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SAFE STAR Program
Three Star Rating Program
The SAFE STAR Program
was adapted by Softball
Saskatchewan and is a
Three Star Rating
System designed to
recognize quality
softball programs.
How Many Stars will your Association Receive?
Complete the Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) STAR application form
to find out your association’s SAFE STAR Rating, and use your results to help promote
your association in your community. The SAFE STAR Program is an ideal way to show
the community your dedication to quality programming and. Become a SAFE STAR
Rated Softball Association today!
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Promoting Best Practices
The SAFE STAR Program is designed to promote best practices in Softball
Association management and administration.
The SAFE STAR Program is a quality assurance program that will award Softball
Associations with a STAR rating from one (1) to three (3), based on a series of
standards in four categories:
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Organizational Development
Volunteer Development
Long Term Player Development
Softball Saskatchewan Participation
Organizational
Development
Organizational development refers to
the administrative aspects of a
Softball Association, including
insurance, a Board of Directors,
Annual General Meetings, and much
more. Successful Softball Associations
can offer better programming
because their goals are clear and their
efforts are focused.
Improve the Appeal of your Softball Association!
Promote your Association
Softball Associations who receive a SAFE STAR Rating will be able to promote
themselves as a ‘SAFE STAR Rated Softball Association’, and will receive free
promotional materials to assist them in marketing their programs to the public.
The promotional materials and the SAFE STAR Rating will help Softball
associations to build a better brand for themselves and benefit from a greater
perceived quality of programs available.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer development refers to the
ways in which an Association works
with their volunteers- including Board
Members, Coaches, Umpires and
Parents. Successful Associations
make a volunteer’s job easier
resulting in higher overall satisfaction
from both the volunteers and the
other members of the Association.
How to Apply
Your Softball Association can apply for its SAFE STAR rating by completing this
application form.
Please note: Your application should use statistics from the previous season
where applicable. The SAFE STAR Rating you achieve is valid for two (2) years.
Please take the time to review this application with your Board of Directors and,
should you have any questions, please contact Softball Saskatchewan’s Executive
Director, Guy Jacobson ([email protected])
Long-Term Player
Development (LTPD)
LTPD represents a systematic and
integrated approach to developing
players by indentifying appropriate
levels of training and competition at
each stage. Associations who adopt
LTPD help to introduce more players
to softball and encourage them to
stay in the game for a lifetime.
Softball Saskatchewan
Participation
Softball Associations who do not have
a connection to the provincial
governing body for softball will not
have access to all of the benefits
provided by Softball Saskatchewan.
By connecting with Softball
Saskatchewan, you can ensure that
you have access to the most up-todate resources and benefits available.
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SAFE STAR Application Process
Step 1
Contact Softball Saskatchewan
Discuss any questions you may have
about your application with
Saskatchewan’s Executive Director,
Guy Jacobson ([email protected])
Step 2
Review the Application Form
Complete the initial review of the
Application form with your Board
of Directors.
[email protected])
Step 3
Complete the Association
Information
Step 4
Complete the Organizational
Development Section
Select a SAFE STAR Representative
who will serve as Softball
Saskatchewan’s contact person for
your Application.
Indicate what your Association has
accomplished with a check-mark.
Step 5
Step 6
Complete the Volunteer
Development Section
Complete the Long-Term Player
Development Section
Indicate what your Association has
accomplished with a check-mark.
Indicate what your Association has
accomplished with a check-mark.
Step 7
Step 8
Complete the Softball
Saskatchewan Participation
Section
Submit your Application
Indicate what your Association has
accomplished with a check-mark.
Step 9
Supporting Documents
Softball Saskatchewan will request
a minimum of five (5) supporting
documents based on your
Application Form.
Your application will be reviewed,
and you will be notified of your
preliminary SAFE STAR Rating.
Receive Your Rating
Your Softball Association will
receive its official SAFE STAR Rating
and you will be able to promote
yourself as a
SAFE STAR Rated Softball
Association!
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SAFE STAR Scoring
SAFE STAR Ratings and Scores
Below is an explanation of what is needed
to achieve each of the SAFE STAR Ratings:
One Star Rating
To achieve a One (1) Star Rating
your Association must:
 Complete the SAFE STAR
Application Form
 Achieve a minimum score
of 50% in all categories
 Achieve an overall average
of 55%
----------------------------------------Two Star Rating
To achieve a Two (2) Star Rating
your Association must:
 Complete the SAFE STAR
Application Form
 Achieve a minimum score
of 50% in all categories
 Achieve an overall average
of 70%
----------------------------------------Three Star Rating
To achieve a Three (3) Star Rating
your Association must:
 Complete the SAFE STAR
Application Form
 Achieve a minimum score
of 50% in all categories
 Achieve an overall average
of 85%
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How are S.A.F.E Star Ratings determined?
As you complete your application form, you will see that each item has a corresponding
score of either ten (10), eight (8), six (6), four (4) or two (2) points. The point system helps
Softball Saskatchewan to determine your Association’s rating.
Please choose EACH ITEM that applies to your Softball Association, and add up their
corresponding scores to determine your score in each category. In order to qualify to earn a
SAFE STAR Rating, your Softball Association must achieve a minimum score of fifty percent
(50%) in each of the four categories:
Organizational Development
 Achieve a minimum score of 60/120
Volunteer Development
 Achieve a minimum score of 36/72
Long-Term Player Development
 Achieve a minimum score of 24/48
Softball Saskatchewan Participation
 Achieve a minimum score of 20/40
Once you have achieved the minimum score of 50% in each category, you will be eligible to
work towards earning your SAFE STAR Rating by achieving the appropriate overall average
score.
Overall average scores necessary for each SAFE STAR Rating are outlined on the left.
Supporting Documents
Once you have completed and submitted your Application, Softball Saskatchewan will
follow up with you to request a minimum of five (5) documents supporting your application.
Softball Saskatchewan will let you know which documents are being requested upon review
of your application.
Maintaining your SAFE STAR Rating
A SAFE STAR Rating is valid for two (2) years. Your rating can be maintained by completing a
Recertification/Upgrade form at any time before the two-year period expires.
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SAFE STAR Application
General Information
Association name: ______________________________________Website: __________________________________________
President’s Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ Province: ____________ Postal Code: _____________________
Phone numbers: h)____________________________ w) _____________________________ c) __________________________
Email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
How many players did your Softball Association register in the past season?
Total Youth Players: _______ (# male: _____ # female: _____)
Total Adult Players: _______ (# male: _____ # female: _____)
Total Coaches: _______ (# male: _____ # female: ______)
SAFE STAR Representative
Please name a representative from your Softball Association who will oversee the application process for the SAFE
STAR Program, and be the point of contact for questions regarding the Association’s application.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ Province: ____________ Postal Code: _____________________
Phone number: h) ____________________________ w) ____________________________ c) ___________________________
Email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
SAFE STAR Agreement & Privacy Waiver
The purpose of gathering the information on this application form is to provide Softball Saskatchewan with the information
needed to administer the SAFE STAR Program. Please note that Softball Saskatchewan is committed to respecting the privacy of
our members, our volunteers, and our employees, by adhering to the privacy principles set forth in The Personal Information
Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Information collected will be used for the following purposes: determining the Association’s SAFE STAR Level, communications
from Softball Saskatchewan; publication of contact information on the Softball Saskatchewan web site and the Softball Canada
Web Site; release of Association contact information to potential participants.
In completing this form, our Softball Association is committing to upholding the requirements of the SAFE STAR rating awarded,
and to raising standards in softball. I also confirm that the information provided is correct.
We hereby certify that we have read the above statements and agree with them and we will therefore adhere to all
requirements contained in this agreement or as may be otherwise directed to us in writing by Softball Saskatchewan during our
participation in the SAFE STAR Program. Furthermore, we certify that we are authorized to act on behalf of our Association.
_____________________ _______ _______________________ ________
Association President
Date
SAFE STAR Representative
Please send your application form to: Softball Saskatchewan
2205 Victoria Avenue, Regina, Sask. S4P 0S4
Email: [email protected] Fax: 306-780-9483
Date
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SAFE STAR Scoring Forms
Check off all of the following items that currently apply to your Softball Association
Organizational Development
Governance
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Your Association has a formal Board of Directors/Executive
Your Association has a Constitution/By-Laws
Your Association has established and made available Standard Operating Policies & Procedures
Your Association has a Code of Conduct for Players, Parents, Volunteers and Coaches
Your Association has a Mission Statement
Your Association has a Dispute Resolution Policy for your membership
Your Association is incorporated as a Not for Profit Organization
Your Association has a policy on Criminal Records Checks for Coaches and Volunteers
Your Association’s Board of Directors has approved policies outlining its expectations in at least four
(4) of the following important areas (please indicate which areas):
___ Financial Management Policies
___ Volunteer Job Descriptions
___ Conflict of Interest Policies
___ Safety of Volunteers and Players
___ Communication/Social Media Policy
___ Team Travel Policies
___ Appeals Process
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6
6
6
2
2
2
2
2
Planning
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Your Association’s Board of Directors meets on a regular basis
Your Association conducts an annual review of By-laws and Policies
Your Association’s Board of Directors establishes and evaluated Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Your Association has a Media / Publicity Strategy
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6
2
2
Finances
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Your Association reviews its monthly financial statements on a regular basis
Your Association pursues sponsorship or fundraising opportunities
Your Association has an Annual Budget
Your Association undergoes a yearly audit which is completed by an independent accountant
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4
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Transparency/Communication
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Your Association holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Your Association holds public Registration Dates
Your Association has an email address for each of its members
Your Association maintains a Web Site
Your Association makes its Annual General Meeting Minutes available to its membership
Your Association has a Calendar of Events available to Members
Your Association distributes News Releases to Local Media
Your Association monitors Membership Statistics
Your Association Hosts an Annual Tournament that is open to teams from outside your Association
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10
6
4
2
2
2
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2
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Volunteer Development
Board of Directors
Your association’s Board meets on a regular basis
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Your association provides some type of recognition to Board Members
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Your association sends a representative to the Softball Saskatchewan AGM and/or Semi-Annual
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Meeting
Your association has job descriptions for all Board positions
Your association nominates your Board members for volunteer recognition opportunities through
Softball Saskatchewan and/or Saskatchewan Sport
Coaches
Your Association has provided support to your Coaches for training and development opportunities
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once within the past two (2) years
More than 25% of your Association’s Coaches have received training in one of Softball
Saskatchewan’s NCCP Clinics
A minimum of one (1) Coach per team is Trained in NCCP
Your Association has hosted a Coaching Clinic once within the past five (5) years
Umpires
□ Your Association has provided support to your Umpires for training and development opportunities
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once within the past two (2) years.
Your Association requires that all Umpires must register yearly with Softball Saskatchewan.
Your Association has hosted an Umpire Clinic once within the past five (5) years.
General Volunteers
□ Your Association provides recognition to its Volunteers
□ Your Association has a Volunteer Recruitment/Retention Strategy
□ Your Association provides volunteers with an Emergency Action Plan
□ Your Association provides Scorekeeping Training Opportunities
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6
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2
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2
6
4
2
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Long Term Player Development (LTPD)
Programs
Your Association supports the principles outlined in the Softball Canada Long Term Player
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Development (LTPD) Model
Your Association utilizes the Learn to Play Program for players at the FUNdamentals (ages 6 to 9)
stage of Long Term Player Development (LTPD)
Your Association hosts Achievement or Skills Days for U10 aged players and younger
Rules
Your Association utilized the Softball Saskatchewan pitching rules
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Your Association rules support everyone bats/unlimited substitutions rule in the U12 division
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Your Association’s rules regarding a player’s playing time are appropriate for age group according
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to LTPD
Your Association rules state that the pitching distances and base lines are in line with Softball
Canada rule book as recommended by LTPD
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Long Term Player Development Education
Your Association has purchased a Softball Canada U12, U14 or U16 Coaches Guide
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Your Association provides information on LTPD to Players & Parents within your Association
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Your Association has a LTPD Section on your website
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Softball Saskatchewan Participation
Programs
Your Association affiliates all softball players and coaches with Softball Saskatchewan on an annual
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basis.
Your Association provides Softball Saskatchewan with an updated contact(s) on an annual basis
Your Association hosted a Softball Saskatchewan Skills Clinic, Summer Fever Camp or 5 Week
CANpitch Clinic once within the past five (5) years
Your Association has hosted a Provincial Championship in the last three (3) years
Your Association has applied for Membership Assistance Program (MAP) Development Grants
Your association supports the Blastball Elementary School Program
Your Association has team(s) that participate in Provincial Championships
Your Association hosted a Member Association Tournament in the past twelve (12) months
Your Association supports the Fall Ball Program
Please send your application form to: Softball Saskatchewan
2205 Victoria Avenue, Regina, Sask. S4P 0S4
Email: [email protected] Fax: 306-780-9483
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Have you noticed some things that your Softball Association isn’t currently doing, but would like to
start?
Upon developing the SAFE STAR Program, Softball Saskatchewan created a series of Best Practices &
Templates that your Softball Association can use to improve your SAFE STAR Rating. Templates can be
obtained by contacting the office or emailing [email protected]
Templates
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Administrator & League Official Code of
Conduct
Board Evaluation Policy and Survey
By-Laws
Code of Conduct for Coaches
Code of Conduct for Officials
Code of Conduct for Players
Code of Conduct for Spectators
Conflict of Interest Policies
Constitution
Emergency Action Plan
News Release Templates
Privacy Policy
Social Media & Networking Policy
Volunteer Screening Policy
Volunteer Succession Path
Best Practices
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By-Laws examples
How to Write a Constitution
Incorporation for Not-for-Profit
Organizations
Learn to Play Program Information
LTPD – Competition Formats
LTPD – Playing Time Rules
LTPD – Practice to Competition Ratios
LTPD – Season Length
Meeting Minutes
Mission Statements
Public Relations Toolkit
Standard Operating Procedures
Volunteer Recruitment Strategy
For information on programs and services offered by Softball Saskatchewan, please contact the office,
check our website or consult the Handbook.
If you or someone in your association has suggestions or ideas for other templates or best practices,
please notify the Softball Saskatchewan office.