It is our intention to keep participation with Challenger Baseball Manitoba “Fee Free”. While corporate sponsors have been extremely generous in the past, it is not feasible to expect a year-to-year on-going contribution covering all of our expenses without some form of fundraising effort by our organization. Therefore, the refundable Fundraising and Volunteer Bond was instituted in 2017 in lieu of registration fees in an effort to ensure that each family contributes to maintaining registration fees as low as possible and that all Challenger Baseball Manitoba fundraising events are adequately staffed.
Furthermore, as an all-volunteer organization, Challenger Baseball Manitoba relies on its families for volunteer support to maintain the quality of its program. The Fundraising and Volunteer Bond is designed to encourage families to volunteer to help run our program. You may choose not to volunteer and to forfeit your deposit but we certainly hope that you choose to provide assistance to Challenger Baseball Manitoba!
WHAT? Volunteering: Parents may sign up to volunteer at any Challenger Baseball Manitoba event during the year. Each family is required to perform one bond shift for each child they have registered (family max. 2). Most volunteering shifts will require 3- 4 hours of commitment but do vary. OR Direct Fundraising: A number of purchase based direct fundraising efforts will be available. Every family will be asked to contribute what they can. In addition, if you can think of a way to contribute (ie: leading a sponsor to our program, sewing patches on jerseys, year end inventory, etc)
WHO? The parents/guardians of each player are asked to perform a bond assignment. Families can appoint some other responsible adult to perform their volunteer duties as long as the Coordinator is notified in advance. A volunteer must be 18 years or older to qualify. Although younger family members are welcome to help out in addition to an adult, the volunteer slot must be filled by an adult, including parent, grandparent or older sibling. Because one of the goals is to get more families involved, families cannot volunteer on behalf of another family.
IS ANYONE EXEMPT FROM PAYING THE VOLUNTEER BOND? Children of Coaches/Assistant Coaches and Board Members are exempt given they already spend numerous hours volunteering their time in support of our program.
WHEN? A schedule of opportunities will be sent to all registered players and also available on our website. In addition, various e-mails will be sent out to families throughout the year advertising opportunities to help. All you need to do is sign-up per the instructions, then, if a volunteer shift, show up, sign-in and do your part. Your signature next to your name on the sign-in sheet is proof that you have completed the volunteer activity. It is the responsibility of the family to register for the event as indicated in the event details. There will be a variety of opportunities thus ensuring that every family has a fair chance to fulfill their requirements.
HOW MUCH? The volunteer bond is set at $25.00 per child (max X2). Before the season opener event, cash, a cheque or etransfer will be provided by the family per registrant in the amount of the fundraising/volunteer bond.
WHEN WILL MY BOND BE REFUNDED? At the season windup. If you are unable to attend, cheques will be destroyed and arrangements will be made for cash/etrans deposits.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN’T OR DON’T WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? Although volunteering is highly encouraged, families are not required to volunteer. Families can opt out providing a donation of $25.00. If you do not complete your obligation by the end of the season, you will forfeit your Bond and your cheque(s) will be cashed. Those funds will be deposited to use for operations.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A FAMILY DOES NOT PAY THE VOLUNTEER BOND? Bottom line, a player cannot participate in a Challenger Baseball Manitoba game until the family pays the Bond or Donation.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY VOLUNTEER BOND IF MY PLAYER DROPS OUT OF THE PROGRAM? The cheque will be returned or destroyed upon request if the player drops out prior to the official start of the season per the calendar (the first day of play for the season). If the player drops out after that date, the family can choose to contribute or forfeit their bond.
HOW SHOULD VOLUNTEER BOND PAYMENTS BE MADE? We prefer a cheque but cash will be accepted in an open envelope labelled with the child’s name. The envelope will be signed and sealed by the registrar. Please make cheques payable to Manitoba Challenger Baseball with ‘Volunteer Bond’ and the player's name in the memo field. Postdate all cheques to the end of June.
WHEN WILL THE VOLUNTEER BOND CHEQUE BE CASHED? The cheque will only be cashed at the end of the season for those families that did not participate in an opportunity. Families will be notified, providing at least 2 weeks’ notice prior to cashing the cheques. For cheques that are returned NSF, Challenger Baseball Manitoba will seek payment from the family of a $25 NSF fee to cover such bank fees in addition to the Bond amount. Any outstanding Volunteer Bond payments will be carried over to the next season and will need to be settled prior to being able to participate in Challenger Baseball Manitoba.
HOW ARE THE SHIFTS ASSIGNED? Volunteer assignments will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want to make sure that you fulfill your obligation before the year ends, sign up as early as possible. We will make sure every family has ample opportunities, however, Challenger Baseball Manitoba is not responsible for finding volunteer tasks for parents; parents must take responsibility to sign up for and complete tasks that will meet their obligation.
Please note: Volunteer hours or Fundraising dollars cannot be carried over to the following season as we need continued help from year to year. Fund raising and volunteering are necessary and valuable for Challenger Baseball Manitoba. We are proud of and thankful for each of our volunteers.
For more information please contact your division coordinator or: ROSS BOTTLE Sponsorship and Fundraising Coordinator Ph: 204-802-8959 Em: mbchallenger@shaw.ca
