Table of Contents

(Pages 1-2)

Welcome to the AFSC and USFS Page 3-4

US Figure Skating Parents Code of Conduct Page 5-6

AFSC Board Members Page 7

Ice Time and Ice Monitors Page 8

Membership Registration Form Front & Back Page 9-10

Fee Descriptions Page 11

Equipment Page 12

Breaking in New Skates and Page 13

Where to Shop for Skates and Where to Have Skates Sharpened

Class Sessions

Class Sessions, Coaches/Student Coaches Page 14

Basic Skills Level, Freeskate Program, Levels in Skating Page 15

LO Power, HI Power, Edge Class, Moves-In-The Field,

Figures, Off Ice Class, Weight Training Page 16

Private Ice Lessons, Skating Levels and US Test Sessions Page 17-18

Hiring a Coach or Student Coach Page 19

AFSC Student Coaches Guidelines and Recommendations Page 20

Private Ice--Ice Time Sessions, Buy-Ons and Punch Cards Page 21

AFSC Rules of the Ice Page 22-23

Locker Room Policy Page 24

How To Earn A Skating Letter Through

District 206’s Independent Provider Program Page 25

Events of the AFSC Skating Year

Fund Raisers Page 26

Holiday Exhibition Page 27

Spring Show-Ice Revue Page 28

Guidelines for AFSC Spring Show Solos and/or Features Page 29

Battle of the Blades and Annual Meeting/Banquet Page 30

Family Involvement

Volunteer Information Participation Page 31-32

Merchandise and First Aid and Defibrillator Page 33

Newsletters, Calendars, Cancellations Page 34

Other Competitions, Costume & Skate Exchange

Welcome to the AFSC and USFS

The Alexandria Figure Skating Club’s (AFSC) Board of Directors would like to welcome you to the current skating season. We hope you will enjoy your skating experience with us this year, and you find encouragement, fun and rewards while participating and performing the sport of figure skating. When you register yourself or your child for skating lessons with us, both you and your child become members of our skating club.

For years figure skating has been one of American’s most popular recreational sports. There is something almost magical about gliding over an icy surface on ice-skates. We love to skate, and we love to watch our children skate.

Over the past several years, competitive amateur figure skating has quickly begun to advance as a very popular spectator sport. Competitors such as Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen capture our attention with their discipline and success. People the world over have a love affair with watching figure skaters perform magnificent feats on the ice with seemingly little effort.

It is our desire as a figure skating club to make this a magical experience for our skaters. We want to help them realize their dreams and achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

The AFSC Mission Statement: The goal of the Alexandria Figure Skating Club is to provide professional instruction in the art of figure skating to all ages and to promote figure skating as a life long recreational sport.

The main purpose of the Alexandria Figure Skating Club is to provide lessons in skating skills to use for figure skating, hockey, or recreation. Even though we have “Alexandria” in our name, our members include skaters from other nearby towns such as Sauk Centre, Glenwood, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Lowry, Garfield, Fergus Falls, Wahpeton and other towns.

The AFSC was established in the fall of 1979 as a basic skills organization, in order to promote amateur figure skating in the Alexandria area. We are a non-profit organization run by a board of volunteers. In 1994, our club was granted membership in the United States Figure Skating (USFS). USFS is the national organization that sets the testing and competition standards for the sport of figure skating in the United States. USFS is comprised of member clubs, such as the Alexandria Figure Skating Club, collegiate clubs, school-affiliated clubs and individual members. USFS sets the standards for teaching the correct skating methods to beginning skaters. They have developed a Basic Skills teaching program that is used throughout the United States.

The USFS Basic Skills Program is what Alexandria Figure Skating Club teaches. The program consists of Basic Skills Levels 1-8 and Freeskate 1-6. We have group lessons in most of these levels. The AFSC teaches these lessons at the Runestone Community Center (RCC) in either the west or east rinks.

There is a mandatory Club fee to join as a Basic Skills (all levels) skater. (See “Fees Description” for more details.) This fee will be sent to USFS for third-party accidental insurance. Your child is required to be covered by this insurance in order to skate on the ice during the AFSC hours.

If your skater is Basic 5 and above and taking private ice lessons, the AFSC requires USFS membership fees. See “Fee Descriptions” for more details.

Figure skating is a very individual sport, but a team effort can be used to achieve the skater’s goals. Your team consists of the skater, the coach, the parents and the club. Each member of the team is important to the development of the skater and each other.

Parents should provide guidance and support. Unlike other athletic endeavors where the main relationship is between the coach and the athlete, skating requires the parents to play a significant role. Some of the reasons for this are the monetary aspect, commuting to and from the rink, bolstering flagging spirits and helping to promote the sport.

The coach is responsible for providing expert instruction, planning ways to achieve short term and long term goals and providing the skater with guidance in all phases of the sport. The coach should be the skater’s teacher, guide and friend. Class assistants are not instructors, but are there to help and demonstrate in some classes. They must be respected also.

The skater must have the desire to learn and excel, show respect to the coach and others, and accept advice and criticism in a sportsman-like manner. The skater should also acknowledge and appreciate the contributions made by his or her parents, both physically and monetarily, and show support for the club by displaying courteous conduct as a representative of the club.

The main purpose of the club is to improve, advance and encourage the instruction, training, competition and development of capabilities of the individual in all forms of figure skating. Some of the ways these purposes are achieved are by providing ice time for purchase by the skater, providing training equipment, informing skaters of what is happening in the skating club and world, setting standards for coaches and administering the rules of courtesy and safety for all skaters.

This club is a volunteer organization and is run by a volunteer board of directors composed of interested parents and skaters. Volunteers monitor the skating sessions, produce shows, assist with tests and competitions, and support the club in general. WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS, THE CLUB WOULD CEASE TO EXIST. PLEASE VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME WHEN ASKED! Thank You!

US Figure Skating Parents Code of Conduct

Codes of Conduct give everyone a guide of what is expected of us if we are part of an organization, participating in a sport, or as spectators at our child’s events.

Preamble: The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, trustworthiness and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character” (Arizona Sports Summit Accord)

1. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all skaters, coaches and officials at every practice session, competition and test session.

2. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.

3. I will encourage my child to skate in a safe and healthy environment.

4. I will inform my child’s coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

5. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the results of a competitive event.

6. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or blame my child’s teammates for placement in a competition.

7. I will do my best to make skating fun and will remember that my child participates in sports for his/her own enjoyment and satisfaction, not mine.

8. I will ask my child to treat other skaters, coaches, fans, and officials with respect, regardless of race, creed, color, sexual orientation or ability.

9. I will applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, emphasizing the positive accomplishments and learning from the mistakes.

10. I will teach my child to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

11. I will be a positive role model for my child and other skaters.

12. I will demand a figure skating environment for my child that is free of drug or alcohol abuse and agree that I will not provide to a third party, any drug proscribed by applicable federal, state, or municipal law.

13. I will not assist or condone any competing athlete’s use of a drug banned by the International Olympic Committee, International Skating Union, United States Olympic Committee, or US Figure Skating, or, in case of athletes, use such drugs or refuse to submit to properly conducted drug test administered by one of these organizations.

14. I will not provide alcohol to, or condone the use of alcohol by minors, abuse alcohol in the presence of athlete members, or at US Figure Skating activities or, in the case of athletes, consume alcoholic beverages while a minor.

15. I will encourage my child’s coach to continue their education and training through programs offered by US Figure Skating, the Professional Skaters Association and other accredited organizations.

16. I will respect my child’s coach and refrain from coaching my child or other skaters during competitions and practices because it may conflict with the coach’s plan or strategies.

17. I will respect the decisions of officials and their authority during the competitions and test sessions and teach my child to do likewise.

18. I will show appreciation and recognize the importance of volunteers and club officials.

19. I will study the rules of US Figure Skating and teach my child accordingly so that we have an understanding and appreciation of the rules of competition and membership.

20. I will support all the opponents in my child’s competition and respect the rights of all skaters to participate.

AFSC Board Members

The AFSC is a volunteer club governed by an elected Board of Directors. The Board of Directors manages the AFSC club rules, events, shows and other business throughout the year. The board meets once a month in the evening of the second Tuesday at the RCC in the warming area above the east rink. This is subject to change. The board meetings are open to all club members who wish to visit.

We do, however, need more board members, and if you are interested in joining the board, there are positions available. These positions are open to men or women 18 years of age or older who enroll and pay the USFS registration fee. A Board of Director term is two years, but no director shall serve more than three consecutive terms (6 years). Officers, president, vice president, secretary and treasurer are elected at the annual meeting (May) of the Board of Directors.

The AFSC requires a minimum of seven board members with a maximum of 15 members.

AFSC Board Policy and Procedures

The AFSC does have an AFSC Employee/Member Conduct Policy and AFSC Student Behavior Discipline Policy, AFSC Complaint Form, AFSC Injury Report Form, AFSC Board Procedures, Articles of Corporation and by-laws.

Job Description of AFSC Board Members

1. Be a member of the USFS and AFSC.

2. Attend all board and committee meetings. Notify president if unable to attend.

3. Help to formulate policies and enforce them.

4. To be accountable for club expenditures and fund and tax reporting. Help in setting up budgets and approving them.

5. Regularly examine club programs to insure that they are in agreement with the objectives of the club.

6. Volunteer for committee work or assignments and keep the president informed of ongoing developments between board meetings.

7. Participate in recruitment and public relations for AFSC during their term. This does involve helping with registration evenings.

8. Project a positive attitude about AFSC at all times.

9. Help select and appoint a club president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

10. Continually look for fundraising activities.

11. Abide by the AFSC Employee/Member Policies.

12. Employ and determine the compensation of whatever staff is deemed necessary for the successful operation of the Club.

13. Give, at least once a year, a full and complete report of all activities at the annual meeting. This report shall be available for review by all members of the Club.

Ice Time

The AFSC is charged by the City of Alexandria per hour for ice time. This rate increases periodically to keep up with the cost of running the rink. The average amount that the AFSC is charged for one month is $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the quantity of ice time we have scheduled.

Ice time is the major expense to the Club. That is why we look for ways to generate income to pay for this ice. Some ways are having fundraisers throughout the year. See Fund Raisers. This is where we need every family’s participation in volunteer points to help make this Club successful. See “VIP” page for more information.

Please help the AFSC keep your ice fees down by volunteering your time and effort with all our activities.

Ice Monitors

Ice Monitors are volunteers who agree to monitor all private ice activity during AFSC ice-time. They are also responsible for checking skaters entering and exiting the ice and receiving money for buy-ons or punch cards. They are in charge at all times.

Ice monitors much have read the AFSC Rules of the Ice and agree to administer the rules while skaters are on the ice.

The ice monitoring three ring binder is stored in the holder on the AFSC door. Ice monitors place an “X” in the appropriate box for all pre-purchased ice on the top half of the sheet. They enter their name at the bottom of the sheet as ice monitor so that if the office has any questions about the skaters on the ice, the AFSC has someone to contact. Ice monitors also record on the bottom all other skaters on the ice. Enter the time they entered the ice and exit the ice.

Alexandria Figure Skating Club

US Figure Skating Membership Registration

USFS Year-Year Season (July 1, Year to June 30, Year)

BASIC SKILLS Year-Year Season (Sept. 1, Year-August 30, Year)

Coach/Bd. Mbr./Skater’s Last Name First Name Birthdate Age Gender

__________________________________________________________________________________

Address (Indicate if new) City State Zip Code

__________________________________________________________________________________

E-Mail Address Tele # Township (if not in CITY limits)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name/Other Other Address (mail delivery too?) Other Tele#

__________________________________________________________________________________

Medical Doctor Tele # Dentist Tele #

__________________________________________________________________________________

Allergies or Medical Conditions the AFSC should be made aware of.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION - (for private skaters only)

___________________________________________________________________________________

Home Club USFSA # or NEW List Contracted Coach

___________________________________________________________________________________

List Current Levels of US Figure Skating Tests You Have Passed or Basic Skills Level

List Fee

Choose your Membership Status and Total Fees: AFSC Home Club Member $?? _______

2nd Home Club Member $?? _______

Associate Member Fee $?? _______

Class Coaches and Assistants (Mandatory Fee) $?? _______

(Skater only) USER FEE (if not in city limits) $?? _______

TOTAL ALL FEES (paid only once per season) $__________

Payment: Check #___________ or CASH__________ Receipt _________

I hereby give permission for the above-named skater to skate at the Runestone Community Center as a member of the AFSC and waive any claims or damages, injuries, or loss of personal property incurred by the participant while taking part in the activities referred to on the registration forms. I hereby release and hold harmless the AFSC coaches and volunteers for injury occurring during lessons, practice, or exhibitions. The undersigned also agrees to be responsible and pay promptly for all group lessons, private lessons, and ice contracts contracted by the skater/adult in order to remain in good standing as a member of the AFSC. The Club has permission to call for medical assistance in case of emergency. I also understand that photographs may be taken of skaters and used in newsletters, scrapbooks, or for club promotions.

________ I have read all enclosed policies with my skater.

________ I will participate in fundraisers or opt to buy-out for $100.

________ I have a copy of the current Parent and Student Handbook and reviewed this with my skater.

(Please X)

_________________________________________ ________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian/Adult Skater Date

PAYMENTS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER SESSION (Year-Year)

TOTAL DUE: ___________PAYMENT___________PAYMENT_____________

Check # or Cash _________ Check # or Cash____________

PUNCH CARDS: #_____________ #______________ #______________

Check or Cash Check or Cash Check or Cash

BUY-ONS DUE: ________________ PAYMENT_____________ Check or Cash____________

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER SESSION (Year-Year)

TOTAL DUE: ___________PAYMENT___________PAYMENT_____________

Check # or Cash _________ Check # or Cash________

PUNCH CARDS: #_____________ #_______________ #________________

Check or Cash Check or Cash Check or Cash

BUY-ONS DUE: ________________ PAYMENT _____________ Check or Cash_____________

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY SESSION (Year-Year)

TOTAL DUE: ___________PAYMENT___________PAYMENT_____________

Check # or Cash _________ Check # or Cash_____________

PUNCH CARDS: #_____________ #_______________ #_________________

Check or Cash Check or Cash Check or Cash

BUY-ONS DUE: ________________ PAYMENT _____________ Check or Cash_____________

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MARCH/APRIL SESSION (Year-Year)

TOTAL DUE: ___________PAYMENT___________PAYMENT_____________

Check # or Cash __________ Check # or Cash______________

PUNCH CARDS: #_____________ #_______________ #_________________

Check or Cash Check or Cash Check or Cash

BUY-ONS DUE: ________________ PAYMENT _____________ Check or Cash_____________

SUMMER ICE SESSION (Year-Year)

TOTAL DUE: ___________PAYMENT___________PAYMENT_____________

Check # or Cash _________ Check # or Cash____________

PUNCH CARDS: #_____________ #______________ #______________

Check or Cash Check or Cash Check or Cash

BUY-ONS DUE: ________________ PAYMENT_____________ Check or Cash___________

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EXHIBITIONS:

CHRISTMAS - TOTAL DUE_______Payment ________ Check # or Cash________

ICE REVUE - TOTAL DUE_______Deposit_______Balance DUE: ____________

Check#/Cash ________ Check #/Cash________

Basic Skills Competition TOTAL DUE_______Payment________ Check # or Cash_______

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FUNDRAISING PARTICIPATION

Income Brought In: _________________ ___________________ ________________

List Fundraiser: _________________ ___________________ ________________

Merchandise Purchased (list item, $ amt., PD - check # or cash) or Other Payments

AFSC Fees Descriptions

BASIC SKILLS SKATERS--Basic Skills Membership Fee: This fee is charged by US Figure Skating for membership in the Basic Skills program. It also covers your skater with third-party liability insurance. You receive a membership card and a skills assessment book. If you are a previous member, you will not receive a new book unless US Figure Skating makes changes to the book. Basic skills members are considered to be any skater that does not take private lessons.

City of Alexandria RCC User Fee (applies to Basic Skills and USFS Members): This fee is charged by the City of Alexandria to those skaters who do not live in the “City Limits” of Alexandria. City taxes are used to run and maintain the Runestone Community Center, and therefore, it is felt that “non-city” users don’t pay taxes for the use of the rink; thus, a “user fee” for “non-city” users is charged to compensate. Even though your address is Alexandria, if you live in a township, you are considered a “non-city” user. Any skater who lives in a different town must also pay this fee.

US FIGURE SKATING (USFS) MEMBERS: This is what is called the AFSC Home Club Member Fee. This fee is mandatory for all private skaters who are taking private lessons. The majority of this fee goes directly to USFS for membership. It includes third-party liability insurance. You will receive a membership card directly from USFS. Your membership allows you to compete at sanctioned competitions and test at official USFS testing sites for your Pre-Preliminary through senior tests. You also receive the “US Skating” magazine on a monthly basis keeping you up-to-date on your favorite skaters, rules and regulations, competition results, etc. It also gives you many leads on equipment, skate wear, camps, and other information. This is a must-have magazine! The balance of the fee helps to cover paper and mailing costs to keep you up-to-date as an AFSC member.

Second Home Club Member Fee: This fee is the same as the Home Club Member Fee, but is for the family with more than one skater. Your first skater is the first fee, your second & third, etc., are all second members, including board members. Second club members receive all the same benefits, except being mailed a magazine. One magazine is mailed per family.

Associate Member Fee: An Associate Member is a "Home Club" member of another USFS Club, but is supplementing their skating through our club by utilizing our ice time and/or coaches. They will receive benefits from their "Home Club". Benefits received through the AFSC include participation in our ice shows and exhibitions. Costs to use the ice and participate in official tests with the AFSC will be the same as our own "Home Club" member.

Rulebook/Directory Fee: This is optional, but is a must for the USFS member, including coaches! It contains all the rules, regulations, test requirements, competition requirements, and other important information. A separate directory of all contact people and registered clubs is included.

Binder: This is optional, but it holds the rulebook pages nicely, as they come unbound. The separate directory (listed above) is already bound.

NSF Fee: If your personal check arrives back at the AFSC bank for Non-Sufficient Funds, you will be charged a NSF fee of $25 per check written.

Equipment

NO two bladed skates are acceptable on the ice, RCC Rule. Keep in mind that the RCC rink’s temperature is usually a comfortable 50 degrees. We recommend that skaters wear warm coats, hats, and mittens. Helmets are optional. Some coaches feel that it is better for your skater not to wear blue jeans if at all possible. Blue jeans tend to get cold and stay cold especially if they get damp. They prefer skaters to wear knit/cotton stretch pants to stay warm and have better flexibility.

Skates: The most important equipment you as a skater can purchase is your skates. We cannot over emphasize the importance of purchasing good quality skates, for they will either help a skater progress or severely hinder their progress. It is important to purchase skates made of LEATHER if at all possible. The AFSC recommends that you purchase the appropriate skate for the skater’s skill level. Beginners should avoid the more expensive, stiffer skates meant for higher-level skaters, and higher-level skaters should avoid skates with boots or blades meant for beginners.

Fitting Tip: Skates must fit properly! Skates that are uncomfortable or are too big will become a frustration to the skater. Many people quit skating before they really give it a chance because “It hurts my feet/ankles.” This is a sign of an improper fit!

Your feet should not move around inside your boots, especially the heel. Your heel should be as far back into the boot as possible and should feel snug. Another important factor is support. Skates that lack adequate support can’t hold you up; you wind up using a lot of your muscle power just to stay upright. Keep trying on skates until you find a pair that fits. Be aware that your skate size is not always the same as your shoe size. Usually the skate size is smaller than their regular shoe size. The boots should feel snug but your toes shouldn’t be pinched. The closer the fit, the more control you will have. You should be able to place a pencil behind the heel for a proper fit! Wear the socks you intend to wear when fitting a skate.

Lacing Tips: How skates look when they are laced up can offer a clue as to how well they fit. Tap your heel back into the boot as far as possible. Pull the tongue completely up (giving it a gentle pull) and try to secure it straight up and down then tuck it beside your foot. Starting with the second or third set of laces from the bottom, begin to pull the laces tightly, one pair at a time, so the boot closes well over the front of your foot. It is important not to let the laces slip. The laces should be snug through the ankle area and the bottom two sets of hooks. The top two can be a little bit looser to allow for some flexibility. If extra lace remains, try to cross it over the hooks neatly. Do not wind the extra lace around the skates if possible. If your skate hurts or doesn’t feel right, spend time relacing and adjusting.

Guards and Soakers: You will need plastic guards for your skates to use when walking to and from the ice. You should keep the guards on the blades until right before you get on the ice. If you do not use guards when walking with skates on, the dirt from the floor will make your blades dull. DO NOT walk on the cement, as this will damage your blades very quickly. When you are done skating, you should dry off the blades with a cloth or towel. You can use “soakers” to store your skates. Soakers are cloth guards that fit over the blades when you are done skating. Using the cloth guards instead of plastic guards when you take your skates off and put them away prevents the blade from rusting and losing its edge. It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep your blades maintained and sharpened. See “Where to have Skates Sharpened” for more information.

Practice Dresses: Some skaters in upper level classes wear “practice dresses.” These are skating dresses and skating tights purchased specifically for practices and lessons. Skaters typically wear sweaters, sweatshirts or jackets as an outer layer to skating dresses.

Breaking in New Skates

There are a few proven methods that help break new skates into skater’s feet.

1. Have the skater put on the skates. A parent turns on a blow dryer on hot heat and blows the hot heat on the skate until the skater can feel the warm from the blow dryer. Then tends to soften up the leather in the boot to the skater foot. Repeat as often as needed.

2. Have the skater put on hot wet socks into the skate boots and wear for a half hour. This tends to soften up the leather in the boot to the skater foot. Repeat as often as needed.

Where to Shop for Skates

And Where to Have Skates Sharpened

We have two locations in the town of Alexandria in which to purchase skates and sharpening.

Edge Specialties

Owner: Brad Anderson Telephone 320-762-2757 or Cell at 320-815-3338

600 Apache Lane SE, Alexandria, MN 56308

Brad’s shop is at his residence. Call for an appointment. Edge Specialties orders the skates you select and will help you with a proper fit. Skates are available for beginners to the competitive skater. Brad specializes in blade selection, mounting and maintenance of your skate blades. Edge Specialties manufactures the Pro Filer hand-sharpening tool for figure skates and hockey skates. Edge Specialties also has figure skating apparel and accessories available by special order. His price for sharpening most blades is a minimal fee.

Cowing Robards Telephone 320-763-3351

514 Broadway Street, Alexandria, MN 56308

Cowing Robards carries the Reidel brand skate for the Basic Skills level skater. They have in stock skate guards and skate laces. They also carry used skates.

Class Sessions

The AFSC provides basic skills and freeskate class lessons for three quarters of the year. One session is in October and November, the second session is in January and February and the third session is in June and July. This can give your skater plenty of opportunity to learn the skills to excel to the next level.

Class dates and times change from session to session and is directed and assigned by board members.

On Time: The skater is expected to be dressed and on the ice at the scheduled lesson time. Please be at the warm-up area of ice five (5) minutes before your lesson to avoid wasted time in finding your instructor. But please do not go to class until the designated time.

Class size is about 10-12 students per instructor. Classes consist of a half hour lesson with 15-minute practice time for all the class skaters. This is when your skater can practice what they have learned. If there is only one child in a class, that child will receive a 15-minute private lesson instead.

If your skater isn’t progressing as well as you wish, we do have private ice available. See “Private Ice” for more details.

**Note to Parents** There are no street shoes allowed on the ice at any time. There may be gravel or other debris on your shoes that may cause a skater to trip and fall. RCC rule.

And

Skaters under the age of seven must have a parent or guardian present at the arena while he/she is skating.

Each skater has a varying physical, psychological and skill level. The physical make-up of a skater can affect how he/she is able to perform. A very young skater who is not physically mature lacks coordination and muscular strength for the jumps involved in the Freeskate levels of the basic sills program. Likewise older skaters may not be flexible and may need more time to master the difficult moves. Psychological difference (mental maturity, motivation and emotional state) is unique to each skater. These differences will have an effect on the student’s learning rate. Regard for these differences is taken into consideration by the coaching staff, as each skater will respond differently to every situation.

Refund

A refund check is allowed on the class session fee only, if the skater has skated once or less. However, there will be a $5 administrative cost for doing such a refund that will be deducted from the check.

Testing Day

Testing days are the last day of the class session. At that point skaters are tested on all the required elements (skills) they have learned in that class level. They will either receive a Certificate of Completion or an Improvement Award.

Coaches/Student Coaches

Coaches for each class are certified coaches or student coaches that have been trained to coach your skater.

Coaches are available to talk to you about your skater’s progress after the lessons are over. We ask that you do not interrupt a lesson given by a coach because we want to make sure that each skater is given the proper time allotted to be coached. Please visit with the coach after the lesson is over, if you have any concerns.

Skaters are given a record book with stickers and patches upon completion of each level. However if a skater demonstrates the ability to advance prior to the formal evaluation, the skater will be moved to the appropriate level during the session with the coach’s approval.

If you feel that your child has learned all the elements or skills in the current level and you wish the coach would test your child to see if they could pass, you are welcome to discuss this with the coach and ask them to test your skater. If your skater passes a level in the middle of a class session, they can be transferred to the next level of skating, which will be a new class.

The AFSC Board asks that you don’t wait at the door to the ice rink. This distracts the skater from the coach. We wish that you would stay and watch your skater from the bleachers.

Basic Skills Level

AFSC skaters normally begin to skate in a group lesson environment called Basic Skills classes. These classes are a way to learn the basics of skating, whether your skater’s interest is in competitive figure skating, recreational skating, or hockey. There are eight levels in the Basic Skills Program. Skaters are tested at the completion of each skating session, eight weeks, and move to the next level when they are able to perform each of the required elements of their current level. Tests are administered by USFS certified coaches and skaters receive certificates of completion upon passing each level.

When a skater has passed all eight Basic Skills levels, they continue instruction in the AFSC Freeskate Program.

Freeskate Program

There are six levels in the Freeskate Program. Skaters are tested at the completion of each skating session and moved to the next level when they are able to perform each of the required elements of their current level. Tests are administered by USFS certified coaches and skaters receive certificates of completion upon passing each level.

They may continue to advance their ice skating skills under the continued instruction of a private coach. Skaters who advance to this level are usually involved in USFS sanctioned competitive testing sessions and competitions with other skaters at their level. “See Test Sessions” under the “Private Ice Sessions.”

Levels in Skating

Other Levels: Hockey, Dance, Pairs and Synchronized Skating

LO Power

LO POWER For BASIC 5 to FREESKATE 4 LEVELS ONLY:

This class is for the lower level or beginning power skater. It combines acceleration and strength using the elements taught in the previous levels. It will help improve coordination, stamina, and speed.

HI Power

HI POWER For FREESKATE 5 LEVELS & UP

This class is for the experienced skater with more advanced skills. Using acceleration and strength, it will improve coordination, stamina, and speed.

Edge Class

EDGE CLASS OPEN to BASIC 5 & Up Skaters and if Necessary for all Pre-Pre Levels and Up

This class will bring back the old school figures, which are lacking in today’s skaters. This will help define your edges as well as develop the necessary balance and concentration that is required to perform more difficult moves.

Moves-in-the-Field

Moves-in-the-field, or “Moves” is a technical discipline, designed to help skaters improve their execution of the basic moves of skating. Edgework, turns, stroking, body control and extension are emphasized, mostly done with “power” as a primary focus. The moves-in-the-field discipline is primarily a test discipline, although some competitions are running Moves events. Moves-in-the-field has test levels matching each singles free level, and it is required that all skaters testing free must pass the equivalent Moves test prior to taking the corresponding test in the free or pairs disciplines.

Figures

Figures are another of the technical disciplines, one primarily emphasizing body control and edges/turns. Figures are the famous “figure 8s” for which the sport is names, and there are dozens of different ways to modify the basic figure 8 for testing purposes. Each variant emphasizes a certain skill, and all require great concentration and stamina to perform. Figures are still tested and competed, although this discipline is dropping in popularity of late.

Off Ice Class

OFF ICE CLASS this class is extremely important to all skaters! It will include stretching, conditioning, and proper jump technique.

Weight Training

WEIGHT TRAINING will include weight lifting to tone muscle only! Young skaters will not build muscle as this can damage muscles.

Private Ice Lessons

The AFSC offers private lessons for your skater. Private lessons are lessons taught by a trained coach on a one-to-one basis on private ice time. The skater’s lesson could be anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour lesson. Most lessons are 15 to 30 minutes.

Your skater will advance more quickly with additional private instruction than they will if they are only involved in one regular class session per week. Purchasing private ice time also allows your skater time to practice their new skills. They may also use these skills in a program format with or without music that they may perform at club exhibitions or use at a USFS competition or a Basic Skills Competition.

It is your responsibility to pay for “Private Ice Time” on the registration form that is provided to you by the AFSC. It should be a different colored sheet than the Class Lessons. You can either pay for the ice up front (a payment plan is available), “buy-on” by paying cash or using a punch card. See the “Private Ice (Ice Time Sessions, Buy-ons and Punch Cards.)”

Private Ice is available from September to March, and then again from June to August for each skating fiscal year.

See “Hiring a Coach” in the next section for more information on coaches.

After the skater has had a lesson, it is up to the skater to practice what they have learned. The more the skater practices the elements they have learned will help the skater to improve their agility, endurance, stamina and self-confidence.

Private ice skaters learn how to share the ice with fellow skaters, learn camaraderie, gain friendships and learn how to encourage others and themselves.

Coaches available for private lessons are certified coaches or student coaches that have been trained to coach your skater.

Coaches are available to talk to you about your skater’s progress after the lessons are over. We ask that you do not interrupt a lesson given by a coach because we want to make sure that each skater is given the proper time allotted that they are paying for. After the lesson is over, you may visit with the coach if you have any concerns.

Coaches can test your skater at any time if you feel there is a need or if the coach believes it is time to test them or they will test at a US Test Session if they are at a Prepreliminary Level. They will either receive a Certificate of Completion or an Improvement Award.

The AFSC Board asks that you do not wait at the door to the ice rink. This distracts the skater from the coach. We ask that you stay and watch your skater from the bleachers.

**Note to Parents** There are no street shoes allowed on the ice at any time. There may be gravel or other debris on your shoes, which may cause a skater to trip and fall. RCC rule.

Payment/Billing: All registration forms with a payment (not necessarily full payment) must be handed in by the second week of private ice time. If no payment or prearrangements have been made, the skater/parent will be charged the punch card rate for the remainder of that session. Skaters/parents are then asked to purchase a punch card for that session. All bills are to be paid in full by the end of that session, unless pre-arrangements have been made.

Skating Levels Summary

LO FREESKATE ICE:

This ice is designated for the Beginning level skater through Basic Skills 8.

An advanced level skater may use this ice only for the purpose of choreography lessons with a coach. No jumping is allowed by advanced skaters during this time.

INTERMEDIATE FREESKATE ICE:

This ice is designated for Basic Skills 5 and up.

If a skater at a lower level has a lesson with a coach, they may use this ice. They may not, however, use this practice without their coach.

HI FREESKATE ICE:

This ice is designated for Freeskate 1 and up.

If a skater is working directly with a coach at a lower level, they may use this ice (Basic 5 & Up). These lower levels skaters cannot, however, stay and practice on this ice without a coach.

US Test Sessions

Testing Beyond Freeskate Levels

Once your Skater is in the Freeskate 2 level, your private coach may suggest working on elements to test. Testing involves two steps, “Moves in the Field” and “Freeskate.” In order for you to be in the Pre-Preliminary level, you must first pass the test sessions of that level in order to compete at that level.

You can test on all the “Moves in the Field” levels all the way up to the Senior Level without having to test on a “Freeskate.” But if you wish to pass a “Freeskate” level, you must first pass the corresponding “Moves in the Field” of that level before you can even take the test for “Freeskate.”

If you wish to compete or want to test, you will need to fill out the appropriate forms, your coach and the AFSC Test Chair signatures are also required.

Ability is gauged through mandatory testing under USFS official guidelines. Competitive free skaters attend “test sessions” in front of official USFS judges. The tests establish several “Levels” of skating in each discipline. The results are forwarded to the USFS, which keeps official records of each skater’s test accomplishments, and the skater received a test certificate from USFS.

Hiring a Coach or Student Coach

Guidelines for hiring, maintaining, dismissing and cooperating with a coach.

You as a parent will need to hire a coach to teach your skater on Private Ice Time. The AFSC does provide a list of all the coaches and their fees. Current Professional and Student Coaches listings are available at the AFSC office.

Paying for Private Ice is separate from paying for a coach to teach your skater. See “Private Ice” for more information on Ice Times.

Your communication with a coach about your skater’s progress is vitally important to your skater. Your contact with the coach is telling your skater that you care about their ability, progress and success as a skater. This also is an indication of whether or not your skater communicates well with the coach.

COACH COURTESY:

It is a rule in the skating community that when you have a hired coach and you choose to work with another coach, or decide to switch coaches, you must inform your current coach first.

DO NOT simply show up working with another coach without informing your current coach first. All monies due must also be paid before switching.

COACHES:

If taking on a new skater, you must ask these questions before taking on a new skater. (Have you informed your current coach? Have you paid your monies owed?)

AFSC Student Coaches

Guidelines and Recommendations

The following are proposed guidelines for skaters who desire to teach with the Alexandria Figure Skating Club.

ASSISTANTS: Ages: 12 & up Level: Passed Freeskate 4 or higher

Will assist free of charge to obtain experience for teaching.

CLASSES: Ages 14 & up Level: Passed Preliminary Freeskate

Must have assisted for a minimum of 16 documented hours regardless of age prior to teaching a class.

PRIVATE LESSONS: Age 15 & up Level: Passed Juvenile Freeskate

Must have taught a class for a minimum of one season prior to being allowed to teach privates.

ALL LEVELS:

*Must be a current AFSC and USFS Member

*Must be actively continuing to work toward his or her next skating level

*Will participate in any Basic Skills workshops that may become available in the area

(AFSC will notify you of one)

*Must apply for ALL positions to the coach coordinator with a brief resume and a coach recommendation (excludes student coaches)

7/16/04

PRIVATE ICE

ICE TIME SESSIONS, BUY-ONS AND PUNCH CARDS

Ice Time Sessions:

Each session listed on the Private Ice Sheet is time slots that you can purchase each session. When you sign up for one of these sessions, you must be present at each week’s ice time. No refunds are given for times that the child isn’t present. Under extreme reasons, ice times may be switched or credit given to another session. Pre-purchased ice runs two dollars less than punch card price. (If a skater cannot skate due to physical injury or emergency, the AFSC Board will consider refunds for these situations on an individual basis.)

Buy-Ons:

The price for every 15 minutes on the ice during a private ice session needs to be paid prior to entering the ice.

Punch Cards:

A punch card is a card you can purchase to use private ice time. Your punch card is held in the AFSC office to prevent loss. One punch is 15 minutes of ice time.

You can purchase a full punch card of: 20 punches @$____ per punch for a total of $____.

Or you can purchase half a punch card of: 10 punches @$____ per punch for a total of $____.

Your punch card can be used any day of the week. There are no restrictions on as to when you may use the card. If parents want to know how many punches are left on their punch card, a list of the punch cards are in the front of the ice monitoring book.

Your time on the ice is recorded in the ice-monitoring book that is stored in the holder on the AFSC office door. Please consider being an ice monitor for private ice time when your child is on the ice. Record your name on the ice-monitoring sheet as monitor and you will earn 10 volunteer points per hour for each session of ice that you monitor.

As of June 1, 2006:

Summer Punch Cards are used solely in the summer months of June, July and August. After summer ice ends so does the summer punch card. This punch card is not carried over to the next session of ice time. If all your punches are not used, you forfeit them. Please schedule your time wisely to use up your total punches.

Winter Punch Cards are used solely in the winter months of September thru April. After winter ice ends so does the winter punch card. This punch card is not carried over to the next session of ice time. If all your punches are not used, you forfeit them. Please schedule your time wisely to use up your total punches.

AFSC Rules of the Ice

SKATERS AND PARENTS,

Please read these rules together with your child to be sure they understand our club ice rules. Following these rules will help us to ensure that your child has a fun and safe skating experience when participating in our club activities.

SKATERS CHECK-IN:

All private skaters must check in with the ice monitor at the rink door or music box area.

This will indicate whether or not you have pre-paid or will be buying on. You must also indicate to the ice monitor when you are done, so you will not be overcharged for your time. If you do not check-in before and after, you will be charged for the entire session time. Please indicate whether or not you will be using a punch card or paying cash (if you are buying on). Ice is used in increments of 15 minutes only! (Not 10 min., 20 min., etc.) If you skate 25 minutes and get off, you will be charged for 30 minutes. Once you have indicated to the ice monitor the amount of time you will use for a buy-on, you will not be allowed on the ice again unless it is a new session.

RINK ICE MONITORS are in charge at all times!

The Ice MONITOR and/or any COACH has the right to reprimand any skater at any time if the following rules are not adhered to:

Chasing or horsing-around will not be allowed.

Talking with friends in groups or one-on-one on the ice is not allowed.

Standing around watching other skaters in the middle of the rink is not allowed. Do this at the side of the rink or from a side box. Lying on the ice is not permitted! If you have fallen, getup as quickly as possible to avoid being in the way of another skater or getting hurt because a skater may not see you. IF YOU ARE HURT, don’t move, call to a skater or coach to assist you.

GUM, FOOD, or DRINKS are not permitted on the ice. Drinks may be kept at rink side only.

MUSIC AND RIGHT OF WAY RULES:

Your music can be played at anytime as long as there is no line.

If there are several skaters wanting to play music, put your tape in line. It will be played in the order in which it was put in line. If you have more than one tape, move these tapes together. Only one tape can be played at a time. A parent or the RINK MONITOR would be welcome to play the music for the skaters to speed up the use of time for all skaters.

COACHES giving lessons ALWAYS have the right to play their student’s music while giving their student a lesson whether their tape is in line or not. (Max. 2X per lesson, if there is a long line)

THE SKATER WITH THEIR MUSIC PLAYING always has the right-of-way on the ice. All other skaters are expected to watch out for this skater at all times and not get in their way. This may occasionally happen unintentionally. If it happens too many times, the skater will be reminded of this rule.

Other music may be played during practice, but must be in good taste. If a coach or board member feels inappropriate music is being played, you will be asked to turn it off.

TRAFFIC ISSUES need to be brought to the attention of the ice monitor to be resolved.

SASH:

The skater may wear a colored sash with music playing to designate that they are skating to their program music and have the right-of-way. All other skaters are to notice this skater and stay out of their way. A sash will only be used if the ice is very busy!

COACH COURTESY:

It is a rule in the skating community that when you have a hired coach and you choose to work with another coach, or decide to switch coaches, you must inform your current coach first.

DO NOT simply show up working with another coach without informing your current coach first. All monies due must also be paid before switching.

COACHES:

If taking on a new skater, you must ask these questions before taking on a new skater. (Have you informed your current coach? Have you paid your monies owed?)

PARENTS and SKATERS:

Please DO NOT TALK with coaches during someone else’s lessons. You are wasting valuable ice time that someone else is paying for.

YOUR ROLE AS SKATING PARENTS is to encourage your skater to practice and use his/her time wisely. Please do not send negative messages to skaters or parents about other coaches or skaters.

ENCOURAGE your skater to SUPPORT other skaters as a team, as we are all skating for and representing the same club, regardless of the fact that your skater has a different coach.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT spread rumors or gossip about skaters, coaches, or other parents. If you think there is room for improvement, which there always is, please let one of the board members know immediately!

SKATERS

Please support one another at all times, on the ice, in the arena, at a competition. NEVER make fun of someone else for falling, or not quite mastering something they are working on, after all you were once there too! Never tell another skater that they aren’t any good, or that you are better than them, or that your coach is better than their coach. Encourage one another to feel good about yourselves.

DO ALL OF THESE THINGS AND YOUR CLUB SPIRIT WILL GROW and be passed on to others and the community, which you represent.

“Skate and work hard and you will improve; stand by the boards and gossip,

And you will stay at the same level you were last year.”

PARENTS: These rules apply to all skaters; however, this is a lot for a young skater to remember. Please tell them the general rules. If you see a rule being broken, please remind them again of the rule. They will learn in time. We will all be patient, kind, and encouraging. Thanks for your help!

Updated 7/16/04

AFSC LOCKER ROOM POLICY

Lockers will be made available to any USFS Skater who desires a locker and meets the requirements listed below:

Must be a current USFS and AFSC member.

All skating waivers must be signed, all memberships current, and all skating registration fees and coach fees must be paid when they are due.

Due to a limited number of lockers, lockers will be made available to the highest-level skater on down. Lockers may be required to be shared starting with the lower USFS levels on up.

Only those skaters that have pre-purchased a minimum of two sessions per week will be offered the use of a locker.

Lockers may only be occupied after the skater has properly requested the use of a locker by filling out all applicable forms and have met the above requirements.

If, after lockers have been assigned to qualified skaters, there remain empty lockers, such lockers may be offered to skaters on a first come, first serve basis, but must be skating a minimum of two sessions per week.

Skaters will provide their own lock.

The use of a locker and the locker room is a privilege and not a right. The AFSC takes great pride is being able to offer our skater’s his or her own locker room. It is the skater’s responsibility to keep this locker room clean at all times. Garbage cans are provided!

The Board of Directors has the authority to discontinue a skater’s use for a period of time or the balance o the skating season if it is determined that the skater has violated locker room rules, which are posted therein. The Board may amend the locker room rules at any time and it is the skater’s responsibility to review the rules.

---------------------------------Please return the bottom portion to request a locker----------------------------

LOCKER REQUEST FORM – Year-Year Season

SKATER NAME _______________________________________________

SKATING LEVEL _____________________________________________

NUMBER OF SESSIONS SKATING PER WEEK ___________________

LOCKER NUMBER ASSIGNED _________________________________

Locker assignments will begin in September

Updated 7/16/04

HOW TO EARN A SKATING LETTER THROUGH

DISTRICT 206’S INDEPENDENT PROVIDER PROGRAM

The criteria that must be met to earn a high school letter for figure skating are:

1. The student must be enrolled in District 206 at the high school level (Grades 9-12).

2. Student must be a current member in good standing with the USFS and AFSC.

3. Student will train under the supervision of an approved Independent Provider coach and must pass the USFS Juvenile Freeskate Test by December 31 of the current season.

4. Student must train/compete/perform a minimum of 150 hours per season (includes travel time for skating/training out of the Alexandria area.) The 150 hours are verified through the AFSC records and the skating coach for out-of-town events.

5. Student must have attempted at least one official USFS Moves in the Field (MIF) or Freeskate (FS) test above the juvenile level before April 15th of the current season. This requirement is waived for a skater who has passed their Senior MIF or FS tests.

6. Student shall participate in at least three (3) public events. One must be a USFS or ISIA sanctioned competition at the Juvenile level or above, and one must be the AFSC ice show. The remaining event is the choice of the skater. It could be another competition or local skating exhibition. As much as possible, it should be noted that all efforts should be taken to identify the skater with their respective school.

7. Annually complete all required registration forms and activity fees.

8. Abide by all District, MSHSL, USFS, and AFSC guidelines for academic and behavioral compliance.

9. The program runs from June 1 to May 31.

If you would like to take part in this school activity, contact Mary Krawiecki at 846-4615. We will need to contact your coach for information so District 206 can approve your coach as soon as possible. Coaches must be approved annually. We all also start tracking your skating activity starting in June. Registration forms for students and parents to fill out will be available last summer or early fall.

EVENTS IN THE AFSC SKATING YEAR

Fund Raisers

Club funding comes from multiple sources. Members pay for ice-time and instruction. While these payments cover many expenses, they do not entirely cover expenses associated with arena ice fees, coach fees, and club administration costs, such as advertising, printing and postage. As a result, our club holds fundraisers and solicits sponsorship and contributions from area businesses to support our activities.

The AFSC has fundraisers throughout the year. One past fundraiser was the Carlos Creek Winery Grape Stomping. It was great! The income helped with the expenses of the AFSC and to pay for some of the total ice bill. (See “Ice Time” on page 1.) Because of your volunteering, we were able to man the tables and the sell food. Thank you for your support.

Another fundraiser was during our Holiday Exhibition that is always held in December. During this Holiday Exhibition, we had a Silent Auction to help raise funds for the AFSC.

We participated in the Minnesota Blizzards Chuck-A-Puck for a couple of years. We sold pucks and received half the winnings from it. We made $1500 to $2000 each year. A great fund raiser.

The above fundraisers were for the 2005-2006 season and prior. These types of fundraisers may change yearly.

Our first raffle fundraiser was held in January-March in 2006. Every skater’s family was to sell a certain number of raffle tickets for $5 each. We announced the winners at our spring show. It was a great success! We made at least $8,000 to pay for AFSC expenses. Selling of raffle tickets has been our best fundraiser yet. We will continue with selling raffle tickets until further notice.

More information about fundraisers is given throughout the year. Please watch for details in your monthly newsletters.

AFSC Sponsorships and Contributors

The AFSC solicits sponsorships and contributors from area businesses in support of our activities. We ask all of our members to patronize our contributors.

Holiday Exhibition

The Holiday Exhibition (winter figure skating show) will be held in December. This is when your skater can shine. This is a great opportunity for your skater to show family, friends, neighbors and the Douglas County area what your skater has learned over the class session or over years that the skater has been skating.

All skaters are encouraged to participate in this event. Every skater is charged $10 to perform in the Holiday Exhibition.

Your skater will skate to music to a routine designed by a coach. You may hire a coach to teach your skater how to skate to a routine. Your coach or you can choose a song for the exhibition and your coach will choreograph a routine to the song. Every level has a different time frame to skate. For example, a Basic 1 skater may only skate for 30 seconds to a minute on the ice compared to an advanced skater who may skate from anywhere from one to four minutes on the ice. You are required to have your own costume for the exhibition. See under “Private Ice” for more details on how to hire a coach. Skaters may also choreograph their own routines if they feel comfortable doing so.

Your skater can also choose to skate with someone and make it a duet, trio or even a quartet. All group numbers are responsible for their own costumes.

You also may choose to just have your skater skate with the elves while Santa is visiting on the ice. Our coaches choreograph a Santa number that has many skaters skating to a routine around Santa. The AFSC has costumes for the skaters of elves or reindeer for the Santa number.

Please join us during our Holiday Exhibition. It is a lot of fun. Invite everyone you know. Please come!

Spring Show-Ice Revue

This is our best show that we have through the skating year. It is a huge event for the Club. The AFSC Board starts preparing for the year’s show in the summer before it is held.

All skaters are encouraged to participate in this event. Even the beginning three year olds who are working on Basic 1 skills are able to join us in this show. We like to see Basic 1 skaters and so does the audience. They so enjoy watching the little ones on the ice. Preschool kids are one of the highlights of the show.

Each Spring Ice Revue has a theme and each skating level performs one program as a group. The event is open to the public and there is an admission charge for attendance.

The group number that your skater will be in is the last level that the skater completed by the end of the first test session. If your skater just passed Basic 2, that is the level that they will be in at the show. There is no substituting for this after testing. The AFSC selects and orders all of the costumes for the group performances for this annual spring show. Once the costume order is placed, no changes can be made. Even if you signed your skater up for winter ice, in January and February, and the skater passed Basic 3 at the end of February, that skater will still required to be in the Basic 2 group for the spring show.

Skating apparel for competitions and solo performances in the Holiday and Spring Shows are selected and purchased separately by the individual skaters.

Our Spring Show registrations are due by the end of November, so we can start gathering information and begin ordering costumes for the show by mid December. It takes companies around 12 weeks to make the costumes the Board selects. Every skater is required to pay the deposit for entering the show. The balance of the show registration is due before each skater receives their costume(s).

As of April 11, 2006, board meeting, the guideline to be in the show for those who are in group numbers is that they must have completed one session of ice time during the current year to qualify to participant in the show. This can either be one class session consisting of eight weeks, or skated on private ice at least ½ hour every week for eight weeks.

We have guidelines set up for more advance skaters to have solos, duets or other group numbers in the show. See “Spring Show Guidelines” for more details.

This event is when your skater can shine. This is a great opportunity for your skater to show family, friends, neighbors and the Douglas County area what your skater has learned over the class session or over years that the skater has been skating.

Please join us during our Spring Show. It is a lot of fun. Invite everyone you know. Please come!

GUIDELINES FOR AFSC SPRING SHOW

SOLOS AND/OR FEATURES

The following criteria will be used to determine whether skaters will be offered a solo, feature or specialty number in the AFSC Spring Ice Revue:

1. The skater must be a current USFS member.

2. The skater must be currently and actively working toward his or her next applicable skating level, unless the skater demonstrates that extenuating circumstances exist.

3. The Skater must be averaging a minimum of 3 hours of AFSC ice per week; however, class lesson (i.e. group lessons, power, etc.) times may be used to calculate weekly totals. Skaters who meet the weekly 3-hour minimum through “buy-ons” must provide a record of buy-ons that can be cross-referenced with AFSC records.

4. At a minimum, a skater wishing to perform a solo must be at the Preliminary level.

5. At a minimum, a skater wishing to perform a “feature,” duet, trio or specialty number must be at the Freeskate 3 level.

6. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may offer features or specialty numbers to skaters or groups who do not meet these considerations (i.e., coach numbers, guest skaters).

7. These considerations will be reviewed annually, and the Board of Directors reserves the right to modify them at any time, in any manner that it deems appropriate.

THE ABOVE GUIDELINES for the 2005 season are effective July 1, 2005.

7/16/04

Battle of the Blades

The AFSC is pleased to announce that we have hosted a Basic Skills Competition since 1992.

This is AFSC’s only competition that is held here in Alexandria. It is a Basic Skills through Preliminary Competition. Skaters from other cities also join us in this competition. Basic 1 skaters are encouraged to join us in the world of figure skating competition.

This is a special competition that is more relaxed in structure than the USFS competitions, and is an excellent opportunity for skaters to test the waters and compete against others of the same skill and ability.

All participants in the Battle of the Blades receive a medal or trophy. This helps to promote confidence in your skater as well as just have fun.

The AFSC will distribute pamphlets stating all the requirements of the competition in the month of January. You will need to hire a coach to prepare the skater for the competition on private ice time.

If you have any questions, please contact an AFSC Board Member.

Annual Meeting/Banquet

Once a year, we invite all skating members and their families to get together as a club for our annual meeting/banquet. This meeting is a combined awards banquet for our skaters and fiscal board meeting for all parents and AFSC board members.

We acknowledge all skaters, who are present at the meeting, by highlighting their accomplishments for the year, such as testing levels they have passed, and club events or skating competitions, which they have participated. This is your opportunity as a parent and member to vote on who is elected as new board members to the AFSC Board and to present questions or comments to the board on club policies and procedures. The club's annual financial report is also presented at this meeting.

We encourage all skaters and their families to join us for this annual meeting/banquet to celebrate skating with your children and to gain insight into the functions of the AFSC. Please join us.

Alexandria Figure Skating Club

Volunteer Information Participation Agreement

(VIP-Very Important People)

July 1, Year – June 30^th, Year

______________________________ __________________________________

Skater’s Name Parent’s Name

______________________________ __________________________________

Date Board Member Name

The Alexandria Figure Skating Club would not be a successful skating club without the continuing support of its members. This is YOUR club. Our skating programs depend upon your participation as a volunteer. We need everyone’s help in order for this club to continue to provide quality skating programs, and to expand our program offerings in the future.

We need each family (parents, as well as skaters) to volunteer to contribute a few hours of their time to various club activities throughout the skating year, until a minimum total of 50 points are achieved for each skating member of that family. This is a mandatory requirement of club membership for each skating member.

The AFSC board is requesting a check for $50 for each skating member, to be securely held by the AFSC board until each skating member of that family has earned their minimum of 50 volunteer points. Your check will be returned to you next spring, if you have participated as a volunteer and earned your minimum of 50 points.

If you have not reached your 50 points by the end of April, the AFSC will cash your check for payment of unfilled volunteer hours.

Attached is a sheet listing various volunteer activities routinely needed for the successful operation of our club programs and fund raising activities. This activity point sheet will be retained in the AFSC office as your official volunteer points record. Each time you complete a volunteer activity, please come to the AFSC office and complete a volunteer participation form. Please return this form to any board member or our VIP Points Monitor volunteer to be sure you receive the proper credit for your volunteer participation.

By signing this form, you are acknowledging receipt of this agreement, and agree to abide by the terms listed above. (Attach check to this form and place in secured file.)

Thank you for your volunteer and financial support of our skating programs!

Volunteer Information Participation Points Record

July 1, Year – June 30^th, Year

______________________________ __________________________________

Skater’s Name Parent’s Name

Club Activity / Tasks Points Available / Points Earned

Holiday Exhibition

Costume Helper (1 to 2 hours) ___________ 10 Points __________

Door Host/Hostess (1 hour) _____________ 10 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 10 Points __________

Battle of the Blades

Selling Flowers (each 2 hours) ___________ 20 Points __________

Help w/awards ceremony / photos (ea 2 hrs)_ 20 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 10 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 20 Points __________

Spring Show (one day only)

Room parents (2 hours) ________________ 20 Points __________

Tickets (2 hours) ______________________ 20 Points __________

Flowers (2-3 hours) ___________________ 20 Points __________

Lights (3 hours) ______________________ 30 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 10 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 20 Points __________

Scrap booking (entire year) 50 Points __________

VIP Points Monitor (Entire year) 50 Points __________

Ice Monitoring (per night) 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______

Dates: 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______ 5 Pts ______

Board Member (2 years – required work 1 day spring show) 50 Points __________

Assisting board members on various tasks 10 to 20 points – list activities below:

Other _______________________________ 10 Points __________

Other _______________________________ 20 Points __________

Completion Date __________ Verified by _____________ Total points __________

Merchandise

As of 2004-2005 year, we now have merchandise to sell. Merchandise includes the following:

AFSC sweatshirts and jackets are black and have the AFSC logo on them. Prices vary depending on size.

AFSC mugs are larger size mugs with the AFSC logo on them. They come in either black or blue. Come and take a look at the example in the AFSC office.

Skating nylons for children and adults. These nylons are thicker and wear better than the regular nylons that you can buy in the store. They are intended for skaters to help them stay warmer on the ice.

Skating shoelaces in different sizes. Each size is made for different size skates. A child’s small size 8 skate will need a smaller size shoelace compared to a teenager that may have a size 8 adult. We will help determine the size you need for your skater.

Skate guards come in two different styles. One style is where you put on the guard on the skate from front to back and hold onto the skate with a plastic band. The other set of skate guards are made from Guard Dog Company. You place the blade into the skate guard from the back and stretch the guard to go over the front of the blade. There is a spring in the guard itself to stretch to fit the skate blade comfortably and securely.

Skate terry cloths are designed to store your blades when not in use. The terry cloths absorb any excess water or moisture to prevent your blades from rust, getting bumped and damaged.

Blister pads are foam pads used by skaters to cover areas in the skate boot that are too tight and may cause a blister from too much use.

Skate polish that is intended to polish the white part of the skate boot. Follow directions on the bottle to use properly.

Other Merchandise is also available.

First Aid and Defibrillator

The AFSC does have a First Aid kit located in the AFSC’s locker room. The Club does have ice packs as well.

The RCC has received a donation of a defibrillator from Douglas County Auxiliary for the use at the rink. It is located to the left of the AFSC office.

Newsletters

Newsletters are generated once a month or quarterly to help you as parents and adults stay informed about the events that are occurring throughout the figure skating year. Please look for it and read it thoroughly. It will be emailed, sent in the mail, or given out at the rink.

A copy of the current newsletter will be on display on the bulletin board by the office door.

Newsletters via EMAIL

Starting in 2005, we will be emailing those who have given us an email address. This will be more cost effective for the club and for you to be assured that we are trying to use the Club finances as best as we can. If you didn’t receive this month’s newsletter via email, please contact us and let us know to get you on the list. Please keep the office advised if your email address changes.

Calendars

Calendars will be available monthly stating when class sessions are running, when ice is available, and other events throughout the year. A copy of the current calendar will be display on the bulletin board by the office door and pick up a copy for you from the holder on the AFSC door.

Cancellations

The AFSC does not cancel a class session or private ice. If the Runestone Community Center (RCC) is open, we have ice time. In case of inclement weather and the RCC does decide to cancel all programs in the RCC for the evening (day), the announcements will be on KIKV FM 100.7, KOOL 92.3 and KXRA.

Other Competitions

From time to time the AFSC receives flyers on competitions in other cities. Copies will be made and given to all coaches. A copy will be placed in a 3-ring binder in the AFSC locker room, and the original will remain in the office.

Costume and Skate Exchange

We have costumes and skate exchange throughout the year. The biggest exchange is during the evenings of the fall registration. This is a great opportunity to buy used skates and costumes. This is when you can bring in your used skates and costumes to sell. Prices with names must be on the merchandise in order to sell.