Snow . Earth . Water
Choose Your Ground Strategic Framework 2019-2022
Inclusion. Ability. Freedom.
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INCLUSION TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABILITY
Letter from the Board................................................1 Letter from the Executive Director............................2 Vision........................................................................3 Statement and mission.............................................4 Framework philosophy..............................................5 Strategic objective....................................................6 Approach...................................................................7
FREEDOM STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
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WE DO THIS FOR THE KIDS! 4
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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sk any of our 400 plus volunteers and families who have embraced this organization why they get up at the crack
into the future. And at the end of the day, it still comes down to one comment, shared by all who carry the Track3 message in
of dawn on the winter weekends, or stay out late on cold winter nights. The truth is the kids – every smile, every new skill conquered, every laugh, every challenge – these are life moments that define ourselves and what we can contribute to our communities. And these moments feel better than great. They are awesome. Our Board has begun a journey to ensure that these moments which have changed adaptive snow sports in Ontario for more than 40 years, will continue for the next 40 plus years. We set out to embrace our past, acknowledge the assets we have built as an organization, face the challenges that lie ahead and a take a visionary look
their hearts: We do this for the kids. You are about to take a journey through remarkable terrain, traversing snow, earth and water. Transforming Track3 into the leading adaptive sport organization in Ontario will involve a keen willingness to look forward, try new ways and accept change, which we understand is not always easy. But when we characterize Track3, we often say “we are nothing if we are not adaptive”. Choose your ground and look forward to expanding your world with us in whatever form that takes, be it staying the course with alpine sports or reaching out to new adaptive terrain. Either way, we value your fantastic contributions!
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MAKING NEW TRACKS 6
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THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NAOMI SCHAFLER
Every now and then a fresh approach, new ideas and a strategic plan help propel non-profit organizations to greater success. And success in the adaptive recreation sector, which could never meet the growing demand for programming, means a constant effort to achieve sustainability. Times are changing and in the case of Ontario Track 3 Ski Association, with a proud 40 plus year history of success, the time has come to make some new tracks. Sustainability for Track3 means focusing on long term donor and funder procurement, building amazing partners in the industry and most importantly of all, increasing our volunteer ski and snowboarding instructor base. Facing a growing challenge of volunteer retention and recruitment, given the demographic changes and time poverty that characterize the up and coming generations, our Board took a deep dive to find the paths that will lead to greater positive impact for families, sustainable funding and to continue to do what we do best – help our athletes discover
the freedom of snow sports. This bold visionary plan embraces our values of inclusion, ability, and freedom, woven across uncharted new territory to explore. Our athletes learn to ski and snowboard with adaptive equipment and teaching techniques. The physical, mental and emotional health and social benefits are huge, appreciated by every family in the program. Additionally, important successes come with building confidence and independence. Those intangible benefits, which appeal to athletes and volunteer instructors alike, across all sports, are where the true path to inclusion, ability, and freedom lie. The answers are not crystal clear – we will adapt our strategies to reach our goals as we move forward. But our resolve is steadfast. At the heart of this movement towards positive change is one simple message: we will do all we can to improve the lives of youth of all abilities.
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VISION
Track3 is a legacy organization with an exceptional reputation in the community it serves. A registered charity for over 40 years, it has a long-standing mandate to make winter sports accessible for youth and young adults living with a cognitive or physical disability. Parents have come to depend on Track3 and its’ volunteer base has contributed tremendous value to our community. No matter how one came to know the organization, its immense power to uplift and inspire is clear.
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FRAMEWORK PHILOSOPHY
Track3 will evolve its service offering and its mandate to account for a changing landscape to continue to grow as an organization. It will broaden its’ focus to reach out to new sources of volunteers and funding in order to grow and be sustainable. Track3 is at the precipice of change and is looking forward now to new ways it can pivot while delivering its mission to enrich each athlete’s experience. ATHLETE PROGRESSION WITHIN TRACK3 Track3 Leaders in Training*
PRIMARY TRACK3 GOALS Volunteer
(age 18-19)
Track3 Trails to Independence* (age 13-19)
Track3 Intermediate (age 6-19)
Recreation
Recreation & Respite
Track3 Novice (age 6-19)
*by invitation
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Independence
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STATEMENT
Track3 changes lives by making a positive impact/difference for youth of all abilities. MISSION Discovering ability through the freedom of adaptive sports.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Offer enhanced year-round programming to deliver greater impact to more people and address growing demand in the adaptive sport sector, while sustaining and strengthening existing alpine experience of our athletes and volunteers.
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GOALS • Become a leading adaptive multi-sport organization in Ontario • Work towards a wait list of volunteers, with no shortages to meet the current and expanded program demand • Become financially sustainable
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GREATER IMPACT - ALL YEAR PROGRAMMING Offer enhanced year-round programming to deliver greater impact to more people and address growing demand in the adaptive sport sector, while sustaining and strengthening existing alpine experience of our athletes and volunteers. SUSTAINABLE FUNDING - PARTNERSHIPS Track3 will deepen and adjust existing relationships while creating more meaningful relationships with partners and potential collaborators to help enhance its reach and exposure in the community. It is no longer adequate to rely on “word of mouth� for funding and recruitment. VOLUNTEERS Track3 will customize appreciation efforts to build stronger connections and relationships through events, feedback opportunities and welcome/orientation materials. We will engage in branding, marketing, social media efforts to broaden appeal and exposure: drive a culture shift towards a future-forward thinking organization. Encourage mentorship, leadership opportunities and succession that will appeal to the next generation of volunteers.
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OVERVIEW
Ontario is the first province and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to enact specific legislation establishing a goal and time-frame for accessibility. It is also the first jurisdiction to legislate accessibility reporting and to establish standards so people with disabilities can participate more actively in their communities. Canadians can be grouped into four distinct categories based on their experiences with, and concern about, disabilities and challenges affecting their vision, hearing and mobility. The four groups are: The Directly Affected (24% of the general population), Affiliated (30%), Concerned (32%), and Unaffected (14%). FROM: https://www.rickhansen.com/sites/default/files/downloads/ari-research-jan-2019eng-final-accessible_1.pdf
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
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Number of Canadians with a disability who are involved in organized sport
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Number of Torontonians with disabilities who are regularly active From Source: Shields, Margot; Shields, Margot; Tjepkema, Michael (August 2006). “Regional differences in obesity� (PDF). Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
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Families on waitlist for Track3 programs as of Jan 2019: 93 AUTISM RISE Autism spectrum disorder affects 1 in 66 Canadian children, report says. A new report from the Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that one in 66 Canadian children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
“There’s a real reliance on assistive technology According to Statistics Canada’s 2012 Canadian Survey on Disability, over 81% of people with disabilities reported using some kind of assistive technology or specialized equipment to help them move, communicate, learn or carry out the daily activities of life.” FROM: https://www.ontario.ca/page/about-accessibility-laws
Mar 31, 2018 FROM: easterseals.ca/english/wp-content/ uploads/2016/12/Disability-in-Canada-Facts-Figures.pdf
STUDENT BREAKDOWN BY DISABILITY Autism/related: 56
“More than 5.3 million Canadians live with some form of disability According to Statistics Canada, more than 5.3 million Canadians—almost 16% of the population in this country—are living with some form of disability that affects their level of freedom, independence or quality of life. Of that number, over 200,000 are children and youth.”
C P: 31 Developmental Delay/Downs: 30 Amputee: 2 Unique Diagnosis: 22 T3 Students served this season.
WAITLIST BREAKDOWN BY DISABILITY Autism/related: 53 C P: 27 Developmental Delay/Downs: 32 Amputee: N/A Unique Diagnosis: 21
Many sibling families.
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TESTIMONIALS CARYS – VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR 2018
ANGELA, PARENT
At the end of the season, we invite parents to watch their children in a mini-race down the bunny hill. Both years, I witnessed an immense amount of pride from both the children and parents. The children are excited to show their parents their new skills and their parents are proud of their child’s progress that year; this is my favourite day. My service has become an important part of my life.
I wanted to let you know how great Track 3 has been to Misha. Not only did Track 3 make it possible for him to participate in a school event last year that he otherwise would have been excluded from, but the volunteers at Track 3 helped to increase his confidence, reduce anxiety and increase his social skills. Misha started with Track 3 five years ago. When we started Misha could barely stand on skis. He was petrified of the rope tow, the chair lift and standing at the top of the hill. The first year we overcame the rope tow and Misha started enjoying skiing. The second year was pivotal! Misha had amazing volunteers that were so creative and patient. Many kids on the autism spectrum can perseverate on certain things. For Misha, that thing is spinning and lights. He just wanted to watch to rope wheel at the rope tow, the wires at the chair lift or the stare at the lights. The volunteers went out of their way and bought a spinning light toy. This engaged Misha so much that he stopped perseverating on the other things and focused on the toy. They used this toy to help guide him down the
hill along with straps. Eventually, the toy and straps were no longer needed. Fast track to today and Misha is an avid, accomplished skier who started skiing with the Special Olympics. If it wasn’t for the creativity, patience and knowledge of the volunteers, Misha would be a different boy. His skiing helps him feel confident and included and this has helped him in all aspects of life. When we first started was too anxious to speak with any of the volunteers. Now, he says hi to everyone and every year wants to show off his new equipment. Both Misha and I are thrilled that Track 3 is a part of his life.
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CENTRAL OFFICE & MAILING ADDRESS:
61 Advance Road, Unit 4 Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 2S6 416-233-3872 TOLL FREE 1-877-308-7225 FAX 416-233-7862 TELEPHONE
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NUMBER: 11906 8526 RR0001
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