Hi,

We would like to invite you to a mandatory 1-hour virtual parent/guardian information session on the evening of Tuesday April 28^th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Microsoft Teams Link to join the meeting is at the end of this email.

We require at least 1 parent/guardian per swim family (i.e., multiple swimmers) or 1 parent/guardian per swimmer to attend. Attendance will be taken. The reason for a mandatory info session this year is due to significant changes mandated by Swim Alberta for officiating and volunteering that will affect every volunteer. Whether you are new to the Piranhas or a returning swim family, you are required to attend.

Agenda for this meeting will include:

a) Overview of volunteer-run swim clubs for new families

b) Changes to Club volunteer requirements - new "points" system & volunteer bond

c) Swim Alberta changes to volunteer screening requirements

d) Overview of Officials certification process and Shortages

Following this 1-hour virtual information session there will also be a 1-hour “Intro to officials” course offering from 7:30-8:30pm - using the same meeting invite link. If you are new to swimming or looking to fulfill your volunteer commitment this year, I would encourage you to stay logged in and attend from the comfort of your own living room. Otherwise, even to volunteer as a timer at a swim meet, you will likely need to source out a course, drive somewhere that may not be convenient, pay for parking, and do this course on your own time. We have specifically organized this virtual course to make it easy and convenient for our volunteer parents/guardians. Please take advantage of this offer, as a tailored course like this isn't delivered to your doorstep each year!

In the meantime, I also ask that you download the attached letter and take it to the RCMP office in Cochrane to submit your Vulnerable Sector Check (“VSC”) application. This is a new Swim Alberta volunteer requirement and we recommend that you submit this VSC application no later than May 1 so that you are eligible to volunteer at the first swim meet. The turnaround time is currently about 3 weeks to get a VSC done and the cost is $10 if you're a resident of Cochrane. A link to Alberta detachments for hours/address can be found here: https://rcmp.ca/en/alberta/detachments. Please let us know if you already have a VSC on file.

You will need to bring:

a) The attached letter

b) 2 pieces of government ID and

c) a utility bill – they may not need this but best to have so you don’t have to return!

If you are in Calgary, you may need to determine where to get your VSC done. This link may be helpful: https://www.calgarypolice.ca/services/police-information-checks/vulnerable-sector-searches.html

We realize this is inconvenient, but as we said, we are obligated to follow Swim Alberta guidance, or else we can’t exist as a summer swim club!

________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27912622803539?p=jawMAcTrgpFs2DAekb

Meeting ID: 279 126 228 035 39

Passcode: ZT9Bc2Xs