and positive every single day. We used the down time to be provided virtual education on Mental Health and Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) in order to be advocates and agents of change coming out of the pandemic.

As we continue to move forward, as an organization, I feel we must continue to focus on creating highly collaborative teams within a healthy, inclusive, diverse, and positive working environment.

Getting People Back to Normal

The Kitchener Rangers have continued to place a strong emphasis on safety of our players, fans, directors, staff, billets, parents, and partners. To get us back to the Aud on Friday nights to cheer on our players, we have committed to adhering to all public health protocol on a daily basis. We welcomed the Chamber Check program and continue to utilize this daily to keep our staff and players safe. Additionally, the OHL Head Office showed great leadership by implementing the OHL Vaccination Policy which requires all members of the OHL Community, including spectators, to provide proof of double vaccination during any OHL event.

We have done our best to try to provide as much leadership as we can in support of wearing masks, getting your shots which in return will lead us to a normal Friday night at the Aud!

The Rangers & The Community

When our season was first announced that it would not start on time in September 2020, we immediately shifted our focus to find ways on how we can help within the Region of Waterloo. What platforms can we provide to community partners to communicate positive messages? How can we use Rangers Reach to drive awareness and raise important dollars for organizations such as Waterloo Region Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, KidsAbility, Canadian Mental Health Association, Cystic Fibrosis Research to name a few. Providing a sense of normal through virtual means was important to our fans, players and staff.

In closing the year was nothing I anticipated but it was incredibly rewarding because of the accomplishments and the support we could provide to so many within the community and Waterloo Region. We cannot wait for our first game where we can welcome back a sold out crowd in a safe, fun and amazing experience at the Aud on a Friday night!

Let’s Go Rangers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joe Birch

The native of Corunna, Ontario, Rangers alumnus, and graduate of Western University has spent 12 years working at the OHL – most recently as the Vice President of Development. Joe has played a significant role in developing the national player recruitment & education strategies for the Canadian Hockey League. Joe has been recognized twice by Hockey News as Top 100 People of Power and Influence.

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