Want to know more about the VVCA? Or do you have an issue you think the Board should know about? Or want to know more about volunteering to help in the Community?
Just come to one of our regular meetings held on the third Wednesday of every month in the Brunskill School library.
Or, you can contact one of the Executive or Board members, or email us!
Contact:
Mailing address:
VVCA
c/o Brunskill School
101 Wiggins Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1K3
Email:
info@vvcasaskatoon.com
Or use one of the contacts in the VVCA Board listing below.
Program payments:
Send e-transfer payments to the VVCA Treasurer at pay@vvcasaskatoon.com
Newsletter ad payments:
Send e-transfer payments for your newsletter ads to the VVCA Treasurer at pay@vvcasaskatoon.com. More details on our Newsletters page.
Mission:
“Represent community in civic matters.”
VVCA 2024-25 Executive:
| Position | Executive | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| President | Matthew Wiens | President email |
| Past President | Jon Naylor | |
| President Elect | Anne Hardy | |
| Secretary | Holly Ann Knott | |
| Treasurer | Ted Stensrud | |
| Coordinators: | ||
| Albert Community Centre | Lisa Kirkham | |
| Basketball | Tammy Harkema (for one year) | |
| Newsletter Editor | Johanna Bergerman | Newsletter email |
| Community Garden | James Perkins | Garden email |
| Civics Committee | Holly Ann Knott Jon Naylor Helene Philibert Douglas Tompson Allan Woo | Civics email |
| Social Media Coordinator | Roger Williamson | |
| Website | Roger Williamson | Web email |
| Equipment | Andrea Albert Quinton Friesen | |
| Indoor Programs | Barb Giles | Programs email |
| Social Coordinator | - | |
| Rink | Fredy McDougall Luke Rempel Mahdi Toliat Volunteers: Rene Chapman Chris Cozac Carlos Diaz Ian Loeppky Greg McDonald Kenton Shynkaruk James Wood | Rink email |
| Soccer | Ian Loeppky | Soccer email |
| Volunteer | – | |
| City of Saskatoon Liaison | Kevin Ariss | |
| Members at Large | Josh Marko Helene Philibert Luke Rempel Mary Anne Rubin Douglas Tompson Allan Woo |
VVCA Meetings:
VVCA meetings are usually held the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the Brunskill School Library (or via Zoom when in-person meetings are restricted due to pandemic). Meetings are open to the public to attend. Email info@vvcasaskatoon.com for more information.
Meeting dates for 2024 : May 15, June TBD. No meetings in July and August. Watch our Facebook page for confirmed meeting dates.
VVCA Activities & Projects – 2008 to Present:
- President Murray Park enhancement (consultation, fundraising, celebration and recognition)
- Numerous sport activities for children and adults
- Many successful art, games, and cooking classes for children and adults
- Recruiting volunteers to oversee the delivery of these programs and paid staff to deliver them
- Youth on the Move
- Annual Community Social (Louis’)
- Construction of a community garden (consultation, partnerships, fundraising, community leadership)
- Establish communications with other community associations on general matters and partnering on events
- Hosting of a city-wide event profiling In-fill guideline (Harold Madi event)
- Representing VVCA in the consultative, presentation and re-alignment phases of the LAP
- Relationship building with the U of S
- Movie in the Park
- Review of proposed zoning changes – black rock
- Newsletter distribution to ~2000 households, three times per year
- Maintenance of the rink
- Consultation: garage and garden suites, garbage pick-up, city recycling program, and other initiatives
- Often “first contact” for neighbourhood issues and problems
- Contracting out to create Nordic ski trails in Grosvener Park
VVCA ‘The View’ Newsletter
The VVCA View is published 3 times a year; winter (early January), spring (March), and fall (September). Any notices or announcements you wish to have included in the newsletter are to be submitted two weeks prior to publication. When printed, issues are distributed throughout the Varsity View and Grosvenor Park neighbourhoods. Digital PDF issues are available for download on this website.
Email newsletter@vvcasaskatoon.com to submit notices or articles or ads intended for publication.
See here for our full newsletter policy and advertising information and rates.
VVCA Code of Conduct
Varsity View Community Association is committed to providing an environment free of abuse, discrimination, and harassment because of one’s race, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristics covered by Human Rights legislation. This policy will apply to all executive, volunteers, instructors, coaches, and players and parents.
We believe that those involved in Varsity View Community Association activities shall reach for the ideals of a strong community that include:
- Respect for the rules of the sport or activity involved
- Respect for officials, coaches, volunteers and acceptance of their decisions
- Respect for other participants
- Concern for equal opportunity and participation
- Dignity under all circumstances
- Respect for the rules of Fair Play and principles of sportsmanship
- Zero tolerance for abusive or threatening language/behaviour
Individuals who believe that a breach of this policy has occurred may file a complaint with the Varsity View Community Association Executive. Such complaint may be verbal (if informal) or in writing (formal). Any formal complaints will be dealt with by a quorum of the Varsity View Community Association Executive within 30 days of written receipt.
Varsity View Community Association Executive will work to rectify the situation with the parties involved. This could include removal of the individual/family from activities of the Varsity View Community Association as a volunteer, instructor, coach, observing parent, player, or executive for up to two years.
VVCA Social Media Policy
Social Media Policy Adopted by VVCA Board on September 19, 2012
Author & Editor: Victor Das, VVCA Social Media Coordinator
See PDF version.
This policy governs the publication of and commentary on social media by volunteers of Varsity View Community Association (VVCA). For the purposes of this policy, social media means any facility for online publication and commentary, including without limitation blogs, wiki’s, social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. This policy is in addition to and complements any existing or future policies regarding the use of technology, computers, e-mail and the internet.
VVCA volunteers are free to publish or comment via social media in accordance with this policy. VVCA volunteers are subject to this policy to the extent they identify themselves as a VVCA volunteer (other than as an incidental mention of place of employment in a personal blog on topics unrelated to VVCA).
Notwithstanding the previous section, this policy applies to all uses of social media, including personal, by VVCA volunteers who are Social Media Coordinator(s), as their position with VVCA would be well known within the community.
Publication and commentary on social media carries similar obligations to any other kind of publication or commentary.
All uses of social media must follow the same ethical standards that VVCA volunteers must otherwise follow.
- Purpose
The purpose of VVCA’s social media is about reaching and connecting with people. Social media is a cost effective way to engage stakeholders, supporters, volunteers and potential supporters and a great way to reach certain audiences. The audience can be residents of the neighbourhood and City, City Councillors and officials, media and visitors. - Be responsible for what you write
VVCA volunteers need to take responsibility for what they write on VVCA social media, and exercise good judgment and common sense. - Exercise good judgment
Refrain from comments that can be interpreted as slurs, demeaning, inflammatory, etc. The Internet is full of varied opinions, and it’s okay to share yours, but you never, never, never want to be branded a racist or narrowminded or an unstoppable hot-head. - Be authentic and honest
Do not say anything that is dishonest, untrue, or misleading. If you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, point it out. Include your name and when appropriate your title if needed to be identified during an online conversation. - Protect your own privacy
Be mindful of posting information that you would not want the public to see. - Understand the concept of community
The essence of community is the idea that it exists so that you can support others and they, in turn, can support you. You need to learn how to balance personal and professional information, and the important role that transparency plays in building a community. Your community shouldn’t be an environment where competition is encouraged or emphasized, but rather a platform where your audience feel comfortable sharing, connecting, and receiving help. - Respect copyrights and fair use
Always give people proper credit for content shared, and make sure you have the right to use something with attribution before you publish. - Controversial Issues
If you see misrepresentations made about VVCA in the media refer that to the President of VVCA or designate. Always deal controversial issues with respect and facts. Avoid online arguments. - Disclaimer
Reposting/sharing stories on social media don’t mean endorsements of the source. - Remember to protect confidential & proprietary information
It’s perfectly acceptable to talk about your work and have a dialog with the community, but it’s not okay to publish confidential information. Confidential information includes things such as unpublished details of current projects, financial information, confidential donors, etc. In case of doubt, discuss about confidentiality with VVCA executive. - Productivity matters
Remember that in order for your social media endeavors to be successful, you need to find the right balance between social media and other work.
Social Media Tips
A. Who To Follow/Avoid
• City of Saskatoon News Service is a great resource for news releases from the City Hall.
• Councillors have a wealth of information and most of them are on social media.
• Journalists/news reporters following City Hall news are a great resource.
• Community associations provide a perspective of other communities.
• Partner organizations e.g. University of Saskatchewan are good to follow on issues of parking, housing and security.
• Quite often bots (automated accounts) follow you on Twitter. The best approach is to block them.
B. Disclaimer
Reposting/sharing stories on social media don’t mean endorsements of the source.
C. Avoid Commercial Advertisements
It’s best to avoid commercial advertisements of all kind. Following VVCA newsletter policy for sharing content on Facebook or Twitter is a good starting point:
• Do not share advertising from commercial entities or political parties.
• Do share public service announcements or articles, for example from our City councillor, or the City, health region or school.
• Time permitting, post announcements or articles from charitable and non-profit organizations.
References
• Rough Draft of a Nonprofit Social Media Policy
• 10 Must Haves for Your Social Media Policy
• Social Media Networking for Non Profits
• VVCA Newsletter Advertising Policy
Volunteer!
There are many ways you can volunteer for your Community Association:
- coach soccer
- flood the outdoor rink
- clean up your park
- help organize special events
- help coordinate recreation programs
- write a newsletter article
- take meeting minutes
- and more…
Come to the next VVCA meeting, or contact us now to find out how you can help in your Community!
Fundraising:
VVCA Annual Social/Fundraising Event
Mark your calendars every spring for VVCA’a annual social and fundraiser event! Come and celebrate our Community and meet your VVCA board members and fellow neighbours. Eat great food, enjoy a beverage and make your community better. Watch the website and newsletters for more information.
Tickets are typically available from any board member or email to enquire about and/or reserving tickets. See you there!
Website:
Problems? Suggestions? Comments? Email to web@vvcasaskatoon.com