RTP McGill - Club Member Handbook by Andrew Shakespeare

Club Member Handbook

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Right To Play - At A Glance

ight To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the unique power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected by war, poverty, and disease. Right To Play creates a safe place for children to learn and fosters the hope that is essential for children to envision a better future. Programs target the most marginalized individuals including girls, persons with disabilities, children affected by HIV and AIDS, street children, former child combatants, and refugees. What Right To Play Does: Working in both the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play trains local community leaders as coaches to deliver programs in 20 countries affected by war, poverty, and disease in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. The programs incorporate a unique methodology that uses sport and play as tools for learning in four developmental impact areas: 1. Basic Education and Child Development: Right To Play’s sport and play programs foster the physical, cognitive, and social development of children to teach important values and life skills. 2. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Right To Play’s sport and play programs are used to educate and mobilize communities around national health and disease prevention priorities, including HIV and AIDS, malaria, and immunization. 3. Conflict Resolution and Peace Building: Right To Play’s programs are tools for teaching conflict resolution and peace building skills. Participation in regular activities facilitates the healing of communities and reintegration of children affected by war. 4. Community Development and Participation: In order to create change and have a sustainable impact, Right To Play works in partnership with the local organizations to build community infrastructure through the engagement of local staff and local and international volunteers. The Two Guiding Principles – Inclusion and Sustainability

nclusion promotes the involvement of children and youth who may be marginalized for reasons of gender, disability, ethnicity, social background or religion. It is believed that through well-designed games and sports, attitudes contributing towards a child’s exclusion from meaningful participation in society will change.

ustainability ensures the programs have a lasting impact and centers on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and partner organizations to independently deliver, on an ongoing basis, learning objectives through regular sport and play activities.

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About Right To Play Clubs in Canada

t Right To Play, it is believed that physical activity, well-designed sport programs, and play offer a path to physical, social, and emotional health. University Clubs are an integral component to Right To Play’s awareness campaign within Canada. The clubs reach over 1000 students by email, close to 2000 through social media and masses through on-campus events.

urrently, there are 22 Right To Play University Clubs across Canada. The numbers will continue to grow thanks to enthusiastic students like you who have joined the club on campus. The following universities have Right To Play Clubs: Brock University

University of New Brunswick

University of British Columbia

University of Ontario: Institute of Tech.

University of British Columbia: Okanagan

University of Ottawa

University of Calgary

Queen’s University

Dalhousie University

Quest University

Guelph University

Ryerson University

Laval University

St. Francis Xavier

McGill University

University of Toronto: Scarborough

McMaster University

University of Waterloo

University de Moncton

University of Western Ontario

Mount Allison University

Wilfred Laurier

Primary Objectives of a Right To Play University Club 1. To educate university students about sport for development, and raise awareness of Right To Play’s programs on an International and local level; 2. To raise funds for Right To Play initiatives internationally; and 3. To encourage membership growth in the university club by creating an inclusive club-community and providing active membership roles. The Impact of University Clubs

ince 2006, Right To Play University Clubs across Canada have raised more than $200,000! It costs on average $50 to enroll one child in weekly Right To Play programming for an entire year. Thanks to the hard work of university students across Canada, over 4000 children have been enrolled in weekly Right To Play programming!

Right To Play info@rtpmcgill.ca|www.rtpmcgill.ca|facebook.rtpmcgill.ca|@RTPMcGill

About Right To Play McGill

ere at McGill University, we act as official representatives of Right To Play. The role of the student ambassadors is to raise awareness and to organize fundraising events in support of Right To Play. Specifically, Right To Play McGill works within the student community to fundraise and spread awareness of the foundation. In the fall of 2006, a few students shared Right To Play’s belief in harnessing the power of sport for development and peace around the world and since becoming established we have developed into a successful and popular club at McGill. We plan athletic as well as social events in order to raise money for the international Right To Play organization and expose the McGill community to a worthy cause. Not only are we aiming to raise more funds for Right To Play, but we are also striving to create a greater sense of awareness of the organization at McGill and strengthen our network by expanding into the Montreal community.

Our Results

ight To Play McGill was one of the original university clubs formed in Canada and has since been the most successful. In the previous year, we had over 100 members and thousands more students were engaged through our various events held during the year. In 2010 our club raised $15,000, and the 2011 school year brought in an astounding $20,000 thanks to the continued growth of events such as our Spin-A-Thon, dodgeball tournament and social gatherings!

Ways To Get Involved

ow that you know all about the organization Right To Play, the next big question is how can you get involved? Our main goal for the 2011-2012 school year is to expand the membership of Right To Play McGill and raise as much awareness as possible across campus and throughout the Montreal community. This cannot be accomplished without your contributions! Throughout the year, Right To Play hosts a multiplicity of bake sales purveying homemade treats made with an extra helping of love. This is a quick and easy way to get involved and meet other members – plus, who doesn’t like a treat for a good cause! Since Montreal is such a great city full of opportunity, Right To Play McGill has broadened from the McGill student body to involve the Montreal Community. In the past, Right To Play has hosted ice skating days with local children’s hospitals as well as Right To Play days at local schools, promoting the importance and benefits of sports, play and health. Contact our VP Outreach if you know more ways to involve our community!

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Events Hosted by Right To Play McGill

ight To Play McGill hosts many events throughout the year that raise thousands of dollars and engage thousands more students! Many of these events have been staples for the RTP McGill clubs since inception in 2006. If you ever had an idea for an event, please contact our VP Events! Spin-A-Thon The signature event that kicks off every school year at McGill has grown into one of the biggest fundraisers on campus. Hundreds of riders pledge money, show off their yellow gear, and keep bikes spinning for over 7 hours. With bake sales, raffle prizes, and much more paraphernalia to be had, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, promote the club, and have a great time spinning! Right To Party Right To Party is known around the McGill campus as the party to be at. Once a semester, the sweatpants and Lululemon clad executive council, as well as the athletically minded members of Right To Play, friends, and fellow McGillians, dress-up in this semi-formal affair. With quality music, great venues, and dangerously priced drinks, we really do see who has the Right To Party. Dodgeball Tournament As the winter snows begin to thaw, the dodgeball throwing arms of our competitors heat up! In second semester, 10-15 teams of 10 compete for the ultimate prize and eternal glory of a paid-in-full keg and the title of dodgeball champions. Do you have what it takes to sling rubber with the best McGill has to offer? Intramural Team Right To Play McGill hosts a variety of intramural teams throughout the year. As an athletically oriented non-profit organization, Right To Play prides itself on encouraging all in our quest to get the world playing! The intramural team is a great way to connect with other members and meet the executive council. Any skill level is more than welcome, as we will be hitting the pitch, court, and turf in the upcoming academic year! Information Forums Over the course of the year our goal is to spread awareness and raise support for Right To Play by hosting events dedicated to informing and including members of the McGill and Montreal Community into our cause. In the past, Right To Play has hosted ice skating days with local childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitals as well as Right To Play days at local schools, promoting the importance and benefits of sports, play and health. Primarily centered at the beginning of the year, our main events of Street Fest and Activities Night involve connecting with potential members and spreading the word about Right To Play. We look forward to seeing you there!

Right To Play info@rtpmcgill.ca|www.rtpmcgill.ca|facebook.rtpmcgill.ca|@RTPMcGill

Frequently Asked Questions

ver need to answer a question about Right To Play at home, on campus, or in the gym? Check out the answers to some of these FAQs and you will be well on your way! For more questions, please visit Right To Playâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website.

ABOUT RIGHT TO PLAY Q. What is Right To Play? A. Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected by war, poverty, and disease. Right To Play creates a safe place for children to learn and fosters the hope that is essential for children to envision and realize a better future. Q. What does Right To Play do? A. Right To Play uses sport and play programs to promote opportunities for development, teach life skills and health education, and build stronger, more peaceful communities. To do this, Right To Play trains local Coaches to run programs, thereby creating the foundation in a community for regular and long-term sport and play programming and for individual and community leadership. Right To Play also uses sport and play to mobilize and educate communities around key health issues to support national health objectives, in particular HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness and vaccination campaigns. Q. When was Right To Play founded? A. Right To Play evolved out of Olympic Aid, a fundraising organization conceived by the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee in 1994. Four-time gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, now President and CEO of Right To Play, was the lead Athlete Ambassador for Olympic Aid. Olympic Aid raised millions of dollars, which went to fund projects for children in disadvantaged situations. In 2000, the association was registered as an official implementing organization using sport as a tool for development, peace and health, changing the name to Right To Play in 2003. Q. Who are Right To Play beneficiaries? A. The children Right To Play works with have been seriously affected by conflict, poverty and disease. Right To Play Coaches help to provide normalization to these children by getting the children out and active. Through regular sport and play activities, Right To Play Coaches also teach children about self-esteem, conflict resolution, and important health issues (such as the importance of washing their hands or getting vaccinated). Q. Why is sport and play the most effective tool to help children build crucial life skills? A. Sport and play are essential development building blocks, helping to foster healthy physical, social, and emotional development. Nothing else has the universal appeal of sport â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it crosses ethnic, cultural, gender, and linguistic boundaries. Sport has the power to reach and teach like no other medium.

Right To Play info@rtpmcgill.ca|www.rtpmcgill.ca|facebook.rtpmcgill.ca|@RTPMcGill

ATHLETES Q. What is the role of Athlete Ambassadors in Right To Play? A. Right To Play is supported by an international team of top athletes from more than 40 countries. As role models over 300 Athlete Ambassadors inspire children, raise awareness and promote opportunities for funding for Right To Play projects. They visit Right To Play programs, organize and participate in fundraising events, speak with media on the organization’s behalf, and advocate for Right To Play by spreading the word.

PROGRAMS & IMPACT Q. Where are Right To Play’s programs implemented? A. The programs are currently implemented in 20 countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza), Peru, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda. In September 2010, Right to Play began its first project in Canada, which is

still in its pilot phase. Q. How does Right To Play deliver its child development programs? A. Right To Play has a unique delivery model – a global team of staff and volunteers who train local Coaches. These local Coaches ensure that communities take ownership of projects that have an impact that is sustainable over the long term. Q. What life skills and values can you learn form sport and play? A. Sport and play can teach important life skills and values including leadership skills, teamwork, fair play, conflict resolution, inclusion, self-esteem, communication, commitment, compassion, respect, optimism, integrity and tolerance. Q. What results has Right To Play had? A. Through specifically designed programs, Right To Play has been successful in many aspects. The results include increased knowledge of HIV and Aids, improved health outcomes, increased school attendance, and improvement in academic performance. These programs have also resulted in the transfer of knowledge gained by the children to friends, parents, and other community members contributing to the social development of the community. The number of children in regular activity grew from 37,178 in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2010, and the number of active Coaches increased from 180 in 2001 to 13,000 leaders and 6,000 junior leaders in 2010. For more information visit:

http://www.righttoplay.com/International/newsand-media/Pages/Publications.aspx. Q. How much funds raised goes towards programs vs. administration and fundraising? A. Right To Play’s goal is to maintain an 85/15 ratio in our program expense/non-program expense ratio. Right To Play McGill is a non-profit organization and all the money raised is either sent to the head office of Right To Play in Toronto or is put towards hosting our successful events to raise awareness. The actual ratio for 2010 was 82/18.

Right To Play info@rtpmcgill.ca|www.rtpmcgill.ca|facebook.rtpmcgill.ca|@RTPMcGill

Brandon Norris | Vice President Science, U3 vp@rtpmcgill.ca

Emily Savage | VP Events Arts, U3 events@rtpmcgill.ca

Sebastian Hayto | VP Events Arts, U3 events@rtpmcgill.ca

Alex Boyman | VP Events Arts, U2 events@rtpmcgill.ca

Andrew Shakespeare | VP Technology Management, U3 tech@rtpmcgill.ca

Trevor Clarke | VP Membership Arts, U2 membership@rtpmcgill.ca

Amy Harrington | VP Membership Science, U2 membership@rtpmcgill.ca

Andrew Pawliwec | VP Outreach Graduate Studies outreach@rtpmcgill.ca

Honzo Lieskovsky | VP Outreach Science, U3 outreach@rtpmcgill.ca

Annabel Tory | VP Finance Management, U3 finance@rtpmcgill.ca

Max Charness | VP Varsity Arts, U3 varsity@rtpmcgill.ca

Andrew Jung | First Year Rep Engineering, U0 firstyear@rtpmcgill.ca

Heather Hartley | First Year Rep Management, U0 firstyear@rtpmcgill.ca

Kathleen Edmonson | VP Communications Arts, U3 info@rtpmcgill.ca

Right To Play Canada Julia Myer | Manager, School and University Partnerships jmyer@righttoplay.com | 416‐203‐0190 Ext# 324 www.righttoplayschools.ca

Right To Play info@rtpmcgill.ca|www.rtpmcgill.ca|facebook.rtpmcgill.ca|@RTPMcGill